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Gusto starts at $49, and its payroll and HR bundle may suit small teams operating in one state. But per-person pricing can make costs climb, while Reddit users report frustrating support experiences, including delays on time-sensitive issues. The best replacement depends on what you need to keep: QuickBooks integration, simpler payroll, bundled HR, or healthcare-specific tools. Here are seven alternatives, with listed starting prices where available and the tradeoffs to check before you move.
01Why people leave Gusto
Support issues and slow responses
Reddit users describe communication problems with support and, in one case, a tax issue waiting over a month without being assigned to a person.
Escalations can feel inaccessible
One small-business owner said Gusto required advance payment after a returned transfer, while its assurance team would not take a call or call back.
Unexpected costs as teams grow
Gusto has per-person pricing. If your headcount is growing, compare full quotes rather than relying on a starting price.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- best for QuickBooks users
QuickBooks Online PayrollQuickBooks Online PayrollIf your business already uses QuickBooks accounting, its payroll option can keep those needs together. The listed starting price is $25, and it includes payroll tax filing. It also supports contractor-only payroll for up to 20 contractors, making it a candidate if your main reason for leaving Gusto is a small contractor payroll setup.
Trade-off: Per-employee pricing and reported issues are worth weighing.
5.8/10from
$25/mo - best for straightforward payroll
SurePayrollSurePayrollSurePayroll is a narrower option for a small business that wants core payroll rather than a broad HR suite. Its listed starting price is $20, and the published details include automatic tax filing. It also covers households paying one in-home employee, so it may fit a simple payroll need better than Gusto's broader bundle.
Trade-off: Verify the price and plan details before moving.
6.2/10from
$20/mo - best for bundled HR
JustworksJustworksChoose Justworks if you want payroll and HR with benefits administration in the same package, rather than separating those needs. The listed starting price is $8, and it also covers companies hiring employees internationally. That makes it a broader fit than a payroll-only swap, but check benefits costs as part of your budget.
Trade-off: Budget for possible benefits cost increases.
7.2/10from
$8/mo - best for HR advisory
PaychexPaychexPaychex is worth comparing if you want payroll and HR together and value access to HR advisory services. The published details also list PEO services for businesses considering that model. Its starting price is not published, so ask for a detailed quote and compare the services included before treating it as a direct Gusto replacement.
Trade-off: Pricing is opaque; check service terms before signing.
6.2/10from
Custom - best for payroll workflows
PaycomPaycomPaycom may suit organizations that want core HR and payroll consolidated, with employee self-service and automated payroll workflows. That is a closer match to Gusto's combined-tool approach than switching to a payroll-only product. Its starting price is not published, so request a quote and confirm which workflows and services it covers.
Trade-off: You need a quote to judge its value.
6.5/10from
Custom - best for broader operations
PaylocityPaylocityPaylocity is a candidate if your reason for leaving Gusto is a need to bring more workflows together. The published details include HR, payroll, finance, and IT capabilities. Pricing is not published, so ask for a detailed quote and clear service commitments before comparing it with Gusto's listed $49 starting price.
Trade-off: Custom pricing and service commitments need review.
5.9/10from
Custom - best for healthcare payroll
ViventiumViventiumViventium is the specialist option here for post-acute care providers and healthcare teams managing shift schedules. If Gusto is a poor fit because your payroll needs are tied to healthcare work, its focus may matter more than a general-purpose bundle. Its starting price is not published, so get a detailed quote before comparing costs.
Trade-off: Get a detailed quote; no starting price is published.
5.8/10from
Custom
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Gusto Gusto (current) | 6.3 | $49/mo | No | Small teams running payroll in one state |
| QuickBooks Online Payroll QuickBooks Online Payroll | 5.8 | $25/mo | No | Businesses already using QuickBooks accounting |
| SurePayroll SurePayroll | 6.2 | $20/mo | No | Small businesses with straightforward payroll |
| Justworks Justworks | 7.2 | $8/mo | No | Small US teams needing payroll and HR |
| Paychex Paychex | 6.2 | Custom | No | Businesses wanting payroll and HR together |
| Paycom Paycom | 6.5 | Custom | No | Organizations consolidating HR and payroll |
| Paylocity Paylocity | 5.9 | Custom | No | Employers consolidating HR and payroll workflows |
| Viventium Viventium | 5.8 | Custom | No | Post-acute care providers |
Questions people ask
Which Gusto alternative has the lowest listed starting price?
SurePayroll has the lowest listed starting price among these picks at $20. QuickBooks Online Payroll starts at $25, and Justworks at $8. These figures may not be directly comparable: the published details do not specify a common billing basis, so confirm the price for your team and required services.
Which Gusto alternative is best for a small business?
It depends on what the business needs. SurePayroll is listed for small businesses with straightforward payroll, while QuickBooks Online Payroll is a fit for businesses already using QuickBooks accounting. Justworks combines payroll and HR with benefits administration. Compare the features you need and request a quote where pricing is not published.
Which Gusto alternative is built for healthcare teams?
Viventium is the clearest match in this list for post-acute care providers, healthcare teams managing shift schedules, and employers needing healthcare-specific payroll. Its starting price is not published, so ask for a detailed quote. The other alternatives listed here are not described as healthcare-specific in the published information.