Best Gusto Alternatives: 8 Payroll Picks With Real Base and Per-Person Fees

The best Gusto alternative for most small businesses is OnPay. It costs the same as Gusto Simple, $49 a month plus $6 per person, but it covers all 50 states at no extra cost. Pick Patriot for the lowest price, Square or QuickBooks if you use them, Justworks for benefits, Rippling for HR and IT, and Deel for hiring abroad.

Gusto is one of the most popular payroll tools for small businesses. It says it serves more than 500,000 businesses. But the price adds up. Gusto Simple is $49 a month plus $6 per person, and it only covers one state. If you need a second state, you move up to Plus at $80 a month plus $12 per person. That is often the moment people start to look around.

I pulled every price below from each company’s own pricing page in October 2026. Payroll prices change often, and many vendors run short promos. So I list the regular price and call out any promo on its own. Check the final quote before you sign up.

Building a full stack? Our small business software guide shows the best pick for every job and what it costs.

Quick Comparison: 8 Gusto Alternatives at a Glance

Why People Look for a Gusto Alternative

Most people leave Gusto because of cost or fit. Gusto Simple only covers one state, so a single remote hire in another state can push you to Plus at $80 a month plus $12 per person. Others want a cheaper tool, payroll inside their accounting or point-of-sale system, a PEO for better benefits, or a way to pay people abroad.

Gusto is still a good product. Every plan includes unlimited payroll runs with no extra fee per run. Plus adds multi-state payroll, next-day pay and time tracking. Premium adds a dedicated service advisor and HR experts for $180 a month plus $22 per person. You pay month to month with no long-term contract. You can see all of it on Gusto’s pricing page.

But the per-person fee is where the bill grows. On Gusto Plus, 10 people cost $200 a month before any add-ons.

What Makes the Best Gusto Alternative?

The best Gusto alternative runs full-service payroll, files your taxes for you and costs less for the people you pay. Check five things. What is the base fee and the per-person fee? Does it cover every state you hire in? Does it file federal, state and local taxes? Does it work with your accounting or POS tool? And how fast do your people get paid?

We compared each tool on those points using its own pricing and product pages. We also read the top-ranking reviews of Gusto alternatives. Several still list old prices. Some say OnPay and Gusto Simple start at $40 a month, but both now list $49. We only use the prices the vendors show today.

Best Overall Gusto Alternative

OnPay is the best overall Gusto alternative. It costs $49 a month plus $6 per person, the same as Gusto Simple. But OnPay covers all 50 states at no extra cost, where Gusto needs its $80 Plus plan for more than one state. You also get your first month free, plus free setup and data migration.

1 OnPay: Best for multi-state payroll at a flat price

If you want Gusto-style payroll without paying more for a second state, start here.

What it does well. OnPay has one payroll plan, so the price is easy to read. It files your federal, state and local taxes, plus W-2s, 1099s and year-end forms. It also serves businesses like farms, restaurants and nonprofits.

Key features:

• All 50 states at no extra cost
• Unlimited pay runs and pay schedules
• Tax filings and year-end forms included
• Links to accounting, 401(k) and workers’ comp
• Phone, chat and email support

Pricing. Payroll is $49 a month plus $6 per worker. The HR add-on is $15 a month plus $2 per worker. Time tracking is $15 a month plus $4 per worker. HR and time tracking together cost $81 a month plus $4 per worker. There are no setup or implementation fees, and new customers can get one month free. See OnPay pricing.

Best for: You, if you have staff in more than one state and want one simple price.

Limitations. HR and time tracking cost extra, so the price rises if you want both. It has no free plan. Its brand is smaller than ADP or Paychex, which matters to some owners.

Best Cheap Gusto Alternative

Patriot Payroll is the cheapest Gusto alternative we found. Basic Payroll is $17 a month plus $4 per person if you file taxes yourself. Full Service Payroll, where Patriot files your taxes, is $37 a month plus $5 per person. New customers get 30 days free, then 50% off for 3 months.

2 Patriot Payroll: Best for the lowest price

Want to pay as little as possible? Patriot is hard to beat.

What it does well. Patriot keeps things simple and cheap. Both plans include unlimited payrolls, free direct deposit and a free employee portal. You can pay contractors in the same run. Support is based in the USA, and you can call, email or chat.

Key features:

• Unlimited payrolls and auto payroll
• 4-day direct deposit, or 2-day if you qualify
• Employee portal with iOS and Android apps
• QuickBooks Online and Desktop integration
• USA-based support

Pricing. Basic Payroll is $17 a month plus $4 per worker paid. Full Service Payroll is $37 a month plus $5 per worker paid, and it adds federal, state and local tax filing. The promo gives you 30 days free, then 50% off for 3 months. Time and attendance and HR software are add-ons at $6 a month plus $2 per employee each. See Patriot pricing.

Best for: You, if you run a small U.S. business and price matters most.

Limitations. On Basic, you file and pay the taxes yourself. Standard direct deposit takes 4 days, which is slower than Gusto. It has fewer HR tools built in, so you pay for add-ons.

