Gusto vs Workday: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of Gusto and Workday. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Gusto starts at $49/mo and Workday starts at Custom pricing. Compare all 6 pricing tiers side by side.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Gusto vs Workday: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | Gusto | Workday |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $49/mo | Custom pricing |
| Number of Plans | 4 | 2 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | per-seat | per-seat |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Gusto and Workday are both priced at $49/mo, making them equally accessible HR & People tools. Together they offer 6 pricing plans with 21 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.
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 |  Workday Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Contractor Only $0/monthCheapest Includes
| HCMPopular Custom pricing Includes
|
| Tier 2 | Simple $49/monthCheapest $4 / year Includes
| Financial Management Custom pricing Includes
|
| Tier 3 | — | |
| Tier 4 | Premium $180/monthCheapest $15 / year Includes
| — |
Swipe to compare plans →
Gusto
Gusto offers a free plan, offers 4 tiers vs 2.
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 want more features built-in—Gusto offers 7 additional features across its plans
Choose Workday if:
- •Your team needs custom enterprise pricing—Workday offers negotiated terms for large deployments
- •You prioritize Workday's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
- •Workday's 2-tier per-seat structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning
Gusto offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Workday 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 Workday's tiering starting at Custom pricing to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. Gusto's 4 tiers provide flexibility at different budgets, while Workday's 2 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 Workday
How many pricing plans does Gusto have vs Workday?
Does Gusto or Workday offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for Gusto or Workday?
What is the most popular Workday plan?
Does Gusto or Workday offer custom enterprise pricing?
How do Gusto and Workday compare for HR & People?
Sources
- Gusto Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Workday Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
Related Articles
Track Price Changes
Get notified when pricing changes for these tools.