Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll vs SurePayroll vs Patriot 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…
QuickBooks Payroll
Starting at $49 /Month
- Free Trial
- Small Business
QuickBooks Payroll makes it easy to stay on top of your HR needs. It’s payroll software that gives you the power to handle all the payroll processing you need, from modeling an employee’s paycheck to tracking deductions…
SurePayroll
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
SurePayroll is a cloud-based, Payroll Software with Time Tracking Service. The software can be accessed from any device and is hosted by SurePayroll in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center for fast processing and pe…
Patriot Payroll
Starting at $14 /Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
The Patriot's secure payroll solution is designed to lower the total cost of payroll administration, while helping you reduce your staffs' workload. With its fully integrated interface with Patriot's fund accounting and…
Gusto leads on user satisfaction with a 4.4-star rating across 947 reviews.
Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll vs SurePayroll vs Patriot Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | Gusto | QuickBooks Payroll | SurePayroll | Patriot Payroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | 4.9 / 5 |
| Reviews | 947 | 56 | 1,436 | 3,151 |
| Starting price | $49 /user/month | $49 /Month | Contact for pricing | $14 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business | Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Integrations | — | 8+ apps | — | 11+ apps |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | Available | — | — | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | — | — | — |
| Data residency | US | — | US | US |
Key differences between Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll
- Pricing: Gusto starts at $49 /user/month, while QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month.
- Target audience: Gusto is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business, while QuickBooks Payroll targets Small Business.
- User satisfaction: Gusto scores higher with a 4.4-star average.
- Deployment: Gusto supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; QuickBooks Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Compare Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll vs SurePayroll vs Patriot Payroll — 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
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Free PDF comparison
Download this Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll vs SurePayroll vs Patriot Payroll comparison
Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Payroll 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.
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.
Small Business
Best for small businesses needing simple, reliable payroll with tax automation.
- You run a small business with up to 100 employees needing easy payroll setup.
- You want automated federal, state, and local tax filing without manual effort.
- You value hands-on, personalized customer support for payroll management guidance.
- You require highly customizable or advanced payroll features for complex needs.
- You cannot tolerate occasional payment discrepancies or need fully autonomous payroll.
Best payroll software for small businesses needing simple, affordable solutions.
- You run a small to medium business with up to 100 employees.
- You want a user-friendly, streamlined payroll system with strong US-based support.
- You need integration with fund accounting and compliance tools for payroll automation.
- You require advanced, highly customizable payroll features for complex business needs.
- You are a large enterprise scaling beyond small to medium business capabilities.
Gusto typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business. QuickBooks Payroll tends to fit 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 | QuickBooks Payroll makes it easy to stay on top of your HR needs. It’s payroll software that gives you the power to handle all the payroll processing you need, from modeling an employee’s ... Read More about QuickBooks Payroll | SurePayroll is a cloud-based, Payroll Software with Time Tracking Service. The software can be accessed from any device and is hosted by SurePayroll in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) data ... Read More about SurePayroll | The Patriot's secure payroll solution is designed to lower the total cost of payroll administration, while helping you reduce your staffs' workload. With its fully integrated interface with ... Read More about Patriot Payroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Entry Level Pricing |
|
|
|
|
Free Trial Availability |
| |||
Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||||
Best Company Size | 1-50 employees51-100 employees | 1–500 employees | 1-100 employeesSmall Business | 1-100 employeesSmall to medium businesses |
Get pricing help | 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, allowing administrators to run payroll in just a few clicks. Managers can save valuable time and reduce errors, ensuring employees get paid accurately and on time.
- Comprehensive Benefits Management: With Gusto, offering employee benefits becomes a breeze. From health insurance to retirement plans, you can easily manage and customize benefits packages that enhance 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.
- Compliance and Tax Support: The platform ensures up-to-date tax compliance, automatically calculates taxes, and manages filings to reduce penalties.
