An effective human resources (HR) solution is crucial for optimal workforce management. In this regard, Deel and Gusto are two very popular options for businesses to support their HR teams.

With its global hiring and payroll solutions, Deel stands out for effectively managing international teams and business operations. Likewise, Gusto has also cemented itself as a strong competitor, offering features like international contractor support and multi-currency global payroll.

However, both platforms provide services that go beyond their initial impressions. Let’s compare Deel and Gusto to find out the best HR solution for your business needs.

Deel Vs Gusto: At A Glance

Feature

Deel

Gusto

Payroll Management

Global payroll in 150+ countries, including the US

Unlimited payroll runs in all US states and 120+ countries 

Compliance And Benefits Administration   

Tailored global benefits packages, plus compliance experts in 100+ countries, ACA and COBRA-compliant

Covers medical, financial, and retirement plans, ACA and COBRA compliance

Artificial Intelligence

Advanced AI tools for hiring, payroll, and workforce management

AI-powered ‘Gus’ assistant

Pricing

Offers multiple plans, starts at $19 per employee/month 

Offers three plans, starting from $40/month plus $6 per employee

Hiring And Onboarding

Global hiring, localized onboarding/offboarding

Applicant tracking system with custom job posts and automated onboarding

Mobile App

Available on iOS and Android, offers time-tracking and onboarding alerts

‘Gusto Wallet’ app, available on iOS and Android, offers time-tracking and pay-tracking features

Security

SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, ISO 27001 certification, SOC 2 and GDPR compliance

HIPPA and SOC 2-compliant, two-factor authentication

What Is Deel?

Deel is a cloud-based HR platform designed to combine payroll, HR, performance, and compliance across 150 countries into a single platform. It streamlines all aspects of the global employee lifecycle by localizing processes based on location and labor laws. Its Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered analytics and reporting enable companies to consolidate their HR operations and expand into international markets quickly.

With tools for hiring, relocating employees, and processing payroll, Deel is a versatile solution for industries like software, healthcare, financial services, and startups of all sizes.

Unique Features Of Deel

  • Employer of Record (EOR): Deel allows businesses to hire employees globally by providing secure EOR services in 150+ countries without establishing local entities. With ISO 27001 certification and SOC 2 and GDPR compliance, it hires, onboards, runs payroll, and manages tax in one platform.
  • Deel Immigration: Whether it’s sponsoring employees, relocating founders to the US, or supporting remote work abroad, Deel simplifies global mobility of workers through Deel immigration.
  • Deel IT: This feature empowers companies to streamline their global IT operations by standardizing equipment and software management in more than 130 countries.
  • Deel Card: It allows users to directly access funds in their ‘Deel Balance’ to make purchases, eliminating the need to withdraw money to a bank account. Available as both virtual and physical card, no transaction fees are charged for payments made in US Dollars (USD).

Pros And Cons Of Deel

Pros

  • Supports multiple currencies for payroll processing, making it ideal for international teams
  • Offers an international Mastercard, which is useful for tax-free purchases in US dollars
  • Compliance with local laws helps businesses manage global teams while reducing the risks of costly errors

Cons

  • Transaction processing for international accounts occasionally takes 3-5 business days, which can be inconvenient
  • Some country-specific platforms struggle to integrate well with each other

What Is Gusto?

Gusto HR is a cloud-based platform designed to simplify HR management for small and medium-sized businesses. With its solid features for processing employee data and automated payroll calculations, tax filing, and benefits administrations, Gusto ensures accuracy in HR operations.

The platform offers advanced integration capabilities and workforce management tools, making it an ideal solution for companies looking to enhance the overall efficiency of their HR department.

Unique Feature Of Gusto

  • Automated Time Tracking: With this feature in hand, companies can track time, create schedules, and manage attendance, all while syncing hours with payroll. Advanced geofencing and project tagging features ensure accurate tracking, especially for remote or field teams.
  • AutoPilot: In addition to manual runs, Gusto’s ‘AutoPilot®’ processes payroll one day before the deadline, giving users 24 hours to make changes or cancel it if they need to.
  • Gusto Employee Wallet: Available on both iOS and Android, this feature allows employees to access and manage their finances. Users can view pay stubs, request advance payment, and plan pre-tax savings.

Pros And Cons Of Gusto

Pros

  • Automatically updates payroll and tax settings to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations
  • Seamlessly onboard new employees with automated online forms and easy approval processes
  • Gusto’s scalability in payroll management makes it ideal for businesses of all sizes

Cons

  • Offers limited flexibility for creating custom workflows tailored to specific business needs
  • Some users reported delays of multiple hours in receiving direct deposits

Deel Vs Gusto: Side-By-Side Feature Comparison

Global Payroll

Deel consolidates international payroll operations by handling tax deductions, local filings, employee benefits, and pay slip delivery, along with dedicated payroll experts in 150+ countries.

