Gusto vs Papaya Global

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Our analysts compared Gusto vs Papaya Global based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Payroll Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Papaya Global Software Tool

Product Basics

Gusto is a web-based payroll system for medium-sized organizations. It handles benefits, compliance, direct deposit, employee self-service, employee management, payment processing and taxes. Using automation, calculators and other administrative and HR modules, users can streamline the entire process of paying employees. It integrates with other technologies to offer expanded services such as accounting, bookkeeping, POS, time tracking and other business operations. In addition to filing taxes, it scans the laws of over 50 states to ensure accurate state and federal payments, helping organizations avoid penalties.
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Papaya Global simplifies payroll complexities for businesses with globally distributed workforces. Its cloud-based platform streamlines tasks like calculating taxes, managing compliance, and delivering secure payments across 160+ countries. This makes it ideal for companies that hire remote workers, have subsidiaries abroad, or frequently onboard international contractors. Users rave about Papaya's automation tools, which significantly reduce manual work and eliminate human error. The platform's centralized dashboard offers real-time data visibility, providing valuable insights for financial planning and workforce management. Compared to traditional payroll solutions, Papaya offers increased agility, scalability, and cost savings through streamlined processes and reduced compliance risks. Pricing is based on a per-user, per-month model, making it scalable for businesses of all sizes.

Pros
  • Automated payroll
  • Global compliance
  • User-friendly interface
  • Centralized data
  • Scalable pricing
Cons
  • Limited customization
  • Potential integration issues
  • Occasional bugs
  • Limited reporting
  • Customer service response time
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$40 Monthly
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$20/Employee, Monthly
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Product Assistance

