Payroll · Premium vs budget

Gusto vs Patriot

Quick answer

Gusto or Patriot — which is right for you?

Patriot wins on price — typically 30–50% cheaper than Gusto for full-service payroll. Gusto wins on modern UX, benefits administration, accountant ecosystem, and app integrations. If you only need clean payroll done cheaply, Patriot. If you want a platform you can grow into, Gusto.

Gusto is best for

Growth-minded SMBs wanting benefits

Patriot is best for

Cost-sensitive payroll-only SMBs

Feature comparison

FeatureGustoPatriot
Starting price$40 + $6/ee/mo$17 + $4/ee/mo
Full-service tax filingIncluded+$37/mo
Benefits administrationIncludedLimited
App integrationsBroadLimited
Best forGrowth SMBsBudget SMBs

FAQ

Will Patriot save me money over Gusto?

Yes — usually a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per year depending on team size.

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