Square Payroll vs Gusto Comparison
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…
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 leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 15 reviews.
Spotsaas Analysis
Square PayrollGusto
The core difference between Square Payroll and Gusto lies in Square Payroll's focus on service businesses with a strong integration with Square POS, while Gusto offers a broader all-in-one solution that includes HR functionalities. Ideal buyers for Square Payroll are small to medium service businesses, whereas Gusto is best suited for those looking for a comprehensive payroll and HR management system.
- Best for small to medium service businesses - Ideal for businesses with hourly or tipped employees - Effortless integration with Square POS - Suitable for payroll managers and HR assistants - Pricing starts at $34 - Focused on payroll and time tracking
- Best for small to mid-sized businesses - Offers integrated payroll and HR features - User-friendly interface with straightforward setup - Ideal for HR managers and office managers - Pricing starts at $49 - Combines payroll, benefits, hiring, and compliance
Square Payroll vs Gusto — at a glance
| Feature | Square Payroll | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 15 | 873 |
| Starting price | $34 /User/Month | $49 /user/month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Square Payroll and Gusto
- Pricing: Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month, while Gusto starts at $49 /user/month.
- Target audience: Square Payroll is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while Gusto targets Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Square Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: Square Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Gusto supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Square 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
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Buyer feedback
Integrations
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Square Payroll vs Gusto: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
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.
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.
Square Payroll: Best for small to medium service businesses needing simple payroll and time tracking. Gusto: Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing simple, integrated payroll and HR.
Description | 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 | 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? ↗ | 8.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 1-100 employeesMedium Business | 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
- 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.
- 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
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, food service, salons, hospitality, and other service-based small businesses
- Business Owners, Payroll Managers, Accountants, Restaurant Managers, and HR Assistants
- 1-100 employees
- Human Resources, Retail, Restaurants, Nonprofits, Professional Services
- HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners, Office Managers
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- 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.
- 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 Square Payroll and Gusto Compare on Features?
Total Features | 13 Features | 54 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Square 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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Square Payroll vs Gusto: Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Square Payroll vs Gusto 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 |
Square Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | 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
| 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 |
Square Payroll and Gusto Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. |  Handlebar Cyclery  Dwg  American Canning |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Square 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, Square Payroll or Gusto?
- 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 Square Payroll and Gusto offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Square Payroll and Gusto offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Square Payroll vs Gusto?
- Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month. Gusto starts at $49 /user/month.
- What are the top alternatives to Square Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Square Payroll include OnPay, APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, Justworks.
- What are the top alternatives to Gusto?
- Top alternatives to Gusto include Paylocity Web Pay, Greenshades, Paychex Flex, Zenefits, SumoPayroll.