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Product Insights

  • Flexible and Easier to Use: Guides admins through set-up and features a user-friendly interface. Let employees account for unexpected expenses, up to 40% of their paycheck, by automatically taking the amount out of their next check.
  • More Cost-Effective: Take advantage of a one-month free trial before full implementation. Subscribe on a monthly basis or based on a price quote, depending on the business’s needs.
  • Better Compliance: Check for updated tax law ensures that the proper documents are filed on time and follow the most recent legislation. Help users keep in compliance with ACA, ERISA and HIPAA standards. Record tests to comply with nondiscrimination policies from the IRS or benefits programs such as FSAs.
  • Timer Saver: Cut down on busy work and manual data entry to save valuable employee hours in payroll processing and tax filing. Manage and complete administrative work by accessing premade job templates, HR guides, live harassment prevention webinars, fitness tests, handbooks, best practices, manuals and more.
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  • Simplified Global Payroll: Manage payroll for a distributed workforce across 160+ countries with ease and accuracy.
  • Enhanced Compliance: Stay compliant with local tax regulations and avoid costly penalties.
  • Automated Workflows: Automate manual tasks like tax calculations, payments, and reporting, saving time and resources.
  • Centralized Data Visibility: Gain real-time insights into your global payroll data with a centralized dashboard.
  • Scalable and Cost-Effective: Pay only for the employees you manage, making Papaya Global ideal for businesses of all sizes.
  • Improved Employee Experience: Ensure timely and accurate payments for your global workforce, boosting morale and productivity.
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  • Payroll Processing: Automatically calculate employee checks and file taxes while using online faxing, filing and signing technologies.
    • Payroll Reports: Send money out weekly, bi-weekly, twice a month or monthly. Calculate an employee’s gross pay before taxes by simply entering the amount they should receive. Figure out overtime pay for hourly workers whether they have one or multiple pay rates. Leverage other payroll capabilities such as calculating unlimited and off-cycle payrolls, employee reimbursements, bonuses and more.
    • Automated Taxes: Calculate, file and pay all payroll taxes per local and federal legislation through direct deposit. Generate and send 940, 941, 1099, 8974 and W-2 forms for full-time employees and independent contractors. Manage deductions, garnishments and send child support in all states except for South Carolina. Make adjustments, get support and enter claims for the Federal R&D Tax Credit, FLSA minimum wage requirements and the FICA Tip Credit tax.
    • E-Signatures: Sign and file important documents and forms such as W-2’s, 1099s, 940s, 941s and 8974s. Make it easier to get everyone’s ducks in a row, even when separated by thousands of miles.
    • Leave Tracking: Set up and monitor vacation time, time off and sick time. Choose federal holidays or create other holidays for organizations that accommodate different faiths, locations or cultures.
  • Benefits: Make the necessary deductions automatically for medical insurance, 401(K) contributions and more. Give employees dental, medical and vision insurance and help them find the appropriate plan. Provide other benefits such as 529 (college) savings, commuter perks, disability insurance, FSAs, HSAs, life insurance and workers’ compensation.
  • Wallet: Manage banking accounts, emergency funds, paychecks and savings. Create as many as five saving goals, which deduct funds automatically from the correlating spending accounts — transfer funds from savings to spending easily. Put paychecks in different accounts and let workers see checks and the specifics of deductions, hours and taxes. Give access to paystubs, the Wallet app and W-2s.
  • Worker Management: Give workers digital paystubs accessible by the payday email, account or Wallet app. Let employees send money to charities, organize workers into departments and set policies for PTO and sick leave. Customize and assign various permissions to ensure users can access the appropriate content but not sensitive data.
  • Self-Service: Let employees complete tasks like adding dependents, picking out plans and scheduling changes to plans based on personal details. Let them retain access to specific account information after termination to cut down on unnecessary content. Organize reports based on teams or departments and let workers sign essential documents like I-9s and W-4s.
  • New Employees: Report new hires to the government automatically. Send out onboarding papers before new staff members start so they can fill out bank details, contact information and W-4s. Use an onboarding to-do list for tasks like adding employees to the payroll, background checks, filling out an employee’s I-9, setting up benefits and signing forms.
  • Directory: Create an address book of employees with profile pictures and contact information. Give new workers org charts to see where they fit in the organization. Organize fun facts, t-shirt or merch orders, birthdays and communal coffee dates.
  • Calendar Sync: Track deadlines, birthdays and employee anniversaries and sync with other calendars in iCalendar, Google, and Outlook.
  • Integrations: Uses closed APIs. Integrate with platforms like Accelo, Asana, Box, Clover, Dropbox, Expensify, FreshBooks, Github, G Suite, Homebase, Microsoft 365, QuickBooks Online, Receipt Bank, Slack, SpotOn, TSheets, Veryfi, When I Work, Xero, Ximble, Zoom and more. Contact the vendor for custom connections.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Generate and download reports for benefits, payment history, bank transactions, PTO, contract work, tax payments and more
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  • Global Payroll Automation: Automates payroll processes for employees and contractors across 160+ countries, including tax calculations, compliance checks, payment processing, and reporting.
  • Compliance Management: Ensures adherence to local labor laws, tax regulations, and employment standards in each country of operation.
  • Centralized Data Platform: Provides a single source of truth for all global payroll data, accessible through a user-friendly dashboard with real-time insights.
  • AI-Driven Insights: Leverages artificial intelligence to identify potential risks and optimize payroll processes, reducing manual work and errors.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface that streamlines payroll management tasks for both HR and finance teams.
  • Integration Capabilities: Integrates seamlessly with leading HCM, ERP, and time-tracking systems to streamline data flow and eliminate manual data entry.
  • Security and Compliance: Adheres to strict data security and privacy standards, protecting sensitive employee information.
  • Global Employer of Record (EOR) Services: Offers EOR services, allowing businesses to quickly hire and manage employees in new countries without establishing legal entities.
  • Global Contractor Management: Manages the onboarding, payments, and compliance for international contractors.
  • Global Benefits Administration: Streamlines the management of benefits programs for global employees.
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Product Ranking

#7

among all
Payroll Software

#75

among all
Payroll Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Benefits Management Dashboard And Reporting Expense Management Mobile Capabilities Payroll And Tax Management Platform Capabilities Security And Compliance Time And Attendance Management 95 40 90 54 89 87 80 63 0 25 50 75 100
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User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 2802 reviews
Great User Sentiment 24 reviews
93%
of users recommend this product

