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
Pros & cons
A balanced look at where each product shines — and where it falls short.
Gusto
Strengths in greenCons
- Trails on hiring workflow
- Trails on core hris depth
- Trails on scheduling depth
Best for
Published SMB payroll
Paylocity
Trade-offs in redPros
- Stronger on hiring workflow
- Stronger on core hris depth
- Stronger on scheduling depth
- Stronger on training depth
Best for
Mid-market HR + payroll
Choose if…
Choose Gusto if
- Published SMB payroll
- Month-to-month US pay runs
Choose Paylocity if
- Mid-market HR + payroll
- Employee Community / Ignite AI
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