Gusto vs HubSpot CRM (Free): which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Gusto and HubSpot CRM (Free) — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: it's a tie on our scorecard — pick on fit, not score.
| Scored on | Gusto | HubSpot CRM (Free) |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 9 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 7 | 10 |
| Customer support | 6 | 4 |
| Features | 9 | 7 |
| Simple Base Fee | $40/mo | — |
| Simple Per-Person | $6/mo | — |
| Plus Base Fee | $80/mo | — |
| Contractor Only Base | $35/mo | — |
| Monthly Subscription | — | $0 |
| User Seat Limit | — | Unlimited |
| Contact Limit | — | Up to 1,000,000 |
| Payment Processing | — | Varies (Stripe standard rates apply) |
Gusto in one paragraph
Gusto is the gold standard for small business payroll automation, trading high-touch human support for a near-perfect digital interface.
Skip it if: You have a complex multi-state employee base and require a dedicated, 24/7 human account manager to handle manual tax adjustments.
HubSpot CRM (Free) in one paragraph
The best 'zero-dollar' database for small teams, provided you can live with their logo on your emails.
Skip it if: You need automated multi-step email sequences or want to remove vendor branding without spending hundreds per month.
Frequently asked questions
Who should skip Gusto?
You have a complex multi-state employee base and require a dedicated, 24/7 human account manager to handle manual tax adjustments.
Who should skip HubSpot CRM (Free)?
You need automated multi-step email sequences or want to remove vendor branding without spending hundreds per month.