GustovsZenefits
Score Comparison
Signals Comparison
Gusto
- Customer support extremely slow - takes days to weeks for replies(9/10)
- Support staff cannot answer questions or transfer to someone who can(8/10)
- Support tickets disappear and online tickets not taken(8/10)
Zenefits
- Customer support wait times of 45 minutes to 3+ hours(9/10)
- No phone support - everything through email tickets(8/10)
- Only 30 days access to data after cancellation(7/10)
Gusto
- Payroll errors and missing payments to employees(10/10)
- Tax filing errors and incorrect EIN handling(9/10)
- Unexpected withdrawals and billing errors(8/10)
Zenefits
- Payroll processing errors causing employees to miss paychecks(10/10)
- Tax filing errors and delayed submissions(9/10)
- Benefits enrollment glitches auto-enrolling wrong plans(9/10)
- HSA contribution mishandling through required bank(9/10)
Gusto
- Making corrections is nearly impossible(8/10)
- Off-cycle payroll breaks overtime calculations(7/10)
- Employee UI is clunky and software becomes sluggish(5/10)
Zenefits
- Significant learning curve and 40+ hour setup time(6/10)
- Repeated login requirements despite remember device(4/10)
Gusto
- Constant price increases - Simple plan jumped from $40 to $49(7/10)
- Charged full month fee even when canceling without running payroll(6/10)
- Expensive for growing teams - costs escalate quickly(6/10)
Zenefits
- Add-on fees for payroll, benefits admin, and HR advisory(7/10)
- TriNet acquisition forcing expensive PEO/ASO plans(8/10)
- Charged for more employees than actually employed(7/10)
Gusto
- Difficult to customize employee withholdings(5/10)
Zenefits
No signals
Gusto
- Contractor payment limits cause delays(5/10)
Zenefits
- QuickBooks Desktop integration claims are false(7/10)
Gusto
No signals
Zenefits
- Glitchy software with recurring bugs and slow resolution(6/10)
Gusto
No signals
Zenefits
- State compliance issues with incorrect implementation(8/10)
Pricing Comparison
Gusto
Users: Per employee: $6/month
Storage: N/A
Limits: Single state only, No next-day direct deposit, No time tracking, No PTO management, Limited HR tools
Users: Per employee: $12/month
Storage: N/A
Limits: No dedicated CSM, No priority support, No compliance alerts, No HR expert access
Users: Per employee: $22/month
Storage: N/A
Limits: Requires larger budget, May be overkill for simple payroll needs
Users: Per contractor: $6/month
Storage: N/A
Limits: No W-2 employee support, Contractor payment frequency limits, No benefits
Users: Per international employee
Storage: N/A
Limits: Only available through Gusto Global, Additional setup requirements
Zenefits
Users: Per employee
Limits: No performance management, No compensation management, No employee engagement tools
Users: Per employee
Limits: No performance management, No compensation management, No employee engagement tools
Users: Per employee
Limits: No employee engagement surveys, No well-being features, No People Hub
Users: Per employee
Limits: No employee engagement surveys, No well-being features, No People Hub
Users: Per employee
Limits: Advanced reporting limited, Custom integrations may require additional setup fees
Users: Per employee
Limits: Advanced reporting limited, Custom integrations may require setup fees
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Gusto | Zenefits |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll | ||
| Full-Service Payroll Core feature, works well for basic runs | ||
| Automatic Tax Filing Federal, state, local - but errors reported | ||
| Payroll processing Add-on on lower tiers | ||
| Direct Deposit Next-day on Plus plan only | ||
| Multi-State Payroll Plus plan required | ||
| Contractor Payments Separate plan or add-on | ||
| Global payroll US only | ||
| Core HR | ||
| Employee onboarding Automated workflows | ||
| Employee self-service | ||
| Benefits | ||
| Benefits administration Broker fees apply | ||
| Time Tracking | ||
| Time & attendance Can be clunky | ||
| PTO management | ||
| Scheduling Built-in functionality | ||
| Compliance | ||
| 1099 Filing End of year filing included | ||
| W-2 Filing Automatic year-end filing | ||
| Compliance tools State-specific issues reported | ||
| Compliance Alerts Premium plan only | ||
| Talent | ||
| Performance management Growth plan and above | ||
| Usability | ||
| Mobile app Some device crashes reported | ||
| HR | ||
| Employee Self-Onboarding Strength - very easy for new hires | ||
| Benefits Administration Health, dental, vision, 401k options | ||
| PTO Management Plus plan required | ||
| Time Tracking Plus plan required, basic functionality | ||
| Support | ||
| Phone support Email tickets only | ||
| Dedicated CSM Premium plan only | ||
| Integrations | ||
| QuickBooks Integration Well supported | ||
| QuickBooks Desktop integration Users report claim is false | ||
| Xero Integration Well supported | ||
| API access Limited partner integrations | ||
| Reporting | ||
| Custom reporting Limited pre-built reports only | ||
| Platforms | ||
| Mobile App iOS and Android | ||
| Developer | ||
| API Access Available for integrations | ||