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
SurePayroll competes on price, especially its self-service tier and niche household-employer payroll. The catch is that the cheapest plan leaves tax filing to you and keeps benefits thin. Gusto costs a little more but includes automatic filing and a real benefits marketplace at every tier.
New customers can earn a $300 Visa card (up to $600 for teams of 10+) for running their first payroll with Gusto. Choose SurePayroll if very small businesses and household employers on a budget.
Gusto vs. SurePayroll — FAQs
Is Gusto cheaper than SurePayroll?
SurePayroll's self-service plan can be cheaper up front (around $20/mo), but it makes you handle tax filing. Gusto's $40/mo includes automatic filing, so the effective value is closer than the sticker prices suggest.
Is Gusto or SurePayroll better?
Gusto for most businesses that want automatic tax filing and benefits included. SurePayroll is worth a look for the tightest budgets or for household/nanny payroll, its strongest niche.
Does SurePayroll file taxes like Gusto?
Only on its full-service tier; the cheaper self-service plan leaves filing to you. Gusto includes automatic tax filing on every plan.