Top 10 Best Gusto Alternatives for Payroll in 2023
As businesses become more complex and competitive, the demand for reliable payroll solutions is increasing drastically. Not only does a reliable solution guarantee efficiency in managing your team's information but it can also reduce complexities that come with compliance regulations.
Being ill-equipped for payroll management can lead to penalties or delayed payments which affects the overall productivity of an organization. To ensure you're equipped to handle payroll effectively, you need to consider selecting one of the Top 10 Best Gusto Alternatives for Payroll in 2023.
In this article, we'll review some key features offered by each platform, pricing options and more – all in order to help you find the best fit for your business needs!
1. ClickUp
ClickUp is a project management platform that offers excellent tools for overseeing project milestones, targets, and HR KPIs. They provide a comprehensive, high-level snapshot of all your work, making them perfect for presentations to stakeholders and other managers. The dashboards are customizable and highly visual, offering over 50 widget variations to cover any HR scenario such as positions filled, time to hire, and team performance.
Additionally, ClickUp offers an HR SOP Template, an ideal resource for familiarizing your team with processes using ClickUp Whiteboards. The template features a vibrant, organized, and easily editable table on your collaborative Whiteboard, aiding HR managers in training the team, setting up recruitment tasks, managing hiring processes, and more.
Best Features
- Can create and assign tasks related to payroll, such as processing timesheets, calculating pay, and issuing payments
- Built-in time tracking feature which can be used to track the hours worked by hourly employees
- Integrates with several popular payroll which allows you to seamlessly transfer data between platforms, streamlining the payroll process
Current Limitations
- Short learning curve due to the number of customization features
Pricing
- Free Forever – Free
- Unlimited- $7/user/month
- Business- $12/user/month
- Enterprise- Contact for pricing
Get started with ClickUp for free, no credit card required
2. QuickBooks Payroll
As a Gusto alternative, QuickBooks Payroll is a robust payroll solution that caters to small and medium-sized businesses. This software integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks' wider suite of services, making it a convenient choice for those already using QuickBooks for their accounting needs. It provides comprehensive payroll features including automated tax calculations, time tracking, direct deposit, and more. QuickBooks Payroll also offers a feature that allows you to run payroll at any time, not just on specific day
Best Features
- Automated tax calculations takes care of tax rates and calculations, so you don't have to worry about errors or miscalculations
- Track employee hours directly within the software, streamlining the payroll process
- You can run payroll whenever it suits your business, not just on specific days
Current Limitations
- Can be a bit more expensive, especially for businesses with many employees
- Some users have reported that the software can be complex and difficult to navigate
Pricing
- Simple Start: Starts at $18/month
- Essentials: Starts at $27/month
- Plus: Starts at $38/month
3. Rippling
Rippling is another excellent Gusto alternative that offers not just payroll services but also a comprehensive employee management system. It enables businesses to manage their HR, IT, and operations from a single platform. Rippling's payroll module is robust, featuring automatic payroll runs, tax filings, and benefit deductions. It also offers flexibility with its fully customizable payroll schedules.
Best Features
- Rippling allows you to manage HR, IT, and operations all in one place
- Automatic payroll run ensures that employees are paid on time
- Set up the payroll schedules that best suit their needs
Current Limitations
- Steep learning curve, especially for those new to comprehensive employee management systems
- Some users have mentioned that customer support can be improved
Pricing
- Starts at $8/user per month
4. OnPay
OnPay is a top-rated Gusto alternative that simplifies payroll, taxes, HR, and benefits. Recognized as the second-best Payroll Software of 2023, it offers comprehensive services that cater to the needs of small businesses. OnPay allows business owners to run payroll, manage employee benefits, and handle some HR functions, all in one place. It's a cloud-based solution, which means it's accessible from anywhere, anytime.
Best Features
- Handles all aspects of payroll, including tax filing and payment workflows
- Employee Self-Onboarding allows new hires to onboard themselves, saving time for HR staff
Current Limitations
- Pricing has increased slightly from the previous year
- Might lack some advanced features larger organizations may need
Pricing
- Starts at $6 per employee
5. Square
Square Payroll is a Gusto alternative that provides an easy-to-use payroll solution, perfect for small businesses and contractors. It offers full-service payroll features, including tax filings, unlimited payrolls, and online accounts for employees. Additionally, Square Payroll integrates seamlessly with other Square products, making it a great option for businesses already using Square's point-of-sale system or other services.
Best Features
- Seamless integration with Square's point-of-sale system, timecards, and more
- Covers all the basic needs, such as tax filings, unlimited payrolls, and online accounts for employees
- Offers features for businesses that work with contractors
Current Limitations
- Pricing can get expensive for businesses with many employees
- Limited accounting and reporting capabilities
Pricing
- Pay Employees and Contractors: $35 monthly fee + $6 per person/month
- Pay Contractors Only: $6 monthly fee per person
6. TriNet
TriNet is a comprehensive human resources solution making it a powerful Gusto alternative. It provides full-service HR solutions that are tailored to industries, including payroll processing, risk mitigation, and compliance. This platform is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses free up their time to focus on growth.
