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Most buyers should pick Homebase.
Choose Gusto if payroll, tax filing, benefits, and HR in one system matter most. Choose Homebase if you run an hourly, shift-based team and want scheduling and time tracking first. Homebase’s free Basic plan covers one location and up to 10 employees, but payroll is an extra cost. Gusto starts at $49 per month plus $6 per person. Compare the full bill by headcount and location, not just the plan price.
01Side by side
| Gusto | Homebase | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $49/month plus $6 per person | Free; paid plans start at $30/location/month |
| Free plan | No free plan listed | Basic: one location, up to 10 employees |
| Best for | Businesses prioritizing payroll, HR, and benefits | Hourly teams managing shifts and schedules |
| Core strength | Payroll automation, tax filings, and HR | Scheduling and time tracking for hourly teams |
| Learning curve | Ease-of-use review score: 7/10 | Ease-of-use review score: 7/10 |
| Integrations/data | Integration and data details not published | Integration and data details not published |
| Team/seat costs | $6, $12, or $22 per person monthly | Location-priced; payroll costs extra per employee paid |
| Support | Review support score: 4/10 | Review support score: 5/10 |
Gusto Choose Gusto if
- Choose Gusto if payroll tax filing is a priority.
- Choose Gusto if you need benefits alongside payroll and HR.
- Choose Gusto if you want contractor payments in your payroll workflow.
Homebase Choose Homebase if
- Choose Homebase if you need scheduling for hourly teams.
- Choose Homebase if a free, capped entry plan fits your team.
- Choose Homebase if you want time tracking tied to shift work.
02Pricing compared
Homebase is cheaper to start: its Basic plan is free for one location and up to 10 employees, with timesheets stored for up to 90 days. But payroll costs extra. The pricing page lists payroll at $49 per month plus $6 per employee paid, or $29 per month for teams of up to five; a listed offer makes payroll free for the first six months. Gusto’s Simple plan is $49 per month plus $6 per person, and includes payroll tax filings and payments. At higher tiers, Gusto Plus is $80 plus $12 per person, while Homebase Essentials is $30 per location. Those prices cover different things: Essentials includes advanced scheduling and time tracking, while Gusto Plus adds those tools to payroll. Homebase annual prices are not published. Compare total costs by headcount, locations, and payroll needs.
03Features and depth
Gusto is the stronger fit when payroll and HR are the center of the purchase. Its Simple plan includes unlimited payrolls, tax filings and payments, plus basic PTO and holiday pay. Plus adds time tracking, scheduling, multi-state payroll, and contractor invoice management. Premium adds HR guidance and tools, compliance support, and premium account support. Gusto also lists hiring, onboarding, benefits, and contractor management among its capabilities.
Homebase is built around hourly, shift-based work. Its free Basic plan includes basic scheduling and time tracking for one location and up to 10 employees. Essentials adds advanced scheduling, time tracking, and team communication; Plus adds an AI-powered Scheduling Assistant, PTO controls, departments, and permissions. All-in-One adds onboarding without payroll, HR, and compliance. Payroll is a separate cost, so scheduling coverage does not mean payroll is included. Homebase lists restaurants, retail, beauty and wellness, medical, and home services as example industries. If shift planning is the main need, Homebase has more plan detail aimed at that workflow; Gusto makes more sense when payroll, tax filing, and benefits matter most.
04Ease of use and learning curve
The published reviews score both products 7/10 for ease of use, so the available evidence does not establish a clear usability winner. The practical difference is what you need to configure and pay for: Homebase organizes its plans by location and emphasizes schedules, time clocks, and hourly teams. Gusto prices its payroll plans by base fee plus per-person charges, with features such as scheduling appearing on Plus and higher tiers.
For a small, single-location team, Homebase Basic gives you a no-cost way to start with scheduling and time tracking, within its 10-employee cap. If you need payroll too, account for its separate fee. Gusto’s setup may be a more direct fit if payroll is the priority, but its per-person fees make headcount part of the bill. Compare the specific workflows you need before switching.
Questions people ask
Is Gusto a good payroll service?
The published review says Gusto covers payroll and HR well, and its Simple plan includes unlimited payrolls plus tax filings and payments. The review also flags per-person pricing and support complaints, so it is worth comparing the total cost and support needs before choosing it.
How do I terminate my Gusto account?
The published product and pricing information does not explain how to terminate a Gusto account, so we can’t give reliable cancellation steps. Check Gusto’s current account or support documentation before you act, and confirm any final payroll or tax obligations that apply to your business.
What are some other apps similar to Gusto?
Homebase overlaps with Gusto on payroll, hiring, time tracking, and HR, but it is aimed at hourly, shift-based teams and charges separately for payroll. Our comparison does not cover other alternatives, so we can’t recommend or price additional apps from this published material.
Is Gusto cheaper than ADP?
We can’t establish that from the published information: it lists Gusto prices but no ADP plans or fees. Gusto Simple is listed at $49 per month plus $6 per person, but a fair comparison also needs the matching ADP plan, add-ons, and billing terms.