Gusto vs QuickBooks Online: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Gusto and QuickBooks Online — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Gusto wins on our scorecard (7.9/10 vs 7.3/10).
| Scored on | Gusto | QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 9 | 9 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 7 |
| Fees & pricing | 7 | 6 |
| Customer support | 6 | 5 |
| Features | 9 | 9 |
| Simple Base Fee | $40/mo | — |
| Simple Per-Person | $6/mo | — |
| Plus Base Fee | $80/mo | — |
| Contractor Only Base | $35/mo | — |
| Simple Start Tier | — | $35/mo |
| Essentials Tier | — | $60/mo |
| Plus Tier | — | $90/mo |
| Advanced Tier | — | $200/mo |
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.
QuickBooks Online in one paragraph
The undisputed industry standard that justifies its high price through massive time savings and CPA compatibility.
Skip it if: You are a micro-business with fewer than 10 transactions a month and don't mind manual spreadsheets.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Gusto or QuickBooks Online?
On our five-axis scorecard, Gusto scores higher (7.9/10 vs 7.3/10). Gusto is the gold standard for small business payroll automation, trading high-touch human support for a near-perfect digital interface.
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 QuickBooks Online?
You are a micro-business with fewer than 10 transactions a month and don't mind manual spreadsheets.