Deputy vs Gusto Comparison
Deputy
Starting at $3.50
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Deputy is a powerful time-saving software that streamlines business schedules and operations. It offers budget-friendly staff scheduling options based on team availability, with instant notification through its applicati…
Gusto
Starting at $49 /user/month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Medium Business
Gusto is a comprehensive HR platform designed to help businesses of all sizes thrive. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling rapidly, Gusto provides the tools and guidance you need to grow and nurture your team. Tru…
Deputy leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 381 reviews.
Deputy vs Gusto — at a glance
| Feature | Deputy | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 381 | 873 |
| Starting price | $3.50 | $49 /user/month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Employee Scheduling Software | Payroll Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Deputy and Gusto
- Pricing: Deputy starts at $3.50, while Gusto starts at $49 /user/month.
- Target audience: Deputy is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while Gusto targets Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Deputy scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
- Deployment: Deputy supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Gusto supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Deputy vs Gusto — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Employee Scheduling Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Free PDF comparison
Download this Deputy vs Gusto comparison
Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Employee Scheduling Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.
- Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
- Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
- Emailed to you — no on-screen download
No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.
Deputy vs Gusto: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for medium businesses needing simple, real-time employee scheduling and time tracking.
- You manage a 50-500 employee retail, hospitality, or healthcare team.
- You want real-time roster and labor cost updates to control budgets.
- You need an easy-to-use platform with built-in communication for shift coordination.
- Your business requires deep payroll processor integrations or advanced customization.
- You need extensive tiered support or highly customizable workflows.
Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing simple, integrated payroll and HR.
- You want an all-in-one platform combining payroll, benefits, hiring, and compliance.
- Your team values a user-friendly interface with straightforward setup and workflows.
- You need strong integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks Online.
- Your business requires highly complex or heavily customized payroll processing.
- You are a large enterprise with extensive, process-heavy HR workflows.
Deputy: Best for medium businesses needing simple, real-time employee scheduling and time tracking. Gusto: Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing simple, integrated payroll and HR.
Description | Deputy is a powerful time-saving software that streamlines business schedules and operations. It offers budget-friendly staff scheduling options based on team availability, with instant ... Read More about Deputy | Gusto is a comprehensive HR platform designed to help businesses of all sizes thrive. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling rapidly, Gusto provides the tools and guidance you need to ... Read More about Gusto |
|---|---|---|
Entry Level Pricing |
|
|
Free Trial Availability | ||
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 50-500 employeesMedium Business | 1-50 employees51-100 employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
- Streamlined Scheduling: With Deputy, managers can quickly create and adjust employee schedules in real-time. This saves time and confirms that staffing levels meet operational demands, improving overall productivity.
- Improved Communication: The platform improves communication among team members through its built-in messaging system. It keeps everyone informed and aligned, reducing misunderstandings and strengthening team cohesion.
- Accurate Time Tracking: Deputy offers reliable time tracking features that let employees clock in and out from their smartphones or desktops. This eliminates manual timesheets and provides accurate data that simplifies payroll processing for administrators.
- Streamlined Payroll Processing: Gusto simplifies payroll management, letting administrators run payroll in just a few clicks. Managers can save time and reduce errors, confirming employees get paid accurately and on time.
- Benefits Management: With Gusto, offering employee benefits is straightforward. From health insurance to retirement plans, you can manage and customize benefits packages that improve employee satisfaction and retention.
- User-Friendly Interface: Both managers and employees appreciate Gusto's intuitive design. This user-friendly platform means less training time for staff and more focus on what really matters – growing your business.
Best fit
- 50 to 500 employees
- Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, and Manufacturing
- Typical users encompass Operations Managers, HR Professionals, Shift Supervisors, and Team Leaders
- 1-100 employees
- Human Resources, Retail, Restaurants, Nonprofits, Professional Services
- HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners, Office Managers
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Users may seek alternatives to Deputy if they find its pricing structure to be higher than expected, especially for small businesses or startups with tight budgets that require cost-effective workforce management solutions.
- Some organizations might require more advanced features, such as extensive reporting or integration capabilities with other software, which they find lacking in Deputy, prompting them to explore other platforms.
- Businesses with specific industry needs, like healthcare or manufacturing, may look for alternatives that offer tailored functionalities that better align with their unique operational requirements and compliance standards.
- Users may seek alternatives to Gusto if they require specific features not offered by the platform, such as advanced payroll reporting or industry-specific compliance tools that better meet their unique business needs.
- Companies with larger workforces might explore alternatives for scalability, as they may find that other solutions provide more robust support for managing high employee volumes efficiently.
- Budget-conscious businesses might look for more cost-effective payroll and HR solutions, especially if they find Gusto's pricing structure doesn't align with their financial goals or operational requirements.
Software Demo
Demo |
|---|
Need a second opinion?
Get decision help from a software advisor
Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.
- Independent advice — matched to your business
- Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
- Free 15-min call with a software advisor.
Step 1 of 4
How big is your team?
We tailor recommendations to companies your size.
How do Deputy and Gusto Compare on Features?
Total Features | 11 Features | 54 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Deputy and Gusto on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
Pricing Option | ||
|---|---|---|
Starting From |
|
|
Pricing Plans |
| |
Pricing Page |  |  |
Deputy vs Gusto: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Platforms Supported |
|
|
Modes of support |
|
|
API Support |
|
|
Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Deputy vs Gusto Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
ISO 27001 | — | ✗ No |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Deputy User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Deputy's ease of use and efficiency in scheduling and time tracking, tempered by concerns over support and integration limitations. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and comprehensive features, tempered by some concerns over support consistency and limited advanced customization. What buyers like
Common complaints
|
Pros and Cons |
|
|
Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
| Negative Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Deputy and Gusto Customers
Customers |  HubSpot  ACE Hardware  Harper |  Handlebar Cyclery  Dwg  American Canning |
|---|
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  7 Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  4 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Deputy and Gusto in 2026
Alternatives |
|---|
Add another option to compare side by side
Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.Compare similar software options
Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Deputy or Gusto?
- Deputy edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Deputy and Gusto offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Deputy and Gusto offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Deputy vs Gusto?
- Deputy starts at $3.50. Gusto starts at $49 /user/month.
- What are the top alternatives to Deputy?
- Top alternatives to Deputy include Homebase, Shifton, Findmyshift, Staffcloud, Planday.
- What are the top alternatives to Gusto?
- Top alternatives to Gusto include Paylocity Web Pay, Greenshades, Paychex Flex, Zenefits, SumoPayroll.