Multi-country teams, businesses with complex HR workflows (succession planning, performance management), or anyone above 200 employees.
US-based small businesses with 1–75 employees that want a clean, modern payroll experience with no surprises.
Why we say this
Editorial pulled these weaknesses from Gusto’s product card in our Top 10 Payroll Software in 2026: A Buyer-First Comparison:
- ! No native global payroll, international employees require Gusto Global (powered by partners) at extra cost
- ! Reporting is shallow compared to Paycor or ADP; complex GL mapping requires workarounds
- ! Customer support quality has declined per recent G2 reviews; phone hold times of 20+ minutes reported in 2026
- ! Weak fit for companies above ~100 employees with multi-entity, multi-EIN structures
- ! Premium plan ($180 base) adds dedicated CSM and HR resource center but most features are available on Plus
If Gusto is wrong for you, consider these instead
Same Payroll Software category, different best-fit buyer.
Best for
Companies where compliance and reliability outweigh UX, regulated industries, multi-state operations, 100+ employees.
See full profile →Best for
US small businesses (1–50 employees) that want everything included with no surprise fees and dislike enterprise-style sales tactics.
See full profile →Best for
Venture-backed startups and small businesses (5–50 employees) that want premium benefits without HR overhead.
See full profile →Related editorial
Last updated 2026-05-06. Editorial verdict based on the published Top 10 Payroll Software in 2026: A Buyer-First Comparison ranking. Disagree? Tell us.