Software · head to head
Paycom vs Gusto
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Paycom no public API and no transparent integration capabilities; Gusto customer service can be slow and unresponsive to issues
- They diverge on capability: Paycom covers Payroll, Gusto covers Automated payroll.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Paycom and Gusto actually diverge.
Identical on both: free tier (No), platforms (Web), 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 Paycom
- Payroll
- Time and Attendance
- HR Management
- Talent Acquisition
- Talent Management
- Learning Management
- Microsoft 365
- Google Workspace
Only in Gusto
- Automated payroll
- Tax filing
- Benefits administration
- Time tracking
- Employee onboarding
- HR compliance
- Workers' comp
- 401(k) management
Both cover
- Slack
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Paycom
- Payroll processing with employee self-verification through Betinot Gusto
- Time and attendance tracking with schedulingnot Gusto
- Talent acquisition and onboardingnot Gusto
- Benefits and compliance administrationnot Gusto
- Automated time-off decisions through GONEnot Gusto
Gusto
- Payroll processingnot Paycom
- Benefits administrationnot Paycom
- Tax compliancenot Paycom
- Employee onboardingnot Paycom
- Time trackingnot Paycom
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Paycom
- No public API and no transparent integration capabilities
- Limited integrations with third-party ATS, LMS, or performance tools
- Custom pricing makes cost forecasting difficult
- Proprietary system philosophy limits flexibility compared to more open platforms
- Does not support global payroll and benefits
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Paycom
On request- Standard$undefined/month
- Payroll
- Time and Labor
- HR Management
Gusto
$49/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Gusto review.
Which should you pick?
Questions people ask
- Is Paycom or Gusto better?
- Neither clearly leads. Paycom starts at On request and Gusto at $49/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Paycom or Gusto?
- Paycom starts at On request and Gusto at $49/month.
- Does Paycom or Gusto run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is Paycom best used for?
- Paycom is most often used for payroll processing with employee self-verification through beti, time and attendance tracking with scheduling, talent acquisition and onboarding, benefits and compliance administration. Of those, payroll processing with employee self-verification through beti and time and attendance tracking with scheduling are not what Gusto is typically brought in for.
- What can Paycom do that Gusto cannot?
- Paycom covers Payroll, Time and Attendance, HR Management, Talent Acquisition. Gusto covers Automated payroll, Tax filing, Benefits administration, Time tracking. Both handle Slack.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Paycom: Does Paycom offer a free trial?
No. Paycom does not offer a free trial. Pricing depends on company size and modules and requires a custom quote.
SourceGusto: 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.
SourcePaycom: Can Paycom integrate with third-party tools?
Paycom has no public API and fewer than 50 integrations. Paycom's philosophy is that you should use their built-in modules for everything. Custom integrations require commercial partnership approval.
SourceGusto: Does Gusto include unlimited payroll runs?
Yes, all Gusto plans include unlimited payroll runs at no extra charge, including off-cycle payrolls.
SourcePaycom: What are Paycom's core features?
Paycom is a single-database payroll and HR platform featuring custom reporting tools, org chart visualization, employee self-service portal, and a tax center dashboard for compliance management.
SourceGusto: 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.
SourceGusto: 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