Gusto vs Paylocity
Choose Gusto for transparent US SMB payroll (award). Choose Paylocity when mid-market payroll+HR with Community/Ignite AI is the job and you will take a quote. Compare published pricing, hiring, core HRIS, payroll, scheduling, training, time tracking, integrations, and mobile.
Gusto
US SMB payroll + benefits + light HR — Simple from $49/mo + $6/person; Plus $80 + $12; Premium $180 + $22.
Best for
- • Published SMB payroll
- • Month-to-month US pay runs
Starting from $49.00/user/mo
No free plan
VS
Our verdict
Choose Gusto for transparent US SMB payroll (award). Choose Paylocity when mid-market payroll+HR with Community/Ignite AI is the job and you will take a quote.
Paylocity is better for
- ✓ Hiring workflow
- ✓ Core HRIS depth
- ✓ Scheduling depth
- ✓ Training depth
Tie
- • Payroll processing
Choose Gusto if: Published SMB payroll
Choose Paylocity if: Mid-market HR + payroll
Paylocity
US mid-market HR + payroll (+ finance/IT) — custom quote (‘Explore Payroll Pricing’); Ignite AI. Landscape vs Gusto.
Best for
- • Mid-market HR + payroll
- • Employee Community / Ignite AI
No free plan
Gusto vs Paylocity pricing
Research 2026-08-18 from first-party pages. Paylocity ‘Explore Payroll Pricing’ is quote-led. Affiliate economics excluded.
Gusto
From $49.00/user/mo
Paylocity
See plans
Gusto
Starting from $49.00/user/mo
Free trial available
- SimplePopular$49.00/mo
- $49/mo platform + $6/person. Single-state US payroll. Time/performance/many benefits features are add-ons.
- Plus$80.00/mo
- $80/mo + $12/person. Multi-state payroll path versus Simple.
- Premium$180.00/mo
- $180/mo + $22/person. Highest published SMB payroll+HR bundle.
- Contractor Only$35.00/mo
- $35/mo + $6/contractor after promo; first 6 months $0 base advertised. Not employee payroll.
Paylocity
Starting price not evidenced
No free trial evidenced
- Paylocity platformPopularCustom
- HR + payroll (+ finance/IT modules) — customized quote. No published USD.
Estimate your team cost
Monthly estimate from verified per-seat list pricing. Confirm on the vendor site before purchasing.
Gusto
$735.00/mo
Verified monthly unit prices · Aug 18, 2026
Prices in USD
Shown per user / month from verified list pricing.
Plans can change
Confirm live vendor rates before purchasing.
Add-ons may apply
Calling, SMS, or usage fees can add cost.
Independence
Affiliate status never changes pricing outcomes.
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