Ashby vs Gusto — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
Ashby starts at $400/mo. Gusto starts at $49/mo. Gusto is $351/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Ashby.
How pricing works
These two tools don't price the same way, so the headline numbers below aren't directly comparable until you plug in your own volume.
- Ashby (Unknown model) — Ashby bills on a fixed plan from $400/mo, so the listed price is what you pay regardless of volume.
- Gusto (Hybrid) — Gusto is hybrid: a fixed subscription from $49/mo plus metered usage on top (Base fee + per employee). Your real bill moves with volume, not seat count.
Per-minute, per-credit and per-token rates exclude any downstream model, speech or telephony costs unless the vendor states otherwise.
Applicant tracking system (ATS) + recruiting analytics platform, valued $1.5B private. Positioned as the alternative to Greenhouse and Lever for high-growth companies that want serious hiring analytics without enterprise-only pricing. Distinctive for its data-first approach — every hiring pipeline metric is queryable + benchmark-comparable. Foundations from $400/mo ($360/mo annual = 10% off), covering up to 100 employees. Plus + Enterprise custom, typically $30K-120K+/yr. Popular with Series B-D tech companies.
US payroll + benefits platform positioned as the alternative to ADP and Paychex for SMBs (1-500 employees). Distinctive for its modern UX (unlike ADP's 1990s-era interface) and built-in benefits marketplace. Valued $9.6B private (2022). Priced $40/mo base + $6/employee (Simple) up to $80+$12 (Premium). Popular with US-based startups and SMBs — no international payroll (unlike Deel/Rippling). Direct competitor to Rippling in the US mid-market.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | Ashby monthly | Ashby annual | Gusto monthly | Gusto annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry paid | Foundations / Simple | $400 | $360 | $49 | $49 |
| Mid tier | — / Plus | — | — | $80 | $80 |
| Pro / power | — / Premium | — | — | $180 | $180 |
| Enterprise | Enterprise / — | Custom | Custom | — | — |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
Ashby is worth it if… high-growth companies (50-500 hires per year) that outgrew Greenhouse or Lever and need integrated ATS + sourcing + analytics + interviewer scheduling in one tool. Custom pricing scales with headcount and modules.
Gusto is worth it if… US-based SMBs (1-100 employees) that need payroll + benefits + basic HR in one tool without hiring a bookkeeper — particularly if you're incorporating and running payroll for the first time. Simple covers basic payroll; Plus adds hiring and next-day direct deposit; Premium adds compliance alerts and dedicated support.
Bottom line: Similar positioning, closer to a preference call than a strategic one.
Choose Ashby over Gusto if…
Choose Ashby if…
- You're comfortable with Ashby's from $400/mo entry point.
- You match the profile Ashby is built for: high-growth companies (50-500 hires per year) that outgrew Greenhouse or Lever and need integrated ATS + sourcing + analytics + interviewer scheduling in one tool.
- You're building for recruiting.
Choose Gusto if…
- You're fine with a base subscription plus metered usage on top (from $49/mo).
- You match the profile Gusto is built for: US-based SMBs (1-100 employees) that need payroll + benefits + basic HR in one tool without hiring a bookkeeper — particularly if you're incorporating and running payroll for the first time.
- You need a general-purpose hr & people option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| Ashby | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | No |
| Entry price | $400/mo | $49/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | — | Hybrid |
| Last verified | September 15, 2026 | September 11, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified September 15, 2026. Tracked daily.