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EmpowerPoints vs Gusto Comparison

Last updated:

EmpowerPoints

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

EmpowerPoints is an employee engagement and recognition platform for managers overseeing distributed workforces. Managers can track workforce activity, integrate wellness and health programs, and collect feedback through…

Gusto

4.4(873 reviews)

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…

Gusto leads on user satisfaction with a 4.4-star rating across 873 reviews.

EmpowerPoints vs Gusto — at a glance

FeatureEmpowerPointsGusto
Rating—4.4 / 5
Reviews—873
Starting priceContact for pricing$49 /user/month
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryEmployee Recognition SoftwarePayroll Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud
API—Available
Support modesOnlineBusiness Hours, Online
Certifications—SOC 2, GDPR
Data residencyUSUS

Key differences between EmpowerPoints and Gusto

  • Pricing: Gusto starts at $49 /user/month. EmpowerPoints pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Target audience: EmpowerPoints is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while Gusto targets Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business.
  • Deployment: EmpowerPoints supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Gusto supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

EmpowerPoints vs Gusto — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Employee Recognition 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.

EmpowerPoints - New SaaS Software
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Gusto - Payroll Software
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EmpowerPoints vs Gusto: Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

EmpowerPoints

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Gusto

Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing simple, integrated payroll and HR.

Choose if
  • 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.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your business requires highly complex or heavily customized payroll processing.
  • You are a large enterprise with extensive, process-heavy HR workflows.

EmpowerPoints typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Gusto tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

EmpowerPoints is an employee engagement and recognition platform for managers overseeing distributed workforces. Managers can track workforce activity, integrate wellness and health ... Read More about EmpowerPoints

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

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $49 , monthly

Free Trial Availability

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

Not Available

9.7/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.38

(873)

Best Company Size

50–5,000 Employee
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.

Strengths

Key strengths

EmpowerPoints

  • Comprehensive Employee Engagement: EmpowerPoints integrates recognition, wellness tracking, and feedback mechanisms into a unified platform, promoting a holistic approach to employee engagement .
  • Real-Time Analytics: The platform offers real-time insights into employee engagement and wellness, letting managers make informed decisions and address issues promptly.
  • Customizable Recognition Programs: EmpowerPoints lets organizations design recognition programs that fit their specific culture and values, improving the relevance and impact of employee recognition.

Gusto

  • 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

Best fit

EmpowerPoints

  • 50–5,000 Employee
  • Technology, Healthcare, Finance, Education, Retail.
  • HR Managers, Employee Engagement Coordinators, Wellness Program Managers, Operations Directors

Gusto

  • 1-100 employees
  • Human Resources, Retail, Restaurants, Nonprofits, Professional Services
  • HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners, Office Managers
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

EmpowerPoints

  • EmpowerPoints requires a 30–60 day onboarding period, which may be lengthy for organizations seeking a quicker implementation .
  • Organizations already utilizing comprehensive HR platforms may find EmpowerPoints' features redundant, leading to unnecessary complexity and costs.
  • While EmpowerPoints offers customization options, some users report that the extent of customization may not fully align with their specific organizational needs.

Gusto

  • 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

No software demo available

EmpowerPoints has not given any software demo yet

If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us

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How do EmpowerPoints and Gusto Compare on Features?

Total Features

3 Features

54 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Get Quote

Compare EmpowerPoints 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

      • Not Available
      • $49 , monthly

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Simple

        $49

        /user/month

        • Full-service, single-state payroll

        • Unlimited runs & automated tax filings

        • Employee portal for paystubs & self-service

      • Plus

        $80

        /user/month

        • Everything in the Simple plan, plus

        • Multi-state payroll w/ Next-Day Direct Deposit

        • Time tracking & PTO management

        Show more +

      • Premium

        $180

        /user/month

        • All Plus features, plus:

        • Dedicated service advisor

        • Access to certified HR experts

        Show more +

      Pricing Page

      EmpowerPoints pricing
      Gusto pricing

      EmpowerPoints vs Gusto: Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      EmpowerPoints vs Gusto Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      —
      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      —
      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      —
      ✗ No

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      —
      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      —
      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      —
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      —
      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🇺🇸 US

      EmpowerPoints User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      No reviews available for the product

      Rating Distribution

      No reviews available for this product

      677

      36

      12

      15

      117

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      What buyers like

      • **Comprehensive Employee Engagement:** EmpowerPoints integrates recognition, wellness tracking, and feedback mechanisms into a unified platform, promoting a holistic approach to employee engagement .
      • **Real-Time Analytics:** The platform offers real-time insights into employee engagement and wellness, letting managers make informed decisions and address issues promptly.
      • **Customizable Recognition Programs:** EmpowerPoints lets organizations design recognition programs that fit their specific culture and values, improving the relevance and impact of employee recognition.

      Common complaints

      • EmpowerPoints requires a 30–60 day onboarding period, which may be lengthy for organizations seeking a quicker implementation .
      • Organizations already utilizing comprehensive HR platforms may find EmpowerPoints' features redundant, leading to unnecessary complexity and costs.
      • While EmpowerPoints offers customization options, some users report that the extent of customization may not fully align with their specific organizational needs.

      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

      • Ease of use
      • Customer support
      • Integration with accounting tools

      Common complaints

      • Support communication issues
      • Limited advanced customization

      Pros and Cons

      • **Comprehensive Employee Engagement:** EmpowerPoints integrates recognition, wellness tracking, and feedback mechanisms into a unified platform, promoting a holistic approach to employee engagement .

      • **Real-Time Analytics:** The platform offers real-time insights into employee engagement and wellness, enabling managers to make informed decisions and address issues promptly .

      • **Customizable Recognition Programs:** EmpowerPoints allows organizations to tailor recognition programs to their specific culture and values, enhancing the relevance and impact of employee recognition .

      • EmpowerPoints requires a 30–60 day onboarding period, which may be lengthy for organizations seeking a quicker implementation .

      • Organizations already utilizing comprehensive HR platforms may find EmpowerPoints' features redundant, leading to unnecessary complexity and costs.

      • Simplifies payroll processing and tax compliance for non-experts

      • Robust integrations with accounting platforms like QuickBooks Online

      • Responsive and efficient customer support

      • Occasional errors or inconsistencies in support communication

      • Challenging transition process from other payroll providers without guidance

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used EmpowerPoints or Gusto? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      EmpowerPoints and Gusto Customers

      Customers

      No Customers information available.

      Handlebar Cyclery

      Handlebar Cyclery

      Dwg

      Dwg

      American Canning

      American Canning

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      EmpowerPoints screenshot

      5 Screenshots

      gusto

      4 Screenshots

      Videos

      No videos available.

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to EmpowerPoints and Gusto in 2026

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      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, EmpowerPoints or Gusto?
      Gusto edges out the other on user ratings (4.4 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do EmpowerPoints and Gusto offer a free trial?
      Yes, both EmpowerPoints and Gusto offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of EmpowerPoints vs Gusto?
      EmpowerPoints starts at Contact for pricing. Gusto starts at $49 /user/month.
      What are the top alternatives to EmpowerPoints?
      Top alternatives to EmpowerPoints include Kudoboard, Awardco, ChatFox, Bonusly, Vantage Circle.
      What are the top alternatives to Gusto?
      Top alternatives to Gusto include Paylocity Web Pay, Greenshades, Paychex Flex, Zenefits, SumoPayroll.