gusto vs intuitpayroll (1).avif

Human resources (HR) software is important for businesses as it ensures accurate payroll, seamless time tracking, and compliance with regulations. Some companies prioritize solutions that support international teams and multi-location compliance, while others provide targeted features for ideal US businesses. This is why thoroughly evaluating a software's details beforehand is essential to ensure it meets your organization's needs effectively.

Both Gusto and QuickBooks Online (QBO) Payroll are well-regarded platforms. However, Gusto is widely recognized for its global reach, making it a top choice for growing companies with diverse HR requirements. In contrast, QBO Payroll is ideal for businesses prioritizing precision and speed, particularly those already using it for accounting.

But how do you decide which one will deliver the best results for you?

This Gusto vs QBO Payroll guide provides a detailed comparison of both these platforms, focusing on critical aspects such as payroll management, compliance support, integrations, pricing structures, and additional features like time tracking and employee benefits.

Gusto Vs QBO Payroll: At A Glance

Features 

Gusto 

QBO Payroll 

Payroll Managment 

Unlimited payroll runs, AutoPilot™ automation, next-day direct deposit, W-2 and 1099 filings, global contractor payments in 120+ countries 

Unlimited payroll runs, same-day direct deposit, labor cost tracking, overtime management, and specialized industry features like tip reporting 

Time Tracking 

Integrated time tracking with Gusto Wallet app, geofenced work sites, project-based reporting, PTO management, and time kiosk support 

GPS and geofencing, clock-in reminders, project tracking for budget vs. actual hours, synced hours with payroll, and time-off tracking 

Integrations 

Connects with QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, Greenhouse, JazzHR, When I Work, Deputy, and Google Workspace for streamlined workflows 

750+ integrations, including Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, Buildertrend for construction, and Webgility for inventory management 

Compliance Support 

Automated tax filing, state income tax withholding, I-9 and W-2 management, multi-state compliance, and regulatory updates for global teams 

Labor law poster compliance, e-file 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC forms, HR compliance tools, I-9 document e-signatures, and audit-ready records 

Pricing 

Starts at $40/month + $6/month/person 

Starts at $35/month 

What Is Gusto?

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Gusto HR is an online human resource (HR) services platform designed to simplify various HR functions, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers a unified dashboard for managing payroll, employee benefits, hiring and onboarding, and time tracking. The software streamlines benefits administration and has helped companies like Starkel Nutrition speed up insurance management processes by 94%.

Its integrated time tracking, built-in compliance, and workforce costing features make it ideal for a variety of industries like retail, construction, healthcare, manufacturing, nonprofits, and more. Additional features like multiple pay types and commission payments also make it suitable for sectors like real estate, hospitality, and trucking.

Unique Features Of Gusto 

  • Gusto Global: The platform enables businesses to hire and pay international contractors across 120+ countries with no extra monthly fees. Its ‘Employer of Record’ (EOR) service allows companies to onboard full-time global employees while ensuring compliance with local labor laws 
  • Talent Management: It offers tools like automated performance reviews, learning app integrations, and employee engagement surveys, capabilities often missing from competitor platforms. These advanced features help businesses build a feedback-driven culture and retain top talent.
  • Gusto Wallet App: This financial tool enables employees to manage their earnings with features like Savings Goals with up to 1. 00% APY, a Spending Account with a debit card, and free nationwide ATM withdrawals 
  • Free Payroll Setup: Gusto lets businesses explore the platform with no cost, commitment, or hidden fees until they decide to run payroll. Businesses can onboard employees and evaluate the software without any pressure, only committing once they're confident about their decision 

Pros And Cons Of Gusto 

Pros 

  • The software sends timely reminders to ensure payroll is processed promptly and on schedule 
  • It provides a debit account that automatically rounds up transactions and deposits the change into savings accounts 
  • Offers flexible options for mapping payroll data to fit your business workflows 

Cons 

  • Limited customization options for performance reviews
  • PTO (Paid Time Off) entries in Gusto do not sync with Outlook calendars, forcing users to manually track employee availability

What Is QBO Payroll?

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QuickBooks Online (QBO) Payroll is a comprehensive HR solution by Intuit designed to streamline workforce management for small and medium-sized businesses. It automates tasks such as calculating payroll taxes, filing tax forms, and generating paychecks while also supporting direct deposits for employees and contractors.

