Gusto vs TriNet

A quick and easy comparison guide

Gusto vs TriNet

HR software makes it easier for you to manage your team, simplify payroll, and stay compliant with federal and state regulations. But how do you decide which HR software to go with for your business?

Below, you can directly compare Gusto with TriNet HR and TriNet PEO. With an easy-to-read comparison table, we’re here to help you make the best decision for your growing business.

Get started Get the facts

TriNet used to operate solely as a PEO, before they merged with Zenefits. Their product became TriNet Zenefits for a time, and now Zenefits has been dropped entirely. Their standalone HR and payroll platform is now called TriNet HR and their PEO is branded as TriNet PEO. 

Compare pricing and features: Gusto vs TriNet

Gusto
Trinet
Pricing
Monthly feeStarting at $40/mo + $6/mo per person
$8/PEPM – 5 employee minimum PEO pricing on request
Setup feeFree
Extra feesExtra fees
Payroll
PayrollCheckmark
$6/PEPM
Unlimited payrollsCheckmark
(Payroll add-on)
Automated federal and state tax filingCheckmark
(Payroll add-on)
Direct depositCheckmark
(Payroll add-on)
File W-2sCheckmark
(Payroll add-on)
File 1099sCheckmark
(Contractor payments add-on)
Multiple pay rates and schedulesCheckmark
(Payroll add-on)
Multiple statesCheckmark(Plus and Premium)
(Payroll add-on)
Contractor paymentsCheckmark
(Contractor payments add-on)
E-sign I-9 and W-4Checkmark
Lifetime access for employeesCheckmark
Household employer payrollX
International payrollDollarYes, through Gusto Global powered by Remote
(International Services add-on)
Benefits
Health benefitsPay premiums only
Premiums + feesPremiums + fees
Workers’ compPay premiums only
Premiums + feesPremiums + fees
Available add-ons
  • Broker integration
  • 401(k) retirement
  • Commuter benefits
  • Life and disability
  • HSA and FSA
  • Free financial tools
  • Broker integration (for a fee)
  • HSA and FSA
  • Commuter benefits
  • 401(k) retirement
  • Life and disability
  • Supplemental
HR tools
Time trackingCheckmark(Plus and Premium)
Team directory and org chartCheckmark(Plus and Premium)
Time-off requestsCheckmark(Plus and Premium)
Online offer lettersCheckmark
Secure document vault and e-signingCheckmark
Custom employee handbookCheckmark(Premium and HR add-on)
Job description and policy templatesCheckmark(Premium and HR add-on)
(Recruiting add-on) Included with PEO
Proactive compliance updatesCheckmark(Premium and HR add-on)
Certified HR prosCheckmark(Premium and HR add-on)
(HR Plus and Advisory Services add-ons) Included with PEO
Direct phone line for dedicated supportCheckmark(Premium and HR add-on)
Custom Onboarding ChecklistCheckmark(Plus and Premium)
Software ProvisioningCheckmark(Plus and Premium)
Checkmark

*Competitive data on this page was collected as of June 6th, 2024 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.

Clipart of three people
Clipart of three people

What to consider when choosing a payroll provider?

  • What’s included in pricing?

    Many platforms offer lots of bells and whistles—but all at additional cost that can quickly add up. Look for a payroll provider that doesn’t charge extra for every feature you want to add.

  • Find a provider that can grow with you.

    A payroll solution that focuses on enterprises might not give growing businesses what they need. Select a payroll company that will work for where you are today and one that can grow with you in the future.

  • Is it easy to switch?

    Migrating your payroll data could be a daunting task, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Ask about this process, and ask about what kind of onboarding support they offer for new customers.

  • How can I get help when I need it?

    Getting in touch with customer support should be simple and easy, with ample resources at your fingertips to help you get the most of your new payroll software. Ask about online, email, chat, and phone support.

Comparison details: Gusto vs TriNet

Pricing

Gusto offers straightforward monthly plans with options starting at a monthly base fee of $40, plus an additional $6 per employee per month. If you don’t have W-2 employees, you can use Gusto to pay your contractors for just $35/month plus $6/month per contractor (only in the months you pay them). There are no hidden fees, you can cancel anytime, and our base price includes setup, tax filing, multiple payroll runs, reporting, and other essentials.

TriNet HR starts at $8 per employee per month with no base fee, but they require a minimum of five employees. You can use the service if you have fewer than 5 employees, but you’ll still be charged for 5. The base package includes a solid set of HR tools, but no payroll or benefits. TriNet also offers two higher-tier packages that include more advanced workforce management tools. Their highest-tier package includes payroll, but otherwise it will cost an extra $6 per employee per month. Benefits administration costs $5 per employee per month (waived if you choose a TriNet broker), recruiting starts at $35 per month, and Advisory Services at $8 per employee per month. 

TriNet PEO’s pricing is on a flat, per-employee-per-month (PEPM) basis, but they don’t provide any information on what those prices might be. According to analysis from the Small Business Guide, TriNet PEO costs between $80 and $600 per employee per month. According to Forbes, you can expect to pay at least $150 per employee per month just for basic payroll and benefits administration.

Payroll

Both Gusto and TriNet can run your payroll in just a few clicks. Both platforms automatically calculate, file, and pay all federal, state, and local taxes every time you run payroll. Both platforms support multiple pay rates and schedules across multiple states, and both come with unlimited payroll runs each month. 

But TriNet HR offers payroll only as an add-on to their base packages. Support for contractors was recently added, but is available only through their contractors and global payroll add-on. Their regular payroll package only supports W-2 employees.  

