Gusto vs Justworks: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of Gusto and Justworks. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Justworks starts at $8/mo, making it $41/mo cheaper than Gusto ($49/mo). Gusto offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Gusto vs Justworks: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | Gusto | Justworks |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $49/mo | $8/mo |
| Number of Plans | 4 | 3 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | per-seat | per-seat |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Justworks is the more affordable option, starting at $8/mo compared to Gusto's $49/mo. Both are HR & People tools with 7 combined pricing plans and 29 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 |  Gusto Try it freeAffiliate |  Justworks Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Contractor Only $0/monthCheapest Includes
| Payroll $8/month Includes
|
| Tier 2 | Simple $49/monthCheapest $4 / year Includes
| PEO Basic $79/month Includes
|
| Tier 3 | PEO PlusPopular $109/month Includes
| |
| Tier 4 | Premium $180/monthCheapest $15 / year Includes
| — |
Swipe to compare plans →
Gusto
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 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 need predictable billing — Gusto's per-seat model avoids surprise overages
Choose Justworks if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—Justworks starts at $8/mo, saving $41/mo compared to Gusto at $49/mo
- •You want more features built-in—Justworks offers 1 additional features across its plans
- •You want Justworks's approach to incremental feature unlocking across its 3 pricing tiers
Gusto offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Justworks 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 Justworks' tiering starting at $8/mo to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. Gusto's 4 tiers provide flexibility at different budgets, while Justworks' 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: Gusto
Try Gusto freeFrequently Asked Questions: Gusto vs Justworks
Which is cheaper, Gusto or Justworks?
How many pricing plans does Gusto have vs Justworks?
Does Gusto or Justworks offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for Gusto or Justworks?
What is the most popular Justworks plan?
How do Gusto and Justworks compare for HR & People?
Sources
- Gusto Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Justworks Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
Related Articles
Track Price Changes
Get notified when pricing changes for these tools.