Hive Payroll vs Gusto Comparison
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…
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 leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 1 reviews.
Spotsaas Analysis
Hive PayrollGusto
The core difference between Hive Payroll and Gusto lies in Gusto's comprehensive all-in-one platform that integrates payroll with HR functionalities, making it ideal for small to mid-sized businesses. Hive Payroll may serve a broader audience but lacks specific details on its target users, making Gusto the better choice for businesses seeking a user-friendly payroll and HR solution.
- Price: $17 - Core functionality: Payroll management - Target audience: Not specified - Best for: Not listed - Company size: Not mentioned - Ideal for: Unknown
- Price: $49 - Core functionality: Integrated payroll and HR - Target audience: Small to mid-sized businesses - Best for: 1-100 employees - Company size: 1-100 employees - Ideal for: HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners
Hive Payroll vs Gusto — at a glance
| Feature | Hive Payroll | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 1 | 873 |
| Starting price | $17 /month | $49 /user/month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | Online | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Hive Payroll and Gusto
- Pricing: Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month, while Gusto starts at $49 /user/month.
- Target audience: Hive Payroll is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while Gusto targets Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Hive Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: Hive Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Gusto supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Hive Payroll vs Gusto — 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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Hive Payroll vs Gusto: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Medium Business, Small Business
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.
Hive Payroll typically suits Medium Business and Small Business. Gusto 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 | 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 | 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 |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | ||
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 7.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
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
No key benefits available yet.
- 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.
Best fit
No best-fit guidance available yet.
- 1-100 employees
- Human Resources, Retail, Restaurants, Nonprofits, Professional Services
- HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners, Office Managers
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
No alternatives guidance available yet.
- 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.
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How do Hive Payroll and Gusto Compare on Features?
Total Features | 6 Features | 54 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Hive Payroll and Gusto 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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Hive Payroll vs Gusto: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Hive Payroll vs Gusto 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 |
Hive Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 1 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. What buyers like
Common complaints
| 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
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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 |
Hive Payroll and Gusto Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. |  Handlebar Cyclery  Dwg  American Canning |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Hive Payroll and Gusto 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, Hive Payroll or Gusto?
- 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 Hive Payroll and Gusto offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Hive Payroll and Gusto offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Hive Payroll vs Gusto?
- Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month. Gusto starts at $49 /user/month.
- What are the top alternatives to Hive Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Hive Payroll include 247HRM, Paybooks, PayrollPanda, CheckMark Payroll, Heartland Payroll.
- What are the top alternatives to Gusto?
- Top alternatives to Gusto include Paylocity Web Pay, Greenshades, Paychex Flex, Zenefits, SumoPayroll.