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HR & People

Gusto vs Remote: Pricing Comparison 2026

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

Bottom line: Remote starts at $12/mo, making it $37/mo cheaper than Gusto ($49/mo). Gusto offers a free plan.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026

Gusto vs Remote: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureGustoRemote
Starting Price$49/mo$12/mo
Number of Plans49
Free TierYesNo
Pricing Modelper-seatper-seat
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Remote is the more affordable option, starting at $12/mo compared to Gusto's $49/mo. Both are HR & People tools with 13 combined pricing plans and 70 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
Gusto
Try it freeAffiliate
Tier 1
Contractor Only
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Contractor payments
  • No W-2 employees required
Start with Contractor Only
Recruit
$199/month
Includes
  • Source from 800m+ profiles
  • Get smart AI matches from our talent network
  • Advertise on remote.com/jobs
  • Access talent insights to find top hiring locations
  • Track candidates from application to hire
  • Cancel anytime
Start with Recruit
Tier 2
Simple
$49/monthCheapest
$4 / year
Includes
  • Single-state payroll
  • Unlimited payrolls per month
  • Tax filings and payments
  • Basic PTO policies and holiday pay
Start with Simple
Employer of Record
$699/month
Includes
  • Hire without opening a local entity in 90+ countries
  • Onboarding with a dedicated specialist
  • Local payroll paid on time, every time
  • Compliance protections built-in
  • Competitive, flexible and localized benefits
  • Dedicated in-house experts for local support
  • Includes HR Essentials as standard
Start with Employer of Record
Tier 3
Plus
$80/month
$7 / year
Includes
  • Multi-state payroll
  • Next-day pay
  • Time Tracking
Start with Plus
Payroll
$29/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Powerful, transparent international payroll
  • Simple self-service platform
  • Personalized support from dedicated specialists
  • Adhere to local payroll regulations in every country
  • Integrated benefits management
  • Includes HR Core as standard
Start with Payroll
Tier 4
Premium
$180/month
$15 / year
Includes
  • Dedicated Service Advisor
  • Access to certified HR experts
  • Performance & compensation management
  • Custom reports
  • Priority support
Start with Premium
Contractor Management
$29/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Only pay for contractors you actively work with
  • Work with international contractors
  • Create, edit, and sign tailored, localized contracts
  • Approve contractor invoices with one click or auto-pay
  • Transparent payments with complete visibility
  • Includes HR Core as standard
Start with Contractor Management
Tier 5
Contractor Management Plus
$99/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Robust indemnity protection and compliance with local laws
  • Coverage up to $100,000 per contractor for penalties
  • Create, edit, and sign tailored, compliant contracts
  • Transparent payments with zero hidden fees
  • Includes HR Core as standard
Start with Contractor Management Plus
Tier 6
Contractor of Record
$325/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Direct contractor engagement and payment by Remote
  • Uncapped indemnity ensuring comprehensive protection for your business
  • Transparent payments with full visibility
  • AI-powered tools to reduce misclassification risks
  • Facilitate IP transfer with Remote IP Guard
  • Includes HR Core as standard
Start with Contractor of Record
Tier 7
Professional Employer Organization
$99/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Hire and manage employees across the U.S.
  • Fast, guided onboarding for new hires
  • Payroll processed accurately and on time
  • Compliance support across federal, state, and local levels
  • Access to high-quality, large-group benefits
  • Dedicated HR and compliance experts for ongoing support
  • PEO is billed in USD and requires a U.S. bank account
Start with Professional Employer Organization
Tier 8
Equity
$39/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Transparent, trustworthy equity processes
  • Tax handling and reporting obligation assistance
  • Simple equity knowledge accessible on-demand
  • Fully compliant legal documentation for your global team
  • Deep insights into your equity program
  • For direct employees, EoR, and contractors of Delaware C-Corps
Start with Equity
Tier 9
HR Management
$12/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Guided onboarding and offboarding
  • Employee profile and document management
  • Contract templates and e-signing
  • Time off and time tracking
  • Expense management
  • Employee and manager self-serve experiencea
  • Mobile app
Start with HR Management

Swipe to compare plans →

Gusto

Payroll, benefits, and HR platform for small businesses

View all Gusto plans

Remote

Global HR platform for hiring and paying remote workers

View all Remote plans
Our Pick

Remote

Remote starts at $37/mo lower ($12/mo vs $49/mo), offers 9 tiers vs 4.

Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.

Best value: Remote

Try Remote free

Which 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
  • Gusto's 4-tier per-seat structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning
  • Gusto's feature bundling aligns with how HR & People teams actually work day-to-day

Choose Remote if:

  • You want lower per-user costs—Remote starts at $12/mo, saving $37/mo compared to Gusto at $49/mo
  • You need 9 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
  • You want more features built-in—Remote offers 42 additional features across its plans

Gusto offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Remote 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 Remote's tiering starting at $12/mo to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. Gusto's 4 tiers provide flexibility at different budgets, while Remote's 9 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 free
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Frequently Asked Questions: Gusto vs Remote

Which is cheaper, Gusto or Remote?
As of March 2026, Remote starts at a lower price point. Gusto starts at $49/mo while Remote starts at $12/mo. However, the best value depends on the features you need at each tier.
How many pricing plans does Gusto have vs Remote?
Gusto offers 4 pricing plans, while Remote offers 9 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Gusto or Remote offer a free plan?
Gusto offers a free plan, while Remote does not. If budget is a concern, Gusto lets you get started at no cost.
Can I save money by paying annually for Gusto or Remote?
Both Gusto and Remote offer annual billing options. Check each plan's yearly pricing for potential savings compared to monthly billing.
How do Gusto and Remote compare for HR & People?
Both Gusto and Remote are HR & People tools. Gusto offers 4 plans starting at $49/mo, while Remote offers 9 plans starting at $12/mo. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your HR & People needs.

Sources

  1. Gusto Official PricingVendor pricing page
  2. Remote Official PricingVendor pricing page

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