Gusto vs QuickBooks® Payroll
For 5 employees in one state, Gusto costs $948 a year and QuickBooks Payroll $1,446, so Gusto is $498 less. For a single-state team, Gusto costs less at every team size from 1 to 50 employees. Enter your own team below for your exact numbers.
What each would cost you per year
Annual totals from each provider’s published prices, for a team paid every other week that wants its federal and state payroll taxes filed for it.
| Your team | Gusto | QuickBooks Payroll | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published price | $49/month + $6 per employee/month | $88/month + $6.50 per employee/month | |
| 1 employee | $660 1Simple | $1,134 2Simple Start | Gusto, $474 less |
| 5 employees | $948 1Simple | $1,446 2Simple Start | Gusto, $498 less |
| 10 employees | $1,308 1Simple | $1,836 2Simple Start | Gusto, $528 less |
| 25 employees | $2,388 1Simple | $3,006 2Simple Start | Gusto, $618 less |
| 5 employees in 2 states | $1,680 1Plus | Not stated 3 | Only Gusto can be priced |
| 5 employees + 3 contractors | $1,164 4Simple | $1,680 2Simple Start | Gusto, $516 less |
- Medium confidence: Gusto doesn’t say what it charges for W-2 forms, so this total doesn’t include it. Your actual cost may be higher.
- Medium confidence: QuickBooks Payroll doesn’t say what it charges for W-2 forms, so this total doesn’t include it. Your actual cost may be higher.
- QuickBooks Payroll’s pricing page doesn’t say which plan includes multi-state payroll, so there’s no total to show you. Ask QuickBooks Payroll before you sign up.
- Medium confidence: Gusto doesn’t say what it charges for W-2 forms or 1099 forms, so this total doesn’t include them. Your actual cost may be higher.
Which one fits your business
- Paying 3 contractors as well? That adds $216 a year with Gusto and $234 a year with QuickBooks Payroll.
- Benefits administration? Gusto includes it; QuickBooks Payroll’s site doesn’t say.
- Workers comp administration? Gusto offers it as an add-on; QuickBooks Payroll’s site doesn’t say.
Feature comparison
| Gusto | QuickBooks Payroll | |
|---|---|---|
| Files federal and state payroll taxes for you | Included | Included |
| Employees in more than one state | Included | Not stated on QuickBooks Payroll's pricing page |
| 1099 contractor payments | Included | Included |
| Time tracking | Included | Not available |
Run your own numbers
Filled in with the 5-person, 2-state team from the table above. Change anything, then see both totals.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Gusto or QuickBooks Payroll?
For 5 employees in one state, Gusto costs $948 a year and QuickBooks Payroll $1,446, so Gusto is $498 less. For a single-state team, Gusto costs less at every team size from 1 to 50 employees. The table on this page also shows 1, 10 and 25 employees, a second state and contractors.
Do Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll both handle multi-state payroll?
Gusto: yes, on Plus and Premium. QuickBooks Payroll: not on any plan we verified.