Managing payroll and HR functions can often feel overwhelming, especially for growing businesses striving to balance efficiency with compliance. Both Gusto and QuickBooks have positioned themselves as reliable solutions to these challenges, offering specialized features that simplify payroll processing, tax management, and employee benefits.
Gusto stands out with its user-friendly platform that integrates HR tools, payroll, and benefits, catering to businesses aiming for comprehensive workforce management. On the other hand, QuickBooks, a leader in accounting software, extends its expertise to payroll services, providing tools tailored to meet financial and operational needs.
This blog will compare Gusto and QuickBooks, focusing on their unique features, advantages, and how they cater to the needs of HR professionals and businesses. Let's dive into the details.
Gusto Vs. QuickBooks – At A Glance
Features
Gusto
QuickBooks
Payroll Management
Comprehensive payroll solution with automated tax filing, direct deposit, and benefits integration
Strong payroll features with automated tax calculations, same-day deposits, and HR support via Mineral
Time Tracking
Integrated time tracking with clock-in/out, PTO requests, and payroll syncing
Advanced time tracking with GPS tracking, geofencing, and mobile accessibility for the remote workforces
Ease-of-Use
Simplifies HR tasks with an intuitive interface and step-by-step guidance
User-friendly with seamless accounting and payroll integrations
Integrations
Integrates with tools like Xero, FreshBooks, AttendanceBot, and Expensify
Offers 750+ integrations, including Jibble, Maestro, and Connecteam, streamlining time tracking, contractor management, and HR tasks
Price
Starts at $40/month + $6/person
Payroll plans start at $85/month +$6/person
What Is Gusto?
Gusto HR software is a comprehensive cloud-based platform that simplifies payroll, benefits administration, and human resource (HR) management for businesses. Designed to streamline HR processes, Gusto offers features such as automated payroll processing, employee onboarding, benefits management, and compliance assistance. Its user-friendly interface and integrated tools make it a preferred choice for businesses aiming to efficiently manage their workforce.
Gusto serves a diverse range of businesses, from startups to mid-sized companies, across various industries, including technology, retail, healthcare, and professional services. Its scalable solutions cater to organizations seeking to enhance their HR operations and employee experience.
Unique Features Of Gusto
Talent Management: Gusto's talent management suite offers functionalities such as performance reviews, progress tracking, and employee development tools, all designed to foster a positive workplace culture
Hiring And Onboarding: Gusto's hiring and onboarding tools streamline the recruitment process with features like public job postings, personalized offer letters, customizable onboarding checklists, and software provisioning, ensuring a smooth experience for new hires
Gusto Global: Gusto Global enables businesses to hire, pay, and manage international contractors and employees, unifying U.S. and global teams within a single system
Gusto Pros And Cons
Pros:
Users appreciate its versatility
Exemplary customer support
Top-notch payroll processing
Cons:
The FSA platform can be improved
Quick session timeouts limit access
What Is QuickBooks?
QuickBooks is an all-in-one accounting software suite developed by Intuit, designed to assist businesses in managing their financial operations smoothly. It offers a range of specialized solutions, including accounting, payroll, payments, and time tracking, tailored to meet the diverse needs of small to mid-sized businesses.
Serving a broad spectrum of industries—including retail, construction, professional services, and nonprofits—QuickBooks provides scalable solutions that adapt to the changing requirements of growing businesses. Its user-friendly interface and integration capabilities make it a preferred choice for organizations seeking to augment their financial management processes.
Unique Features Of QuickBooks
Accounting Capabilities: QuickBooks simplifies HR financial tasks with tools for tracking payroll expenses, managing cash flow, and generating workforce-related financial reports
Automated Bookkeeping: QuickBooks streamlines HR finances by automating payroll expense tracking, categorizing transactions, and managing recurring employee payments through connections with over 24,000 financial institutions
Employee Benefits Management: QuickBooks supports HR teams by offering benefits management tools, such as health insurance and retirement plans. These features are integrated into the payroll system, ensuring deductions and contributions are processed correctly
QuickBooks Pros And Cons
Pros:
Reports are easy to produce
Classifying transactions is simple
Accessible anywhere via cloud
Cons:
Requires a stable internet connection
Occasional syncing issues
Gusto Vs. QuickBooks – Key Features Comparison
Payroll
Gusto offers a solid payroll solution designed to simplify the payroll process for businesses. Its platform provides features such as automated payroll runs, tax filings, and direct deposit, ensuring timely and accurate employee payments. Gusto also integrates with various benefits and HR tools, allowing businesses to manage health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers' compensation within the same system.
Additionally, Gusto enables staff to access pay stubs and store employee 1-9s and W-2s online, enhancing overall payroll management.
