SurePayroll or Gusto: A Simple Comparison of Top Payroll Software

Managing payroll efficiently is essential for any business, and choosing the right payroll software can greatly streamline the process. Two popular platforms, Gusto and SurePayroll, offer distinct advantages depending on your business’s needs. Gusto is known for its robust features and HR integration, while SurePayroll stands out for its affordability and simplicity. This blog will compare the two and help you determine which is the best fit for your business.

What is Gusto?

Gusto is a full-service payroll platform designed to cater to small and medium-sized businesses. In addition to managing payroll, Gusto offers various HR and employee management tools. The platform simplifies payroll processing by automating tasks such as tax calculations, filings, and payments. Gusto is also capable of handling multiple pay schedules, making it ideal for businesses with varied payroll needs.

One of Gusto’s standout features is its integration with health benefits, retirement plans, and worker’s compensation. These features make it more than just a payroll service—it’s a comprehensive HR solution that helps companies manage employees from onboarding to ongoing support. Its user-friendly interface ensures that even those unfamiliar with payroll processing can navigate the system with ease.

What is SurePayroll?

SurePayroll is an affordable and straightforward payroll service, primarily targeting small businesses and those with simpler payroll requirements. It’s an excellent option for business owners who want to handle payroll without the need for additional HR tools. SurePayroll processes payroll efficiently, calculates taxes, and handles tax filing at the federal and state levels.

Where SurePayroll excels is its no-frills approach to payroll processing. It’s designed to be easy to use, making it a great choice for businesses that may not require advanced HR features. For example, if you only need a platform to pay employees and file taxes, SurePayroll offers these services at a lower price point compared to Gusto. Additionally, it has specialized services, such as payroll for household employees, a feature not available on Gusto.

What to Consider When Choosing a Payroll Provider

When selecting between Gusto and SurePayroll, it’s important to evaluate what your business needs from a payroll service. Here are five critical factors to consider:

• Cost: SurePayroll is generally the more affordable option, starting at a lower base price. However, Gusto offers more features within its higher-priced packages, making it a better value for businesses that need integrated HR services. For small companies with simple payroll needs, SurePayroll’s budget-friendly pricing might be ideal.
• Ease of Use: Both platforms are designed to be user-friendly, but Gusto offers a more modern interface with a wider range of customization options. Gusto’s setup is intuitive, even for beginners. SurePayroll’s simplicity also makes it easy to use, but it lacks some of the advanced tools and flexibility found in Gusto.
• Tax Filing: Gusto includes federal, state, and local tax filings in all of its plans, which can save businesses money in the long run. SurePayroll includes federal and state filings in its full-service plan but charges extra for local tax filing and multi-state payroll management, which could be an important consideration for businesses that operate across several locations.
• Employee Benefits: If your business offers health benefits or retirement plans, Gusto has integrated features to manage these directly within the platform. SurePayroll does not offer these integrations, so businesses would need to use external providers for employee benefits.
• Customer Support: Gusto offers strong customer support with dedicated account managers for premium customers, while SurePayroll focuses on providing efficient, basic support. Depending on your needs, Gusto’s more personalized service might be appealing, but SurePayroll’s service is generally reliable for smaller businesses with fewer support needs.

Gusto vs SurePayroll: What Are the Main Differences?

Though both Gusto and SurePayroll offer essential payroll services, they cater to different types of businesses. Gusto is a better fit for companies looking for an all-in-one solution, while SurePayroll is ideal for smaller businesses that need affordable, no-frills payroll software.

Pricing

Gusto’s pricing starts at $40 per month, plus an additional $6 per employee. While it is more expensive, the cost includes many of its key features, such as tax filings, multiple payroll runs, and certain HR tools. SurePayroll offers a cheaper entry point with a plan starting at $19.99 per month, plus $4 per employee. However, additional services like local tax filing come with extra costs.

Features

Gusto offers a broader array of features, from time tracking and employee onboarding to performance reviews and HR management. SurePayroll covers the basics well, with unlimited payroll runs and tax calculations, but it lacks the advanced tools that Gusto provides. This makes Gusto a more comprehensive solution for businesses that require more than just payroll.

Employee Benefits

Gusto’s built-in employee benefits management stands out as a significant advantage for businesses offering health plans, retirement savings, or worker’s compensation. SurePayroll does not offer the same level of integration, so businesses need to manage benefits through separate vendors if they choose SurePayroll.

HR Tools

Gusto excels in HR tools, offering employee self-onboarding, PTO management, and performance review templates. These tools are helpful for businesses that want a cohesive system to manage their workforce. SurePayroll focuses on payroll and does not provide many HR management tools.

Integrations

Gusto integrates with a wide range of popular business tools, such as accounting platforms like QuickBooks and Xero, and collaboration tools like Slack. These integrations allow businesses to streamline operations and reduce manual data entry. SurePayroll’s integrations are more limited, primarily focusing on accounting software.

Customer Service

While both platforms offer customer support, Gusto’s higher-tier plans provide dedicated account managers, which can be beneficial for larger businesses or those with more complex payroll needs. SurePayroll offers basic customer service, which is sufficient for small businesses with straightforward payroll requirements.

Choosing the Right Payroll Software

Choosing between Gusto and SurePayroll comes down to the specific needs of your business. Gusto is the better option for companies seeking a complete payroll and HR solution. Its advanced features, including employee benefits management, make it ideal for businesses that want to streamline payroll and HR tasks into one platform.

On the other hand, SurePayroll is a fantastic option for small businesses or households that only need basic payroll processing. Its simplicity and lower price point make it an attractive choice for those who do not require additional HR features or benefits integration.

Both platforms offer excellent payroll processing services, but the right choice depends on what features your business values most: a comprehensive HR solution or an affordable, easy-to-use payroll system.