Gusto vs Wagepoint vs OnPay 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…
Wagepoint
Starting at $22 /Month
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Medium Business
Wagepoint is a web-based payroll software that centralizes employee data and automates payroll. It is designed to minimize human involvement and with our unique and patented Smart Sync integration, it provides the most a…
OnPay
Starting at $40 /Month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
OnPay is an intuitive online payroll software designed to meet the needs of supervisors, managers, payroll specialists and people who manage pay for hourly or salaried staff. OnPay helps companies of all sizes reduce cos…
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…
Wagepoint leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 260 reviews.
Gusto vs Wagepoint vs OnPay vs Patriot Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | Gusto | Wagepoint | OnPay | Patriot Payroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 | 4.9 / 5 |
| Reviews | 947 | 260 | 414 | 3,151 |
| Starting price | $49 /user/month | $22 /Month | $40 /Month | $14 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium 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 | — | — | 10+ apps | 11+ apps |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | Available | — | — | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2 | SOC 2, GDPR | — |
| Data residency | US | US | US | US |
Key differences between Gusto and Wagepoint
- Pricing: Gusto starts at $49 /user/month, while Wagepoint starts at $22 /Month.
- Free trial: Gusto offers a free trial; Wagepoint does not.
- User satisfaction: Wagepoint scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
- Deployment: Gusto supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Wagepoint supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Compare Gusto vs Wagepoint vs OnPay 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
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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.
Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business
Best for small businesses seeking simple, automated payroll with excellent support.
- You run a small business with 1-100 employees needing straightforward payroll processing.
- You want to automate payroll calculations and tax filings to reduce errors and save time.
- You value exceptional, responsive customer service and easy integration with accounting tools.
- You are a large enterprise requiring complex payroll customizations and advanced features.
- You need an all-in-one HR platform including recruitment or performance management.
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. Wagepoint tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants 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 | Wagepoint is a web-based payroll software that centralizes employee data and automates payroll. It is designed to minimize human involvement and with our unique and patented Smart Sync ... Read More about Wagepoint | OnPay is an intuitive online payroll software designed to meet the needs of supervisors, managers, payroll specialists and people who manage pay for hourly or salaried staff. OnPay helps ... Read More about OnPay | 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 |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.7/10 | 8.3/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||||
Best Company Size | 1-50 employees51-100 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.
No key benefits available yet.
- OnPay streamlines payroll processing, saving valuable hours each week by automating complex calculations and filings—so you can focus on running your business.
- With a user-friendly interface and intuitive dashboards, your team can effortlessly manage payroll, benefits, and taxes without needing extensive training.
- I appreciate how OnPay offers robust integration with popular accounting tools, enhancing efficiency and eliminating manual data entry headaches.
- 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
No best-fit guidance available yet.
- 1-100 employees
- Healthcare, SaaS, Consulting, Professional Services, Nonprofits, Financial Services, Marketing Agencies
- HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Office Managers, Finance Managers, Small Business Owners
- 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.
No alternatives guidance available yet.
- Users may explore alternatives if they require more advanced HR management features, such as extensive employee onboarding, robust benefit administration, or detailed performance tracking.
- Companies seeking greater scalability might prefer alternatives that easily accommodate rapid growth, complex payroll structures, or increased employee counts without compromising system performance.
- Businesses operating internationally or with global teams might consider alternatives offering broader international payroll support and compliance tools for multiple regions and currencies.
- 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
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How do Gusto, Wagepoint, OnPay and Patriot Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 54 Features | 5 Features | 13 Features | 10 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Gusto, Wagepoint, OnPay 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.
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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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 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ 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 | 🇺🇸 US |
Gusto vs Wagepoint vs OnPay 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 61 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyers overwhelmingly praise OnPay for its ease of use, automation capabilities, and excellent customer support, especially among small businesses and nonprofits. 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
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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 | No reviews available for the product |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. | No Integration information available. |
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List of Customers
Customers | ![]() Handlebar Cyclery ![]() Dwg ![]() American Canning | No Customers information available. | ![]() BlueBird ![]() Cartecay ![]() Evergreen | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | ![]() 4 Screenshots | ![]() 3 Screenshots | ![]() 7 Screenshots |
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Videos | ![]() 1 Videos | ![]() 3 Videos | ![]() 3 Videos |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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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 Wagepoint?
- Wagepoint 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 Wagepoint offer a free trial?
- Gusto offers a free trial. Wagepoint does not.
- What is the starting price of Gusto vs Wagepoint?
- Gusto starts at $49 /user/month. Wagepoint starts at $22 /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 Wagepoint?
- Top alternatives to Wagepoint include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Freshbooks, SurePayroll.



























