Gusto vs Deputy vs Homebase Comparison
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
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…
Homebase
Starting at $0 / location / month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Homebase is a comprehensive time-tracking software developed by experienced people managers to enhance team collaboration and efficiency. It simplifies employee time tracking, scheduling, and payroll management, reducing…
Deputy leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 381 reviews.
Gusto vs Deputy vs Homebase — at a glance
| Feature | Gusto | Deputy | Homebase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 873 | 381 | 118 |
| Starting price | $49 /user/month | $3.50 | $0 / location / month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Employee Scheduling Software | Employee Scheduling Software |
| Integrations | — | — | 11+ apps |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Browser Based (Cloud) |
| API | Available | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2 |
| Data residency | US | US | United States, Canada |
Key differences between Gusto and Deputy
- Pricing: Gusto starts at $49 /user/month, while Deputy starts at $3.50.
- Target audience: Gusto is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business, while Deputy targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Deputy scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
- Deployment: Gusto supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Deputy supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Compare Gusto vs Deputy vs Homebase — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Payroll 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
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Gusto, Deputy vs Homebase: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
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.
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 simple, streamlined scheduling and payroll in small to mid-sized teams.
- You manage retail, hospitality, or food service teams with up to 500 employees.
- You need an easy-to-use platform for shift scheduling, time tracking, and payroll integration.
- You want built-in team communication tools like chat boards to improve collaboration.
- Your organization requires highly advanced schedule customization beyond basic features.
- You have complex scheduling needs that demand a more intuitive and flexible interface.
Gusto: Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing simple, integrated payroll and HR. Deputy: Best for medium businesses needing simple, real-time employee scheduling and time tracking.
Description | 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 | 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 | Homebase is a comprehensive time-tracking software developed by experienced people managers to enhance team collaboration and efficiency. It simplifies employee time tracking, scheduling, ... Read More about Homebase |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | 1-50 employees51-100 employees | 50-500 employeesMedium Business | 1-50 employees51-500 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 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.
- 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 Communication: Homebase allows smooth communication among team members, letting managers send updates and receive feedback in real-time. Keeping everyone on the same page is easier.
- Efficient Scheduling: With Homebase, scheduling shifts is easy. The intuitive interface lets you create schedules quickly, reducing the headache of manual planning. Your team will appreciate the clarity and predictability in their work hours.
- Time Tracking Made Simple: Say goodbye to manual time sheets! Homebase offers reliable time tracking features that help you monitor employee hours accurately, maintain compliance, and simplify payroll processing.
Best fit
- 1-100 employees
- Human Resources, Retail, Restaurants, Nonprofits, Professional Services
- HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners, Office Managers
- 50 to 500 employees
- Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, and Manufacturing
- Typical users encompass Operations Managers, HR Professionals, Shift Supervisors, and Team Leaders
- 1 to 500 employees
- Retail, Hospitality, Food Service, Healthcare, and Construction
- Managers, Shift Leaders, HR Personnel, and Business Owners
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- 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.
- 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 Homebase if they require more advanced scheduling features or integrations with other software, as some businesses have unique operational needs that Homebase may not fully address.
- Companies with larger teams or more complex workforce management requirements might find that Homebase lacks scalability, prompting them to explore solutions that better accommodate growth and diverse employee roles.
- Businesses prioritizing robust reporting and analytics tools may look for alternatives, as Homebase’s reporting capabilities might not meet the depth of insight required for informed decision-making.
Software Demo
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How do Gusto, Deputy and Homebase Compare on Features?
Total Features | 54 Features | 11 Features | 32 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Gusto, Deputy and Homebase 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.
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Gusto, Deputy vs Homebase: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Gusto, Deputy vs Homebase Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
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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 |
Gusto vs Deputy User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | |||
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Rating Distribution | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | 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
| 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 scheduling, communication features, and payroll integration, tempered by some interface usability concerns. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | 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 | No reviews available for the product |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. | No Integration information available. |
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Gusto, Deputy and Homebase Customers
Customers |  Handlebar Cyclery  Dwg  American Canning |  HubSpot  ACE Hardware  Harper |  Antique Taco  Woodhouse  Souvla |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |  7 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  4 Videos |
Alternatives to Gusto, Deputy, Homebase
Alternatives |
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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, Gusto or Deputy?
- 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 Gusto and Deputy offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Gusto and Deputy offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Gusto vs Deputy?
- Gusto starts at $49 /user/month. Deputy starts at $3.50.
- What are the top alternatives to Gusto?
- Top alternatives to Gusto include Paylocity Web Pay, Greenshades, Paychex Flex, Zenefits, SumoPayroll.
- What are the top alternatives to Deputy?
- Top alternatives to Deputy include Homebase, Shifton, Findmyshift, Staffcloud, Planday.