Gusto vs Zenefits: 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 Zenefits side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Zenefits 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
Best for you if:
- • You want easy payroll
Zenefits
All-in-one HR platform for small businesses
Best for you if:
- • You want all-in-one platform
| At a Glance | Gusto | Zenefits |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $49/mo, billed monthly Simple plan | From $10/mo, billed monthly Essentials plan |
Category | HR & Recruiting Payroll | HR & Recruiting Payroll |
Rating | 3.5/5 G2 4.6 · Trustpilot 2.1 15,084 reviews | 4.0/5 G2 4.0 480 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | Potential for additional HR add-ons | Potential minimum employee count for plans |
Choose Gusto or Zenefits?
Choose Gusto if
- You want easy payroll
- You want great onboarding
Choose Zenefits if
- You want all-in-one platform
- You want modern, easy-to-use interface
- Budget matters ($10/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
Zenefits
All-in-one HR platform for small businesses
Zenefits offers a fair pricing structure, especially with the Growth plan at $20/employee/month providing significant value.
Watch out
Potential minimum employee count for plans
Strengths
- Pro: All-in-one platform
- Pro: Modern, easy-to-use interface
- Pro: Good for SMBs
- Pro: Strong benefits features
- Pro: Affordable base price
Weaknesses
- Con: Payroll is extra cost
- Con: Customer service issues reported
- Con: Less customizable
- Con: Benefits tied to their brokerage
Key features
Plans and prices: Gusto vs Zenefits
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto |
| gusto.com read Sep 30, 2026 |
| Zenefits |
| zenefits.com read Oct 3, 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 Zenefits pricing.
Key Takeaways
Gusto
- Choose if you want modern HR, benefits, and payroll
Zenefits
- Higher user rating: 4.0/5 vs 3.5/5
- Lower entry price: $10/mo, billed monthly vs $49/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, Zenefits leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Zenefits has the higher user rating (3.5/5 from 15,084 reviews for Gusto, 4.0/5 from 480 reviews for Zenefits).
- Zenefits has the lower entry price: $10/mo, billed monthly (Essentials) 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 Zenefits compare in 2026?
On the data below, Zenefits leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Zenefits has the higher user rating (3.5/5 from 15,084 reviews for Gusto, 4.0/5 from 480 reviews for Zenefits). Zenefits has the lower entry price: $10/mo, billed monthly (Essentials) against $49/mo, billed monthly (Simple) for Gusto.
What are Gusto and Zenefits used for?
Gusto: Modern HR, benefits, and payroll. Zenefits: All-in-one HR platform for small businesses.
What does Gusto cost vs Zenefits?
Gusto's cheapest paid plan is Simple at $49/mo, billed monthly. Zenefits's cheapest paid plan is Essentials at $10/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 3, 2026.
What's the main difference between Gusto and Zenefits?
Gusto's main strength: easy payroll. Zenefits's main strength: all-in-one platform.