Gusto vs Paylocity: HR & Payroll Comparison (2026)
Gusto offers transparent pricing starting at $35/month and focuses on payroll features like unlimited payrolls, 4-day pay, and next-day pay, with dedicated service advisors available on some plans. Paylocity does not publicly list its pricing and offers a broader suite of HR features including global payroll support, automated time and attendance, and AI-powered touchless invoice capture. Gusto provides integrations with accounting and time tracking software such as QuickBooks and Xero, while Paylocity integrates with HR solutions, finance tools, IT platforms, and offers APIs for custom integrations.
AI Citation Scorecard
How often each is cited by major AI engines when buyers ask hr & payroll questions. Last 90 days across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot.
Probes run hourly; each (engine × query) combo retests every ~3 days.
Pricing
Key Features
- ✓Domestic contractor payments
- ✓4 day pay
- ✓Form 1099 creation
- ✓Single-state payroll
- ✓Unlimited payrolls
- ✓Next-day pay
- ✓Dedicated Service Advisor
- ✓Custom reports
- ✓Automated payroll workflows
- ✓Global payroll support for 100+ countries
- ✓24/7 access through self-service portal
- ✓Automated time and attendance tracking
- ✓Social collaboration hub with chat features
- ✓Real-time access auditing and controls
- ✓AI-powered touchless invoice capture
- ✓Centralized candidate communication
When to choose Gusto
Gusto is suitable for businesses seeking transparent pricing and core payroll functionalities with features like next-day pay, unlimited payroll runs, and 1099 creation. It includes integrations with popular accounting and time management tools.
When to choose Paylocity
Paylocity is suitable for organizations requiring a comprehensive HR and payroll platform with global capabilities for over 100 countries, 24/7 self-service access, and AI-powered features. It offers a wide range of integrations across HR, finance, and IT systems.