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Software · head to head

Gusto vs TickTick

Gusto logo

Gusto

Software

The people platform for small businesses

From
$49/month
Rated
-
TickTick logo

TickTick

Software

Stay organized, stay creative

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only TickTick 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; TickTick recurring task options are limited compared to dedicated project management tools
  • They diverge on capability: Gusto covers Automated payroll, TickTick covers Task management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gusto and TickTick actually diverge.

Attributes where Gusto and TickTick differ
AttributeGustoTickTick
Starting price$49/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Mac, iOS, iPad, Android, Apple Watch, Windows
Founded20112013

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 TickTick

  • Task management
  • Calendar integration
  • Pomodoro timer
  • Habit tracking
  • Natural language input
  • Collaboration
  • Voice input
  • Location reminders

Both cover

  • Google Calendar
  • 2FA

What people use each for

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

Gusto

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

TickTick

  • Personal task managementnot Gusto
  • Team collaborationnot Gusto
  • Project planningnot Gusto
  • Habit trackingnot Gusto
  • Time managementnot 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

TickTick

  • Recurring task options are limited compared to dedicated project management tools
  • Reporting and analytics are minimal, providing little productivity trend visibility
  • Calendar sync can be slow and unreliable, sometimes causing sync issues across devices
  • API capabilities are basic, limiting direct integrations beyond Zapier and IFTTT
  • Habit tracking becomes less useful once routines are well-established

Pricing, plan by plan

Gusto

$49/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Gusto review.

TickTick

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 9 lists
    • Up to 99 tasks per list
    • Basic reminders
  • Premium$35.99/year
    • Up to 299 lists
    • Up to 999 tasks per list
    • Advanced collaboration for up to 30 members

Which should you pick?

Choose Gusto if

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

Choose TickTick if

  • You need task management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mac, iOS, iPad, Android, Apple Watch, Windows.
  • You also want calendar integration.

Questions people ask

Is Gusto or TickTick better?
Neither clearly leads. Gusto starts at $49/month and TickTick at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Gusto or TickTick?
TickTick has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $49/month for Gusto and Free for TickTick.
Does Gusto or TickTick run on more platforms?
Gusto runs on Web. TickTick runs on Web, Mac, iOS, iPad, Android, Apple Watch, Windows.
Can I use TickTick for free?
Yes. TickTick 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 TickTick is typically brought in for.
What can Gusto do that TickTick cannot?
Gusto covers Automated payroll, Tax filing, Benefits administration, Time tracking. TickTick covers Task management, Calendar integration, Pomodoro timer, Habit tracking. Both handle Google Calendar, 2FA.

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
TickTick: What is TickTick?

TickTick is a cross-platform task management and productivity app that combines to-do lists, calendar views, habit tracking, reminders, and a Pomodoro timer. It helps users organize personal and work tasks across 10+ platforms including Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, and web.

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
TickTick: What are TickTick's pricing options?

TickTick offers a permanent free plan and a premium plan at $35.99/year (listed price $49.99, currently discounted). The free plan includes up to 9 lists and basic features, while premium unlocks up to 299 lists, advanced collaboration for up to 30 members, and calendar subscriptions.

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
TickTick: Does TickTick have team features?

TickTick does not offer a dedicated team or family plan. Each user needs their own premium subscription. Premium users can share lists with up to 30 members for collaboration.

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
TickTick: What integrations does TickTick support?

TickTick supports integrations with 2,000+ apps through third-party platforms like Zapier, Make, n8n, and Integrately. It also supports calendar subscriptions with Google Calendar and Outlook, and has a basic OAuth API for developers.

Source
TickTick: Is TickTick available offline?

TickTick requires an internet connection for syncing across devices. Offline functionality depends on the platform, with some mobile apps offering limited offline access but requiring connectivity for full features.

Source

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