Alternatives to Gusto
Short version: the right replacement depends entirely on why you are leaving. Gusto costs ~$49/mo + ~$6/person, and the three reasons people leave it are price, complexity, and needing a different category of tool altogether. Those lead to three different answers.
Why people leave Gusto
Start here. Picking a replacement before naming the problem is how people end up switching twice.
- US only. This is the hard constraint. There is no international payroll.
- Per-person cost. Adds up quickly for larger teams; enterprise payroll providers get cheaper at scale.
- Support at peak. Slower around quarter and year end, which is exactly when you need it.
The realistic alternatives, by switching reason
| Tool | From | Why it works | Switch if |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online | ~$35/mo | Payroll integrated with the accounting you may already run. | You already use QuickBooks |
| Xero | ~$29/mo | Payroll alongside accounting, with unlimited users. | You already use Xero |
Prices are entry paid tiers, checked August 2026. Confirm current pricing with the vendor.
What each one actually gives you
QuickBooks Online
Payroll integrated with the accounting you may already run.
From ~$35/mo. No free plan; a trial and introductory discounts are usually available.
Xero
Payroll alongside accounting, with unlimited users.
From ~$29/mo. No free plan; a 30-day trial is offered.
When you should not replace Gusto
Switching has a real cost: migration, retraining, and the weeks where nobody can find anything. If the reasons below still apply to you, staying is the cheaper decision.
- Payroll runs are genuinely simple, including automatic tax filing at federal, state and local level.
- Onboarding new employees is smooth, with self-service that actually works.
- Benefits administration is integrated rather than bolted on.
The most expensive mistake here is replacing one tool you use fully with another you will use partly. If you genuinely use most of what Gusto does, price alone is a weak reason to move.
What you would pay instead
How to actually make the switch
- Write down the two or three things you use weekly. Not everything the tool can do — what you actually open it for.
- Check those against the free tier of the alternative before paying for anything.
- Export your data first. Do this while the old subscription is still active; access usually ends the day you cancel.
- Run both in parallel for one cycle — a sprint, a month, a reporting period — before cancelling.
- Cancel only once the new tool has survived a real deadline, not a quiet week.
Try them yourself
Pricing and free tiers change often — check the current plans directly before deciding.
Disclosure: some links are affiliate links and we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It never changes what we recommend — several tools here pay us nothing. How we make money.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Gusto?
QuickBooks Online for most people — payroll integrated with the accounting you may already run. But the honest answer depends on why you are leaving: you already use quickbooks points to QuickBooks Online; you already use xero points to Xero.
Is there a free alternative to Gusto?
QuickBooks Online: No free plan; a trial and introductory discounts are usually available. Xero: No free plan; a 30-day trial is offered.
How much does Gusto cost?
Checked August 2026: Simple at ~$49/mo + ~$6/person; Plus at ~$80/mo + ~$12/person; Premium at Custom. Confirm current pricing on the vendor's site.
Should I switch away from Gusto?
Only if you can name the specific problem. You have employees outside the US, or your headcount is large enough for enterprise payroll pricing. If none of that describes you, staying is usually cheaper than migrating.