Its QuickBooks integration makes QBO Payroll perfect for tracking expenses, managing labor costs, and monitoring cash flow across multiple locations. Ideal for a variety of industries, QBO works well for retail, legal, restaurants, manufacturing, professional services, etc. For construction companies, it streamlines job cost tracking, while nonprofits benefit from efficient fund accounting and donor management.

Unique Feature Of QBO Payroll 

  • Same-Day Direct Deposit: The software allows businesses to manage cash flow efficiently by paying employees on time, even with last-minute payment adjustments, ensuring funds are available the same day without delays or paper checks hassles 
  • Tax Penalty Protection: This feature guarantees coverage of up to $25,000 per year for payroll tax penalties caused by errors, regardless of who made the mistake. The QuickBooks Tax Resolution team handles issues directly with the IRS, ensuring faster resolutions and less time spent dealing with tax agencies 
  • Workforce Mobile App: This app allows employees to access pay stubs, W-2s, total earnings, time-off balances, and year-to-date pay details, including deductions and taxes, all in one centralized platform. Employees can also clock in/out, edit timesheets, manage time-off requests, and submit hours directly to their managers for approval 
  • Free Paycheck Calculator: This tool is beneficial for both employers and employees, enabling quick calculation of paycheck based on pay type, rate, bonuses, commission, overtime, and federal/state taxes. The detailed paycheck information can be downloaded as a PDF, ensuring financial accuracy 

Pros And Cons Of QBO Payroll 

Pros

  • Offers a wide range of app integrations that simplify tasks and keep data synchronized automatically 
  • It streamlines payroll and business tax payments by tracking amounts and enabling direct payment through QBO 
  • Provides competitive loan options with better deals compared to traditional banks 

Cons 

  • Not suitable for larger businesses or those managing multiple entities, as it lacks the advanced features needed for complex operations 
  • Some reporting tools are not fully customizable, making it difficult to create detailed, personalize reports 

Gusto Vs QBO Payroll: Key Feature Comparison

Payroll Management

Gusto offers unlimited payroll runs at no additional cost, which works well for companies with frequent payroll cycles. It seamlessly integrates with time-tracking tools, and its AutoPilot™ feature automates payroll on a set schedule, reducing manual oversight and minimizing the risk of missed deadlines.

The software supports next-day direct deposit, which is a convenient feature but does not match the flexibility of the same-day deposit option offered by QBO. However, its standout feature, ‘Gusto Global’, enables payments to international contractors in over 120 countries, which is invaluable for businesses expanding their global reach.

QBO Payroll also offers unlimited payroll runs, but it takes the lead in speed with its same-day direct deposit feature, ensuring employees and contractors are paid promptly. It also includes comprehensive labor cost management, allowing employers to track hours, overtime, and employee expenses seamlessly.

Gusto enhances the employee experience through its self-service portal, offering anytime access to paystubs, W-2s, and tax documents. While this feature is highly effective, it competes closely with QuickBooks’ Workforce app, offering similar payroll access with added convenience through its mobile accessibility, making it a practical tool for on-the-go employees.

Winner: It's a tie. Gusto shines for businesses needing a global payroll solution and automation features. Meanwhile, QuickBooks dominates in accounting integration and labor cost management, making it perfect for finance-heavy operations.

Time Tracking

Gusto’s time-tracking system integrates seamlessly with payroll, allowing employees to clock in and out using the Gusto Wallet app, a browser, or a tablet-based Time Kiosk. Its flexibility extends to geofenced work sites, supporting remote and compressed work schedules and providing businesses with detailed project-based reporting to optimize costs and productivity.

The platform also simplifies PTO management with real-time accrual tracking and automated syncing with payroll and calendars, ensuring compliance and reducing administrative workload.

QBO Payroll’s time tracking shines with its GPS and geofencing capabilities, which log employee locations and send clock-in reminders at job sites, offering superior oversight for businesses managing field teams. Its project tracking features provide a clear comparison of budgeted hours versus actual work, helping managers optimize workflows and reduce job costs.

Additionally, the integration with QuickBooks Payroll ensures all tracked hours are automatically synced, reducing errors and enhancing reporting accuracy.

