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: Paychex starts at $20/mo, making it $29/mo cheaper than Gusto ($49/mo). Gusto offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Gusto vs Paychex: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | Gusto | Paychex |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $49/mo | $20/mo |
| Number of Plans | 4 | 4 |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | per-seat | per-seat |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Paychex is the more affordable option, starting at $20/mo compared to Gusto's $49/mo. Both are HR & People tools with 8 combined pricing plans and 24 features compared.
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 |  Paychex Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Contractor Only $0/monthCheapest Includes
| |
| Tier 2 | Simple $49/month $4 / year Includes
| Small Business Payroll $20/monthCheapest $240 / year Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Midsize to Enterprise PayrollPopular $50/monthCheapest $600 / year Includes
| |
| Tier 4 | Premium $180/monthCheapest $15 / year Includes
| One Employee Payroll Custom pricing Includes
|
Swipe to compare plans →
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Gusto if:
- •You prefer Gusto's free tier features—Contractor payments, No W-2 employees required
- •You want more features built-in—Gusto offers 4 additional features across its plans
- •You need predictable billing — Gusto's per-seat model avoids surprise overages
Choose Paychex if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—Paychex starts at $20/mo, saving $29/mo compared to Gusto at $49/mo
- •You prefer Paychex's free tier features—Basic Payroll, Employee Self-Service
- •Your team needs custom enterprise pricing—Paychex offers negotiated terms for large deployments
Both Gusto and Paychex 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 Paychex includes 2 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 Paychex
Which is cheaper, Gusto or Paychex?
How many pricing plans does Gusto have vs Paychex?
Does Gusto or Paychex offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for Gusto or Paychex?
What is the most popular Paychex plan?
Does Gusto or Paychex offer custom enterprise pricing?
How do Gusto and Paychex compare for HR & People?
Sources
- Gusto Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Paychex Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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