2026 Best Software Awards are here!See the list

Compare FreshBooks and Gusto

Save
    Log in to your account
    to save comparisons,
    products and more.
At a Glance
FreshBooks
FreshBooks
Star Rating
(959)4.5 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (86.7% of reviews)
Information
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
Starting at $6.30 Per Month
Free Trial is available
Browse all 4 pricing plans
Gusto
Gusto
Star Rating
(8,068)4.6 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (84.1% of reviews)
Information
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
Starting at $49.00 Per Month
Free Trial is available
Browse all 3 pricing plans
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
  • G2 reviewers report that Gusto excels in overall user satisfaction, reflected in its higher G2 Score. Users appreciate its ease of use and the ability to manage payroll for both US and international contractors seamlessly, making it a versatile choice for businesses with diverse needs.
  • According to verified reviews, FreshBooks is praised for its outstanding customer service and intuitive setup process. Users highlight how the platform simplifies recurring invoices and tax management, which can save significant time for finance teams.
  • Users say that Gusto's comprehensive features, such as the On-Demand Pay option and quick access to pay stubs, enhance the employee experience. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for businesses looking to improve employee satisfaction and streamline payroll processes.
  • Reviewers mention that FreshBooks shines in its tax management capabilities, with users noting how easy it is to handle tax reports. This feature is crucial for small businesses that need to stay compliant without dedicating excessive time to tax preparation.
  • G2 reviewers highlight that while FreshBooks is well-suited for small businesses, it may not meet the more complex payroll needs that Gusto addresses. Gusto's robust reporting and dashboard features provide leaders with valuable insights, ensuring that everyone is aligned with the same data.
  • According to recent feedback, both platforms offer strong customer support, but Gusto's extensive resources and community engagement give it an edge. Users appreciate the shared reference points that Gusto provides, which help teams communicate effectively and make informed decisions.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
FreshBooks
Lite
Starting at $6.30
Per Month
Browse all 4 pricing plans
Gusto
Simple Plan
Starting at $49.00
Per Month
Browse all 3 pricing plans
Free Trial
FreshBooks
Free Trial is available
Gusto
Free Trial is available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
8.8
765
9.4
6,257
Ease of Use
9.1
861
9.5
6,462
Ease of Setup
9.2
466
9.3
5,135
Ease of Admin
9.2
336
9.3
2,219
Quality of Support
9.2
714
9.0
5,222
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
9.2
331
9.1
2,217
Product Direction (% positive)
8.7
762
9.2
6,336
Features by Category
Not enough data
8.6
2,561
Core HR
Not enough data
8.8
900
Not enough data
9.0
911
Not enough data
8.1
792
Not enough data
8.6
842
Not enough data
8.8
860
Not enough data
8.7
866
Generative AI
Not enough data
7.2
472
Platform
Not enough data
8.2
2238
Not enough data
8.0
2046
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
8.9
2269
Not enough data
9.2
2274
Not enough data
8.9
2179
Not enough data
8.8
2240
Not enough data
9.1
2264
7.4
150
Not enough data
Expense Reports
8.6
106
Not enough data
8.0
100
Not enough data
7.6
99
Not enough data
8.1
98
Not enough data
7.1
80
Not enough data
7.2
87
Not enough data
7.9
90
Not enough data
Agentic AI - Expense Management
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Travel Management
6.8
79
Not enough data
6.5
76
Not enough data
6.1
71
Not enough data
6.5
72
Not enough data
Client Invoicing
9.0
136
Not enough data
8.4
119
Not enough data
8.2
124
Not enough data
Mobile
8.2
84
Not enough data
6.9
81
Not enough data
5.6
73
Not enough data
Platform
6.2
63
Not enough data
6.3
66
Not enough data
Administration
7.0
63
Not enough data
Administration
7.2
105
Not enough data
7.8
106
Not enough data
7.6
113
Not enough data
7.2
103
Not enough data
7.9
111
Not enough data
Platform
8.3
128
Not enough data
7.2
97
Not enough data
7.0
94
Not enough data
9.0
126
Not enough data
8.3
115
Not enough data
7.0
99
Not enough data
7.9
441
Not enough data
