In your search for the perfect payroll system, one burning question persists — Is it user-friendly? Taking on a new payroll software can be overwhelming, but fortunately, most aim to be easy to understand, like Gusto. Gusto’s notably user-friendly design makes it a formidable contender in the payroll software realm.
But as the wise saying goes, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” While Gusto might be your current go-to option, exploring other payroll solutions is essential to ensure you’re not overlooking a potentially superior fit. That’s where we come in! We’ll delve into the top five Gusto alternatives, fast-tracking your payroll search.
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Why Gusto?
Gusto is a cloud-based payroll solution handling everything from payments to HR tasks like tax filing, training and benefits management. Automation features like tax filing save time by eliminating manual data entry and enhance compliance by minimizing human errors.
When it comes to the paperwork avalanche that is payroll, Gusto has your back with pre-made templates, handbooks and manuals catered to your unique preferences, ensuring employees get the necessary information without you spending hours creating resources from scratch. Gusto goes the extra mile by offering compliance support, ensuring your documents stay up-to-date and align with the latest tax laws.
What Gusto Users Like:
- Positive customer service conflict resolution
- Smooth tax filing, deductions and payroll processing functionality
- User-friendly design
- Ideal for small businesses
Gusto Limitations:
- No native Android or iOS apps
- No support for household employee payment
- No international support
- Limited asset tracking on laptops
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Best Gusto Alternatives
Now that you know the Gusto basics, check out the best Gusto alternatives below!
Paychex
Paychex is a full-service payroll platform offering customized reporting, group insurance plan enrollment and employee self-service. Simplify everyday processes like managing time and attendance through the cloud-based platform. Choose between multiple payment forms, including real-time transfers, direct deposit and same-day ACH.
Paychex also automates payroll processing and tax filing, streamlining payroll, benefits and workforce management. The virtual hubs enhance productivity and transparency by showing everyone’s tasks, upcoming deadlines, and milestones.
Paychex Main Dashboard Preview.
Highest Rated Modules According to Our Data
- Dashboard and Reporting — 100
- Security and Compliance — 100
- Expense Management — 100
- Benefits Management — 94
- Payroll and Tax Management — 90
Top Benefits
- Reduce Errors: Safeguard features increase payroll processing accuracy with real-time notifications to managers, allowing corrections before approval.
- Increase Flexibility: The mobile app enables employers and employees to access documents and resources securely from any device, anywhere.
- Enhance Accessibility: Save time and boost transparency by providing employees access to their information remotely, including time off balances, pay stubs and benefits.
- Get Tax Filing Support: Get 24/7 online assistance and guidance on tax questions and regulations from tax experts.
Primary Features
- Payroll: Automate payroll processing, deductions and reporting. Calculate hours, establish hours per pay period and set up direct deposits.
- Tax Filing: Automatically calculate federal, state and local taxes, ensuring tax compliance and avoiding potential penalties.
- Reporting and Analytics: Customize analytics and tailor analytics reports with over 160 templates to choose from.
- Employee Benefits: Access group or individual health insurance, retirement planning and wellness programs for seamless benefits administration.
Limitations
- Some users reported fees due to late tax submissions
- Fees after canceling
- Users expressed dissatisfaction with customer service
Features Not Fully Supported According to Our Data
- Global Payroll — Supported With Partner Integration
- Pay Groups — Not Supported
- Prorate Paychecks — Not Supported
- Mobile Push Notifications — Not Supported
- Geocoding — Not Supported
Platform:
Company Size Suitability: S M L
Paycom
Paycom is a cloud-based payroll solution that automates essential payroll and HR tasks, streamlining key processes and reducing time-consuming paperwork. Remote teams can work on the go features like requesting paid time off, viewing pay stubs and managing benefits.
Paycom simplifies IRS form navigation and reduces tax stress by automating deductions, filing and deposits. Tax experts are available for any questions or concerns depending on the selected plan. Employees can also manage their payroll data for corrections before payroll submission. Paycom also offers customizable reports and COBRA administration, helping navigate laws and regulations compliance.
Paycom Desktop and Mobile Preview.
Highest Rated Modules According to Our Data
- Dashboard and Reporting — 100
- Expense Management — 100
- Security and Compliance — 100
- Payroll and Tax Management — 92
- Mobile Capabilities — 87
Top Benefits
- Simplify Access: Paycom consolidates HR tools into a single unified platform, boosting accessibility and better allocating resources.
- Automate Tasks: Automating core HR tasks like payroll processing, reducing human errors for optimized workflows.
- Boost Data Security: Utilize 256-bit encryption and offsite backups for enhanced data security.
- Ensure Compliance: Built-in reporting and guidance on regulatory and legislative regulations, like the Affordable Care Act, help with compliance management.
Primary Features
- Compensation Management: Monitor expenses for better budget management, set performance-based bonuses, simplify compensation management by integrating with payroll and ensure fair compensation for all.
- Payroll: Automate payroll processing to ensure efficiency and accuracy.
- Reporting: Use built-in analytics to generate reports, including payroll reports, time and attendance and expenses.
- Benefit Enrollment: Simplify enrolling in benefits with self-guided benefits enrollment through the self-service platform.
- Compliance Tools: Reduce the risk of penalties and gather vital information in case audits arise with Paycom’s built-in compliance support.
Limitations
- Confusion when adding or removing employees from scheduling groups
- Lengthy login process
- Challenging report navigation
Features Not Fully Supported According to Our Data
- Global Payroll — Not Supported
- Multiple Payroll Processing — Not Supported
- Commuter Benefits — Not Supported
- Cancel Payroll Record or Void Check — Not Supported
- Geocoding — Not Supported
Platform:
Company Size Suitability: S M L
QuickBooks Payroll
Quickbooks is a payroll and HR software for automating payroll processing and project management. Reduce your HR workload without compromising quality with features like Quickbooks Payroll project tracking, automatic payroll calculations and tax filing assistance.
Utilize automation tools to minimize payroll errors, simplify payments and create invoices. Stay compliant with access to educational resources on best hiring processes, creating job descriptions and general policies. Keep employees connected with real-time notifications and the ability to create and edit invoices using the hybrid or work-from-home friendly mobile app.
QuickBooks Payroll Invoice. Source
Highest Rated Modules According to Our Data
- Mobile Capabilities — 94
- Dashboard and Reporting — 92
- Payroll and Tax Management — 91
- Time and Attendance — 91
- Security and Compliance — 80
Top Benefits
- Save Time: Automate payroll processes, including tax filing and direct deposit, reducing manual errors and saving time.
- Enhance Accessibility: Simplifies accessing and organizing payroll data via a centralized platform, available on iOS and Android devices.
- Get Compliance Peace of Mind: Tracks users’ time on the platform, letting managers monitor attendance for TAA policy compliance. Users can access compliance information like labor laws and worker’s compensation management tools.
- Support With Tax Filing: Calculates deductions and automates tax filing, ensuring compliance and easing tax season stress. Tax form automation leaves no stone unturned and enhances accessibility to digital tax forms, including viewing previous year’s completed forms.
- Streamline Reporting: Generates and customizes reports, like billing summaries, for expense monitoring and productivity analysis. Previous reports can be favorited for easy templated reuse.
Primary Features
- Process Payroll: Automate payroll and tax filing, reducing errors and saving time.
- Benefits Management: Utilize AP Intego and SimplyInsured to administer benefits, including workers’ comp, health insurance and retirement plans. Compare plans for easier decision-making and automate deductions.
- Mobile Capabilities: Track, generate and send invoices from your smartphone. Opt for payment reminders to reduce payroll bottlenecks.
- Project Management: Monitor and measure project progress, helping meet deadlines and obtain goals. View costs, logged hours and profits for future project planning.
- Reports: Create, customize and export (or print) reports, helping monitor expenses and productivity.
Limitations
- Costly user tax filing delays
- Lengthy customer service wait times
- Steep user learning curve
Features Not Fully Supported According to Our Data
- Expense Approvals — Supported With Integrations
- Expense Tracking — Supported With Additional Modules
- Deduction Codes — Not Supported
- Earning Codes — Not Supported
- Global Payroll — Not Supported
Platform:
Company Size Suitability: S M L
Rippling
Rippling is a cloud-based HR and payroll solution that simplifies payroll, benefits and compliance management. Its reporting function offers in-depth insights into key metrics like employee turnover, app usage and trends. Convert data into graphs for easier understanding and informed decision-making.
Rippling automatically calculates and handles tax filing, saving time and reducing manual hours. Customizable to-do lists support productivity, while cloud-based document storage ensures employees can securely send and sign the necessary paperwork. Robust security features keep information safe, including multi-factor authentication and hard drive encryption.
Rippling To-Do List Preview.
Highest Rated Modules According to Our Data
- Benefits Management — 94
- Security and Compliance — 97
- Payroll and Tax Management — 85
- Time and Attendance Management — 85
- Dashboard and Reporting — 60
Top Benefits
- Easy Onboarding: Streamline employee onboarding with user-friendly invitations, allowing quick health care and retirement plan enrollment.