Best Gusto Alternative for Shops and Restaurants

Square Payroll is the best pick if you already sell with Square. It costs $35 a month plus $6 per person, which is $14 a month less in base fees than Gusto Simple. Timecards from Square flow into payroll, and you can pay people by direct deposit, check or Cash App. A contractor-only plan has no base fee.

3 Square Payroll: Best for Square sellers

If you run a cafe or shop on Square, this saves you time.

What it does well. Square Payroll pulls in hours from your Square team’s timecards. It works out overtime and files your federal and state taxes. Staff can get paid by next-day direct deposit, paper check or Cash App.

Key features:

• Unlimited monthly pay runs
• Next-day direct deposit
• Pay by check, direct deposit or Cash App
• Time tracking and overtime math
• Automated federal and state tax filings

Pricing. Full-service payroll is $35 a month plus $6 per person paid. The contractor-only plan is $6 per contractor paid, with no base fee. There is no long-term contract. Workers’ comp and health insurance are add-ons. We did not see a free trial on the pricing page. See Square Payroll pricing.

Best for: You, if you already take payments with Square and pay hourly staff.

Limitations. It has fewer HR tools than Gusto Plus. If you don’t already use Square, OnPay or Patriot may fit better.

Best Gusto Alternative for QuickBooks Users

QuickBooks Payroll is the best pick if you already keep your books in QuickBooks. Workforce Payroll is $50 a month plus $7 per person. Premium is $88 plus $13 and adds next-day direct deposit and time tracking. Elite is $134 plus $17 and adds same-day direct deposit and up to $25,000 a year in tax penalty protection.

4 QuickBooks Payroll: Best for QuickBooks accounting users

If you already keep your books in QuickBooks, this keeps payroll and accounting in one place.

What it does well. Payroll entries land in your QuickBooks books without extra work. The higher plans add QuickBooks Time for tracking hours. Elite adds expert setup, access to HR experts through Mineral, and same-day direct deposit.

Key features:

• Payroll taxes done for you
• Next-day direct deposit on Premium
• Same-day direct deposit on Elite
• QuickBooks Time on Premium and Elite
• Tax penalty protection up to $25,000 a year on Elite

Pricing. Workforce Payroll is $50 a month plus $7 per employee. Workforce Premium is $88 a month plus $13 per employee. Workforce Elite is $134 a month plus $17 per employee. A promo cuts the base fee by 50% for 3 months. Bundles with QuickBooks accounting start at $88 a month plus $6.50 per employee. Tax penalty protection needs an expert review of your tax setup. See QuickBooks Payroll pricing.

Best for: You, if you use QuickBooks Online and want payroll in the same system.

Limitations. Its per-person fees are higher than Gusto Simple, OnPay and Square. Faster pay and time tracking need the pricier plans. If you don’t use QuickBooks, the main reason to pick it goes away.

Best Gusto Alternatives for HR and Benefits

Justworks is the best pick if you want better benefits for a small team. Its PEO plans start at $79 per employee a month with no base fee. Payroll only is $50 a month plus $8 per person. Rippling is the best pick if you want payroll, HR and IT in one system, from $8 per user a month plus a custom quote.

5 Justworks: Best for small-team benefits

If you want to offer big-company health plans without an HR team, look at Justworks.

What it does well. Justworks is a PEO. That means it co-employs your team so you can use its group benefits. PEO Basic covers payroll, compliance help, HR consulting, 24/7 support and 401(k). PEO Plus adds medical, dental and vision, HSA and FSA accounts, and more benefits.

Key features:

• Payroll-only plan or full PEO
• Group health benefits on PEO Plus
• 24/7 support on PEO plans
• US and international contractor payments
• No implementation fee

Pricing. Payroll is $50 a month plus $8 per employee. PEO Basic is $79 per employee a month and PEO Plus is $124 per employee a month, with no base fee. Time tracking is an $8 per employee add-on. US contractors cost $8 each a month, and international contractors cost $39 each. Global EOR is $599 per employee a month. We saw no free trial listed. See Justworks pricing.

Best for: You, if hiring is hard and better benefits would help you win people.

Limitations. PEO pricing is per person, so it costs much more than payroll alone. Co-employment is a bigger change than switching payroll apps. Read the terms first.

6 Rippling: Best for payroll, HR and IT in one system

If you want one system for people, devices and apps, book a demo.

What it does well. Rippling ties payroll to HR, benefits, devices and app access. Time and benefits deductions sync into payroll on their own. It files taxes with federal, state and local agencies, even when an employee moves. It can also pay employees and contractors outside the US.

Key features:

• Payroll in all 50 states and abroad
• Automatic tax filing when people move
• Time and benefits sync into payroll
• Paperless W-2, W-4, 1099 and new hire filings
• Auto-pay option

Pricing. Rippling says it starts at $8 a month per user. You buy the core platform, then add products like payroll. Some products also have a monthly base fee. Rippling does not publish a full price list, so you need a custom quote. See Rippling pricing.

Best for: You, if you have a growing team and want HR, payroll and IT managed together.

Limitations. You can’t see your real price without a sales call. The $8 figure is only a starting point, and payroll costs extra.