Although QuickBooks is primarily an accounting software, it also offers a strong HR and payroll service that integrates seamlessly with its accounting features, providing businesses with a unified financial management system. Key features include automated tax calculations, filings, and same-day direct deposits. QuickBooks Payroll also offers time tracking integration, allowing businesses to monitor employee hours and manage timesheets efficiently.
Furthermore, the platform provides access to HR support via Mineral, including resources on compliance and hiring best practices, assisting businesses in managing their workforce effectively.
Winner: Gusto takes the lead with its dedicated payroll solution that seamlessly integrates HR and benefits management, providing a more holistic approach for businesses.
Time-Tracking
Gusto's time-tracking feature is designed to smoothen the management of employee hours and attendance. Integrated directly into the Gusto platform, it allows employees to clock in and out, request time off, and view their schedules through a user-friendly interface. This fluid integration ensures that tracked hours are automatically synced with payroll, reducing manual data entry and errors.
Additionally, Gusto's time-tracking tools support compliance by maintaining accurate records and providing real-time reporting capabilities, aiding businesses in efficient workforce management.
QuickBooks offers an extensive time-tracking solution that caters to businesses of various sizes. Accessible via mobile devices and desktops, it enables employees to log their hours, track project time, and submit timesheets from anywhere. The platform includes features such as GPS tracking, which allows employers to monitor the location of their mobile workforce, and geofencing, which sends reminders to employees to clock in or out when they enter or leave a job site. QuickBooks Time integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks Payroll, facilitating payroll processing and accurate invoicing.
Winner: QuickBooks edges ahead with its mobile capabilities and advanced project time tracking features, making it ideal for businesses requiring detailed time management across various locations.
Ease Of Use
Gusto is designed with simplicity in mind, offering an intuitive interface that allows HR professionals and business owners to navigate payroll, benefits, and compliance tasks with ease. Its clean layout and step-by-step guidance simplify complex HR processes, making it accessible even for those without extensive technical knowledge.
QuickBooks also offers a user-friendly experience, especially for businesses already familiar with Intuit's suite of tools. Its integration of accounting and payroll functions provides a seamless workflow for financial management. However, the depth of its features may require a learning curve for those new to accounting systems, particularly when managing advanced functionalities.
Winner: Gusto emerges as the winner with its straightforward, intuitive interface, making it more accessible for users without technical expertise.
Integrations
Gusto integrates with a wide array of tools across different categories, including accounting, time tracking, expense management, and more. Notable integrations include accounting platforms like Xero and FreshBooks, time-tracking tools such as AttendanceBot, and expense management solutions like Expensify. These integrations allow businesses to synchronize payroll data seamlessly, streamline HR processes, and reduce manual data entry.
QuickBooks integrates with a variety of apps to streamline business operations, including Jibble and MinuteDock for time tracking, Maestro for contractor management, and SaasAnt for bulk data imports. It also connects with tools like Connecteam and Timesheets.com for scheduling and HR, while Deel and PaySpace support global payroll and HR tasks. These integrations enhance the software's overall functionality.
Winner: QuickBooks takes the lead with its extensive range of over 750 integrations, catering to a broader spectrum of business needs beyond payroll and HR.
Price
Gusto provides three primary plans. The Simple plan is priced at $40 per month plus $6 per person, the Plus plan costs $80 per month plus $12 per person, and the Premium plan is priced at $120 per month plus $12 per person.
QuickBooks offers three distinct payroll-focused plans: the Payroll Core + Simple Start plan at $85 per month plus $6 per employee, the Payroll Core + Essentials plan at $115 per month plus $6 per employee and includes up to three users, and the Payroll Premium + Plus plan at $184 per month plus $9 per employee and includes up to five users.
Winner: Gusto wins with its straightforward pricing structure designed specifically for payroll and HR management, making it an effective solution for businesses focused on these needs.
Here's The Bottom Line
Choosing the right software for your business depends on your specific needs. Gusto excels as a dedicated payroll and employee onboarding solution, offering an intuitive interface, solid integrations, and tools designed for workforce management. Its straightforward pricing structure further simplifies decision-making for businesses focusing on HR and payroll efficiency.
On the other hand, QuickBooks is a versatile platform that combines strong accounting capabilities with payroll services, making it an excellent choice for businesses that prioritize financial management. Its extensive integrations and advanced time-tracking features cater to diverse operational requirements, especially for businesses managing e-commerce or remote teams.
Ultimately, both platforms bring unique strengths to the table. Businesses seeking a payroll-centric solution may lean toward Gusto, while those requiring comprehensive financial management might find QuickBooks a better fit.
