Long-established payroll and HR outsourcing provider with a broad service network across the US.
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Paychex vs Gusto
Comparing Paychex and Gusto to help you pick the right Payroll Software for your needs.
| Feature | Paychex | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Paid |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Editorial rating | ★ 3.8 / 5 | ★ 4.2 / 5 |
| Starting price | Contact sales | $40/month + $6/person |
| Community votes | 12 | 198 |
Paychex Pros & Cons
- Long track record and broad physical service network across the US, with local representatives in many regions for hands-on support
- Wide range of HR add-on services (benefits administration, workers' compensation insurance, retirement plans) extending well beyond payroll alone
- Established reliability handling complex, multi-state payroll tax compliance for businesses operating across different jurisdictions
- Dedicated payroll specialists available for businesses wanting more hands-on, human support than a purely self-service platform
- Scales well from small businesses up through larger mid-sized companies with more complex payroll and HR needs
- Pricing isn't published and typically requires a sales call, making upfront cost comparison harder than transparent competitors
- Interface and user experience are often described as less modern and polished than Gusto's more contemporary design
- Onboarding and setup can feel more traditional and less self-service-oriented than newer, more streamlined competitors
- Some smaller businesses report feeling like a lower priority relative to Paychex's larger enterprise clients
Gusto Pros & Cons
- Noticeably simpler setup and interface than legacy payroll providers like ADP
- Handles full-service payroll, tax filing, and benefits in one platform
- Employee self-service portal reduces admin overhead
- Transparent, predictable per-employee pricing
- Less suited to very large enterprises with complex multi-state or international payroll needs
- Some advanced HR features require the higher-priced Plus tier
- Customer support response times have drawn mixed feedback during peak periods
Verdict: Paychex vs Gusto
Paychex and Gusto both serve the Payroll Software category well, but suit different priorities. Gusto carries the stronger editorial rating (4.2 / 5), Based on community engagement, Gusto is currently the more widely adopted choice (198 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is cheaper, Paychex or Gusto?
- Paychex and Gusto use a similar pricing model (both paid), so the cheaper choice depends on which specific plan tier and feature set you need rather than the base pricing model.
- Is Paychex or Gusto rated higher?
- Gusto has the higher editorial rating at 4.2 out of 5, compared to Paychex's 3.8 out of 5. This is Kreemhunt's own staff rating, not a public user aggregate — review the pros and cons below for specifics that matter to your use case.
- Which platforms do Paychex and Gusto support?
- Paychex is available on Web, iOS, Android. Gusto is available on Web, iOS, Android. Both tools cover a similar range of platforms.
- Can I switch from Paychex to Gusto (or vice versa)?
- Most payroll software tools, including Paychex and Gusto, support data export in standard formats, making migration possible though rarely fully automatic. Expect to manually verify that custom configurations, integrations, and historical data transfer correctly, and budget time for the team to adjust to workflow differences between the two products.
- Should I choose Paychex or Gusto?
- Paychex and Gusto both serve the Payroll Software category well, but suit different priorities. Gusto carries the stronger editorial rating (4.2 / 5), Based on community engagement, Gusto is currently the more widely adopted choice (198 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.