Best Features
- TriNet offers tailored services to meet the unique needs of different industries
- Comprehensive suite of HR services beyond just payroll
- TriNet helps businesses navigate employment-related risks and compliance
Current Limitations
- Some users have reported that the system can be somewhat complex to navigate
- Lack of transparent pricing information online may deter some potential users
Pricing
- Pricing available upon request
7. Paycheck Flex
Paychex Flex is a comprehensive Gusto alternative that offers an all-in-one solution for HR, payroll, time and attendance, and benefits. The platform is designed to grow with your business, making it a scalable solution. Paychex Flex has received recognition in the HR Tech Awards program for its focus on small and medium-sized businesses. It also provides mobile apps for easy access to payroll, HR, and other features, making it a convenient choice for businesses on the go.
Best Features
- Combines payroll, HR, time and attendance, and benefits into one platform
- Lets employers manage payroll and access employee data and reports from anywhere
Current Limitations
- Platform can be complex to navigate, especially for beginners
- Customer service could be more responsive
Pricing
- Contact for pricing
8. Justworks
Justworks is a tech-first Professional Employer Organization (PEO) that provides small and medium-sized businesses with simple software and expert support for payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance. As a Gusto alternative, Justworks offers an easy-to-use platform that automates multiple parts of the payroll process, enabling employers to pay their staff efficiently. The robust software solution not only helps businesses save time but also ensures accurate payroll management. With its simple software and expert support, Justworks runs your business with confidence.
Best Features
- Provides simple software and expert support for payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance
- User-friendly interface makes it easy for businesses to navigate and manage payroll
- Offers employee time tracking, timesheets, and a time clock app to accurately track and manage your workforce
Current Limitations
- Users have reported that the software offers limited customization options
- Some users have noted that customer service could be improved in terms of responsiveness
Pricing
- Basic: $59/month per employee
- Plus: $99/month per employee
9. Homebase Payroll
Homebase Payroll is a great solution for businesses looking for an alternative to Gusto. It provides easy-to-use software for managing time and attendance, employee scheduling, and payroll processing. With Homebase Payroll, businesses can automate their payroll process and save time on administrative tasks.
Best Features
- Easy employee scheduling and time tracking
- Automated payroll processing with direct deposits and tax filings
- Benefits management, including health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers' compensation
Current Limitations
- Limited customer support outside of business hours
- Some users have reported occasional glitches and bugs
- Only available in the US
Pricing
- Basic: Free
- Essentials: Starts at $24.95/location per month
- Plus: Starts at $59.95/location per month
- All-in-one: $80/location per month
10. SurePayroll
SurePayroll is an online payroll software developed to simplify payroll management and save time for small business owners and accountants. SurePayroll is one of the best Gusto alternatives on the market, offering a robust payroll solution for small business owners with its easy-to-use platform.
Best Features
- Payroll Technology allows businesses to process payroll and manage benefits quickly and effortlessly
- Provides various time entry methods, including web punch and online time sheet entry, offering flexibility and efficiency
- Direct Deposit ensures employees receive their paychecks promptly and securely
Current Limitations
- Issues with voiding payroll checks
- Customer service can be improved
Pricing
- Pricing depends on features and tools
How to Choose an Alternative for Gusto
Choosing an alternative for Gusto, a popular payroll and HR software, requires careful consideration of your specific needs. Here are some steps to consider when looking for a new tool or software to use:
Set Your Budget: Decide how much you're willing to spend on HR software. Keep in mind that while some alternatives may be cheaper than Gusto, they may not offer all the features you’ll need long-term.
Compare Features: Once you have a shortlist of alternatives, compare their features side-by-side. Consider factors such as ease of use, customer support, and integration with other software you use.
Consider Scalability: Choose a solution that can grow with your business. If you plan to expand your workforce, make sure the software can accommodate more employees without a significant increase in cost.
Read Reviews: Check out reviews from other businesses who have used the software. This can give you insight into the software's strengths and weaknesses, and help you make an informed decision.
Request a Demo: Most HR software companies offer free demos. Take advantage of this to get a feel for how the software works and whether it's a good fit for your business.
Check Their Customer Support: Good customer support is crucial for any software. Make sure the company offers reliable support in case you run into any issues.
Remember, the best alternative for Gusto will depend on your specific needs and circumstances. It's important to take the time to research and evaluate different options before making a decision.
ClickUp as a Gusto Alternative for All Your HR and Payroll Needs
While Gusto is a solid platform for all of your payroll and onboarding needs, bigger organizations and teams may need a tool with more customization, flexibility, and tools that will grow as your business grows. ClickUp’s fully customizable platform is great for growing teams with changing needs. Sign-up for free to learn more!
