Gusto vs Paylocity: Pricing Comparison (2026)
Gusto starts at $49/mo. Paylocity starts at $4/mo. Paylocity is $45/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Gusto.
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.
Mid-market cloud HCM (Human Capital Management) platform focused on 50-1,000 employee businesses, founded 1997. Positioned as the modern, culture-first alternative to ADP Workforce Now for mid-market companies that want a single system for payroll + HR + talent + engagement. Distinctive for its Community feature (internal social network) + video employee training + mobile-first workforce experience. Priced quote-based (~$4-$15/employee/mo reference) across Payroll / HCM Bundle / Premium HCM tiers. Publicly traded NASDAQ: PCTY, $12B market cap. Serves 40K+ customers primarily in US.
All plans compared
| # | Plan | Gusto monthly | Gusto annual | Paylocity monthly | Paylocity annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simple / Payroll & Tax | 49 | 49 | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | Plus / HCM Bundle | 80 | 80 | 8 | 8 |
| 3 | Premium / Premium HCM | 180 | 180 | 15 | 15 |
What each is best for
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.
Mid-market cloud HCM (Human Capital Management) platform focused on 50-1,000 employee businesses, founded 1997. Positioned as the modern, culture-first alternative to ADP Workforce Now for mid-market companies that want a single system for payroll + HR + talent + engagement. Distinctive for its Community feature (internal social network) + video employee training + mobile-first workforce experience. Priced quote-based (~$4-$15/employee/mo reference) across Payroll / HCM Bundle / Premium HCM tiers. Publicly traded NASDAQ: PCTY, $12B market cap. Serves 40K+ customers primarily in US.
At a glance
| Gusto | Paylocity | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | — |
| Entry price | $49/mo | $4/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Hybrid | — |
| Last verified | July 29, 2026 | August 12, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified August 12, 2026. Tracked daily.