Gusto vs Lessonly 

Deel

Rippling

RUN Powered by ADP

Deel is the only global-first people platform that enables companies to hire, pay, manage, and develop talent in 150+ countries without compliance headaches or third-party dependencies. Deel supports 40,000 customers and 1.5 million workers through a single, scalable global system.

Rippling is a cloud-based workforce management system that helps businesses manage operations across HR, finance, and IT.

RUN Powered by ADP® helps small businesses automate payroll, file taxes and manage HR with ease. From AI-driven efficiency to expert support, businesses can take care of their teams anytime and anywhere. 

Well I think maybe the system itself can handle it but I get the sense that Gusto support is so understaffed and overwhelmed that we're continually having to stop business as usual to wait for their sluggish and many times unhelpful responses.

Easy to navigate as well, the best payroll solution out there for small businesses since it simplifies everything .The customer support was immediate, smart people will chat with you right away, very responsive, very intelligent customer support.

President

They have EXCELLENT customer service who has been able to not only solve several problems but goes the extra mile in teaching about features and recommending how to set things up so they work more automatically.

With Gusto, you get modern HR features like effortless payroll, benefits, hiring, management resources—and more. Gusto is proud to serve more than 500,000 businesses in the US with a single trusted system, competitive compensation tools, and expert guidance to help you empower your team.

1099 Preparation

401(k) Tracking

ACA Reporting

Access Controls/Permissions

Accounting

Accounting Integration

Activity Dashboard

Alerts/Notifications

Applicant Tracking

Attendance Management

Attendance Tracking

Audit Trail

Benefits Administration Outsourcing

Benefits Dashboard

Benefits Management

Billable & Non-Billable Hours

Budget Management

Calendar Management

Career Development

Check Printing

COBRA Administration

Collaboration Tools

Compensation Management

Compensation Plan Modeling

Compliance Management

Customizable Reports

Dashboard

Data Import/Export

Deduction Management

Direct Deposit

Disability Insurance Administration

Document Management

Document Storage

Electronic Forms

Email Reminders

Employee Benefits Administration

Employee Database

Employee Handbook

Employee Management

Employee Onboarding

Employee Portal

Employee Profiles

Employee Self Service

Employee Time Tracking

Feedback Management

For Accountants

For Cloud

For Small Businesses

Goal Setting/Tracking

Health Insurance Administration

HIPAA Compliant

HR Management

HSA/FSA Administration

Learning & Development

Leave Tracking

Life Insurance Administration

Market Data Analysis

Mobile Access

Mobile App

Multi-Country

Multi-State

Offboarding

Onboarding

Online Benefits Enrollment

Online Time Tracking

Orientation Workflow Management

Payroll Management

Payroll Reporting

Performance Management

Performance Review Management

QuickBooks Integration

Recruitment Management

Reimbursement Management

Reminders

Reporting/Analytics

Reporting & Statistics

Retirement Plan Management

Role-Based Permissions

Self Service Portal

Sick Leave Tracking

Talent Management

Task Management

Tax Calculation

Tax Compliance

Tax Filing

Tax Forms

Tax Management

Third-Party Integrations

Time & Attendance

Time Off Management

Time Off Requests

Timesheet Management

Time Tracking

Training Management

Vacation/Leave Tracking

W-2 Preparation

Wage Garnishment

Web-based Deployment

Workflow Management

Reviews for Gusto come from a wide variety of industries, including computer software (9% of reviewers), marketing and advertising (7%), and accounting (6%). The most frequent use case for Gusto cited by reviewers is payroll (58% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Most users consider Gusto’s pricing fair and competitive, and they appreciate the transparent, flexible plans and cost savings for small businesses. However, some users report rising costs with advanced features, hidden fees, and confusing pricing for larger companies.

Value for money

The Gusto integration most frequently cited by reviewers is QuickBooks Online, an accounting product rated 4.6 out of 5 for its integration with Gusto.

Integrations

Gusto is a payroll tool with key features that include direct deposit, payroll management, payroll reporting, tax compliance, W-2 preparation, self service portal, and more.

Gusto

Web-based

Paychex Flex

ADP Workforce Now

QuickBooks Payroll

Patriot Software

QuickBooks Online

TriNet HR Plus

Justworks

Paycom

SurePayroll

Paycor

Square Payroll

Xero

Paylocity

ADP Comprehensive Services

FreshBooks

Workday HCM

TriNet

Solo

Simple

Plus

Premium

Contractor

Challenging transition process

Executive Director

I don't know why I waited so long to transition over.  

36% of reviewers feel negative about Switching and Transition. Some users report that migrating to or from the platform is complicated and can involve errors or delays. Reviewers mention difficulties with initial setup, data transfer, and adapting to new workflows. They say that switching platforms often leads to confusion or missed information, and some indicate that scaling or making changes as the company grows is not always smooth. Multiple reviewers express frustration with the support received during transitions.

Inadequate mobile functionality

Business Development Manager

The mobile app is also not very inclusive, you have to log in on a web based computer to effectively manage.

Email. Marketer

It is not available for mobile devices only handled through desktop as it doesn't have an app.

