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Gusto VS Paylocity

Let’s have a side-by-side comparison of Gusto vs Paylocity to find out which one is better. This software comparison between Gusto and Paylocity is based on genuine user reviews. Compare software prices, features, support, ease of use, and user reviews to make the best choice between these, and decide whether Gusto or Paylocity fits your business.

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  • img 15 Ratings & 10 Reviews
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  • img 14 Ratings & 14 Reviews
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Pricing

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Price Plans

$ 49.00

Simple

$ 80.00

Plus

$ 180.00

Premium

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Price on Request

Get customise plan according to your business requirement

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  • Lifetime Plan
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Ratings

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Overall ratings

4.4

15 Ratings & 10 Reviews

87% Likelihood to Recommend

3.9

14 Ratings & 14 Reviews

87% Likelihood to Recommend

Pros & Cons

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Pros

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Gusto strikes a balance: payroll, compliance, benefits, basic HR. Enough feature...Read more - Dennis Neftleberg Nov 22, 2025

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It is easy to set up with minimal configuration required. - Makir Aondoungwa Sep 02, 2025

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I appreciate the range of reports Paylocity can generate. The analytics offer a ...Read more - veeraraghavulu Gubba Oct 03, 2024

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Paylocity brings together HR and payroll functions, which has been very convenie...Read more - ishika bisht Oct 02, 2024

Cons

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For large enterprises or very complex orgs, Gusto may feel limited compared to f...Read more - Dennis Neftleberg Nov 22, 2025

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Importing legacy payroll data or complex compensation structures can be cumberso...Read more - Makir Aondoungwa Sep 02, 2025

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While the software offers many features, learning how to use it efficiently take...Read more - veeraraghavulu Gubba Oct 03, 2024

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Getting used to the different functions took some time, especially for team memb...Read more - ishika bisht Oct 02, 2024

Reviews

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Verified customer reviews

Good balance of features not overkill, not too basic

Dennis Neftleberg Nov 22, 2025

Setup was quick, had payroll running within a day

Makir Aondoungwa Sep 02, 2025

Paylocity Provides Helpful Insights Into Payroll Trends

veeraraghavulu Gubba Oct 03, 2024

Useful for HR and Payroll in One Package

ishika bisht Oct 02, 2024

Best Use for

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Business Size:

  • img Individual
  • img 2-50 Employees
  • img 51-250 Employees
  • img 250-500 Employees
  • img 500-1000 Employees
  • img More than 1000+ Employees
  • img Individual
  • img 2-50 Employees
  • img 51-250 Employees
  • img 250-500 Employees
  • img 500-1000 Employees
  • img More than 1000+ Employees

Business Type:

  • img Small Business
  • img Startups
  • img Medium Business
  • img Enterprise
  • img SMBs
  • img SMEs
  • img MSMBs
  • img MSMEs
  • img Freelancers
  • img Individual
  • img Small Business
  • img Startups
  • img Medium Business
  • img Enterprise
  • img SMBs
  • img SMEs
  • img MSMBs
  • img MSMEs
  • img Freelancers
  • img Individual

Industries:

  • imgAll Industries
  • imgAll Industries

We provide the best software solution for your business needs

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Features

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Product features

  • checked Payroll Management
  • checked Employee Self service
  • checked Administration
  • checked Paid-time-off policies
  • checked Employee Onboarding Tools
  • checked Accounting
  • checked Time Tracking
  • checked Project tracking and workforce costing
  • checked Document Management
  • checked Employee Master Report
  • checked Expense Claims
  • checked Pay Stub Access
  • checked Holiday & Leave Calendar
  • checked Leave Policy Customization
  • checked Attendance Tracking
  • checked Sick Leave and Vacation Tracking
  • checked Paid Time Off (PTO) Management
  • checked Affordable Care Act (ACA) Compliance
  • checked Employee Shift Scheduling
  • checked Bank Transfer Files
  • checked Payroll Deposit Scheduling
  • checked Leave and Attendance Reports
  • checked Compliance Reports
  • checked Audit Logs and Monitoring
  • checked Encrypted Data Transmission
  • checked Data Backup and Recovery
  • checked Configurable Workflows & Approvals
  • checked Custom Payroll Rules and Policies
  • checked Scheduled Payroll Processing
  • checked State-Specific Compliance
  • checked 401(k) Management
  • checked Employee Benefits Management
  • checked Third Party Integration
  • checked API Access
  • checked Income Tax Management
  • checked Document Management
  • checked Alerts & Notifications
  • checked Performance Management
  • checked API Integration
  • checked Employee Database
  • checked User Access Management
  • checked Direct Deposit
  • checked Payroll Reports
  • checked Tax Deductions
  • checked Expense Reimbursements
  • checked Variable Pay & Commission Management
  • checked Bonus and Incentive Management
  • checked Multiple Pay Rates and Schedules
  • checked Off-Cycle Payroll Processing
  • checked Automated Payroll
  • checked Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
  • checked Overtime Management

