Gusto vs Workday: 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 Workday side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Gusto leads on higher user rating; Workday leads on a free plan. 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
Workday
Comprehensive cloud HR and finance management for large enterprises
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Gusto | Workday |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $49/mo, billed monthly Simple plan | Free plan |
Category | HR & Recruiting Payroll | HR & Recruiting Accounting |
Rating | 3.5/5 G2 4.6 · Trustpilot 2.1 15,084 reviews | 2.7/5 G2 4.1 · Trustpilot 1.0 2,205 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | Potential for additional HR add-ons | Potential for module-specific add-ons |
Choose Gusto or Workday?
Choose Gusto if
- You want easy payroll
- You want great onboarding
Choose Workday if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want enterprise HR leader
- You want comprehensive features
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
Workday
Comprehensive cloud HR and finance management for large enterprises
Workday's pricing is custom and enterprise-focused, making it inherently expensive for smaller organizations.
Watch out
Potential for module-specific add-ons
Strengths
- Pro: Enterprise HR leader
- Pro: Comprehensive features
- Pro: Good analytics
- Pro: Financial integration
- Pro: Industry standard
Weaknesses
- Con: Very expensive
- Con: Complex implementation
- Con: Steep learning curve
- Con: Overkill for SMBs
- Con: Long sales cycle
Key features
Plans and prices: Gusto vs Workday
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto |
| gusto.com read Sep 30, 2026 |
| Workday |
| workday.com read Oct 6, 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 Workday pricing.
Key Takeaways
Gusto
- Higher user rating: 3.5/5 vs 2.7/5
Workday
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Gusto leads on higher user rating; Workday leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Gusto has the higher user rating (3.5/5 from 15,084 reviews for Gusto, 2.7/5 from 2,205 reviews for Workday).
- Gusto starts at $49/mo, billed monthly; Workday has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Workday has a free plan.
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 Workday compare in 2026?
On the data below, Gusto leads on higher user rating; Workday leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Gusto has the higher user rating (3.5/5 from 15,084 reviews for Gusto, 2.7/5 from 2,205 reviews for Workday). Gusto starts at $49/mo, billed monthly; Workday has no public paid plan price on file. Only Workday has a free plan.
What are Gusto and Workday used for?
Gusto: Modern HR, benefits, and payroll. Workday: Comprehensive cloud HR and finance management for large enterprises.
What does Gusto cost vs Workday?
Gusto's cheapest paid plan is Simple at $49/mo, billed monthly. Workday has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 6, 2026.
What's the main difference between Gusto and Workday?
Gusto's main strength: easy payroll. Workday's main strength: enterprise HR leader.