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Gusto vs Malwarebytes

Gusto logo

Gusto

Software

The people platform for small businesses

From
$49/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Malwarebytes logo

Malwarebytes

Software

Protects every device, everywhere

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Malwarebytes 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; Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection
  • They diverge on capability: Gusto covers Automated payroll, Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gusto and Malwarebytes actually diverge.

Attributes where Gusto and Malwarebytes differ
AttributeGustoMalwarebytes
Starting price$49/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWindows, macOS, iOS, Android
Founded20112008

Identical on both: 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 Malwarebytes

  • Malware detection & removal
  • Ransomware protection
  • Real-time protection
  • Anti-exploit
  • Anti-phishing
  • Browser Guard
  • VPN
  • Brute Force Protection

What people use each for

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

Gusto

  • Payroll processingnot Malwarebytes
  • Benefits administrationnot Malwarebytes
  • Tax compliancenot Malwarebytes
  • Employee onboardingnot Malwarebytes
  • Time trackingnot Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes

  • Budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free versionnot Gusto
  • Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot Gusto
  • Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot 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

Malwarebytes

  • Free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection
  • Upgrade requires purchase of Malwarebytes Premium for automatic protection
  • Privacy VPN add-on requires separate subscription or bundle with Premium

Pricing, plan by plan

Gusto

$49/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Gusto review.

Malwarebytes

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Gusto if

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

Choose Malwarebytes if

  • You need malware detection & removal.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • You also want ransomware protection.
Malwarebytes review

Questions people ask

Is Gusto or Malwarebytes better?
Neither clearly leads. Gusto starts at $49/month and Malwarebytes at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Gusto or Malwarebytes?
Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $49/month for Gusto and Free for Malwarebytes.
Does Gusto or Malwarebytes run on more platforms?
Gusto runs on Web. Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use Malwarebytes for free?
Yes. Malwarebytes 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 Malwarebytes is typically brought in for.
What can Gusto do that Malwarebytes cannot?
Gusto covers Automated payroll, Tax filing, Benefits administration, Time tracking. Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit.

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
Gusto: Does Gusto include unlimited payroll runs?

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

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
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
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