Specifications

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Deployment

  • img Web based
  • img On Premises
  • img Web based
  • img On Premises

Device Supported

  • img Desktop
  • img Mobile
  • img iPad
  • img Tablet
  • img Desktop
  • img Mobile
  • img iPad
  • img Tablet

Supported Platforms

  • img Windows
  • img Mac OS
  • img Android
  • img iOS
  • img Linux
  • img Ubuntu
  • img Windows
  • img Mac OS
  • img Android
  • img iOS
  • img Linux
  • img Ubuntu

Languages support

  • imgEnglish
  • imgEnglish

Compliance Regulations:

  • img COPPA
  • img HIPAA
  • img CCPA
  • img CPRA
  • img ECPA
  • img COPPA
  • img HIPAA
  • img CCPA
  • img CPRA
  • img ECPA

Alternatives

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Top Alternative Products

MyCo

MyCo


ClayHR

ClayHR


ConnectHR

ConnectHR


Zoho People

Zoho People


See all Gusto alternatives img
Papaya Global

Papaya Global


QuickBooks Payroll

QuickBooks Payroll


Roll by ADP

Roll by ADP


Wave Payroll

Wave Payroll


See all Paylocity alternatives img

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Similar Comparison

Gusto vs Paylocity Comparison FAQs

Software questions,
answered

Gusto is a simple payroll and basic HR, and Paylocity is more advanced reporting, more advanced automation, and advanced HR features of medium and large businesses.

Gusto works better with small and developing businesses which require a simple payroll and straightforward human resources. Paylocity is more suitable for bigger businesses that require advanced workforce management, analytics, and customized HR workflows.

Gusto offers straightforward pricing, which starts at USD 19.60 per month. On the other hand, Paylocity pricing is available on request at Techjockey.

Gusto provides friendly support through email, chat, and useful guides to the small teams. Paylocity offers more services, as it also offers specialized support to larger companies with complicated HR needs.

Gusto is suitable to serve growing businesses with straightforward HR requirements, yet not in large organizations that may need sophisticated reporting, more robust compliance functionalities, and workforce management solutions found in Paylocity.

Gusto offers an easy cloud-based system with easy mobile experience of performing simple tasks. Paylocity has a more advanced mobile app with features such as communication features, workforce activities, and performance tracking.

A Quick Comparison Between Gusto vs Paylocity

Choosing any software for your organisation is a crucial decision. As a decision maker, you must ensure that the software you choose addresses the pain points of your teams and reaps maximum benefit for you.

  • Gusto vs Paylocity: Which HR Software Is Right for You?
  • What Are The Key Differences Between Gusto vs Paylocity
  • Comparison Table: Gusto vs Paylocity
  • Detailed Feature Comparison of Gusto vs Paylocity
  • When to Choose Gusto vs Paylocity?
  • Final Verdict

Gusto vs Paylocity: Which HR Software Is Right for You?

The selection of the appropriate HR software can help operate payroll easily, pay your staff, and keep all your HR activities in order. Two popular alternatives in this category include Gusto and Paylocity, and each is suited to another kind of business needs.

Gusto is suitable for small or medium-sized companies as it is straightforward, neat, and user-friendly. It has all the necessary HR and payroll functionalities but does not make it difficult, hence it is ideal in case a team seeks a user-friendly system.

Instead, Paylocity suits medium and larger companies that require a more in-depth HR approach. It offers more flexible talent management, workforce planning and customization, which make it fit well in firms with complicated HR needs.

We will discuss the distinctions between the key features, compare them, and give you reasons to choose Gusto or Paylocity in this guide to find the best option to match your company.

What Are The Key Differences Between Gusto vs Paylocity

  1. Ease of Use: Gusto is more accessible to small teams, while Paylocity is more sophisticated and presents more customizable HR controls.
  2. HR Needs: Gusto performs simple HR and payroll, and Paylocity facilitates advanced HR, reporting, and talent management.
  3. Business Size Fit: Gusto is well-fit too small to medium-sized businesses, and Paylocity is designed to fit medium to large firms in need of scalable solutions.

