--- title: "Best Gusto Alternatives 2026 | Capterra" description: "Looking for alternatives to Gusto? Find out how Gusto stacks up against its competitors with real user reviews, pricing information, and what features they offer." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/alternatives/" page_type: "alternatives" language: "en" publication_date: "2026-10-02" --- # Gusto alternatives Last updated on October 2nd, 2026 The best Gusto alternatives are Rippling (best overall), Deel (best budget option), and ADP Workforce Now (most reviewed). Together they hold 16,485 verified Capterra reviews, with overall ratings from 4.4 to 4.9 out of 5. Gusto itself holds 4.6 out of 5 across 4,231 reviews. ### Gusto - Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (4,231 reviews) - Ease of use: 4.6 out of 5 - Starting price: $49.00 /mo - Key features: 11 of 11 top category features --- ## Top alternatives Gusto alternatives compared | Product | Rating difference | Ease of use | Starting price | Key features | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Workday HCM](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/) — 4.5 out of 5 (1,776 reviews) | Rated 0.1 lower than this product | 4.3 out of 5 | Not available | 11 of 11 top category features | | [Paycom](https://www.capterra.com/p/130949/Paycom/) — 4.4 out of 5 (1,400 reviews) | Rated 0.2 lower than this product | 4.4 out of 5 | Not available | 6 of 11 top category features | | [BambooHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/110968/BambooHR/) — 4.6 out of 5 (3,653 reviews) | Rated the same as this product | 4.7 out of 5 | $10.00 /user/mo | 10 of 11 top category features | | [Patriot Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/) — 4.8 out of 5 (3,966 reviews) | Rated 0.2 higher than this product | 4.7 out of 5 | $17.00 /mo | 11 of 11 top category features | | [Rippling](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/) — 4.9 out of 5 (4,886 reviews) | Rated 0.3 higher than this product | 4.9 out of 5 | CA$8.00 /user/mo | 6 of 11 top category features | | [Paylocity](https://www.capterra.com/p/86714/WebPay/) — 4.3 out of 5 (1,977 reviews) | Rated 0.3 lower than this product | 4.3 out of 5 | Not available | 11 of 11 top category features | | [Deel](https://www.capterra.com/p/205015/Deel/) — 4.9 out of 5 (4,316 reviews) | Rated 0.3 higher than this product | 4.8 out of 5 | $5.00 /user/mo | 9 of 11 top category features | | [Paycor](https://www.capterra.com/p/133745/Paycor-Perform/) — 4.3 out of 5 (3,079 reviews) | Rated 0.3 lower than this product | 4.3 out of 5 | Not available | 11 of 11 top category features | | [RUN Powered by ADP](https://www.capterra.com/p/185859/RUN/) — 4.6 out of 5 (1,574 reviews) | Rated the same as this product | 4.6 out of 5 | Not available | 10 of 11 top category features | | [ADP Workforce Now](https://www.capterra.com/p/155895/WorkforceNow/) — 4.4 out of 5 (7,283 reviews) | Rated 0.2 lower than this product | 4.3 out of 5 | Not available | 11 of 11 top category features | --- ## Top alternatives with AI capabilities The Gusto alternatives with the strongest AI features are Workday HCM, Paycom, and BambooHR, based on verified feature data and Capterra reviews. ### [Workday HCM](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/) — 4.5 out of 5 (1,776 reviews) - AI features: AI Avatar, AI Candidate Scoring ### [Paycom](https://www.capterra.com/p/130949/Paycom/) — 4.4 out of 5 (1,400 reviews) - AI features: AI, AI Job Description, AI Text Generation, AI Text Summarization, Chatbot, Embedded AI / Machine Learning ### [BambooHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/110968/BambooHR/) — 4.6 out of 5 (3,653 reviews) - AI features: AI Copilot, AI/Machine Learning, AI Summarization, AI Text Generation, AI Text Summarization, Chatbot, Generative AI --- ## Top Free alternatives to Gusto The best free alternatives to Gusto are BambooHR, Patriot Software, and Rippling — all three offer a free plan alongside paid tiers. ### [BambooHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/110968/BambooHR/) — 4.6 out of 5 (3,653 reviews) - Free options: Free trial - Starting price: $10.00 /user/mo ### [Patriot Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/) — 4.8 out of 5 (3,966 reviews) - Free options: Free trial - Starting price: $17.00 /mo ### [Rippling](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/) — 4.9 out of 5 (4,886 reviews) - Free options: Free trial - Starting price: CA$8.00 /user/mo --- ## Top alternatives for SMBs Among reviewers