Selecting the right human resource (HR) software is akin to building a strong foundation for your business operations. It’s a decision that impacts every aspect of workforce management, from recruitment to retirement. However, it can be challenging to find a platform that meets your company’s unique needs, scales with your business, and comes with advanced functionality. 

Gusto HR software and Insperity are two popular names in the HR industry that check all these boxes. Trusted by industry leaders, these platforms automate core HR tasks and help businesses manage their workforce effectively. Find out which software is better out of the two in this comprehensive Gusto vs Insperity guide: 

Gusto Vs Insperity At A Glance

Feature 

Gusto 

Insperity 

Payroll 

Automates payroll with tax calculations, direct deposits, and global team support 

Streamlines payroll with tax filings, compliance, and support for multi-state employees 

Employee Benefits 

Offers health insurance, 401(k)s, and commuter benefits with payroll integration 

Provides health plans, retirement options, and compliance support for tailored packages 

Talent Management 

Includes performance reviews, goal tracking, and workforce insights 

Features tools for hiring, development plans, and performance alignment 

Time And Attendance 

Tracks time, PTO, and schedules with payroll syncing and easy approvals 

Provides real-time attendance tracking with error reduction and visibility 

Reporting 

Delivers insights on payroll, benefits, and compliance with customizable reports 

Offers detailed reports on payroll, benefits, and trends for resource planning 

What Is Gusto?

Gusto is a cloud-based platform with a user-friendly interface that allows businesses to automate tasks such as payroll processing, tax filings, and employee benefits administration. By leveraging advanced technology, the software helps reduce the time and complexity associated with managing employee-related processes. 

Its integration with various third-party applications and systems, including ApplicantPro, Engagedly, Traliant, and Slack Software, further enhances its functionality. Starting from $40/month + $6/employee/month, Gusto offers three different pricing plans catering to companies with diverse requirements. 

Unique Features Of Gusto 

  • Hiring: Gusto offers tools to create and share job offers digitally. Using this feature, employers can generate professional offer letters using customizable templates and track the status of offers directly within the platform
  • Onboarding: Gusto’s onboarding tools make it easier to welcome and set up new employees. The platform allows new hires to complete essential paperwork, such as tax forms and direct deposit information, online before their first day

Who Are The Main Users Of Gusto? 

Gusto is suitable for single users and small to mid-sized organizations operating in different industries and sectors, including: 

  • Real estate 
  • Retail 
  • Healthcare 
  • Construction 
  • Manufacturing 

Pros And Cons Of Gusto 

Pros 

  • Offers an intuitive dashboard, making it easy to use even for non-tech-savvy users
  • Guided implementation makes the onboarding process smooth and hassle-free
  • Responsive and knowledgeable customer support representatives

Cons 

  • May not cater to the complex requirements of large enterprises
  • The geofencing feature often glitches

What Is Insperity?

Insperity combines technology with professional HR services, providing tools for payroll processing, benefits administration, compliance management, and employee development. The platform offers an integrated suite of features, including time tracking, performance management, and employee training, all accessible through a centralized dashboard. 

It is particularly well-suited for small and medium-sized businesses that may lack the resources for a full in-house HR team. Furthermore, the software also offers a feature-rich HCM plus HR technology suite suitable for bigger companies that require enhanced functionality. 

Unique Features Of Insperity 

  • Professional HR Support And Consulting: The software offers tailored HR support through a team of certified HR specialists and consultants. These professionals offer guidance on complex HR issues such as compliance, employee relations, and HR strategy.
  • Workforce Management Technology: Insperity’s advanced human capital management (HCM) platform integrates essential HR functionalities into one user-friendly system. This technology aids in automating tasks like payroll, benefits administration, and employee data management.

Who Are The Main Users Of Insperity? 

Insperity caters to the unique requirements of companies operating in the following industries and sectors: 

  • Information technology (IT) 
  • Manufacturing 
  • Non-profit 
  • Management consulting services 
  • Construction 
  • Healthcare 
  • Retail and wholesale 

Pros And Cons Of Insperity 

Pros 

  • Offers handy training resources for employees
  • Has a fully functional mobile app
  • Offers all the required information at a glance through a centralized dashboard

Cons 

  • Users are required to answer security questions every time they log in, which can be inconvenient
  • Customer support time is inconsistent

Gusto Vs Insperity – Key Features Comparison

Payroll 

Gusto’s payroll system handles everything from calculating wages and taxes to direct deposits, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws. The software also accommodates multiple payment schedules and methods, such as checks or digital payments.