Comparison Table: Gusto vs Paylocity

Feature Gusto Paylocity
Payroll Management Easy payroll for small teams with automation. Strong payroll system built for growing companies.
Employee Self Service Simple portal for pay slips and updates. Detailed employee access with deeper HR options.
Time Tracking Basic time tracking for everyday needs. Advanced tracking with scheduling and costing tools.
Employee Onboarding Smooth digital onboarding for new hires. More robust onboarding with customizable workflows.
Document Management Stores key HR files in one place. Extensive storage with stronger compliance handling.
Attendance Tracking Simple clock-in and attendance options. Full attendance suited for advanced monitoring.
Leave & Absence Management Easy leave requests and basic policies. Customs leave rules for complex HR structures.
Expense Claims Basic reimbursements for small teams. Strong expense tools for larger workforces.
Support Friendly support focused on small businesses. Broader support is built for larger organizations.
Best For Small to medium businesses need simplicity. Medium to large companies needs customization.
Pricing Starts at USD 19.60 per month. Price is available on request at Techjockey.

Detailed Feature Comparison of Gusto vs Paylocity

  • Reporting & Analytics

Gusto provides accessible reports that are easy to read and enable smaller teams to grasp payroll and taxes, as well as the fundamental HR data. Paylocity provides much more analytics that are customizable with workforce insights and trend tracking. It is better applicable to a business that requires extensive reports to plan, conduct audits, budget, and analyze the workforce.

  • Integrations & Connectivity

Gusto is compatible with familiar small-business software such as QuickBooks, Xero, and simple HR solutions. Paylocity has broader integration availability, integrating with enterprise software, sophisticated HR software, and industry platforms. It favours more advanced multi-system configurations, so it works well with larger organizations having elaborate software needs.

  • Workflow Automation

The goal of automation at Gusto is to make routine duties such as reminders, updates, and payroll checks easier. Paylocity has multi-step processes, approvals, escalations, and customized HR sequences, which provide high levels of workflow automation. This enhances the strength of Paylocity in businesses that aim to mechanize massive HR functions and minimize manual tasks.

  • Compliance & Risk Management

Gusto has regular compliance with payroll tax, filing, and simple HR regulations, which is why it is suitable for smaller groups. Paylocity offers more effective compliance features, such as audit trials, superior tracking, labor law notifications, and enforcement of policies. This assists bigger firms to minimize risks and have cleaner compliance records.

  • Performance Management

Gusto does not have heavy performance tracking tools. Paylocity has an all-encompassing performance management package comprising goal setting, feedback, review and skill development tracking. It assists in the structured development programs and aids HR teams in the conformity of the performance processes in numerous departments.

  • Mobile Experience

Gusto has a mobile experience that is straightforward and applicable to those employees that require access to simple information only. Paylocity has a stronger mobile app, which has more features such as surveys, chat tools, performance activities, and tasks associated with shifts. It is best suited in large teams that have a great dependency on mobile workflows.

  • Customization Options

Gusto ensures that it keeps customization to a minimum to ensure that it is simple for small businesses. Paylocity provides extremely customizable HR processes, reporting, user roles, workflow, and communication environments. Such a degree of customization assists companies of medium and large scale to adjust the system according to their specific HR policies and organizational designs.

When to Choose Gusto vs Paylocity?

Your Need Choose Gusto Choose Paylocity
Small or growing business Yes, it is simple and budget-friendly for small teams No, it is too advanced and heavy for small setups
Need quick setup and easy use Yes, very beginner-friendly and easy to run No, setup and usage are more complex
Need basic payroll & HR only Yes, perfect for essential HR and payroll No, it offers more than small teams need
Medium to large organization No, it lacks advanced control for big teams Yes, built for larger, more complex companies
Need advanced analytics & compliance No, limited deep analytics or compliance tools Yes, strong reports, audits, and compliance support
Complex workflows or multiple departments No, not enough customization for complex structures Yes, it supports advanced workflows and custom HR rules

Final Verdict

The decision between Gusto and Paylocity is all about the size of a business and the complexity of its HR requirements.

Gusto is an appropriate choice when a small and middle-sized business requires easy payroll, hassle-free onboarding, and simple HR features without complex systems. It is user-friendly, simple to establish and created to accommodate teams that favor an uncomplicated and pleasant experience.

Paylocity will suit medium and large businesses needing more HR control, reporting, enhanced compliance support, and complex structure and team management. It has greater personalization, greater automation, and greater analysis, which is often required by larger organizations.

The platform fits both business levels and business expectations. Gusto is the best option when simplicity and affordability are the most critical factors whereas Paylocity is more intelligent in situations where the company requires the feature of powerful HR and scalability.

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