Gusto Vs QuickBooks: Unveiling the Ultimate Comparison

Posted on the 18 May 2023 by Justin Tyler @just_yler

Introduction

Small businesses face many challenges in managing their finances. With limited resources, they need to ensure that their accounting is accurate and efficient. Two of the most popular tools on the market today are Gusto and QuickBooks. Gusto vs QuickBooks Both platforms offer a wide range of features designed to help small businesses manage payroll, taxes, benefits, and more. But which one is better?

In this blog post, we'll compare Gusto vs QuickBooks to help you determine which platform best meets your needs. Whether you're a startup or an established business owner, read on for our complete breakdown of these two popular financial management solutions!

QuickBooks Overview

QuickBooks is a popular accounting software that has been around since 1983. It was developed by Intuit and has since become the go-to tool for small businesses to manage their finances. QuickBooks offers a variety of features such as invoicing, payroll management, expense tracking and financial reporting.

One of the main benefits of QuickBooks is its user-friendly interface. The software is easy to navigate and customize according to your business needs. Additionally, it offers mobile apps that allow you to manage your finances on-the-go.

QuickBooks also allows users to easily integrate with other tools such as Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. This feature makes it easier for businesses to import data into QuickBooks or export data from QuickBooks into another tool seamlessly.

Another advantage of QuickBooks is its affordability. It offers various pricing plans (ranging from $25-$150/month) which are suitable for small businesses operating on different budgets.

QuickBook's strong reputation in the industry coupled with its accessibility make it an attractive option for businesses looking for efficient finance management solutions.

Gusto Overview

Gusto is a cloud-based payroll and HR management software that aims to simplify the entire payroll process for small businesses. It was established in 2011 as ZenPayroll, but it later rebranded itself as Gusto in 2015.

One of the standout features of Gusto is its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for anyone to use. Additionally, it offers a range of automated processes that help reduce manual errors and save time. From onboarding new employees to setting up automatic tax filings, Gusto streamlines all aspects of HR management.

Gusto also provides an intuitive dashboard that gives users access to useful data such as employee hours worked and PTO balances. With this information at their fingertips, business owners can make informed decisions regarding their workforce.

Moreover, Gusto boasts top-notch security measures like two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption. This ensures sensitive employee data remains safe from cyber threats.

Gusto's comprehensive suite of features coupled with its user-friendly design has made it one of the most popular HR management solutions available today.

The Difference between Gusto vs QuickBooks

Gusto and QuickBooks are two popular payroll software solutions, but they have distinct differences that set them apart. Firstly, Gusto is designed specifically for small businesses with under 100 employees, whereas QuickBooks targets a broader market including freelancers and larger enterprises.

While Gusto vs QuickBooks both platforms offer similar features such as automated tax filing and direct deposit payment options, Gusto has additional HR features like time-off requests and onboarding workflows. On the other hand, QuickBooks offers comprehensive accounting capabilities beyond just payroll management.

In terms of user experience, Gusto has a more modern interface with intuitive navigation while QuickBooks can sometimes feel overwhelming due to its vast array of functions and menus.

Another key difference between the two systems is their pricing structure. While Gusto charges per employee per month starting at $39/month plus base fees, QuickBooks has tiered pricing based on plan selection which ranges from $45-$125/month.

Ultimately the choice between Gusto vs Quickbooks depends on your business size and specific needs. It’s important to consider factors such as cost-effectiveness, feature requirements and usability before making a decision.

Which One is Better?

When it comes to deciding which payroll software is better for your business, there are several factors you need to consider. Both Gusto and QuickBooks offer unique features that cater to different needs of businesses.

QuickBooks is an all-in-one accounting solution that offers a variety of features such as invoicing, inventory management, and expense tracking. It also has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for even non-accountants to use.

On the other hand, Gusto specializes in payroll processing and HR-related tasks such as benefits administration and employee onboarding. Its focus on these specific areas makes it more comprehensive in terms of payroll services.

While QuickBooks does offer some basic payroll services, Gusto's specialized approach means they offer more advanced options like automatic tax filing and compliance assistance.

Ultimately, when determining which one is better for your business, you'll need to assess your particular needs. If you're looking for a comprehensive accounting solution with some basic payroll capabilities included then QuickBooks may be the way forward. However if you're looking specifically for advanced payroll functionalities including HR-related tasks then Gusto might just be what you need.

