Gusto
Patriot Software
| Feature | Gusto | Patriot Software |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $40/mo | From $17/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Best For | small-businesses, startups, accountants, us-companies | us-small-businesses, startups, solopreneurs, small-employers |
| Founded | 2011 | 2002 |
| Payroll | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefits | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tax Filing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Onboarding | ✓ | ✗ |
| Time Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hiring | ✓ | ✗ |
| Compliance | ✓ | ✗ |
| Accounting | ✗ | ✓ |
| Invoicing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Bank Reconciliation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Financial Reports | ✗ | ✓ |
| Direct Deposit | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Gusto Pros
- Easiest payroll software to set up and run
- Automatic federal, state, and local tax filings
- Health insurance and 401(k) brokering built-in
- Excellent employee onboarding experience
✗ Gusto Cons
- US-only — no international payroll
- Gets expensive as headcount grows
- Limited HR features compared to BambooHR
✓ Patriot Software Pros
- Very affordable pricing
- US-based phone support
- Easy to use interface
- Combined accounting and payroll
✗ Patriot Software Cons
- US-only
- Limited integrations
- Basic reporting compared to competitors
The Verdict
Gusto is built for small businesses and startups, with a focus on payroll and benefits. Patriot Software targets us small businesses and startups and leads with accounting and payroll.
On pricing, Patriot Software is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $17/mo compared to $40/mo for Gusto. That $23/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Neither tool offers a free plan, so factor the subscription cost into your decision from the start.
Feature-wise, Gusto offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Patriot Software takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Both tools are a solid fit for startups — in those cases, the decision often comes down to workflow style and how your team prefers to organize work.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.