- Integrated Accounting Solutions: It integrates smoothly with QuickBooks Accounting software, providing real-time financial insights and simplifying bookkeeping.
- Seamless Payroll Processing: QuickBooks Payroll automates payroll calculations, tax filings, and direct deposits, reducing manual errors and saving time.
- Accurate Tax Filing & Compliance: SurePayroll automatically calculates, files, and deposits federal, state, and local payroll taxes, reducing compliance risks.
- User-Friendly Platform: The intuitive interface and mobile app simplify payroll management for small business owners and their employees.
- Flexible Payroll Options: It supports various pay schedules, contractor payments, and employee self-service, accommodating diverse payroll needs.
- Flexible Payroll Options: Choose between basic and full-service payroll, depending on whether you want to handle tax filing yourself or let Patriot do it.
- Easy-to-Use Interface: Designed with small business owners in mind, the platform simplifies payroll processing with intuitive navigation and clear workflows.
- Affordable Pricing & U.S. Support: Offers competitive rates with no hidden fees and access to expert, U.S.-based customer support when needed.
Best fit
- 1-100 employees
- Human Resources, Retail, Restaurants, Nonprofits, Professional Services
- HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners, Office Managers
- 1–500 employees
- Retail, professional services, healthcare, hospitality, construction, and nonprofits.
- Payroll Managers, HR Managers, Accountants, Business Owners, and Finance Directors.
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, small professional services, restaurants, construction, nonprofits, and startups
- Small Business Owners, Payroll Administrators, Office Managers, Accountants, and HR Coordinators
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, construction, professional services, healthcare, nonprofit, and manufacturing
- Small Business Owners, Accountants, Payroll Managers, Office Managers, and HR Coordinators
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.
- Businesses requiring industry-specific payroll features may seek specialized platforms.
- Companies looking for more robust HR management and employee benefits integration may explore other solutions.
- Organizations with complex multinational payroll needs might prefer global payroll providers.
- Small businesses seeking an easy-to-use, online payroll solution with reliable tax filing and compliance support.
- Companies that require automated payroll processing with options for both full-service and self-service features.
- Businesses wanting integration with popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero for streamlined bookkeeping.
- Small businesses looking for simple payroll solutions with affordable, transparent pricing and U.S.-based support.
- Companies needing basic or full-service payroll options with the flexibility to manage taxes internally or outsource.
- Businesses prioritizing user-friendly software without the complexity of enterprise-level platforms.
Software Demo
Demo |
|---|
Need a second opinion?
Get shortlist 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 Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, SurePayroll and Patriot Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 54 Features | 12 Features | 10 Features | 10 Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, SurePayroll and Patriot 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.
Pricing Option | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Starting From |
|
|
|
|
Pricing Plans |
|
|
|
|
Pricing Page |  |  | Pricing information not available |  |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Platforms Supported |
|
|
|
|
Modes of support |
|
|
|
|
API Support |
|
|
|
|
Get help choosing | Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
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 |
Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll vs SurePayroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 positive across 52 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlighting ease of use and reliable payroll processing, tempered by occasional payment issues and limited advanced features. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall, users praise Patriot Payroll for its ease of use, affordability, and strong customer support, with minor setup challenges noted. What buyers like
Common complaints
|
Pros and Cons |
|
|
|
|
Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | 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. |
|---|
List of Customers
Customers |  Handlebar Cyclery  Dwg  American Canning | No Customers information available. | No Customers information available. | No Customers information available. |
|---|
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |  3 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
|---|---|---|---|
Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |  4 Videos |
Alternatives
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
Related Blogs and Articles for Payroll Software
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 QuickBooks Payroll?
- Gusto edges out the other on user ratings (4.4 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll?
- Gusto starts at $49 /user/month. QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Gusto?
- Top alternatives to Gusto include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Freshbooks, BambooHR.
- What are the top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll?
- Top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Quickbooks, Freshbooks.