Buddy Punch vs Gusto: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of Buddy Punch and Gusto. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Buddy Punch starts at $5.49/mo, making it $44/mo cheaper than Gusto ($49/mo). Gusto offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Buddy Punch vs Gusto: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | Buddy Punch | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $5.49/mo | $49/mo |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 4 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | per-seat | per-seat |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Buddy Punch is the more affordable option, starting at $5.49/mo compared to Gusto's $49/mo. Both are HR & People tools with 7 combined pricing plans and 37 features compared.
Gusto stands out with a free plan for getting started.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your HR & People needs.
| Pricing Plans |  Buddy Punch Try it freeAffiliate |  Gusto Try it freeAffiliate |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Starter $5/month $4 / year Includes
| Contractor Only $0/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 2 | ProPopular $7/monthCheapest $6 / year Includes
| Simple $49/month $4 / year Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Enterprise $12/monthCheapest $11 / year Includes
| |
| Tier 4 | — | Premium $180/monthCheapest $15 / year Includes
|
Swipe to compare plans →
Buddy Punch
Time tracking and attendance software with GPS tracking, PTO management, and payroll integrations.
View all Buddy Punch plansGusto
Gusto offers a free plan, offers 4 tiers vs 3.
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: Gusto
Try Gusto freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose Buddy Punch if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—Buddy Punch starts at $5.49/mo, saving $43.51/mo compared to Gusto at $49/mo
- •You want more features built-in—Buddy Punch offers 9 additional features across its plans
- •Buddy Punch's 3-tier per-seat structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning
Choose Gusto if:
- •You need a free plan with Contractor payments, No W-2 employees required—Gusto offers no-cost access with no credit card required
- •You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
- •You want Gusto's approach to incremental feature unlocking across its 4 pricing tiers
Gusto offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Buddy Punch requires paid subscription from the start. This gives Gusto a significant advantage for teams with budget constraints or extended trial periods. Once you outgrow Gusto's free tier, upgrading to a paid plan at approximately $49/mo provides substantial additional functionality. Compare this pricing path against Buddy Punch's tiering starting at $5.49/mo to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. Gusto's 4 tiers provide flexibility at different budgets, while Buddy Punch's 3 tiers structure may force you into higher-cost plans than necessary for your use case. If evaluation cost matters to your decision, Gusto is the obvious starting point with zero financial commitment. Use the free tier to validate core functionality before committing to paid plans from either tool.
Best choice: Buddy Punch
Try Buddy Punch freeBest choice: Gusto
Try Gusto freeFrequently Asked Questions: Buddy Punch vs Gusto
Which is cheaper, Buddy Punch or Gusto?
How many pricing plans does Buddy Punch have vs Gusto?
Does Buddy Punch or Gusto offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for Buddy Punch or Gusto?
What is the most popular Buddy Punch plan?
How do Buddy Punch and Gusto compare for HR & People?
Sources
- Buddy Punch Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Gusto Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
Related Articles
Track Price Changes
Get notified when pricing changes for these tools.