Softwr

Software · head to head

Gusto vs Linearity Curve

Gusto logo

Gusto

Software

The people platform for small businesses

From
$49/month
Rated
-
Linearity Curve logo

Linearity Curve

Software

Professional vector design for Mac and iPad

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Linearity Curve has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Gusto customer service can be slow and unresponsive to issues; Linearity Curve limited to Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, iPhone) with no Windows or Linux support
  • They diverge on capability: Gusto covers Automated payroll, Linearity Curve covers Vector editing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gusto and Linearity Curve actually diverge.

Attributes where Gusto and Linearity Curve differ
AttributeGustoLinearity Curve
Starting price$49/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebMac, Ios
Founded20112017

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Gusto

  • Automated payroll
  • Tax filing
  • Benefits administration
  • Time tracking
  • Employee onboarding
  • HR compliance
  • Workers' comp
  • 401(k) management

Only in Linearity Curve

  • Vector editing
  • Auto Trace
  • Typography tools
  • Pen tool
  • iCloud sync
  • Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Sketch
  • Figma

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Gusto

  • Payroll processingnot Linearity Curve
  • Benefits administrationnot Linearity Curve
  • Tax compliancenot Linearity Curve
  • Employee onboardingnot Linearity Curve
  • Time trackingnot Linearity Curve

Linearity Curve

  • Vector illustrationnot Gusto
  • Logo designnot Gusto
  • UI designnot Gusto
  • Print designnot Gusto

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Gusto

  • Customer service can be slow and unresponsive to issues
  • Weak reporting capabilities, cannot export data to spreadsheets for analysis
  • Support staff lacks deep payroll expertise and knowledge
  • Rehired employees do not have settings reset, causing manual cleanup work
  • City tax handling requires additional monitoring and monitoring
  • Onboarding can have issues with bank account verification and tax registration

Linearity Curve

  • Limited to Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, iPhone) with no Windows or Linux support
  • Requires annual or monthly subscription for commercial use, unlike competitors offering lifetime purchase options
  • Free plan is severely limited to only 3 Curve files and 5GB storage

Pricing, plan by plan

Gusto

$49/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Gusto review.

Linearity Curve

Free
  • StarterFree
    • 50 lifetime credits
    • 3 Curve files
    • 5GB storage
  • Pro$11.99/month
    • 250 monthly credits
    • Unlimited files
    • 100GB storage
  • Business$65/month
    • 500 monthly credits
    • 500GB storage
    • Brand management

Which should you pick?

Choose Gusto if

  • You need automated payroll.
  • You also want tax filing.

Choose Linearity Curve if

  • You need vector editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac, Ios.
  • You also want auto trace.

Questions people ask

Is Gusto or Linearity Curve better?
Neither clearly leads. Gusto starts at $49/month and Linearity Curve at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Gusto or Linearity Curve?
Linearity Curve has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $49/month for Gusto and Free for Linearity Curve.
Does Gusto or Linearity Curve run on more platforms?
Gusto runs on Web. Linearity Curve runs on Mac, Ios.
Can I use Linearity Curve for free?
Yes. Linearity Curve has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Gusto starts at $49/month.
What is Gusto best used for?
Gusto is most often used for payroll processing, benefits administration, tax compliance, employee onboarding. Of those, payroll processing and benefits administration are not what Linearity Curve is typically brought in for.
What can Gusto do that Linearity Curve cannot?
Gusto covers Automated payroll, Tax filing, Benefits administration, Time tracking. Linearity Curve covers Vector editing, Auto Trace, Typography tools, Pen tool.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Gusto: What is Gusto's starting price?

Gusto starts at $49 per month plus $6 per person. The company also offers a Contractor-only plan for $35 per month plus $6 per contractor.

Source
Linearity Curve: Does Linearity Curve have a free plan?

Yes, Linearity offers a free Starter plan with 50 lifetime credits, 1 basic brand kit, and 5GB cloud storage. No credit card is required to access the free tier.

Source
Gusto: Does Gusto include unlimited payroll runs?

Yes, all Gusto plans include unlimited payroll runs at no extra charge, including off-cycle payrolls.

Source
Linearity Curve: Can I use Linearity Curve on multiple devices?

Yes, Linearity Curve is available on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, with real-time collaboration allowing teams to see changes instantly across devices.

Source
Gusto: What core features are included in Gusto?

All plans include payroll processing, tax administration, digital onboarding, benefits enrollment, time tracking, performance management, and next-day direct deposit for most plans.

Source
Linearity Curve: What file formats can I export from Linearity Curve?

Linearity Curve supports exporting to industry-standard formats including .ai, SVG, PDF, PNG, JPG, and TIFF, making it compatible with other design tools.

Source
Gusto: Does Gusto support integrations?

Yes, Gusto integrates with accounting software, applicant tracking systems, benefits providers, time-tracking tools, and other business platforms to reduce data entry.

Source
Linearity Curve: Does Linearity Curve have AI-powered vectorization?

Yes, Linearity Curve includes an Auto Trace feature with three modes (Sketch, Photography, Illustration) that uses AI to instantly vectorize images into editable paths. It also includes AI-powered background removal.

Source

Related pages

Other head to heads