from companies with 1-200 employees, the highest-rated Gusto alternatives are Patriot Software (4.8), Deel (4.8), and ADP Workforce Now (4.5). ### [Patriot Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/) - 2,915 SMB reviewers say - Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5 across 2,915 SMB reviews - Ease of use: 4.7 out of 5 across 2,913 SMB reviews > "They have been very responsive and professional with any questions and problems I have encountered." — Diana A., Office Manager Accountant (February 16, 2026) ### [Deel](https://www.capterra.com/p/205015/Deel/) - 2,553 SMB reviewers say - Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5 across 2,553 SMB reviews - Ease of use: 4.8 out of 5 across 2,553 SMB reviews > "Fast and simple, as employee i can manage really easy and straight foward my contracts, i didnt have to face with issues at the moment of upload the documentation for the contract and redemption or balance so im very happy with the service, my money has value" — Jennifer Andrea S., Permitting coordinator (December 8, 2025) ### [ADP Workforce Now](https://www.capterra.com/p/155895/WorkforceNow/) - 3,590 SMB reviewers say - Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 across 3,590 SMB reviews - Ease of use: 4.3 out of 5 across 3,583 SMB reviews > "We do keep a paper clock in sheet nearby to record hours when the app isn't working properly." — Katie T., Team Gymnastics Coach (July 1, 2026) --- ## Why do teams switch from Gusto? Of the 219 Capterra reviewers who reported switching away from Gusto, the most common destinations were Rippling, Patriot Software, RUN Powered by ADP, and Paylocity. ### What users preferred ### [Rippling](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/) - 4.9 out of 5 (4,886 reviews) — 168 reviewers switched here > "For multi-unit payroll automation, which unfortunately did not work within Rippling. I'm now moving to ADP or Paylocity as fast as possible" — Nicole D., President (May 13, 2026) ### [Patriot Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/) - 4.8 out of 5 (3,966 reviews) — 20 reviewers switched here > "Department of Labor Payroll tax returns were not accurate" — Sallie M., Accountant (April 8, 2026) ### [RUN Powered by ADP](https://www.capterra.com/p/185859/RUN/) - 4.6 out of 5 (1,574 reviews) — 17 reviewers switched here > "As our business continued to grow, we needed a more streamlined system that could bring payroll, employee management, and HR resources together in one place. We wanted to reduce manual processes and have a platform that could grow with our company, while also providing reliable customer support when we needed assistance." — Melisha W., Operations Manager (September 1, 2026) ### [Paylocity](https://www.capterra.com/p/86714/WebPay/) - 4.3 out of 5 (1,977 reviews) — 14 reviewers switched here > "To have more than just payroll, and be able to grow a system with our company." — Erin M., People Operations Specialist (March 2, 2026) --- ## Find software for your specific use case ### Payroll - [BambooHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/110968/BambooHR/) — 4.6 out of 5 (3,653 reviews) - [Patriot Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/) — 4.8 out of 5 (3,966 reviews) - [Rippling](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/) — 4.9 out of 5 (4,886 reviews) ### Onboarding - [WalkMe](https://www.capterra.com/p/131194/WalkMe/) — 4.4 out of 5 (63 reviews) - [EMP Trust HR](https://www.capterra.com/p/125666/EMP-Force/) — 4.4 out of 5 (39 reviews) - [HiBob](https://www.capterra.com/p/156106/Hibob/) — 4.6 out of 5 (179 reviews) ### Time Clock - [Connecteam](https://www.capterra.com/p/153140/Connecteam/) — 4.6 out of 5 (5,318 reviews) - [Homebase](https://www.capterra.com/p/153076/Homebase/) — 4.6 out of 5 (1,157 reviews) - [ClockShark](https://www.capterra.com/p/155467/ClockShark/) — 4.7 out of 5 (1,911 reviews) ### Human Resources - [HiBob](https://www.capterra.com/p/156106/Hibob/) — 4.6 out of 5 (179 reviews) - [Workday HCM](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/) — 4.5 out of 5 (1,776 reviews) - [Paycom](https://www.capterra.com/p/130949/Paycom/) — 4.4 out of 5 (1,400 reviews) ### Talent Management - [MentorcliQ](https://www.capterra.com/p/146511/MentorcliQ-Employee-Mentoring/) — 4.9 out of 5 (201 reviews) - [Randstad RiseSmart](https://www.capterra.com/p/173114/Outplacement/) — 5.0 out of 5 (1 reviews) - [EchoSpan Flexible 360](https://www.capterra.com/p/106417/EchoSpan-360-Degree-Feedback/) — 4.9 out of 5 (76 reviews) ---