Gusto vs Namely: 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 Namely side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Namely leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. 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
Namely
All-in-one HCM platform, payroll, and managed services for modern workforces.
| At a Glance | Gusto | Namely |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $49/mo, billed monthly Simple plan | From $9/user/mo, billed monthly Namely Now plan |
Category | HR & Recruiting Payroll | HR & Recruiting Payroll |
Rating | 3.5/5 G2 4.6 · Trustpilot 2.1 15,084 reviews | 4.1/5 Capterra 4.2 · G2 3.9 774 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | Potential for additional HR add-ons | Add-on modules not included. |
Choose Gusto or Namely?
Choose Gusto if
- You need HR & recruiting features specifically.
Choose Namely if
- Budget matters ($9/user/mo, billed monthly vs $49/mo, billed monthly)
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
Namely
All-in-one HCM platform, payroll, and managed services for modern workforces.
Namely's pricing structure, starting at $9/user/month for 'Namely Now', appears competitive for small businesses seeking basic HCM with payroll.
Watch out
Add-on modules not included.
Strengths
- Pro: HR platform
- Pro: Good for mid-size
- Pro: Payroll included
- Pro: Good UI
- Pro: Fair pricing
Weaknesses
- Con: Implementation effort
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Per-employee pricing
- Con: Feature gaps
- Con: Support varies
Key features
Plans and prices: Gusto vs Namely
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto |
| gusto.com read Sep 30, 2026 |
| Namely |
| namely.com/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 Namely pricing.
Key Takeaways
Gusto
- Worth considering for HR & recruiting
Namely
- Higher user rating: 4.1/5 vs 3.5/5
- Lower entry price: $9/user/mo, billed monthly vs $49/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, Namely leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Namely has the higher user rating (3.5/5 from 15,084 reviews for Gusto, 4.1/5 from 774 reviews for Namely).
- Namely has the lower entry price: $9/user/mo, billed monthly (Namely Now) against $49/mo, billed monthly (Simple) for Gusto.
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 Namely compare in 2026?
On the data below, Namely leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Namely has the higher user rating (3.5/5 from 15,084 reviews for Gusto, 4.1/5 from 774 reviews for Namely). Namely has the lower entry price: $9/user/mo, billed monthly (Namely Now) against $49/mo, billed monthly (Simple) for Gusto.
What are Gusto and Namely used for?
Gusto: Modern HR, benefits, and payroll. Namely: All-in-one HCM platform, payroll, and managed services for modern workforces.
What does Gusto cost vs Namely?
Gusto's cheapest paid plan is Simple at $49/mo, billed monthly. Namely's cheapest paid plan is Namely Now at $9/user/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.
What's the main difference between Gusto and Namely?
Gusto's main strength: easy payroll. Namely's main strength: HR platform.
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