Gusto vs Paychex

Last updated: 2025-11-27

This comparison focuses on who each tool fits best, pricing structure (where available), and the practical differences that matter for SMB payroll decisions.

At a glance

	Gusto	Paychex
Segment	SMB	MID
Best for	Small businesses that want payroll plus basic HR and benefits administration in one place.	Businesses that want payroll with the option to add HR services and more hands-on support.
Pricing	Tiered plans; pricing typically scales with headcount and selected add-ons (check vendor site).	Custom pricing; varies by plan and services (check vendor site).
Key features	Payroll processing Tax filings Employee onboarding Benefits administration Reporting	Payroll processing Tax services HR add-ons Benefits support Reporting

Which should you choose?

Choose Gusto if…

You fit: Small businesses that want payroll plus basic HR and benefits administration in one place.
You value its approach to payroll + HR tradeoffs.

Choose Paychex if…

You fit: Businesses that want payroll with the option to add HR services and more hands-on support.
You value its approach to payroll + HR tradeoffs.

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