Winner: Although both platforms offer advanced time tracking, Gusto’s ability to combine project tracking, flexible schedule, and PTO management directly within the payroll gives it an edge. QuickBooks’ GPS tracking is strong, but it can't match Gusto’s seamless versatility.

Integrations

Gusto connects seamlessly with popular tools such as QuickBooks Online, Xero, and FreshBooks for accounting while also supporting recruiting platforms like Greenhouse and JazzHR to streamline hiring. The software's time-tracking integrations, such as When I Work and Deputy, enhance employee hour management with features like geofencing.

However, Gusto integration options, though practical, primarily target small to medium-sized businesses with straightforward needs.

Meanwhile, QBO Payroll excels in offering 750 integrations, and its real strength lies in its specialized connection with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and Etsy. This works well for retail businesses, as it automates order syncing and tracks sales data seamlessly.

Furthermore, the platform supports industry-specific tools such as Buildertrend for construction project management and Webgility for e-commerce inventory synchronization, making it particularly versatile for niche industries. While its extensive range of integration is impressive, it could be overwhelming for smaller businesses with limited technical expertise.

Winner: Even though an extensive number of integrations might seem overwhelming for non-technical users, the undeniable truth is that more integrations bring greater versatility and benefits. This is why QBO Payroll wins this round with its impressive 750+ integrations.

Compliance Support

Gusto centralizes compliance by organizing and storing critical documents like I-9s, W-2s, and 1099s while offering real-time updates on regulatory changes to minimize risks. It handles state unemployment insurance (SUI) taxes by calculating and paying them based on state-assigned rates, wage base limits, and unemployment claim history.

The software also manages state income tax (SIT) withholding, automating calculations for bonuses and ensuring compliance across multiple states. It provides resources to register businesses in new states and automates PTO policy to align with labor law.

QBO Payroll, however, stands out with its unique labor law poster compliance subscription, ensuring businesses stay updated with federal and state labor law requirements. This service includes automatic updates whenever laws change and covers fines of up to $35,000 if posters are outdated. The platform also enables businesses to e-file unlimited 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC forms directly with the IRS, ensuring timely submission.

It even offers tools for managing HR compliance, including I-9 documentation, e-signatures, and document sharing. QBO Payroll may work well for U. S. -based compliance, but it cannot match Gusto’s global compliance flexibility, which simplifies regulatory adherence for businesses with international teams.

Winner: While QBO Payroll offers solid compliance tools, its focus appears narrow compared to Gusto’s more adaptable approach. Gusto not only addresses compliance efficiently but also anticipates the needs of businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions, providing a level of flexibility QBO Payroll cannot match. Therefore, Gusto wins this round.

Pricing

Gusto offers flexible pricing plans tailored to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, with options ranging from simple payroll solutions to advanced features for growing teams. The plan includes:

  • Simple: $40/month + $6/month/person
  • Plus: $80/month + $9/month/person
  • Premium: $180/month + $22/month/person
  • Contractor Only: $35/month + $6/month/person

The Contractor Only Plan is designed specifically for global contractor payments and does not include backup withholding, state-required withholdings, or additional advanced features.

Like Gusto, QBO Payroll also offers four pricing tiers that cater to businesses with more complex needs. This includes:

  • Simple Start: $35/month
  • Essentials: $65/month
  • Plus: $99/month
  • Advanced: $235/month

Although its advanced plans come at a higher cost than Gusto's, they offer added value with QuickBooks Priority Circle support, $3,000 worth of training resources, and 24/7 premium support via phone, chat, and email.

Winner: This round ends in a tie as Gusto appeals to small businesses with its cost-effective pricing, while QBO Payroll proves its value for larger operations with Priority Circle access.

The Final Verdict: Which Software Best Fits Your Business?

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With two wins for Gusto and only one for QBO Payroll, it's clear which platform performs better overall. However, with two categories ending in a tie, the decision still heavily depends on your business needs.

For companies looking for extensive payroll capabilities and global compliance, Gusto offers the necessary features and support. Conversely, QBO Payroll excels in integrations, making it ideal for organizations that need deep connections with other software systems to streamline their operations.

Ultimately, while Gusto might lead in overall functionality, the best choice will align with the specific features that meet your operational requirements. Before settling on one, it’s worth exploring other payroll and HR solutions like BambooHR and Workday HCM , which might better suit your specific needs.