Gusto Vs. SurePayroll: Which Payroll Service Is Right for Your Business?

With a range of payroll services available, choosing the right one can be challenging. I’ve been using Gusto at my 20-person agency for quite a while, but I’ve also heard good things about SurePayroll. So let’s do a comparison. Gusto and SurePayroll both cater to small and medium-sized businesses, offering comprehensive payroll and HR solutions. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which would be a good fit for your business.

Overview of Gusto and SurePayroll

Gusto

Gusto is a robust payroll and HR platform designed for small and medium-sized businesses. Gusto’s interface is super-intuitive which is a huge plus for me. It’s also super easy for employees to do things like request days off and sign up for benefits. It also has great features for onboarding new employees, conducting reviews, and a bunch of other stuff. Gusto provides payroll processing, benefits administration, time tracking, and compliance tools. It’s particularly favored by startups, agencies, and growing businesses for its all-in-one HR capabilities. In other words, if you don’t have an HR person, Gusto can fill in some gaps.

SurePayroll

SurePayroll is a payroll service that primarily targets small businesses. Acquired by Paychex, SurePayroll focuses on simplifying payroll processing with features like tax filing, direct deposit, and employee self-service. It’s especially popular among businesses seeking a straightforward and affordable payroll solution.

Pricing

Gusto

• Starts at $40/month + $6 per employee.

• Offers multiple plans (Basic, Plus, and Premium) with varying features.

• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.

SurePayroll

• Starts at $19.99/month + $4 per employee for self-service.

• Full-service plans start around $29.99/month + $5 per employee.

• May charge additional fees for specific features like tax filing.

Ease of Use

Gusto

Gusto is well-known for its clean, user-friendly interface. Setting up payroll is straightforward, and the platform provides helpful prompts for tasks like onboarding new employees or integrating benefits.

SurePayroll

SurePayroll is slightly less modern in design but focuses on simplicity. It’s a good option for users who want a no-frills payroll system without diving into extensive HR tools.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Gusto

Strengths:

• Comprehensive HR features.

• Excellent for startups and growing businesses.

• Transparent pricing.

Weaknesses:

• More expensive for businesses with many employees.

• No dedicated mobile app.

SurePayroll

Strengths:

• Affordable for very small businesses.

• Offers a mobile app for employers.

• Simple and easy to use.

Weaknesses:

• Limited HR and benefits features.

• Add-on costs can increase the total price.

Which Payroll Service Is Right for You?

Choose Gusto if…

• You want an all-in-one solution that includes payroll, HR, and benefits.

• Your business is growing, and you need scalable tools.

• You value a modern, intuitive interface.

Choose SurePayroll if…

• You’re a small business looking for an affordable payroll solution.

• You don’t need extensive HR features.

• You prefer having access to a mobile app for payroll management.

Both Gusto and SurePayroll are excellent payroll services, but they cater to slightly different audiences. Gusto is ideal for businesses that want a comprehensive HR and payroll platform, while SurePayroll is a budget-friendly option for businesses focused solely on payroll. Evaluate your needs, consider your budget, and choose the service that aligns best with your business goals.

Let us know which one you pick!