Employment Hero vs Gusto: Which HR Software Is Better in 2026?
Compare pricing, features, integrations, verified reviews, AI capabilities, security, and customer satisfaction, side by side, with no marketing spin.
The Short Answer
Employment Hero vs Gusto, in 15 seconds
Choose Employment Hero if…
- You want the lower entry price
- You have strict security & compliance needs
Choose Gusto if…
- You depend on a broad integration ecosystem
- You want deeper AI and automation features
- You need the broader feature set
Head-to-Head Scorecard
How Employment Hero and Gusto score
It's evenly matched, each leads on 3 of 9 measured dimensions.
- Even
Customer Rating
Average score from verified user reviews
EmploymentNo reviewsGustoNo reviews - Even
Review Volume
Number of verified reviews, a proxy for adoption
Employment0Gusto0 - Employment Hero
Entry Pricing
Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)
Employment$10/moGusto$49/mo - Even
Free Access
Availability of a free plan and/or free trial
EmploymentFree trialGustoFree trial - Gusto
Integrations
Number of listed third-party integrations
Employment6Gusto8 - Gusto
Features
Number of listed product capabilities
Employment6Gusto11 - Gusto
AI Features
Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML
Employment,Gusto1 - Employment Hero
Security & Compliance
Number of listed compliance certifications
Employment3Gusto2 - Employment Hero
Platforms & Deployment
Supported platforms and deployment options
Employment5Gusto4
Feature Comparison
Employment Hero vs Gusto feature breakdown
Search or filter the full feature matrix, core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.
Employment Hero
GustoPricing Comparison
Employment Hero vs Gusto pricing
Entry pricing, plan tiers and the cost factors that shape total cost of ownership.
Employment Hero
$10/mo to start- Per employee (10-user min)
- HR & employee records
- Onboarding
- Leave management
- Everything in Essentials
- Performance
- Engagement tools
- Advanced HR
- Per employee ($100/mo min)
- Payroll processing
- Compliance
- Rostering add-on $4/emp
Gusto
$49/mo to start- Full-service single-state payroll
- Automatic tax filing
- Employee self-service
- Basic hiring & onboarding
- Multi-state payroll
- Next-day direct deposit
- Time tracking & PTO
- Project tracking
- Priority support & HR resources
- Compliance alerts
- Dedicated support
- Advanced integrations
- Unlimited contractor payments
- 1099 filings
- No monthly base (contractor-only)
- Self-service for contractors
Total cost of ownership factors
Beyond list price, factor in implementation, training, add-ons and per-seat scaling when estimating total cost of ownership.
Pros & Cons
Employment Hero vs Gusto: strengths and trade-offs
Employment Hero
Pros
- Free trial offered
- Lower starting price ($10/mo)
- Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
- Public API available
Cons
- No free plan
- Fewer native integrations than the alternative
Gusto
Pros
- Free trial offered
- Broad integration ecosystem (8)
- Compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR
- Stronger AI / automation features
- Public API available
Cons
- No free plan
- Higher starting price ($49/mo)
Buyer Fit
Who should use Employment Hero vs Gusto?
Startups
Employment Hero
Employment Hero keeps early-stage costs lowest with its entry tier.
Small businesses
Employment Hero
Employment Hero offers the most accessible pricing for lean teams.
Agencies
Gusto
Gusto connects to more tools for multi-client workflows.
Enterprises
Employment Hero
Employment Hero leads on compliance and breadth for complex needs.
Ecommerce
Gusto
Gusto integrates with more of the commerce stack.
SaaS companies
Gusto
Gusto is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.
Integration overlap
Shared integrations (3)
Only in Employment Hero (3)
Only in Gusto (5)
Keep Exploring
Other alternatives worth considering
Similar hr software products buyers compare alongside Employment Hero and Gusto.
Ask SIA which solution fits your business
SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs Employment Hero and Gusto against your team size, budget, integrations and compliance needs, then recommends the right fit and the questions to ask each vendor.
Get a personalised recommendationEmployment Hero vs Gusto, Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Employment Hero and Gusto?
Employment Hero and Gusto are both HR Software solutions. Employment Hero is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while Gusto is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.
Which is better, Employment Hero or Gusto?
Based on user ratings, Employment Hero scores higher at 0.0/5. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific requirements.
Which is cheaper, Employment Hero or Gusto?
Employment Hero is the more affordable option, starting at $10/month.
Does Employment Hero or Gusto have a free plan?
Neither Employment Hero nor Gusto currently offers a free plan, but Employment Hero provides a free trial.
Can I switch from Employment Hero to Gusto?
Switching between Employment Hero and Gusto is possible. Both support data export. Check integration compatibility and plan for data migration to minimise disruption to your team.
Who should use Employment Hero vs Gusto?
Employment Hero is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. Gusto works well for teams needing advanced capabilities.
Our Verdict
The bottom line on Employment Hero vs Gusto
Best Overall
Either
It's a tie balances user satisfaction and proven adoption.
Best for Startups
Employment Hero
Employment Hero has the friendliest entry point for new teams.
Best for Enterprise
Employment Hero
Employment Hero leads on compliance and feature breadth.
Best Value
Employment Hero
Employment Hero delivers the lowest cost to get started.
Best AI Features
Gusto
Gusto ships more AI and automation.
Highest Rated
Either
Both earn equal user ratings.