Deputy vs Gusto
Deputy
Employee scheduling, time tracking, and payroll add-ons
From$5/mo
LiteVerified Sep 26, 2026
Gusto
Payroll, benefits, and HR for small businesses
Kitfinch pick for 1 job across 6 trades.
From$49/mo
SimpleVerified Sep 24, 2026
How they differ
| Feature | Deputy | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $5/moLite | $49/moSimple |
| Free plan | Not stated | Not stated |
| Free trial | Not stated | Not stated |
| Payroll | ||
| Field team management | — | |
| Staff scheduling | — | |
| Suits | plumbers, HVAC companies, electricians, roofers, landscapers | plumbers, HVAC companies, electricians, roofers, landscapers |
Users on the horizontal axis. Entry plans only, from verified prices; yearly prices divided by 12; vendor minimums applied. Taxes and add-ons excluded.
Deputy
Strengths
- Three clear per-user monthly tiers (Lite, Core, Pro)
- 10% discount for annual billing
- Payroll, HR, and messaging add-ons available on top of any tier
Drawbacks
- A $30/month minimum spend applies to every monthly plan
- Payroll and HR are separate paid add-ons, not included in the base tiers
Gusto
Strengths
- Self-serve payroll setup without needing an accountant
- Automatic payroll tax filing in all states it supports
- Contractor payments included even on lower tiers
Drawbacks
- Per-employee monthly fee adds up for larger seasonal crews
- Some HR compliance features are reserved for the top plan
Frequently asked questions
What do Deputy and Gusto have in common?
Both cover payroll.
Is Deputy cheaper than Gusto?
On entry plans for one user, Deputy costs $5 a month and Gusto $49, so Deputy is cheaper to start. The gap changes with team size and billing terms; see the chart above.