General Ledger
8.1
234
|
Verified
Not enough data
7.8
229
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.1
225
|
Verified
Not enough data
Accounts Receivable
8.7
399
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.5
308
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.2
275
|
Verified
Not enough data
Accounts Payable
8.3
272
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.7
328
|
Verified
Not enough data
7.6
143
Not enough data
Other Functionality
7.2
126
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
7.5
157
|
Verified
Not enough data
7.0
129
Not enough data
7.3
133
Not enough data
7.5
144
Not enough data
7.6
155
Not enough data
8.6
316
|
Verified
Not enough data
Reporting & Analytics
8.7
362
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.1
201
Not enough data
7.6
192
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.8
387
|
Verified
Not enough data
Platform
7.9
165
Not enough data
7.6
151
Not enough data
8.4
288
|
Verified
Not enough data
7.4
138
Not enough data
9.1
380
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.3
154
Not enough data
Integration
8.2
271
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.0
195
|
Verified
Not enough data
7.6
217
Not enough data
Cash Flow
8.3
202
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.8
289
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.4
245
|
Verified
Not enough data
Budgeting & Forecasting
7.6
192
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.1
166
|
Verified
Not enough data
7.6
137
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.2
204
|
Verified
Not enough data
Revenue
8.4
228
|
Verified
Not enough data
7.8
170
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.0
164
Not enough data
Payroll
7.8
113
|
Verified
Not enough data
7.4
106
|
Verified
Not enough data
7.7
115
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.2
125
|
Verified
Not enough data
AI
7.6
39
Not enough data
7.5
36
Not enough data
7.8
36
Not enough data
7.5
37
Not enough data
7.4
36
Not enough data
7.0
39
Not enough data
7.4
46
Not enough data
7.6
40
Not enough data
7.1
43
Not enough data
7.5
38
Not enough data
Mobile Applications - Accounting
9.0
12
Not enough data
8.9
12
Not enough data
8.8
12
Not enough data
7.9
11
Not enough data
8.3
13
Not enough data
8.2
13
Not enough data
Agentic AI - Accounting
Not enough data
Not enough data
Employee Self Service
Feature Not Available
9.5
5111
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
8.9
4636
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
9.0
4698
|
Verified
Administration
8.6
15
9.4
4942
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
9.0
4578
|
Verified
9.3
16
9.6
5045
|
Verified
8.3
11
8.9
4434
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
9.2
4642
|
Verified
7.6
14
8.8
4155
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
9.1
4359
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
9.2
4531
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
9.2
4537
|
Verified
Taxes
8.0
17
9.3
4818
|
Verified
7.7
14
9.2
4695
|
Verified
7.9
14
Feature Not Available
Integration
Feature Not Available
8.6
4083
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
8.8
4108
|
Verified
7.9
13
8.8
4156
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
8.6
3900
|
Verified
Platform
8.1
14
9.0
4563
|
Verified
8.7
15
9.2
4558
|
Verified
8.7
13
9.3
4767
|
Verified
8.6
14
9.2
4438
|
Verified
Benefits AdministrationHide 31 FeaturesShow 31 Features
Not enough data
8.7
2,589
Benefits Administration Platform Features
Not enough data
9.0
1357
Not enough data
8.9
1313
Not enough data
8.4
1218
Not enough data
9.0
1325
Not enough data
9.1
1306
Not enough data
9.2
1344
Not enough data
9.0
1276
Not enough data
8.8
1250
Benefits Administration Platform Features
Not enough data
9.0
1357
Not enough data
8.9
1313
Not enough data
8.4
1218
Not enough data
9.0
1325
Not enough data
9.1
1306
Not enough data
9.2
1344
Not enough data
9.0
1276
Not enough data
9.1
928
Not enough data
8.8
1250
Not enough data
8.5
1058
Not enough data
8.3
975
Not enough data
8.9
1040
Generative AI
Not enough data
7.2
838
Not enough data
7.2
835
Not enough data
7.1
830
Platform
Not enough data
8.2
2238
Not enough data
8.0
2046
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
8.9
2269
Not enough data
9.2
2274
Not enough data
8.9
2179
Not enough data
8.8
2240
Not enough data
9.1
2264
Not enough data
8.6
198
Platform Basics
Not enough data
8.5
183