Furthermore, Gusto provides features for managing garnishments and integrates seamlessly with accounting tools like QuickBooks to simplify bookkeeping. Employees can access pay stubs and tax forms through a secure online portal, making payroll management efficient and transparent. It particularly stands out for its support for global teams, making it easier for companies to hire and manage employees beyond their geographical boundaries.

Insperity offers an advanced payroll system to streamline wage management with automated calculations and processing. Payroll processing includes handling direct deposits, tax filings, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Additionally, Insperity offers a self-service portal that enables employees to access their pay stubs, W-2 forms, and other relevant documents conveniently.

Another standout feature is Insperity’s ability to manage complex payroll scenarios, such as multi-state employees and garnishments. Furthermore, the platform integrates seamlessly with various accounting software, eliminating manual data entry and reducing the potential for errors.

Winner: While both Gusto and Insperity boast robust payroll processing capabilities, the former takes the lead as it offers support to companies with global teams.

Employee Benefits 

Gusto’s offers a comprehensive suite of employee benefits designed to attract and retain talent. It enables employers to manage health insurance plans, retirement options like 401(k)s, commuter benefits, and more directly within the platform. The system provides tailored recommendations based on company size and location, simplifying the selection process.

Additionally, employees can compare and choose benefits through a user-friendly interface. Gusto's integration with payroll ensures benefits deductions are automatically calculated, reducing administrative overhead.

Like Gusto, Insperity also offers an extensive range of employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement savings plans, and employee assistance programs. These benefits are provided through collaborations with leading insurance and benefits providers.

To simplify the process for employers, Insperity manages the administrative aspects of benefits, including enrollments, renewals, and regulatory compliance. Businesses can offer tailored benefits packages, such as 401(k) retirement plans, that align with employees' financial goals and long-term security.

Winner: While both Gusto's employee benefits platform stands out due to its tailored recommendations based on company size and location, which simplify the selection process.

Talent Management 

Gusto’s talent management tools focus on employee development and engagement. The platform supports performance reviews, goal tracking, and feedback management, helping teams align with business objectives.

It also provides insights into workforce trends, enabling data-driven decisions about promotions, training, and retention strategies.

Insperity’s talent management solutions are designed to optimize workforce performance through recruitment, development, and retention strategies. The platform offers tools for crafting job descriptions, posting openings, and evaluating candidates, making the hiring process efficient and effective.

Once onboarded, employees can benefit from personalized development plans and performance management systems that align their goals with organizational objectives.

Winner: Insperity edges out Gusto in talent management due to its comprehensive tools that span the entire recruitment and retention lifecycle. Gusto focuses more on employee development and engagement, which is valuable but less extensive than Insperity’s holistic approach to optimizing workforce performance.

Time And Attendance 

Gusto’s integrates time tracking and attendance management into its suite, making it easy to monitor hours worked, overtime, and time off. Employees can clock in and out using various devices, while managers can approve timesheets with just a few clicks.

The platform automatically syncs attendance data with payroll, reducing errors and saving time. Additionally, Gusto offers features for scheduling and PTO management, ensuring compliance with labor laws and providing full visibility into workforce availability.

Insperity simplifies time and attendance tracking with advanced tools that minimize manual entry and errors. Employees can clock in and out with ease, while managers gain real-time visibility into attendance records and labor costs.

Winner: Gusto wins for time and attendance due to its powerful integration of scheduling, PTO management, and labor law compliance within its time-tracking features.

Reporting 

The reporting features in Gusto offer actionable insights into business performance and workforce metrics. Customizable reports allow employers to track payroll expenses, benefits utilization, and labor costs across projects.

Additionally, Gusto provides compliance alerts and tax credit insights, helping businesses stay on top of regulatory changes while optimizing their finances. Employee surveys and feedback tools offer a way to gauge team sentiment, supporting data-driven improvements in workplace culture.

Insperity offers strong reporting capabilities that provide actionable insights into various aspects of business operations. From payroll and benefits to compliance and employee performance, the platform generates customizable reports that cater to specific business needs. These reports help employers identify trends, allocate resources effectively, and maintain transparency across the organization.

Winner: Gusto’s reporting capabilities stand out with its focus on actionable business insights, compliance alerts, and tax credit optimization.

Final Verdict – Which HR Software Takes The Lead?

Ultimately, the choice between Gusto and Insperity depends on your company’s specific size and needs. Gusto is a better option for small to mid-sized businesses seeking comprehensive and user-friendly HR functionality, though it may not scale as effectively for larger enterprises. Insperity, meanwhile, offers solutions tailored to companies of all sizes, providing a broader scope of services. However, Gusto holds a competitive edge in specific features, making it a strong contender for businesses prioritizing flexibility and ease of use. The final choice, ultimately, depends on your organization’s requirements.