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HR & People

Gusto vs Paychex: Pricing Comparison 2026

Side-by-side pricing comparison of Gusto and Paychex. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.

Bottom line: Gusto starts at Custom pricing and Paychex starts at $20/mo. Compare all 9 pricing tiers side by side.

Last updated: June 8, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated June 8, 2026
Try Gusto freeTry Paychex freePrice updated 2d agoUpdated this month

Gusto vs Paychex: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureGustoPaychex
Starting PriceCustom pricing$20/mo
Number of Plans54
Free TierNoYes
Pricing Modelper-seatper-seat
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Gusto and Paychex are both priced at Custom pricing, making them equally accessible HR & People tools. Together they offer 9 pricing plans with 39 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.

Paychex 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
Gusto
Paychex
Paychex
Try free
Tier 1
contractor only
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Domestic contractor payments
  • 4 day pay
  • Form 1099 creation and filings
  • Single-state payroll
  • Unlimited payrolls per month
  • Tax filings and payments
  • Basic PTO policies and holiday pay
  • Multi-state payroll
  • Next-day pay
  • Time Tracking
  • Dedicated Service Advisor
  • Access to certified HR experts
  • Performance & compensation management
  • Custom reports
  • Priority support
  • Payroll migration and account setup
Start with contractor only
Free
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Basic Payroll
  • Employee Self-Service
Start with Free
Tier 2
Simple
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Single-state payroll
  • Unlimited payrolls per month
  • Tax filings and payments
  • Basic PTO policies and holiday pay
Start with Simple
Small Business Payroll
$20/monthCheapest
$240 / year
Includes
  • Full Payroll Processing
  • Tax Filing
  • Employee Management
Start with Small Business Payroll
Tier 3
Plus
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Multi-state payroll
  • Next-day pay
  • Time Tracking
Start with Plus
Midsize to Enterprise PayrollPopular
$50/monthCheapest
$600 / year
Includes
  • Advanced Payroll Features
  • Custom Reporting
  • Dedicated Support
Start with Midsize to Enterprise Payroll
Tier 4
Premium
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Dedicated Service Advisor
  • Access to certified HR experts
  • Performance & compensation management
  • Custom reports
  • Priority support
  • Payroll migration and account setup
Start with Premium
One Employee Payroll
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Payroll for Single Employee
  • Basic Tax Services
Start with One Employee Payroll
Tier 5
Need to pay yourself compliantly as an S corp?
Custom pricing
Start with Need to pay yourself compliantly as an S corp?
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Gusto

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Paychex

Payroll and HR solutions for small to mid-sized businesses

View all Paychex plans

Frequently Asked Questions: Gusto vs Paychex

How many pricing plans does Gusto have vs Paychex?
Gusto offers 5 pricing plans, while Paychex offers 4 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Gusto or Paychex offer a free plan?
Paychex offers a free plan, while Gusto does not. If budget is a concern, Paychex lets you get started at no cost.
Can I save money by paying annually for Gusto or Paychex?
Both Gusto and Paychex offer annual billing options. Check each plan's yearly pricing for potential savings compared to monthly billing.
What is the most popular Paychex plan?
The Midsize to Enterprise Payroll plan is Paychex's most popular tier, priced at $50/mo. Key features include Advanced Payroll Features, Custom Reporting, Dedicated Support.
Does Gusto or Paychex offer custom enterprise pricing?
Yes, both Gusto and Paychex offer custom enterprise pricing tiers with quote-based pricing. Contact each vendor for a tailored quote.
How do Gusto and Paychex compare for HR & People?
Both Gusto and Paychex are HR & People tools. Gusto offers 5 plans starting at Custom pricing, while Paychex offers 4 plans starting at $20/mo. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your HR & People needs.
AI Recommendations

Sources

  1. Gusto Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page
  2. Paychex Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page

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