Best Gusto Alternative for International Teams

Deel is the best pick if you hire people outside the US. Contractors cost $49 each a month. Full-time hires abroad through Deel’s employer of record cost $599 each a month. Deel also runs a US PEO at $125 per employee a month, with payroll, tax filings and benefits included.

7 Deel: Best for hiring outside the US

If your next hire is in another country, Deel was built for that.

What it does well. Deel lets you hire contractors and full-time staff around the world. Its employer of record service covers more than 130 countries, so you don’t need your own company in each one. The US PEO covers all 50 states, with benefits like health, dental, vision and 401(k).

Key features:

• Employer of record in 130+ countries
• Contractor payments in many currencies
• US PEO in all 50 states
• Managed payroll, tax filings and reports
• Month-to-month terms

Pricing. Contractors are $49 per contractor a month. Contractor of Record is $325 a month. US PEO is $125 per employee a month. EOR is $599 per employee a month. Through December 31, 2026, new PEO customers who sign a 2-year or longer deal get 3 months free. Deel does not list a price for its US payroll-only product. See Deel pricing.

Best for: You, if you pay contractors or staff in other countries.

Limitations. For a US-only team, Deel costs far more than OnPay or Patriot. The PEO promo needs a 2-year deal.

Best Gusto Alternative from a Big, Established Provider

ADP RUN is the best pick if you want a big, long-standing payroll company. It has four packages for businesses with 1 to 49 employees, from Essential Payroll up to HR Pro. ADP does not publish prices, so you need a quote. New clients can get 3 months of free payroll if they start by October 22, 2026.

8 ADP RUN: Best for owners who want a big-name provider

If you want a big payroll company to grow with, ADP is a safe name.

What it does well. RUN is ADP’s payroll tool for small businesses. You can run payroll on a computer, in the mobile app or by phone. Higher packages add ZipRecruiter job posts, an HR help desk, an employee handbook tool and hiring software.

Key features:

• Payroll by computer, app or phone
• Tax filing plus W-2 and 1099 forms
• ZipRecruiter access on Enhanced and up
• HR help desk on Complete and up
• Applicant tracking on HR Pro

Pricing. ADP does not publish prices for RUN. It says costs depend on your number of employees and how often you pay them. The current offer gives new clients with 1 to 49 employees 3 months of free payroll. You must sign and start running payroll by October 22, 2026. The free months are applied to invoices 4, 5 and 6, and other fees are not covered. See ADP RUN packages.

Best for: You, if you want a large provider with HR add-ons and don’t mind a sales call.

Limitations. You can’t compare prices until you get a quote. The free months also have strict terms.

Tools We Left Out, and Why

You may see this one on other lists. Here is why it is not in our top 8.

• Paychex Flex. Paychex lists four packages called Basic, Foundations, Advanced and Complete. It does not publish any prices, and ADP RUN already covers the big-provider pick.

What 10 Employees Cost Each Month and Year

For 10 employees on the regular price, Gusto Simple costs $109 a month, or $1,308 a year. OnPay costs the same. Patriot Full Service costs $87 a month, Square Payroll $95, QuickBooks Workforce Payroll $120 and Justworks Payroll $130. Gusto Plus costs $200 a month, or $2,400 a year.

This math uses each base fee plus 10 times the per-person fee. It leaves out promos, add-ons and taxes.

If you need more than one state, compare OnPay’s $109 to Gusto Plus at $200. That gap is $91 a month, or $1,092 a year. PEO plans are a different kind of product. Justworks PEO Basic for 10 people is $790 a month, and Deel’s US PEO is $1,250 a month, because they include benefits and HR help.

How to Choose a Gusto Alternative

• Count your states. If you pay people in more than one state, pick a tool that covers all states in its base plan, like OnPay.
• Do the per-person math. Add the base fee to the per-person fee times your team size. A low base fee can still cost more for a big team.
• Decide who files taxes. Full-service plans file for you. Cheaper plans like Patriot Basic leave tax filing to you.
• Match your other tools. If you use QuickBooks or Square, their payroll saves you from moving data by hand.
• Know if you need a PEO. Only pay PEO prices if you want group benefits and HR help. For payroll alone, a PEO is overkill.
• Read promo terms. Free months and 50% discounts end fast. Plan your budget on the regular price.

How We Evaluated These Tools

We compared each tool using its own pricing page and product pages, checked in October 2026. We also read the top-ranking reviews of Gusto alternatives to find old prices and missing details. We looked at the base fee, the per-person fee, state coverage, tax filing, pay speed and extras like HR and time tracking. We did not run our own payroll tests, and feature claims come from the vendors. No vendor pays to be listed. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

Keep comparing: SaaS guides · AI HR Software · Best AI Accounting Software

The Bottom Line

If you want one tool to replace Gusto, get OnPay. It costs the same as Gusto Simple and covers every state, so you won’t need to jump to a pricier plan when you hire in a new state. If you want the lowest price, pick Patriot. If you sell with Square or keep books in QuickBooks, use their payroll. Choose Justworks for better benefits, Rippling to run HR and IT together, and Deel for people abroad. And if you want a big name, get a quote from ADP RUN. For more ways to run your people ops, see our guide to AI onboarding software.

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