Pricing

When it comes to choosing between Gusto vs QuickBooks, pricing is an important factor to consider. Both platforms offer different pricing plans depending on the size of your business and your payroll needs.

QuickBooks offers three payroll packages: Core, Premium, and Elite. The Core package starts at $45 per month plus $4 per employee per month. It includes basic features such as automatic tax calculations, direct deposit for employees, and new hire reporting. The Premium package costs $75 per month plus $8 per employee per month and adds additional features like same-day direct deposit and workers' compensation administration.

Gusto also has three pricing plans: Core, Complete, and Concierge. The Core plan starts at a base price of $39 per month plus $6 per employee per month. It includes unlimited payrolls runs with auto-calculated taxes, health benefits administration for one state, self-service onboarding for new hires among others. For more advanced HR functionalities you can go up from there either by adding Complete or Concierge packages that are priced based on number of employees; they start at higher base prices but come with more robust offerings like full-service HR support 24/7.

Ultimately when deciding which platform is right for you depends largely on the size of your company's budget in addition to how comprehensive their solutions need be - both options have great value points so choose wisely!

Features

When it comes to choosing between Gusto and QuickBooks, one of the main factors to consider is their features. Both platforms offer a range of features that can help small businesses manage their finances more efficiently.

QuickBooks offers a comprehensive set of accounting tools, including invoicing, expense tracking, and bank reconciliation. It also allows users to create custom reports and track inventory levels. One particularly useful feature is its automatic mileage tracking for business trips.

Gusto focuses more on human resources management tasks such as payroll processing, benefits administration, and time-off management. Its payroll features are especially robust with easy tax filing options for federal, state and local taxes.

Both platforms integrate with other software products like CRMs or project-management tools in order to give you a complete picture of your business' financials according to different workflows.

Ultimately whether Gusto or Quickbooks has better features depends on the specific needs of each business - which platform aligns most closely with desired functionalities will vary from case-to-case.

Integrations

Integrations are a crucial factor to consider when choosing between Gusto and QuickBooks. Both platforms offer various integrations that can enhance your experience and simplify your workflow.

QuickBooks offers over 650+ integrations, including popular applications like Shopify, Salesforce, and PayPal. These integrations can help you manage your business more efficiently by automating tasks such as invoicing, payment processing, and inventory management.

On the other hand, Gusto offers fewer integrations compared to QuickBooks but still has essential ones like accounting software Xero or TSheets for time tracking purposes. However, it's worth noting that Gusto provides direct integration with its partners' apps instead of third-party solutions.

Moreover, both platforms integrate with each other seamlessly allowing users who use both systems to streamline their processes further. For instance, if you're using QuickBooks for accounting purposes and also utilizing Gusto for payroll needs - these two services can work together in harmony without any issues.

While QuickBooks might have more extensive integration options available than Gusto; the latter platform's direct partnerships make up for this shortfalling in some areas.

Customer Support

Customer Support is an important aspect to consider when choosing between Gusto and QuickBooks. Both software providers offer customer support through multiple channels, including phone, email, live chat, and help centers.

Gusto provides customer support on weekdays from 9 am to 8 pm Eastern Time. Their website features a comprehensive help center with articles and FAQs covering various topics related to the software's usage. Users can also contact their team via email or phone for assistance.

On the other hand, QuickBooks offers a more extensive range of customer service options available 24/7. They have a dedicated team of experts that provide assistance via live chat, phone calls or emails. Additionally, they offer community forums where users can interact with each other and share tips on how to use the software effectively.

Both Gusto and QuickBooks are committed to providing excellent customer support services. However, QuickBooks has an edge over Gusto by offering around-the-clock support along with its vast array of resources readily available for customers who may need immediate assistance at any time of day or night.

Conclusion

After a thorough comparison of Gusto and QuickBooks, it's clear that both platforms offer unique features and benefits. It ultimately depends on the specific needs of your business.

If you're looking for an all-in-one solution with robust accounting capabilities, QuickBooks is the better choice. However, if you prioritize payroll management and employee benefits, Gusto is the way to go.

When it comes to pricing, Gusto offers more affordable plans compared to QuickBooks. But keep in mind that additional costs may be incurred depending on your specific needs.

Both platforms offer a wide range of integrations with popular apps that can streamline your workflow. Additionally, their customer support teams are knowledgeable and responsive.

In conclusion (just kidding!), whether you choose Gusto or QuickBooks will depend on what features are most important for your business operations. Make sure to review each platform carefully before making a decision so that you can choose one that meets all of your needs.