3 Cheaper Gusto Alternatives
Each tool below has a lower entry price than Gusto on a plan we compared side by side. Prices are taken from each company’s official pricing page (checked October 8, 2026). Cheapest listed first.
| Alternative | Price | Best for | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot Payroll | Basic Payroll: $17 per mo plus $4/worker · billed monthly | Small businesses running basic payroll with free direct deposit. | Patriot vs Gusto |
| Square Payroll | Full-service: $35 per mo + $6/person · billed monthlyAbout 28% less than Gusto on the compared plan | Retailers wanting full-service payroll integrated with Square POS. | Square Payroll vs Gusto |
| Wave Payroll | $40 USD base + $6/employee · billed monthly | US small businesses wanting simple payroll with tax filings. | Wave Payroll vs Gusto |
Gusto for reference: Simple: $49/mo + $6/person, billed monthly. Source. Units differ between some tools (per user vs per account), so check the unit line under each price. Higher plans are available for every tool.