- Compliance Automation: Simplify ACA and COBRA compliance by automating tasks like ACA notices and COBRA payment processing, saving time without compromising quality.
- Efficient Tax Filing: Reduce administrative work and errors by automatically calculating and filing payroll taxes, then filing with the appropriate federal, state and local agencies.
- Accessible Database: Opt for automatic employee data updates across all modules, reducing the need for manual entry and simultaneously enhancing accuracy.
- Better Document Management: Rippling’s paperless document management platform empowers users to send, sign and access important documents electronically.
Primary Features
- Payroll Management: Links employee data like time off and deductions for seamless payroll processing, supporting businesses and employee payments globally.
- ACA and Cobra Compliance: Ensure compliance by automatically delivering ACA notices, collecting COBRA payments and offering FSA, HSA, and commuter benefits on pre-tax debit cards.
- Operations Management: Automatically configures, secures and manages company devices, allowing admins to track and control user access.
- Customized User Access: Onboard or offboard employees with a single click. Easily add new hires to payroll, benefits and devices in 90 seconds. Previous employees’ access is automatically disabled.
- Benefits Enrollment: Effectively enroll associates in benefits with online enrollment, offering healthcare and 401K plans. Choose from previous plans, request recommendations or opt for an advisor.
Limitations
- Limited access to payroll calendar for non-administrators
- Benefits unavailable on the mobile app
- Navigation between platforms isn’t seamless; users must return to the home screen
Features Not Fully Supported According to Our Data
- Cancel Payroll Record or Void Check — Not Supported
- Deduction Codes — Not Supported
- Process Advance Salary — Not Supported
- Tax Credits — Not Supported
- Mobile Push Notifications — Not Supported
Platform:
Company Size Suitability: S M L
OnPay
OnPay is a cloud-based payroll software for streamlining core HR tasks like administering benefits, setting up payments and managing PTO. Access pay stubs and tax forms from the centralized employee portal, providing everyone secure access to important info when needed.
Compliance is paramount in payroll, and OnPay provides an HR library packed with resources to ensure everyone stays compliant and informed. Customize reports and checklists to prepare for potential audits. Automate payroll, schedule unlimited pay periods and make corrections or cancel pay runs when necessary to simplify the process.
OnPay Review Payroll.
Highest Rated Modules According to Our Data
- Security and Compliance — 100
- Benefits Management — 89
- Payroll and Tax Management — 88
- Mobile Capabilities — 69
- Dashboard and Reporting — 60
Top Benefits
- Automate Tasks: Automation does the math (specifically payroll tax calculations) for you, including state and federal payroll taxes and withholdings. Automate tax forms and payments for a less stressful tax season.
- Reduce Errors: Automation tools like tax calculations enhance accuracy and reduce errors.
- Save Time: Provide employees with self-service tools that reduce manual effort for administrators and managers. Employees can log in and manage their pay, PTO and tax forms. They can also access their account information even after they leave the company.
- Simplify PTO: Employees can track and request time off on the app or online platform, and managers can seamlessly approve or deny requests. Also, streamline leave management with customization options like custom policies, accrual tiers and reminders.
Primary Features
- Payroll Processing: Automate payroll processing, including scheduling pay runs, canceling pay runs and making corrections.
- Tailored Reporting: Custom reports and get an in-depth insight into expenses, deductions and benefits. Add or remove entries, custom columns, select date ranges, set filters and even save your favorite custom view for future reports.
- Multiple Pay Forms: Employees can choose between getting paid through direct deposit, checks or debit cards, including salary employees, contractors and hourly employees.
- Self-Service Platform: Reduce the workload for HR managers by boosting access for employees with the self-service platform. Employees can self-onboard, request time off, access important documents and update preferences like contact information.
Limitations
- Long wait times for customer service chat support
- Limited automation features
- Payroll not fully automated
Features Not Fully Supported According to Our Data
- Expense Tracking — Supported With Partner Integration
- Automated Reminders — Not Supported
- Native iOS and Android Applications — Not Supported
- Earning Codes — Not Supported
- Global Payroll — Not Supported
Platform:
Company Size Suitability: S M L
Next Steps
Now that you’re ready to explore beyond Gusto, remember that choosing the right payroll software involves considering user-friendliness, integration capabilities and your essential features. While comparing competitors might not be easy, finding the best payroll software for your needs is undoubtedly worth the effort!
Ready to see how leading products stack up side by side? For extra support during your search, be sure to check out our free comparison report to quickly and easily find and compare the best products for your needs.
Which Gusto alternative caught your eye? What’s your top priority in a payroll solution? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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