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Gusto vs QuickBooks Time Comparison

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Gusto

3.7(6,096 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…

QuickBooks Time

3.4(270 reviews)

Starting at $10 /month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

QuickBooks Time is an easy to use time tracking software that helps you accurately track time spent on projects including billable and non-billable items. You can quickly filter your reports by customer, date range and t…

Gusto leads on user satisfaction with a 3.7-star rating across 6,096 reviews.

Gusto vs QuickBooks Time — at a glance

FeatureGustoQuickBooks Time
Rating3.7 / 53.4 / 5
Reviews6,096270
Starting price$49 /user/month$10 /month
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryPayroll SoftwareTime Tracking Software
Integrations12+ apps
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPR
Data residencyUS

Key differences between Gusto and QuickBooks Time

  • Pricing: Gusto starts at $49 /user/month, while QuickBooks Time starts at $10 /month.
  • Target audience: Gusto is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business, while QuickBooks Time targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • User satisfaction: Gusto scores higher with a 3.7-star average.
  • Deployment: Gusto supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; QuickBooks Time supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

Gusto vs QuickBooks Time — 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 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.

Gusto - Payroll Software
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QuickBooks Time - Time Tracking Software
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Talk to an expert

Free PDF comparison

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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

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.

QuickBooks Time

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Gusto typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business. QuickBooks Time tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium 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 Time is an easy to use time tracking software that helps you accurately track time spent on projects including billable and non-billable items. You can quickly filter your ... Read More about QuickBooks Time

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $49 , monthly
  • Starts from $10 , monthly

Free Trial Availability

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.7/10

9.2/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

1-50 employees51-100 employees
1-500 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.

Strengths

Key strengths

Gusto

  • 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.

QuickBooks Time

  • Streamlined Time Tracking: With QuickBooks Time, your team can easily log hours from any device, ensuring accurate tracking and reducing the risk of errors. This means less time spent on manual entry and more time focused on what really matters—growing your business.
  • Enhanced Project Management: By using QuickBooks Time, managers can allocate resources more effectively, monitor project timelines, and gain insights into team performance. This allows you to make informed decisions that drive efficiency and productivity.
  • Seamless Integration: QuickBooks Time integrates effortlessly with other QuickBooks products and various payroll systems. This connectivity not only simplifies your workflow but also ensures that all financial data is consistent and up-to-date, making payroll processing a breeze.
Best fit

Best fit

Gusto

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

QuickBooks Time

  • 1-500 employees
  • Industries: Consulting, SaaS, Professional Services, Retail, Healthcare
  • Job Titles: Project Managers, HR Managers, Operations Managers, Finance Managers, Team Leads
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

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.

QuickBooks Time

  • Users may seek alternatives to QuickBooks Time due to its pricing structure, which can be prohibitive for small businesses or freelancers looking for more budget-friendly time-tracking solutions.
  • Some organizations might require specific features, such as advanced reporting or integration with other software platforms, that QuickBooks Time does not fully support, prompting a search for more tailored options.
  • The user interface of QuickBooks Time may not meet the needs of all users; alternatives with more intuitive designs could offer a better experience for teams unfamiliar with complex software.

Software Demo

Demo

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How do Gusto and QuickBooks Time Compare on Features?

Total Features

54 Features

10 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Get Quote

Compare Gusto and QuickBooks Time 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

      • $49 , monthly
      • $10 , monthly

      Pricing Plans

      • 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 +

      • Time Premium

        $10

        /month

        • Workforce app

        • Streamline payroll & invoicing

        • Create schedules

        Show more +

      • Time Elite

        $20

        /month

        • Workforce app

        • Streamlined payroll & invoicing

        • Create schedules

        Show more +

      Pricing Page

      Gusto pricing
      QuickBooks Time pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

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

      Platforms Supported

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

      Modes of support

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

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

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

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✗ 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

      Gusto User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      677

      36

      12

      15

      117

      1042

      248

      80

      11

      17

      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

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

      Common complaints

      • Support communication issues
      • Limited advanced customization

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is mixed across 1398 reviews, so it is worth reviewing the tradeoffs closely.

      What buyers like

      • Intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy to use with minimal technical knowledge.
      • Seamless integration with other QuickBooks products and payroll systems, ensuring streamlined operations.
      • Accurate and efficient time tracking, with features like GPS geotagging and job-specific tracking.

      Common complaints

      • New features and updates can make the interface less intuitive for previous users.
      • Limited reporting options and customizations for some advanced users.
      • Concerns over the reduced quality of support and usability since the rebranding from TSheets.

      Pros and Cons

      • 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

      • Intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy to use with minimal technical knowledge.

      • Seamless integration with other QuickBooks products and payroll systems, ensuring streamlined operations.

      • Accurate and efficient time tracking, with features like GPS geotagging and job-specific tracking.

      • New features and updates can make the interface less intuitive for previous users.

      • Limited reporting options and customizations for some advanced users.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Integrations

      Integration with other apps

      No Integration information available.

      List of Customers

      Customers

      Handlebar Cyclery

      Handlebar Cyclery

      Dwg

      Dwg

      American Canning

      American Canning

      No Customers information available.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      gusto

      4 Screenshots

      QuickBooks Time screenshot

      3 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Gusto and QuickBooks Time 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, Gusto or QuickBooks Time?
      Gusto edges out the other on user ratings (3.7 vs 3.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Gusto and QuickBooks Time offer a free trial?
      Yes, both Gusto and QuickBooks Time offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Gusto vs QuickBooks Time?
      Gusto starts at $49 /user/month. QuickBooks Time starts at $10 /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 Time?
      Top alternatives to QuickBooks Time include Homebase, ClockShark, Timesheets.com, TrackingTime, Timeero.

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