Advanced features like global gross-to-net reports, unified payroll views, and custom dashboards provide clear insights into employer costs, bonuses, and tax variances for streamlined payroll management.

Gusto also offers comprehensive tools to hire and pay international employees in 120+ countries through one integrated platform. In collaboration with Remote, Gusto’s EOR services allow small and medium-sized businesses to pay their contractors and workers in their local currency while staying compliant with local laws and regulations.

Winner: Deel takes the lead against Gusto for its advanced global payroll management. Gusto offers more powerful payroll tools for U. S. -based businesses but with limited international capabilities.

Benefits And Compliance

Deel ‘Global Benefits Tool’ provides built-in features for creating tailored benefits packages while its compliance experts in 100+ countries help businesses adhere to local laws. Custom dashboards offer insights into spending on social security, 401k, pensions, and more, simplifying benefits administration and minimizing risks across distributed workforces.

Gusto , known for its powerful handling of employee benefits, integrates medical (dental, vision, and life insurance) and financial benefits like 401(k), workers' compensation programs, Health Saving Accounts (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and retirement plans into its payroll system.

One standout feature, the ‘Gusto Employee Wallet,’ empowers users to earn, divide, save, and spend money right from their Gusto account, helping them achieve financial freedom.

Winner: Gusto offers much more comprehensive benefits administration than Deel, but the platform is United States-focused and lacks extensive global localization like Deel. If you want broader global benefits coverage, Deel remains an ideal solution.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

Deel AI simplifies global workforce management by providing instant, legally vetted insights from its ‘Global Knowledge Base’, ‘Hiring Toolkit’, and workforce data. This helps businesses automate hiring, ensure legal compliance, and access actionable data insights to streamline HR operations across the board.

Gusto’s AI assistant, ‘Gus’, though comprehensive, is in the early stages of development. It is designed to help small business owners streamline HR tasks, ensure compliance, and make informed decisions.

Winner: Deel wins with its advanced AI tools that ensure automation and efficiency in the operational capabilities of HR teams.

Pricing Models

Deel offers flexible pricing models designed to support growing businesses with scalable HR solutions. Here are the given plans for businesses to choose from:

  • Deel Contractor: Starting at $49/month
  • Deel EOR: Starting at $599/month
  • Deel Payroll: Starting at $29 per employee/month
  • Deel US Payroll: Starting at $19 per employee/month
  • Deel US PEO: Starting at $89 per employee/month
  • Deel Engage: Starting at $20 per employee/month
  • Deel IT: Starting at $99 per month
  • Deel Immigration: Custom pricing

Gusto offers three pricing plans for businesses to choose from:

  • Gusto Simple Plan: Starting at $40 per month as a fixed base fee + $6 per employee/month
  • Gusto Plus Plan: Starting at $80 per month as a fixed base fee + $12 per employee/month
  • Gusto Premium Plan: Starting at $180 per month as a fixed base fee + $22 per employee/month

Hiring And Onboarding

Deel streamlines global hiring by offering compliant onboarding and offboarding in 150+ countries, localized for each region. The platform features tools like global salary insights, an employee cost calculator, and a take-home pay calculator. Additionally, Deel integrates with applicant tracking systems (ATS), supports multi-currency payouts, and provides 24/7 in-app support.

Gusto empowers HR teams for hiring with custom job postings, syndication to popular job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed, and a centralized ATS. It also provides custom offer letter templates and integrates with various recruiting software. Additionally, the platform automates onboarding, W-2, and 1099 form submissions, streamlining hiring workflows.

Winner: This round is a tie based on the different strengths of both solutions. Deel specializes in global hiring, compliance, and immigration, while Gusto excels in domestic hiring, offering ATS integration, job board syndication, and streamlined onboarding.

Final Verdict: Deel Vs Gusto – Which HR Solution Is The Best?

After carefully analyzing the strengths and unique features of both platforms, the discussion boils down to a few key points to consider. Your business size, industry, and international HR needs.

Deel is an ideal choice for organizations with global operations looking to hire, pay, and onboard employees across borders. The platform helps them focus on building their business instead of dealing with legal complexities that vary widely in each country. Conversely, Gusto is best for U. S. -based companies looking to streamline their domestic HR requirements with limited or growing international needs.

The final decision rests on your business needs and the HR solutions you are interested in. If you need a more personalized suggestion on choosing between Deel and Gusto, contact us here.