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
- Ease of Use: Gusto is more accessible to small teams, while Paylocity is more sophisticated and presents more customizable HR controls.
- HR Needs: Gusto performs simple HR and payroll, and Paylocity facilitates advanced HR, reporting, and talent management.
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.