Gusto vs Zenefits: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of Gusto and Zenefits. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Zenefits starts at $10/mo, making it $39/mo cheaper than Gusto ($49/mo). Gusto offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Gusto vs Zenefits: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | Gusto | Zenefits |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $49/mo | $10/mo |
| Number of Plans | 4 | 3 |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | per-seat | per-seat |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Zenefits is the more affordable option, starting at $10/mo compared to Gusto's $49/mo. Both are HR & People tools with 7 combined pricing plans and 22 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 |  Zenefits Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Contractor Only $0/monthCheapest Includes
| |
| Tier 2 | Simple $49/month $4 / year Includes
| HR PlusPopular $10/monthCheapest $120 / year Includes
|
| Tier 3 | TriNet PEO Custom pricing Includes
| |
| Tier 4 | Premium $180/monthCheapest $15 / year Includes
| — |
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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 prefer Gusto's free tier features—Contractor payments, No W-2 employees 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 6 additional features across its plans
Choose Zenefits if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—Zenefits starts at $10/mo, saving $39/mo compared to Gusto at $49/mo
- •You prefer Zenefits's free tier features—Basic HR tools, Employee self-service
- •Your team needs custom enterprise pricing—Zenefits offers negotiated terms for large deployments
Both Gusto and Zenefits 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 Zenefits 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 Zenefits
Which is cheaper, Gusto or Zenefits?
How many pricing plans does Gusto have vs Zenefits?
Does Gusto or Zenefits offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for Gusto or Zenefits?
What is the most popular Zenefits plan?
Does Gusto or Zenefits offer custom enterprise pricing?
How do Gusto and Zenefits compare for HR & People?
Sources
- Gusto Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Zenefits Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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