Gusto vs Hive Payroll 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…
Hive Payroll
Starting at $17 /month
- Free Trial
- Medium Business
- Small Business
Hive Payroll is payroll software for single-site and multi-site businesses that need payslip generation, deductions management, and statutory compliance handled without separate tools for each function. It consolidates p…
Hive Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 1 reviews.
Spotsaas Analysis
GustoHive Payroll
The core difference between Gusto and Hive Payroll is that Gusto offers a comprehensive, integrated solution for payroll and HR tailored for small to mid-sized businesses, while Hive Payroll focuses on providing a more budget-friendly payroll option without additional HR features. Gusto is ideal for businesses with 1-100 employees that need a user-friendly all-in-one platform, whereas Hive Payroll is suited for cost-conscious companies seeking basic payroll services.
- Best for small to mid-sized businesses - Integrated payroll and HR features - User-friendly interface - Ideal for HR managers and business owners - Supports compliance and benefits management - Price: $49
- Budget-friendly payroll solution - Basic payroll services - No additional HR features listed - Ideal for cost-conscious companies - Company size suitability not specified - Price: $17
Gusto vs Hive Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | Gusto | Hive Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Reviews | 873 | 1 |
| Starting price | $49 /user/month | $17 /month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business | Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | Available | — |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Gusto and Hive Payroll
- Pricing: Gusto starts at $49 /user/month, while Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month.
- Target audience: Gusto is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business, while Hive Payroll targets Medium Business and Small Business.
- User satisfaction: Hive Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: Gusto supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Hive Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Gusto vs Hive Payroll — 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 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
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Gusto vs Hive Payroll: 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.
Medium Business, Small Business
Gusto typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business. Hive Payroll tends to fit Medium Business and Small Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
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 | Hive Payroll is payroll software for single-site and multi-site businesses that need payslip generation, deductions management, and statutory compliance handled without separate tools for ... Read More about Hive Payroll |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | ||
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.7/10 | 7.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 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 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.
No key benefits available yet.
Best fit
- 1-100 employees
- Human Resources, Retail, Restaurants, Nonprofits, Professional Services
- HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners, Office Managers
No best-fit guidance available yet.
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.
No alternatives guidance available yet.
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How do Gusto and Hive Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 54 Features | 6 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Gusto and Hive Payroll 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 vs Hive Payroll: Other Details
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Platforms Supported |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Gusto vs Hive Payroll 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 | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Gusto 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 Buyer sentiment is very strong across 1 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. 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 |
Gusto and Hive Payroll Customers
Customers |  Handlebar Cyclery  Dwg  American Canning | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Gusto and Hive Payroll in 2026
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 Hive Payroll?
- Hive Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 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 Hive Payroll offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Gusto and Hive Payroll offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Gusto vs Hive Payroll?
- Gusto starts at $49 /user/month. Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month.
- 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 Hive Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Hive Payroll include 247HRM, Paybooks, PayrollPanda, CheckMark Payroll, Heartland Payroll.