Payroll Comparison 2026
Gusto vs. SurePayroll
SurePayroll is a budget-friendly option, especially its self-service tier and household-employer (nanny) payroll. But the cheapest plan makes you handle tax filing yourself, and benefits and HR tooling are minimal. Gusto costs a little more but includes automatic tax filing and a real benefits marketplace at every tier.
| Feature | Gusto | SurePayroll |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | $40/mo | From ~$20/mo (self-service) |
| Per employee | $6/employee/mo | ~$4/employee/mo |
| Contractor payroll | $35/mo + $6/contractor | Supported |
| Payroll tax filing | Automatic, all 50 states — included | Full-service tier files taxes |
| Benefits administration | Health, dental, vision, 401(k), HRA | Limited add-ons |
| Time tracking | Built in (Plus & Premium) | Integrations |
| Intro offer | First month free + $300 offer | 6 months half-price promos (varies) |
| Support | Phone, email, chat | Phone & chat (US-based) |
| Best for | Small businesses that want payroll + HR + benefits in one place | Very small businesses and household employers on a budget |
Pricing as of 2026 from each provider's public pricing pages. Confirm current rates before purchasing.
Where Gusto wins
- Automatic tax filing included at the base tier
- Real benefits marketplace and HR tools
- More modern employee self-service experience
Where SurePayroll wins
- Lower entry price on the self-service plan
- Strong niche for household/nanny payroll
The bottom line
For most small and mid-sized businesses, Gusto offers the best balance of transparent pricing, built-in benefits, and automatic tax filing — and new customers can earn a $300 Visa card for running payroll. Choose SurePayroll if very small businesses and household employers on a budget.