QuickBooks vs Gusto Payroll: Which One Is the Best for Your Business?

Getting the payroll software is pivotal for any business, but the decision can be overwhelming, with options like QuickBooks and Gusto leading the market.

In this comprehensive comparison, we’re going to stack up on how QuickBooks vs Gusto platforms perform as payroll services and break down both solutions, analyzing features, pricing, ease of use, and more to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. QuickBooks vs Gusto Payroll At a Glance
2. QuickBooks vs Gusto Pricing Compared
3. QuickBooks vs Gusto Ease of Use
4. QuickBooks vs Gusto Payroll Key Features
5. QuickBooks vs Gusto Integrations
6. QuickBooks vs Gusto Scalability
7. QuickBooks vs Gusto Customer Reviews
8. Conclusion – QuickBooks vs Gusto Payroll – Which One Wins?
9. How We Test Payroll Software
10. How to Choose the Best Payroll Software
11. FAQs

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. QuickBooks vs Gusto Payroll At a Glance
2. QuickBooks vs Gusto Pricing Compared
3. QuickBooks vs Gusto Ease of Use
Show Full Guide
4. QuickBooks vs Gusto Payroll Key Features
5. QuickBooks vs Gusto Integrations
6. QuickBooks vs Gusto Scalability
7. QuickBooks vs Gusto Customer Reviews
8. Conclusion – QuickBooks vs Gusto Payroll – Which One Wins?
9. How We Test Payroll Software
10. How to Choose the Best Payroll Software
11. FAQs

QuickBooks vs Gusto Payroll At a Glance

Here’s a quick glimpse into the key features, pricing, and strengths of both QuickBooks Payroll and Gusto Payroll. See which platform aligns better with your and your business’s needs at a glance:

QuickBooks vs Gusto Pricing Compared

Let’s quickly overview QuickBooks and Gusto pricing, plans, and what each of them offers:

To sum up, both QuickBooks and Gusto platforms offer tiered pricing based on the number of employees and features included. As shown, QuickBooks boasts a cheaper starting price, and Gusto’s base plan has more functionality, including employee self-service and basic benefits management.

On the other hand, if you’re a larger business or are looking for comprehensive HR services and platforms, Gusto’s higher tiers offer compelling value.

QuickBooks vs Gusto Ease of Use

It’s no news that QuickBooks and Gusto are both popular platforms offering essential payroll services, but they serve different needs and have distinct approaches to ease of use.

QuickBooks is well-known for its accounting software, designed primarily for small and medium-sized businesses. Its user interface is simple, particularly for individuals already familiar with accounting basics. The platform’s layout is organized logically, making navigation straightforward.

On the other hand, Gusto specializes in payroll, benefits administration, and HR management. Its interface is modern, clean, and user-friendly.

So, it’s a perfect fit if you’re looking for a straightforward solution for managing employee-related tasks. Gusto’s onboarding process takes just a few minutes, guiding you through each step with clear instructions and prompts.

QuickBooks, while powerfully built for accounting, might be more complex for payroll tasks for first-time users than Gusto. It’s suited more for experienced users or those already familiar with accounting software.

In a nutshell, QuickBooks stands out in providing an all-around accounting solution with a user-friendly interface, while Gusto is our winner with simplicity and efficiency in payroll and HR management.

The choice between the two ultimately depends on your needs and priorities, with QuickBooks being ideal for accounting functionality and Gusto being number one for smooth HR and payroll processes.

QuickBooks vs Gusto Payroll Key Features

While both QuickBooks and Gusto offer strong payroll features, Gusto emerges as the overall winner thanks not only to its comprehensive feature set but also to scalability and adaptability.

In this section, we’ll dissect 4 crucial features – payroll, benefits management, employee portal, and time tracking – to justify on why Gusto stands out, allowing you to make an informed decision for your business.

QuickBooks vs Gusto Integrations

When it comes to integrations, both QuickBooks and Gusto payroll services offer valuable connections but cater to different needs.

• QuickBooks. This software caters to businesses already within the Intuit ecosystem. Seamless integration with QuickBooks accounting software (Xero, Wave, Sage Intacct) and other Intuit products like Time by QuickBooks boosts workflows and eliminates data duplication. However, external integrations, especially for HR and advanced needs, are more limited.
• Gusto. This platform boasts a wider net of external integrations, connecting with popular accounting, time tracking (Clockify, Toggl Track, Harvest), HR (like BambooHR), and benefits platforms. This flexibility allows you to build a customized tech stack that suits your needs. However, integrating with non-Gusto products might require additional setup and fees.

So, if you’re deeply invested in the QuickBooks ecosystem, its native integrations hold strong appeal. However, Gusto’s broader connectivity and adaptability win the integration crown, allowing you to build a tech stack that reflects unique needs and scales with you.

QuickBooks vs Gusto Scalability

When talking about scalability, both QuickBooks and Gusto offer such solutions, but they cater to different growth trajectories.

QuickBooks excels for established businesses with steady growth, offering integration with its accounting ecosystem. Its user-friendly interface and familiar structure cater well to smaller teams without overwhelming them with unnecessary complexity.

However, for rapidly scaling companies or those with ambitious expansion plans, Gusto is a better choice. Its comprehensive HR tools, multi-state payroll capabilities, and extensive third-party integrations empower businesses to adapt and evolve.

Think of it like climbing a ladder – QuickBooks offers support for the first few rungs, ideal for small businesses finding their footing. But as you climb higher, Gusto’s adaptability and comprehensive features become invaluable, helping you navigate more complex payroll needs and scale with confidence.

In the long run, scalability isn’t just about employee count – it’s also about anticipating future needs. Choose the payroll platform that can not only handle your current payroll but also grow alongside your business.

QuickBooks vs Gusto Customer Reviews

Both QuickBooks and Gusto generally receive positive user reviews, with QuickBooks praised for its quick customer support and Gusto lauded for its comprehensive features, excellent customer support, and intuitive interface.

Most customer reviews on Trustpilot reveal a preference for Gusto’s payroll services, often praised for its user-friendly interface and responsive support. Users commend its efficiency and ease of use.

QuickBooks, though, receives mixed reviews, with some users appreciating its comprehensive accounting features, while others find its interface complex for payroll tasks.

In general, customers appear to prefer Gusto for its user-friendliness and efficient payroll management, as reflected in the reviews.

Conclusion – QuickBooks vs Gusto Payroll – Which One Wins?

In the showdown of QuickBooks vs Gusto for payroll management, Gusto emerges as a winner, particularly for its intuitive interface and integrated HR services.

While QuickBooks offers built-in accounting features, Gusto’s user-friendly design and efficient payroll processing take the glory of small businesses and first-time users.

Despite that, QuickBooks may still be suitable for more experienced users who need comprehensive accounting solutions. Ultimately, the decision hinges on the specific needs and preferences of each business, but for straightforward payroll management, Gusto takes the lead.

How We Test Payroll Software

We test all payroll providers on our list in-depth to fit the needs and requirements of businesses or individuals looking to improve their workforce management. Here are the testing criteria we go by:

• Pricing – we test pricing, analyzing various plans and fees to ensure you get the most value for your budget.
• Features – we delve into the functionalities, dissecting each platform’s capabilities to confirm they offer the tools you need to manage your payroll effectively.
• Integrations – we explore each platform’s connectivity potential, evaluating how they integrate with your existing tools to boost efficiency and data flow.
• Automation – we assess the level of automation offered, saving you time by automating repetitive tasks.
• Ease of use – we put payroll software’s user interfaces to the test to see how intuitive the design is and whether it’s made for both tech-savvy and first-time users.
• Third-Party Reviews – we incorporate insights from user reviews and expert evaluations to provide a well-rounded view of each payroll platform’s strengths and weaknesses.

How to Choose the Best Payroll Software

Choosing the best payroll software for your business comes down to knowing your unique needs and comparing different options on the market. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Budget – determine how much you can realistically spend on payroll software each month or year.
• Ease of Use – consider how comfortable you and your team are with technology. Choose software with a simple interface and intuitive design.
• Compatibility – check if the software is mobile-compatible and integrates with your existing accounting, time tracking, or HR tools. Integrations can streamline workflows and save time. Some integrations might only be available in higher-tier plans.
• Key Features – make a list of key features, such as automatic tax filing, multi-state payroll, or benefits administration.
• Scalability – check if the payroll software can scale with your business as you add employees or expand operations. Learn how the pricing structure changes as your business grows.
• Customer Support – evaluate the quality and availability of the software’s customer support.

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