Gusto vs Homebase
Compare Gusto and Homebase on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
Gusto
US SMB payroll + benefits + light HR — Simple from $49/mo + $6/person; Plus $80 + $12; Premium $180 + $22.
Best for
- • US small businesses running payroll (and benefits) for the first time
- • Teams that want published month-to-month pricing instead of HCM quotes
- • Single-state companies that can start on Simple and upgrade for multi-state
Starting from $49.00/user/mo
No free plan
VS
Our verdict
No universal winner. Choose based on which criteria matter most for your team.
Homebase is better for
- ✓ Starting pricing
- ✓ Free plan
- ✓ Integrations
Choose Gusto if: US small businesses running payroll (and benefits) for the first time
Choose Homebase if: Small hourly businesses (retail, cafes, local services) that need scheduling + time in one app
Homebase
SMB hourly WFM (scheduling, time, hiring) priced per location — free Basic ≤10 employees at 1 site; paid Essentials from $24/location/mo annual.
Best for
- • Small hourly businesses (retail, cafes, local services) that need scheduling + time in one app
- • Teams that want a free ≤10-employee starter before paying per location
- • Operators who may add payroll later rather than buying Gusto first
Starting from $24.00/user/mo
Free plan available
Pros & cons
A balanced look at where each product shines — and where it falls short.
Gusto
Strengths in greenCons
- Trails on starting pricing
- Trails on free plan
- Trails on integrations
Best for
US small businesses running payroll (and benefits) for the first time
Homebase
Trade-offs in redPros
- Stronger on starting pricing
- Stronger on free plan
- Stronger on integrations
Best for
Small hourly businesses (retail, cafes, local services) that need scheduling + time in one app
Choose if…
Choose Gusto if
- US small businesses running payroll (and benefits) for the first time
- Teams that want published month-to-month pricing instead of HCM quotes
- Single-state companies that can start on Simple and upgrade for multi-state
Choose Homebase if
- Small hourly businesses (retail, cafes, local services) that need scheduling + time in one app
- Teams that want a free ≤10-employee starter before paying per location
- Operators who may add payroll later rather than buying Gusto first
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