Gusto vs Square 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…
Square Payroll
Starting at $34 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Square Payroll is payroll software for small businesses and sole proprietors, particularly those already running payments or point-of-sale through Square's ecosystem. It automates pay runs, tax filings, and direct deposi…
Square Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 15 reviews.
Spotsaas Analysis
GustoSquare Payroll
The core difference between Gusto and Square Payroll lies in Gusto's comprehensive HR and payroll features suited for a broader range of industries, while Square Payroll focuses on payroll and time tracking specifically for service-based businesses. Gusto is ideal for businesses seeking an all-in-one HR solution, whereas Square Payroll is best for those using Square POS and needing straightforward payroll for hourly employees.
- Best for small to mid-sized businesses - Comprehensive payroll and HR features - User-friendly interface - Ideal for various industries including nonprofits and professional services - Suitable for businesses with 1-100 employees - Price starts at $49
- Tailored for small to medium service businesses - Simple payroll and time tracking - Effortless integration with Square POS - Focused on hourly or tipped employees - Suitable for businesses with 1-100 employees - Price starts at $34
Gusto vs Square Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | Gusto | Square Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Reviews | 873 | 15 |
| Starting price | $49 /user/month | $34 /User/Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Gusto and Square Payroll
- Pricing: Gusto starts at $49 /user/month, while Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month.
- Target audience: Gusto is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business, while Square Payroll targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Square Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: Gusto supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Square Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Gusto vs Square 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 Square 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.
Best for small to medium service businesses needing simple payroll and time tracking.
- You run a small to medium business with hourly or tipped employees.
- You want effortless integration with Square POS and existing payroll providers.
- You need a simple, user-friendly payroll system with built-in time tracking.
- You require advanced payroll reporting, customization, or analytics.
- You manage complex pay structures, multiple locations, or international staff.
Gusto: Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing simple, integrated payroll and HR. Square Payroll: Best for small to medium service businesses needing simple payroll 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 | Square Payroll is payroll software for small businesses and sole proprietors, particularly those already running payments or point-of-sale through Square's ecosystem. It automates pay runs, ... Read More about Square Payroll |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | ||
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.7/10 | 8.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 1-50 employees51-100 employees | 1-100 employeesMedium Business |
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.
- Seamless Integration with Square POS: Syncs easily with Square’s point-of-sale system, making it ideal for hourly or tipped workers in service industries.
- Contractor & Employee Support: Easily pay W-2 employees and 1099 contractors with direct deposit and generate tax forms from a single dashboard.
Best fit
- 1-100 employees
- Human Resources, Retail, Restaurants, Nonprofits, Professional Services
- HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners, Office Managers
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, food service, salons, hospitality, and other service-based small businesses
- Business Owners, Payroll Managers, Accountants, Restaurant Managers, and HR Assistants
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 already using Square for POS may seek deeper payroll integrations or industry-specific HR features.
- Employers needing more advanced reporting, analytics, or benefits management might explore broader HR platforms.
- Companies managing multi-state or international employees could require tools with expanded compliance capabilities.
Software Demo
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How do Gusto and Square Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 54 Features | 13 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Gusto and Square 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 Square Payroll: Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Gusto vs Square Payroll 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 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 Users appreciate Square Payroll's ease of use, integration capabilities, and time-saving automation, though some desire more advanced features for larger or more complex businesses. 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 Square Payroll Customers
Customers |  Handlebar Cyclery  Dwg  American Canning | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Gusto and Square 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 Square Payroll?
- Square 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 Square Payroll offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Gusto and Square Payroll offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Gusto vs Square Payroll?
- Gusto starts at $49 /user/month. Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/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 Square Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Square Payroll include OnPay, APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, Justworks.