Gusto vs. Paychex
More small businesses rate Gusto higher than Paychex
Modern, intuitive platform- Automated payroll compliance for most kinds of businesses
- Instant, same-day, and next-day pay
- Seamless integrations with leading accounting tools
- Simple HR add-ons to grow your business your way
A modern payroll upgrade — without surprise fees
Choose a payroll partner that fits your business, not the other way around.
Intuitive, flexible platform
Enterprise-centered platformClear and upfront pricing
Request-only entry-level pricing with add-on fees
Pay your team instantly, same-day or next-day
Deposit timing comes with extra costs
Run unlimited payrolls
Extra fees per payroll run and for off-cycle runs
W-2 and 1099s included
Per-form or mailing fees for year-end forms
Have payroll taxes filed for you in every plan
Different year-end filings have different costs
No pressure month-to-month billing, cancel anytime
Contracted terms with early cancellation fees
Saves 56 hours per year on payroll
No published SMB time-saving data
Ranked #1 in Forbes “Best Payroll services”
Rated #3
Clear and upfront pricingvs.
Request-only entry-level pricing with add-on feesPay your team instantly, same-day or next-dayvs.
Deposit timing comes with extra costsRun unlimited payrollsvs.
Extra fees per payroll run and for off-cycle runsW-2 and 1099s includedvs.
Per-form or mailing fees for year-end formsHave payroll taxes filed for you in every planvs.
Different year-end filings have different costsNo pressure month-to-month billing, cancel anytimevs.
Contracted terms with early cancellation feesSaves 56 hours per year on payrollvs.
No published SMB time-saving dataRanked #1 in Forbes “Best Payroll services”vs.
Rated #3
#1 Most Innovative in HR
Fast Company 2025
Best SMB payroll service
for user experience 2025
10 best payroll services
for small business
#1 Payroll User Satisfaction SMB
G2 Software Review 2025
#1 Most Innovative in HR
Fast Company 2025
Best SMB payroll service
for user experience 2025
10 best payroll services
for small business
#1 Payroll User Satisfaction SMB
G2 Software Review 2025
Did you know...
Gusto customers saved an average of 56 hours/year on tax and compliance work after switching from Paychex.
Gusto is the better option. Compare the reviews.
“The Paychex payroll was not adequate and very confusing. We chose to switch to Gusto.”
Ex-Paychex Customer
G2 Review“It’s so convenient to manage benefits and renewals on your own without having to make an appointment or talk to a broker. With easy-to-understand plan comparisons, Gusto is simple to use.”
Lollipop Dental
Healthcare Industry
50 - 99 employees“With Gusto, a small business like ours can avoid taking on a lot of overhead and they give us all we need — payroll, HR, and benefits managed all in one place.”
Magpie Health Analytics
Technology Industry10-24 employees“Gusto was so user friendly and the most cost-effective solution, especially in comparison to some antiquated players in the space. It’s really nice to see a company with a good foundation continue to evolve the product.”
Floyd Lee Locums
Healthcare Industry50 - 99 employeesGusto saves time and money where Paychex doesn’t
Unlimited payrolls included
Fees may apply per payroll run and for off-cycle runs
W-2 and 1099s included
Per form or mailing fees for year-end forms may apply
Electronic I-9 and W-4 included
Fees or tiered pricing for onboarding e-forms may apply
No setup fees
Quote-based pricing
Flexible deposits
Deposit timing flexibility comes with tiered pricing
Need more than payroll?
We give you access to the tools you need without upselling you for ones you don’t.
Employee Benefits
Offer affordable health and financial benefits
It takes more than a paycheck to build an amazing team. We’ll help you find a healthcare package that checks every box on your list.
Employee Benefits
Offer affordable health and financial benefits
It takes more than a paycheck to build an amazing team. We’ll help you find a healthcare package that checks every box on your list.
Make payroll the easiest part of your day
No guessing games, no hidden fees. Let Gusto make your life easier and your business run smoother — start today for free (yep, no quotes necessary).
*Competitive data on this page was collected as of July 2025 and is subject to change or update. Gusto does not make any representations as to the completeness or accuracy of the information on this page. All Gusto services listed in the payroll features comparison chart are provided by Gusto or by one of Gusto's trusted partners.
- Compare Gusto vs. Paychex | G2. https://www.g2.com/compare/gusto-vs-paychex
- Source: Survey of 538 Gusto Customers, September 2024
- 50+ Payroll Statistics Shaping Employee Experience in 2025. https://learn.g2.com/payroll-statistics
- Paychex Reviews 2025: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2. https://www.g2.com/products/paychex/reviews