Best Gusto Alternatives

Why owners look for an alternative to Gusto

Owners typically start comparing alternatives once they hit a feature Gusto reserves for a higher plan tier. Gusto's entry-level Simple plan covers single-state payroll, unlimited payrolls per month, tax filings and payments, and basic PTO policies, while multi-state payroll and time tracking are held back for the Plus tier, and a dedicated service advisor, certified HR experts, performance and compensation management, and priority support are reserved for the top Premium tier.

Faster pay delivery follows the same pattern: next-day pay is included starting on Simple as a paid add-on, while same-day pay and instant pay are only bundled into Premium.

Gusto also does not publish an IT device management module, so a business that wants to provision laptops or manage app access for office staff alongside payroll has to look outside Gusto's product lineup entirely.

The alternatives at a glance

Rippling: best for adding IT device management to payroll

Rippling's core platform is required before adding any other product, and most of its individual HR, Finance, and IT products, including payroll, are then purchased separately on top of that base, billed per employee per month with some products charged at or including a separate monthly fee.

Its IT module goes well beyond what a payroll-only tool offers: zero-touch deployment ships pre-configured devices directly to employees across macOS, Windows, iOS, and iPadOS, identity and access management automatically provisions or removes app access when a role changes or an employee leaves, and the platform reports device logistics support across more than 130 countries.

The reason to switch is consolidation: a business that wants payroll, HR, and device provisioning under one login accepts Rippling's module-by-module custom quote in exchange for not running a separate IT tool alongside payroll. See the full profile at /tools/rippling and a direct comparison at /compare/gusto-vs-rippling.

RUN Powered by ADP: best for owners who want live support

RUN Powered by ADP automatically deducts and files federal, state, and local payroll taxes, creates and e-files W-2 and 1099 forms with the IRS, and backs that payroll engine with 24/7 real-person customer service from payroll professionals.

It also layers in ADP Assist, an AI feature that flags potential payroll errors before a run is submitted, a "RUN & DONE" option that puts recurring payroll on autopilot, and a mobile app for running payroll from any device, across four packaged tiers that add recruiting, unemployment insurance, and HR support at higher levels.

The reason to switch is support depth: an owner who wants a live person to call when a payroll run looks wrong gets that built in, in exchange for a custom quote instead of Gusto's published pricing page. See /tools/run-adp and the head-to-head at /compare/gusto-vs-run-adp.

Paylocity: best for a growing business with complex pay rules

Paylocity lets a business customize check types, time-off accruals, and reporting rather than working within a fixed plan structure, and its Payroll Readiness Dashboard runs more than 40 built-in audits that flag issues like unexpected pay spikes before a payroll run is processed.

Tax compliance is built around a geolocation check that audits each employee against the correct tax jurisdiction, backed by tax specialists who prepare, review, and file the documents, and hours and labor allocations flow directly into payroll from its time and labor product to cut manual data entry.

Paylocity also segments its offering by company size, from a small business track for 1 to 99 employees up through midsize and enterprise tiers, so the same platform can carry a business through headcount growth without a switch.

The reason to switch is configurability: a business with multiple pay rates or locations trades Gusto's fixed tiers for a platform sized to its headcount and a demo-based quote. See /tools/paylocity and /compare/gusto-vs-paylocity.

Homebase: best for an hourly, shift-based crew

Homebase bundles employee scheduling, time tracking, team messaging, and payroll in one app, with hours pulled automatically from timesheets into payroll instead of entered by hand, and the system applies overtime, multiple wage rates, break compliance, and PTO calculations automatically.

Its payroll module includes automated tax calculation, filing, and payment, direct deposit and check printing, W-2 and 1099 generation, wage garnishment handling, and tip pooling, billed with unlimited payroll runs and month-to-month flexibility rather than a fixed annual contract.

The reason to switch is workflow, not features: a business that already schedules shifts and tracks hours in Homebase keeps payroll in the same system instead of syncing time data into a separate payroll tool the way Gusto requires. See /tools/homebase for the full profile.

How to switch from Gusto

Before canceling, an owner should export Gusto's payroll history, employee I-9 and W-2 records, and any contractor 1099 data, since Gusto's own Premium tier lists "payroll migration and account setup" as a named feature for the receiving side of a switch rather than the outgoing one.

For a move to Rippling, plan on the core platform setup before any payroll module goes live, since Rippling requires the base platform before HR, Finance, or IT products can be added.

For RUN Powered by ADP or Paylocity, expect a sales conversation and a quote before onboarding starts, since both route new customers to a request form rather than a self-serve signup.

Homebase advertises free data migration handled by a dedicated payroll expert during the switch, which is worth confirming directly if scheduling and time tracking data need to move over alongside payroll.

Whichever platform is next, keep the Gusto account active until every open pay run and tax filing has been recreated in the new system, since payroll platforms do not automatically sync history from a competitor.

Which one should you pick

Choose Rippling if payroll, HR, and IT device provisioning under one login matters more than Gusto's simpler, published plan tiers. Choose RUN Powered by ADP if live, real-person payroll support and an established provider track record matter more than a fully self-serve sign-up flow. Choose Paylocity if the business has multiple pay rates or locations and wants configurable check types and a built-in error-audit dashboard. Choose Homebase if the crew is hourly and shift-based and scheduling, time tracking, and payroll living in one app matters more than deeper HR tooling. Stay with Gusto if self-serve setup and a published, flat plan structure matter more than any of those specific gaps.