Updated July 2026

Best Gusto Alternatives in 2026

We compared 8 top alternatives to Gusto on pricing, features, and real user ratings — so you don't have to.

Quick answer: The best Gusto alternatives are Zoho People, OnPay, and Deputy. Zoho People is our top pick — it offers comprehensive hr software for businesses of all sizes with a G2 rating of 4.4/5. If you need global payroll, consider Deputy.

Top 8 Gusto Alternatives Ranked

#1
Z
Zoho People
★ 4.4 G2 · 900 reviews
Comprehensive HR software for businesses of all sizes
Free plan Free trial From $1/mo
Why choose Zoho People: Generous free plan and tight Zoho ecosystem integration for budget-conscious teams.
#2
O
OnPay
★ 4.8 G2 · 600 reviews
Simple, accurate payroll for any type of business
Free trial From $40/mo
Why choose OnPay: Highest-rated US payroll for simplicity — perfect for small teams on a budget.
#3
D
Deputy
★ 4.6 G2 · 700 reviews
Workforce management for shift-based businesses
Free trial From $4/mo
Why choose Deputy: Best shift scheduling with payroll integrations for hourly workers.
#4
S
Sesame HR
★ 4.5 G2 · 400 reviews
Simple HR software for Spanish and Latin American businesses
Free trial From $4/mo
Why choose Sesame HR: Simple HR software for Spanish and Latin American businesses
#5
F
Factorial HR
★ 4.4 G2 · 800 reviews
Simple HR software for small and medium businesses
Free trial From $5/mo
Why choose Factorial HR: Very affordable HR for European SMBs with transparent per-employee pricing.
#6
F
Freshteam
★ 4.4 G2 · 700 reviews
Smart HR software by Freshworks for growing teams
Free plan Free trial From $1/mo
Why choose Freshteam: Free plan available with great ATS features for startup hiring.
#7
B
Bambee
★ 4.3 G2 · 400 reviews
Dedicated HR manager for small businesses from $99/mo
From $99/mo
Why choose Bambee: Dedicated HR manager service for small US businesses from $99/month.
#8
H
Humi
★ 4.3 G2 · 300 reviews
All-in-one HR, payroll and benefits for Canadian businesses
Free trial From $6/mo
Why choose Humi: Built for Canadian compliance with bilingual EN/FR support.

Feature Comparison: Gusto vs Alternatives

Tool Payroll Global Free Trial Starting Price G2 Rating
Gusto (current) $40/mo 4.5/5
Zoho People $1/mo 4.4/5
OnPay $40/mo 4.8/5
Deputy $4/mo 4.6/5
Sesame HR $4/mo 4.5/5
Factorial HR $5/mo 4.4/5
Freshteam $1/mo 4.4/5
Bambee $99/mo 4.3/5
Humi $6/mo 4.3/5

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best alternative to Gusto?

The best Gusto alternative depends on your needs. Zoho People is our top pick for small business, medium business, Zoho users, 1-500 employees, while OnPay is ideal for small business, nonprofits, restaurants, 1-100 employees. Use our comparison table above to find the best fit for your team size and budget.

Why do people switch from Gusto?

Common reasons include limited international payroll (US-only), pricing that increases significantly with employee count, or needing more advanced HR features beyond payroll.

Is there a free alternative to Gusto?

Most Gusto alternatives offer free trials (typically 14–30 days) rather than permanent free plans. Check each vendor's pricing page for current offers.

How much does Gusto cost compared to alternatives?

Gusto starts at $40/month + $6/employee. Alternatives like Zoho People start at $1/month. Always verify current pricing directly with each vendor.

Compare Gusto Head-to-Head

Gusto vs Zoho People → Gusto vs OnPay → Gusto vs Deputy → Gusto vs Sesame HR → Gusto vs Factorial HR → Gusto vs Freshteam →