Gusto has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 93% when considering 2802 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

85%
of users recommend this product

Papaya Global has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 85% when considering 24 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

4.2 (23)
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4.3 (305)
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4.25 (12)
4.7 (2474)
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Awards

Gusto stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Easy to Use: Just under 70% of all reviewers found this product easy to use with 10% specifically praising the design.
Great Conflict Resolution: The customer service was noted for being helpful, knowledgeable and excellent at resolving errors.
Helpful Features: Around 40% of reviewers said they appreciated the functionality, particularly praising the tax system, deductions, payroll processing and multiple payment options.
Appropriate Pricing: Over 30% of users felt that the price was well worth the system.
Good for Small Business: This was called a good choice for small businesses in over 10% of reviews.
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Saves Time and Effort: Automates manual tasks like tax calculations, payments, and reporting, freeing up HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives.
Improves Accuracy and Compliance: Ensures adherence to local regulations and minimizes the risk of errors and penalties.
Streamlines Global Payroll: Manages payroll for a distributed workforce across 160+ countries with ease and consistency.
Provides Real-Time Insights: Offers a centralized dashboard with real-time data visibility for informed decision-making.
Scales with Your Business: Pay-per-employee pricing model adapts to businesses of all sizes and growth stages.
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Issues with Certain Functionality: While around 40% felt the solution worked well, another 40% reported issues, especially with the time tracking and integration features.
Slow/Pushy Customer Support: Around 10% of users reported negative experiences with customer service. Of them around 50% felt the staff was pushy and trying to upsell them and 50% felt they had to wait too long for answers or couldn't get in touch with them online.
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Limited Customization: May not fully accommodate unique business processes or reporting needs beyond its standard features.
Potential Integration Challenges: Integration with existing HR systems or third-party tools might require additional setup or workarounds.
Occasional Bugs and Reporting Delays: Users have reported infrequent software bugs and potential delays in accessing certain reports.
Customer Service Response Time: Some users have experienced longer-than-expected wait times for customer support during peak periods.
Higher Cost for Complex Needs: Additional features and services can increase costs for businesses with extensive payroll requirements.
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Gusto is a well-reviewed payroll solution which many users enjoy for its good design and easy-to-use features. It’s UI and payroll processing abilities in particular make it a popular choice for automating payroll. Many also feel it handles benefits and PTO well. Some say it's an affordable choice given what it does while others note that it’s on the pricey side. The time tracking features aren’t universally loved. Users are split on the integration abilities with around 10% satisfied and around 10% dissatisfied. All in all, it appears to be a good solution for small and medium-sized businesses looking to streamline their payroll. Keep an eye on the price and, as always, demo extensively before buying.

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User reviews for Papaya Global paint a vivid picture of a powerful and user-friendly platform aimed at simplifying global payroll. Many users laud its automation capabilities, praising it for saving time and reducing manual work. "Papaya automates everything from tax calculations to payments, freeing up our HR team to focus on strategic initiatives," says one reviewer. This is a major advantage over traditional payroll solutions, often described as cumbersome and prone to errors. However, some users point out Papaya's limitations in customization. While its standardized platform excels in broad strokes, it may not bend to every unique business need. "We love the ease of use," says one reviewer, "but wish there were more options for tailor-made reporting." In comparison, users report that competitors like Deel offer stronger customization options, but at the expense of Papaya's user-friendliness. Papaya's global reach is another key differentiator. With support for payroll in over 160 countries, it simplifies managing a distributed workforce with ease. "Our company has employees all over the world," says one reviewer, "and Papaya handles compliance and payments seamlessly across all locations." Users find this a significant advantage over regional payroll providers, who are often limited to specific countries. Ultimately, user reviews suggest Papaya Global shines for businesses seeking a user-friendly platform to manage global payroll efficiently. Its automation tools and extensive country coverage stand out, but those requiring deep customization may need to explore further. As one reviewer summarizes, "Papaya takes the headache out of global payroll, but be prepared to adapt your processes to its structure."

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