Gusto vs Lever: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Gusto and Lever side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Lever leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Gusto
Modern HR, benefits, and payroll
Best for you if:
- • You want easy payroll
Lever
All-in-one talent acquisition to build equitable hiring
Best for you if:
- • You want combined ATS+CRM
| At a Glance | Gusto | Lever |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $49/mo, billed monthly Simple plan | Not published |
Category | HR & Recruiting Payroll | HR & Recruiting ATS |
Rating | 3.5/5 G2 4.6 · Trustpilot 2.1 15,084 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.3 · Capterra 4.6 2,778 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | Potential for additional HR add-ons | Add-ons are quoted separately |
Choose Gusto or Lever?
Choose Gusto if
- You want easy payroll
- You want great onboarding
Choose Lever if
- You want combined ATS+CRM
- You want great UX
In-Depth Analysis
Gusto
Modern HR, benefits, and payroll
Gusto's pricing is generally fair, especially for small to medium-sized businesses.
Watch out
Potential for additional HR add-ons
Strengths
- Pro: Easy payroll
- Pro: Great onboarding
- Pro: Affordable
Weaknesses
- Con: US only
- Con: Limited enterprise features
Key features
Lever
All-in-one talent acquisition to build equitable hiring
Lever does not publish prices: its pricing page says pricing is available on request and asks for a custom quote.
Watch out
Add-ons are quoted separately
Strengths
- Pro: Combined ATS+CRM
- Pro: Great UX
- Pro: Strong integrations
Weaknesses
- Con: Enterprise pricing
- Con: No public pricing
Key features
Plans and prices: Gusto vs Lever
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto |
| gusto.com read Sep 30, 2026 |
| Lever |
| lever.co/pricing read Oct 31, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Gusto pricing and Lever pricing.
Key Takeaways
Gusto
- Choose if you want modern HR, benefits, and payroll
Lever
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 3.5/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Lever leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Lever has the higher user rating (3.5/5 from 15,084 reviews for Gusto, 4.4/5 from 2,778 reviews for Lever).
- Gusto starts at $49/mo, billed monthly; Lever has no public paid plan price on file.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Gusto and Lever compare in 2026?
On the data below, Lever leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Lever has the higher user rating (3.5/5 from 15,084 reviews for Gusto, 4.4/5 from 2,778 reviews for Lever). Gusto starts at $49/mo, billed monthly; Lever has no public paid plan price on file.
What are Gusto and Lever used for?
Gusto: Modern HR, benefits, and payroll. Lever: All-in-one talent acquisition to build equitable hiring.
What does Gusto cost vs Lever?
Gusto's cheapest paid plan is Simple at $49/mo, billed monthly. Lever has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.
What's the main difference between Gusto and Lever?
Gusto's main strength: easy payroll. Lever's main strength: combined ATS+CRM.