Gusto vs Sage HR: Pricing Comparison (2026)
Gusto starts at $49/mo. Sage HR starts at $5.5/mo. Sage HR is $43.5/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.
Sage HR (formerly CakeHR) is Sage's cloud HR platform for SMBs. Core HR ~$5.50/employee/mo; add-on modules (Leave, Performance, Timesheets, Shift Scheduling, Recruitment, Expenses) priced separately per employee. 30-day free trial. UK-headquartered.
All plans compared
| # | Plan | Gusto monthly | Gusto annual | Sage HR monthly | Sage HR annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simple / Core HR | 49 | 49 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 2 | Plus / + Leave Management | 80 | 80 | ~1.50 | ~1.50 |
| 3 | Premium / + Performance | 180 | 180 | ~3 | ~3 |
| 4 | + Recruitment / Timesheets / Shift Scheduling / Expenses | — | — | varies | varies |
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.
Sage HR (formerly CakeHR) is Sage's cloud HR platform for SMBs. Core HR ~$5.50/employee/mo; add-on modules (Leave, Performance, Timesheets, Shift Scheduling, Recruitment, Expenses) priced separately per employee. 30-day free trial. UK-headquartered.
At a glance
| Gusto | Sage HR | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | — |
| Entry price | $49/mo | $5.5/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Hybrid | Per Seat |
| Last verified | August 15, 2026 | August 18, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified August 18, 2026. Tracked daily.