Gusto vs Nectar: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of Gusto and Nectar. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Both Gusto and Nectar offer free plans. Gusto has 4 pricing tiers while Nectar has 5.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Gusto vs Nectar: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | Gusto | Nectar |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $49/mo | Custom pricing |
| Number of Plans | 4 | 5 |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | per-seat | per-seat |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Gusto and Nectar are both priced at $49/mo, making them equally accessible HR & People tools. Together they offer 9 pricing plans with 52 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.
Both tools offer free plans, making them accessible for teams on a budget.
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 |  Nectar Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Contractor Only $0/monthCheapest Includes
| Free $0/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 2 | Simple $49/monthCheapest $4 / year Includes
| Nectar Engage™ Custom pricing Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Nectar Comms Custom pricing Includes
| |
| Tier 4 | Premium $180/monthCheapest $15 / year Includes
| Nectar Recognize Custom pricing Includes
|
| Tier 5 | — | Culture SuitePopular Custom pricing Includes
|
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Nectar
Nectar offers a free plan, offers 5 tiers vs 4.
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: Nectar
Try Nectar freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose Gusto if:
- •You prefer Gusto's free tier features—Contractor payments, No W-2 employees required
- •You prioritize Gusto's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
- •Gusto's 4-tier per-seat structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning
Choose Nectar if:
- •You prefer Nectar's free tier features—Peer-to-peer shoutouts, Employee milestones
- •You need 5 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
- •You want more features built-in—Nectar offers 24 additional features across its plans
- •Your team needs custom enterprise pricing—Nectar offers negotiated terms for large deployments
Both Gusto and Nectar offer free plans [1], eliminating cost barriers for evaluation. This means you can test both tools thoroughly with your actual workflows before any financial commitment. The free tiers differ in scope: Gusto includes 2 features, while Nectar includes 5 features. Evaluate which free tier matches your evaluation needs before deciding to upgrade. Your best approach is to activate both free trials and evaluate which tool's workflow, integrations, and user experience align better with your team's needs before committing to paid plans.
Best choice: Gusto
Try Gusto freeFrequently Asked Questions: Gusto vs Nectar
How many pricing plans does Gusto have vs Nectar?
Does Gusto or Nectar offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for Gusto or Nectar?
What is the most popular Nectar plan?
Does Gusto or Nectar offer custom enterprise pricing?
How do Gusto and Nectar compare for HR & People?
Sources
- Gusto Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Nectar Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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