42% of reviewers feel negative about Mobile Access. Some users say the absence of a dedicated mobile app or limited mobile features makes it hard to manage tasks on the go. Reviewers report difficulties accessing certain information, such as PTO calendars or pay stubs, from mobile devices. They mention that the mobile experience is less responsive and lacks full functionality, requiring them to use a desktop for many actions. Some reviewers also express frustration with phone-based support and authentication processes.

Limited and cumbersome reporting

Some of the reports are difficult to generate and I have trouble pulling reports for individual people for different metrics sometimes.

The ability to generate necessary reports for 3rd party benefit companies is nearly nonexistent.   If you want to use companies not affiliated with them (Ie companies giving them a kickback) you are up a creek.

42% of reviewers feel negative about Reporting. Some users report that generating custom or detailed reports is difficult and time-consuming. Reviewers mention limited options for report customization and challenges pulling specific data, especially for third-party needs. They say the reporting interface can be confusing, with unclear report names and a lack of consolidated views. Some reviewers indicate that errors, glitches, and lack of robust features make reporting less reliable compared to other platforms.

Streamlined onboarding workflows

Senior Business Analyst 

Having the ability to deploy custom onboarding checklists was extremely useful and meant we could keep everything within Gusto without the need to create separate documents in other software.

95% of reviewers feel positive about Employee Onboarding. Some users say the onboarding process is straightforward and saves significant time by allowing new hires to input their own information. Reviewers appreciate the ability to create custom checklists, manage documents, and ensure compliance with regulations. They find the self-service features reduce administrative workload and like that all onboarding tasks can be managed in one platform. Some reviewers indicate that onboarding is smooth for both employees and administrators, making it easier to scale hiring and manage HR processes efficiently.

Seamless platform navigation

Managing Partner

Navigation is easy and it is simple to switch between Admin and Employee platforms for review.

91% of reviewers feel positive about Navigation. Some users report that the platform is easy to navigate, with a clean layout and intuitive menus. Reviewers appreciate being able to quickly find information and switch between different sections or roles. They say the simple design reduces the learning curve for new users and makes everyday tasks more efficient. Some reviewers note that the navigation aids, such as menu bars and dashboards, contribute to a user-friendly experience.

Intuitive and appealing design

93% of reviewers feel positive about the User Interface. Some users find the interface visually appealing, with clear layouts and organized information that is easy to access. Reviewers indicate that the design is modern and straightforward, reducing confusion and making navigation seamless. They appreciate features like dashboards, reminders, and well-labeled menus, which help them quickly locate necessary documents and complete tasks efficiently. Some reviewers mention that the interface supports both novice and experienced users.

Effortless daily operations

95% of reviewers feel positive about Ease of Use. Some users report that the software is intuitive and quick to learn, even for those without prior experience. Reviewers find routine tasks, such as payroll and document management, are completed much faster than with other tools. They appreciate the clear instructions, helpful tutorials, and automation features that minimize manual work. Some reviewers say the platform simplifies complex HR and payroll processes, allowing them to focus on other business priorities.

Operation Management

Gusto excels at automated payroll, tax filing, employee self-service, benefits administration, and smooth onboarding, ideal for small businesses.

hr service

The system simplifies payroll processing, onboarding, benefits administration, and employee self-service, which saves a significant amount of administrative time. While it may have some limitations for larger or more complex organizations, it provides a strong user experience, reliable automation, and solid customer support for companies seeking an all-in-one HR and payroll platform.

Federal WildFire Contracts

I am moving my business to Paychex, a company that understands authorization, accountability, and basic respect for its customers’ money. If you value control over your finances and don’t want to fight the same battle year after year, look elsewhere.

Legal Assistant

The platform simplifies payroll processing, tax filings, and benefits administration in a way that feels intuitive and well‑organized.

Sales Rep

It served as a highly effective employee tool for time management, payroll modifications, and tracking the time clock.

Manager

It keeps track of your time, pay-periods and take home pay well, letting you know when to anticipate pay days.

Software Implementation

The platform also has occasional limitations in customization for more complex pay structures, and certain reports could offer more flexibility in filtering and exporting data.

Community Engagement and Operations Manager

From onboarding contractors and staff to seamless time-tracking, it has turned what used to be a massive administrative burden into a simple, automated process.

Director of Operations

Our team completes their annual sexual harassment training through the platform, which is quick and engaging thanks to the interactive videos!

The employee self-service portal is well-organized, letting team members update information and access pay stubs without constant admin involvement.

People Operations Specialist

Our company didn't feel like the Gusto platform could grow to host all of our HR needs, as well as desirables like Learning Management.

Reporting customization and advanced HR/payroll configurations were not as robust as larger enterprise systems.

CTO and Co-Founder

The dashboard is clean and it clearly points out where the pay related items are so I do not have to dig around to find them.

Graphic Designer

The third party accountant was based in India and would call me at odd or inopportune times to verify my hours before submitting payroll.

Highly rated by small teams for its simplicity and automation, though it feels limited as businesses grow or require complex HR workflows.

The main drawback was limited flexibility for more complex payroll needs and increasing costs as features are added.

Assistant Book keeper

The app allows you to personalize all of your details and your able to share with others.

Office Manager

It's user friendly, automates time consuming processes, and helps ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.

HR Director

Every time I request support, someone is available online or over the phone to talk to, which is a feature that most other similar providers lack.

Gusto vs Lessonly Comparison (2026)

Gusto

Lessonly

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives