Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll

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	QuickBooks Payroll
Segment	SMB	SMB
Best for	Small businesses that want payroll plus basic HR and benefits administration in one place.	Small businesses already using QuickBooks that want payroll tightly connected to accounting.
Pricing	Tiered plans; pricing typically scales with headcount and selected add-ons (check vendor site).	Tiered plans; often base fee plus per-employee pricing (check vendor site).
Key features	Payroll processing Tax filings Employee onboarding Benefits administration Reporting	Payroll processing Tax calculations/filings (varies) Direct deposit Accounting integration 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 QuickBooks Payroll if…

You fit: Small businesses already using QuickBooks that want payroll tightly connected to accounting.
You value its approach to payroll + HR tradeoffs.

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