TriNet PEO includes full-service payroll, but you’ll still need to pay extra for contractors or international hires.

Overall, TriNet is an HR-focused company that offers some payroll functionality, while payroll is what Gusto knows best.

Benefits

Employee Benefits

We know you want to give your employees the best. That’s why Gusto provides leading medical, dental, and vision benefits with all of our plans. Our team has licensed health insurance brokers in 38 U.S. states and counting offering more than 3,500 plans from top-tier networks like Humana, BlueCross BlueShield, United Healthcare, and more. Our licensed advisors will work with you to find affordable insurance options that keep your employees happy and healthy. 

In addition to a wide range of traditional health benefits, both Gusto and TriNet offer workers’ comp, 401(k)s, FSAs, and HSAs along with compliance support for COBRA and ACA. 

What sets Gusto apart is our wide range of no-cost and low-cost options including commuter plans, 529 college savings plans, and the Gusto Wallet mobile app that lets employees manage their paychecks, save money, access emergency cash, and more. TriNet does offer supplemental benefits like critical accident and illness policies, access to auto and home policies, and commuter benefits, but they fall short when it comes to no-cost, employee-focused perks to help attract and retain talent no matter your budget.

Benefits Administration

TriNet HR offers benefits administration as an add-on for $5 per employee per month. They will waive this fee if you choose one of their brokers, however. 

Using TriNet PEO means your company enters into a shared employment relationship. TriNet becomes the “employer of record” and is responsible for payroll and payroll tax compliance, benefits administration, workers’ compensation, processing unemployment claims, and other administrative tasks. 

Partnering with a PEO can take a lot of admin off your plate, but it also gives you limited flexibility with your benefits. With Gusto, you can craft a flexible, custom package of low-cost, no-cost, and premium benefits options that meets both your needs and budget, no matter how many employees you’re taking care of. And your benefits package can always grow as your business grows.  

And finally, with Gusto, benefits administration is always included, and the only costs are the premiums for the plan you choose. There are no set up fees for 401(k) retirement plans and 529 college savings. As with all PEOs, TriNet charges per-employee fees on top of any premiums you pay.

HR tools

Employee self-service

Gusto’s self-onboarding makes adding new team members a breeze while confidential information stays confidential. And with Gusto’s lifetime employee access, employees will always be able to access their W-2s and benefits information without having to contact anyone on your team—no matter how long it’s been since they left the company.

TriNet HR and TriNet PEO both offer employee self-service for onboarding, benefits, paystubs, and more.  

Time Tracking & PTO

Gusto’s Plus and Premium plans include time tracking, so employees can easily clock in and out. track hours, request paid time off, and easily view PTO straight from their accounts. And any approved hours automatically sync to payroll. Gusto does not have a built-in scheduling tool, though they do offer integrations with dozens of popular time tracking and scheduling apps. 

Both TriNet HR and TriNet PEO include time tracking and scheduling, along with employee clock-ins and time and attendance reporting. TriNet’s scheduling also offers relatively advanced scheduling compliance for heavily regulated industries, but they offer just two time-tracking integrations: Quickbooks Time and Deputy. 

Hiring & onboarding

Both Gusto and TriNet offer a full suite of tools to help you hire, onboard, and retain your team. While basic tools like e-signing, onboarding checklists, and secure document storage are included with all of Gusto’s plans, our Plus and Premium plans give you access to advanced tools like applicant tracking, job postings, and customizable workflows.

With TriNet HR, job posting and onboarding tools are included in all of their packages, but their recruiting tools, including their ATS, are only available through their JazzHR add-on, starting at $35 per month.  

Team management

With Gusto’s Premium plan, you get access to employee engagement surveys, performance management, career development resources, and robust people analytics. We also integrate with leading performance management tools including Lattice, 15Five, CultureAmp, and more. 

As an HR-focused platform, TriNet also has an impressive suite of people management tools available on higher-tier plans. But in order to access their People Hub and employee engagement suite, you’ll need to sign up for their Zen plan at $33 PEPM.  

Dedicated Support

Looking for dedicated HR support but don’t need all the bells and whistles of our Premium plan? You can add HR specialist support to the Plus plan for just $8 per employee per month.

TriNet HR also offers an HR Plus package that ranges from $20–$50 PEPM. 

Customer service

All of Gusto’s plans come with full access to our friendly sales and customer support teams via phone, email, and chat Monday through Friday. And our FAQ and Help Center are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Companies with more than 10 employees also benefit from our dedicated onboarding support team. 


TriNet offers live phone support from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET Monday through Friday, along with email and chat support. But according to SelectHub, more than 70% of reviews who mentioned contacting customer service by phone said it was slow and hard to get through to a person. An analysis from Forbes confirms their customer service representatives often struggle to answer even basic questions.

Integrations

Our payroll platform integrates with nearly 200 leading software tools for time tracking, expense management, point of sale (POS), accounting, and more. And we never charge extra for integrations. Check out our full list of integrations here.

TriNet currently has around 50 integrations listed on their site, though they are lacking many popular options for time tracking, accounting, and workforce management.

list of software integration logos

An HR and payroll provider businesses actually love.

90%

of our businesses feel confident that Gusto has the benefits and HR tools they need to run their business*

94%

of our businesses believe Gusto can scale with their company as it grows.*

85%

“It gives me more time to run my business.”
85% of surveyed Gusto customers

Gusto FAQs

#1 Best Software for Small Business of 2024

Most Innovative Companies in HR
2024

#1 HR software for startups
in 2023

#1 Payroll Software
2024

Prices start at $46/month

Join more than 300,000
businesses and their teams.