Gusto vs QuickBooks Online2026
Gusto
HR & People Ops
Full-service payroll, HR, and benefits platform built for small and growing US businesses.
QuickBooks Online
Accounting & Finance
The world's most widely used small business accounting software for bookkeeping, payroll, and tax.
Our Verdict
QuickBooks Online is the more affordable option.
Choose Gusto if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Choose QuickBooks Online if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Side-by-Side Comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | Gusto | QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting price | $46/mo | $35/mo |
| Free tier | ||
| Free trial | 30 days | |
| Ratings & Reviews | ||
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Best for | small to mid-sized businesses | small to mid-sized businesses |
| Tracked features | 9 | 12 |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2011 | 1992 |
| Verified listing | ||
Pricing
Gusto
SubscriptionQuickBooks Online
SubscriptionGusto
$46/moQuickBooks Online
$35/moGusto
QuickBooks Online
Gusto
QuickBooks Online
30 daysRatings & Reviews
Gusto
No reviews yetQuickBooks Online
No reviews yetFeatures & Capabilities
Gusto
small to mid-sized businessesQuickBooks Online
small to mid-sized businessesGusto
9QuickBooks Online
12Company
Gusto
2011QuickBooks Online
1992Gusto
QuickBooks Online
Key Differences
Gusto
$46/mo
QuickBooks Online
✓$35/mo
Gusto
Not available
QuickBooks Online
✓30 days
Gusto
9 tracked features
QuickBooks Online
✓12 tracked features
Gusto is best for…
Strengths
- Automatic payroll tax filing
- Health benefits brokerage built in
- Excellent employee self-service
- Easy onboarding
QuickBooks Online is best for…
Strengths
- Industry standard — every accountant knows it
- Most comprehensive feature set
- 750+ integrations
- Strong inventory management
Pricing Comparison
Gusto
From $46/mo
Simple plan from $46/month plus $6/person/month.
QuickBooks Online
From $35/mo
Simple Start from $35/month. Frequent discounts for new customers.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates and plan details.
Feature Comparison
Only in Gusto
- Benefits Administration
- Employee Onboarding
- PTO Management
- Direct Deposit
- Contractor Payments
- Employee Directory
Both tools
- Payroll Processing
- Automatic Tax Filing
- API Access
Only in QuickBooks Online
- Invoicing
- Expense Tracking
- Bank Reconciliation
- Financial Reporting
- Inventory Management
- Multi-Currency Support
- Double-Entry Bookkeeping
- Accounts Payable
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between Gusto and QuickBooks Online?
- QuickBooks Online is the more affordable option. Choose Gusto if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage. Choose QuickBooks Online if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage.
- Is Gusto cheaper than QuickBooks Online?
- QuickBooks Online is cheaper at From $35/mo vs From $46/mo. Note that pricing tiers vary — check each vendor's current pricing page for up-to-date details.
- Can I switch from Gusto to QuickBooks Online?
- Yes — most teams can migrate from Gusto to QuickBooks Online with a data export/import process. Check whether both tools support CSV or API data export before starting. QuickBooks Online offers a free trial, so you can test it before cancelling Gusto.
- Does Gusto or QuickBooks Online offer a free trial?
- QuickBooks Online offers a free trial of 30 days. Gusto does not currently offer a free trial.