Gusto vs Toast POS: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Gusto and Toast POS — 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 7.6/10).
| Scored on | Gusto | Toast POS |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 9 | 9 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 8 |
| Fees & pricing | 7 | 6 |
| Customer support | 6 | 6 |
| Features | 9 | 9 |
| Simple Base Fee | $40/mo | — |
| Simple Per-Person | $6/mo | — |
| Plus Base Fee | $80/mo | — |
| Contractor Only Base | $35/mo | — |
| Starter Software Fee | — | $0/mo |
| Standard Software Fee | — | $165/mo |
| Payment Processing | — | Varies by quote |
| Hardware Starter Kit | — | From $0 + higher rates |
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.
Toast POS in one paragraph
Toast is the industry standard for a reason, offering the best-in-class workflow for staff despite its high-cost, locked-in processing ecosystem.
Skip it if: Skip it if you are a low-volume business or want the freedom to shop for the cheapest payment processing rates.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Gusto or Toast POS?
On our five-axis scorecard, Gusto scores higher (7.9/10 vs 7.6/10). 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 Toast POS?
Skip it if you are a low-volume business or want the freedom to shop for the cheapest payment processing rates.