Gusto Alternatives (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Gusto is a payroll and HR platform for small businesses in the US. It runs pay runs, files payroll taxes and gives employees a place to see their pay and paperwork, and a lot of small employers start there. If you're weighing it up, you may be looking for something with different features, a different country focus or a closer link to the other software you use. Searching for Gusto alternatives is a sensible step before you move your team onto any payroll system.

Here are ten Gusto alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Three are long-established names and the rest are smaller or more specialised. I've taken every description from each tool's own website and help pages, so check the current details on each site, including which countries it supports. If you're hiring your first people, my article on running a small business when you are the only employee is a useful companion.

Gusto alternatives at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a permanent free option. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. No means neither was stated on the pages I read, and some providers only offer a demo. Terms change often, so check before you start.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
BrightPay	UK payroll software	Real-time submissions and auto enrolment	Trial only
Deel	Global payroll and hiring	Teams and contractors across many countries	No
Justworks	Payroll and PEO	Payroll with HR and benefits support	No
OnPay	Payroll and HR	Payroll, benefits and time tracking	Trial only
Patriot Software	Small-business payroll	Straightforward payroll with tax filing	Trial only
Paychex Flex	Payroll and HR platform	Payroll with tax handling and HR tools	No
QuickBooks Workforce	Payroll and HR suite	Payroll for existing QuickBooks users	No
Remote	Global payroll and EOR	Hiring and paying people abroad	No
Rippling	Payroll and HR platform	Payroll joined to HR, IT and devices	No
Square Payroll	Seller payroll	Pay runs using Square timecards and tips	No

Ten payroll and HR tools to compare with Gusto

BrightPay

Best for: UK employers and bureaus who want payroll built around HMRC submissions and pension auto enrolment.

Deel

Best for: Growing businesses that hire people in several countries and want payroll and contracts together.

Justworks

Best for: US employers who want payroll alongside HR support and benefits administration.

OnPay

Best for: Small US employers who want payroll, HR tools and time tracking from one provider.

Patriot Software

Best for: Small US businesses that want a plain payroll tool with support from a US-based team.

Paychex Flex

Best for: Employers who want an established provider covering payroll, tax filing and HR support.

QuickBooks Workforce

Best for: Businesses that already keep their books in QuickBooks and want payroll connected to them.

Remote

Best for: Companies that employ remote workers in other countries and want local compliance handled.

Rippling

Best for: Growing teams who want payroll tied to onboarding, HR records and device management.

Square Payroll

Best for: Shops, salons and cafes already using Square who want payroll linked to timecards.

What to look for in small business payroll software

Payroll is one of those jobs where a mistake lands on a real person's day, so it pays to be fussy. Here are the questions worth asking before you switch.

• Where you operate. Does it support your country, state or region, and the type of worker you employ?
• Tax filing. Does it calculate, file and submit payroll taxes for you, or only produce the numbers?
• Contractors. Can you handle self-employed workers as well as employees?
• Employee access. What do your team see when they log in to view payslips and forms?
• HR and time tracking. Do you need onboarding, leave and timesheets in the same place?
• Connections. Which accounting tools does it work with?
• Support. Can you reach a person when a pay run goes wrong?

Payroll sits close to your books, so my guide to bookkeeping software for small businesses is worth a read alongside this list.

Which type of payroll provider suits which employer

• Very small teams usually want a simple, guided pay run with tax filing included.
• Shops and cafes often benefit from payroll that links to timecards and tips.
• Employers who already use accounting software may prefer the provider from the same family.
• Businesses with international staff need a provider that handles other countries and local rules.
• Growing companies sometimes want HR, benefits and device management bundled with payroll.

Switching payroll providers without upsetting your team

Moving payroll's one of the riskier admin jobs in a small business, so plan it and take your time.

• Choose a quiet point in the pay calendar, such as the start of a quarter, if your provider advises it.
• Collect your employee details, tax registrations and year-to-date totals before you start.
• Ask the new provider what it needs from the old one and how it handles balances brought across.
• Run your first pay run alongside a check from your old records.
• Tell your team in advance and explain where they'll find their payslips.
• Keep your old payroll records safe for as long as the rules in your country require.

Payroll rules to check for your own country or state

Payroll tax rules differ by state and by country, and they change. A tool that suits a US employer may not suit a UK one, and the other way round. This page isn't tax or legal advice, so check the rules for your own situation with your accountant or the official tax body before you pick a provider or change how you pay people.

Why a smaller payroll provider can be a smart pick

Smaller providers often focus on one kind of employer or one country, and they tend to explain things in plainer language, which is what many owners say they're after. A few put you in direct contact with a named support team. The flip side is that they may offer fewer extras, so check that the tool is still being updated, read its help pages and see what happens to your records if you ever move on.

Do you make payroll or HR software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

A short checklist before you choose a Gusto alternative

Choose two that support your location, and don't skip the demo if there's one and your type of worker. Ask each what happens during your first pay run and who you'd contact if something looks wrong. Keep the one that explains itself most clearly, and show your accountant the shortlist.

Frequently asked questions

What does payroll software do?

It's software that calculates what each person is owed after deductions, produces payslips and, in many cases, files payroll taxes and sends the right details to the right authority.

Can I run payroll myself in a spreadsheet?

You can, but errors are easy to make and tax rules change, so you'll want care. Software handles the calculations and helps you meet filing deadlines.

Do payroll tools work in every country?

No. Many focus on one country, and you shouldn't assume yours is covered, and some support several. Check each tool's own pages for the countries and worker types it covers.

Should I involve my accountant?

Yes. Ask your accountant which provider connects to your books and whether the set-up suits your situation.

Are there free payroll options?

Some providers offer a free trial, and a few describe a free option, but many only offer a demo. The table above shows what each tool's own website says.