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Every company has distinct payroll management needs. If Gusto doesn’t work for you, here are several others your business can try.
Gusto is a popular automated payroll management system that draws customers with features like benefits management, human resources (HR) functions, customized reporting and employee self-onboarding. However, Gusto lacks integration with popular applications and paying international workers can get costly.
Fortunately, several Gusto alternatives may suit your business. We’ve compiled our top six Gusto alternatives for their practical features, affordable pricing and ability to automate your payroll services no matter your business’s size.
Every payroll software type has pros and cons. While most have a well-balanced set of features, some lack a free trial, international employee support or advanced features on lower-tier plans.
Feature | ADP | OnPay | Paychex | QuickBooks Payroll | Rippling | TriNet |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pricing | Custom quote | Starts at $40 plus $6 per employee, per month | Starts at $39 plus $5 per employee, per month | Starts at $45 plus $6 per employee, per month | Starts at $8 per employee, per month | Starts at $6 per employee per month |
Free trial | 3 months | 30 days | None | 1 month | None | 14 days |
Benefits | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Employee portal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Taxes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Time tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
International employee support | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is one of the best-known names in payroll, providing automated payroll services for more than half a million United States businesses.
With popular integrations like QuickBooks and Xero and a robust mobile app, ADP automates payroll processes and provides advanced HR, time tracking and compliance features.
Here’s a look at ADP’s key features and pricing options.
ADP key features
ADP pricing
ADP does not offer transparent pricing. Like Gusto, the payroll software offers a tiered service plan structure: Essential, Enhanced, Complete and HR Pro.
For all tiers, pricing is based on your business, the features you need and the number of employees you have. You have to contact ADP directly to receive a price quote.
Learn more with our ADP review.
OnPay streamlines the payroll tools by offering an inclusive subscription that benefits small business owners and HR professionals. With unlimited payroll runs and multiple pay schedules, OnPay keeps all-in-one payroll solutions affordable.
OnPay offers tax services in its subscription plan. It provides an error-free guarantee on its filing of federal, state and local taxes, so you don’t have to worry about compliance on your own.
The platform allows multistate payroll processing with a licensed staff in all 50 states. The team ensures you have the best health insurance and retirement plans.
OnPay Payroll’s key features
OnPay Payroll pricing
See more features in our OnPay Payroll Software review.
While most payroll solutions can handle various business sizes, Paychex can support up to 1,000 employees. You know how quickly payroll can get overwhelming if you are a large business. Paychex automates payroll processing and tax filing for hundreds of staff.
Paychex has more than a hundred integrations for popular accounting software from Sage to Xero. Its robust HR platform will help you manage and serve your growing number of employees.
Higher-tier plans include employee screening and company handbook services for compliance assurance. You can also use Paychex to purchase various types of business insurance.
Here’s a look at Paychex’s key features and pricing options.
Paychex key features
Paychex pricing
Discover more details with our Paychex review.
If you already use QuickBooks for accounting tasks, look into QuickBooks Payroll to streamline your day-to-day operations.
Plus, if you approve payroll by the close of business the day before payday, everyone will still get their paycheck on time, whether they’ve requested direct deposit or a paper check.
Here’s a look at QuickBooks Payroll’s key features and pricing options.
QuickBooks Payroll key features
QuickBooks Payroll pricing
The Premium and Elite tiers include an HR support center and workers’ comp insurance administration.
Find out more in our QuickBooks Payroll review.
Rippling offers various options through a la carte pricing, such as payroll, benefits administration and information technology (IT).
While Rippling’s offerings for small businesses might feel overwhelming, the flexibility of payroll and HR options combined with more than 400 third-party integrations makes it easy to streamline current software and take a baby-steps approach. Rippling is recommended for businesses with more than 10 employees.
Here’s a look at Rippling’s key features and pricing options.
Rippling key features
Rippling pricing
Rippling’s pricing starts at $8 per month, per user. Contact Rippling with the services you need for a custom quote.
For more information, read our in-depth Rippling Payroll review. [Related article: Rippling HR Software review]
TriNet is the only HR and payroll solution with built-in scheduling and attendance tools for all subscription levels. Attendance information and time-off requests sync with payroll.
TriNet can also support various job positions, from full-time warehouse workers to sales teams working varying hours. It can reimburse business expenses directly to employee paychecks.
Here’s a look at TriNet’s key features and pricing options.
TriNet key features
TriNet pricing
TriNet doesn’t have a monthly fee, but you must have a minimum of five employees to get started. You must first purchase a base package with HR tools and then add payroll. The platform doesn’t have a stand-alone payroll solution:
TriNet payroll is $6 per employee and $6 per active contractor monthly. The advisory services add-on costs $10 per employee monthly for unlimited access to HR and payroll experts. Other add-ons include benefits administrations using your own broker ($5 per person monthly) and TriNet Recruiting powered by JazzHR, starting at $35 monthly.
Read more about the plans in our TriNet review.