Not enough data
9.2
191
Not enough data
8.9
183
Platform Performance
Not enough data
8.8
189
Not enough data
8.5
177
Platform Functionality
Not enough data
9.1
184
Not enough data
8.5
180
Not enough data
8.8
177
Platform Additional Functionality
Not enough data
8.8
180
Not enough data
8.4
174
Not enough data
8.1
171
Generative AI
Not enough data
7.3
157
7.5
100
Not enough data
Payment Processing
8.3
80
Not enough data
8.5
87
Not enough data
8.2
79
Not enough data
7.3
67
Not enough data
Administration
8.3
84
Not enough data
6.8
68
Not enough data
6.6
84
Not enough data
7.0
64
Not enough data
7.1
66
Not enough data
6.8
67
Not enough data
7.0
67
Not enough data
Payment Options
7.3
64
Not enough data
8.4
75
Not enough data
Security
7.4
62
Not enough data
Platform
7.6
67
Not enough data
7.1
64
Not enough data
8.0
161
Not enough data
Bill Generation
8.4
143
Not enough data
8.6
146
Not enough data
8.3
134
Not enough data
Bill Processing
7.6
128
Not enough data
7.8
124
Not enough data
8.3
127
Not enough data
Integration
7.9
131
Not enough data
8.4
133
Not enough data
7.1
102
Not enough data
Agentic AI - Billing
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
9.0
828
Platform Basics
Not enough data
9.2
773
Not enough data
9.2
778
Platform Administration
Not enough data
8.6
711
Not enough data
9.1
755
Not enough data
9.0
763
Platform Payment Content
Not enough data
9.0
758
Not enough data
8.4
652
Not enough data
9.1
735
Not enough data
Not enough data
Generative AI
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Talent Acquisition SuitesHide 1 FeatureShow 1 Feature
Not enough data
Not enough data
Generative AI
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
8.6
2,518
Agentic AI - Onboarding
Not enough data
7.6
240
Not enough data
7.9
242
Not enough data
7.8
243
Not enough data
7.9
244
Not enough data
8.0
246
Platform Content
Not enough data
8.7
1150
Not enough data
9.1
1173
Not enough data
9.2
1170
Not enough data
8.4
1086
Not enough data
8.8
1099
Not enough data
8.6
1091
Platform Additional Functionality
Not enough data
9.2
1148
Not enough data
8.7
1092
Not enough data
8.5
1066
Not enough data
8.9
1111
Not enough data
9.1
1133
Platform Data
Not enough data
8.4
1018
Not enough data
8.7
1057
Not enough data
8.8
1041
Platform
Not enough data
8.2
2238
Not enough data
8.0
2046
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
8.9
2269
Not enough data
9.2
2274
Not enough data
8.9
2179
Not enough data
8.8
2240
Not enough data
9.1
2264
Recruiting and Onboarding
Not enough data
8.0
992
Not enough data
9.0
1096
Accounting & FinanceHide 1 FeatureShow 1 Feature
Not enough data
Not enough data
Agentic AI - Accounting & Finance
Not enough data
Not enough data
8.1
145
Not enough data
Time Tracking
8.8
71
Not enough data
8.9
76
Not enough data
8.9
77
Not enough data
Client Invoicing
9.0
136
Not enough data
8.4
119
Not enough data
8.2
124
Not enough data
Mobile Time Tracking
8.6
76
Not enough data
Administration
7.2
105
Not enough data
7.8
106
Not enough data
7.6
113
Not enough data
7.2
103
Not enough data
7.9
111
Not enough data
Platform
8.3
128
Not enough data
7.2
97
Not enough data
7.0
94
Not enough data
9.0
126
Not enough data
8.3
115
Not enough data
7.0
99
Not enough data
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
FreshBooks
FreshBooks
Gusto
Gusto
FreshBooks and Gusto are categorized as Payroll
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
FreshBooks
FreshBooks
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
86.7%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
8.6%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
4.7%
Gusto
Gusto
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
84.1%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
15.3%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
0.6%
Reviewers' Industry
FreshBooks
FreshBooks
Marketing and Advertising
17.3%
Information Technology and Services
6.4%
Graphic Design
4.6%
Accounting
4.6%
Computer Software
4.1%
Other
63.0%
Gusto
Gusto
Non-Profit Organization Management
5.5%
Computer Software
5.3%
Accounting
5.2%
Health, Wellness and Fitness
4.8%
Hospital & Health Care
4.5%
Other
74.7%
Alternatives
FreshBooks
FreshBooks Alternatives
QuickBooks Desktop Pro
Desktop Pro
Add QuickBooks Desktop Pro
Xero
Xero
Add Xero
NetSuite
NetSuite
Add NetSuite
Wave
Wave
Add Wave
Gusto
Gusto Alternatives
Rippling
Rippling
Add Rippling
Paycor
Paycor
Add Paycor
Justworks
Justworks
Add Justworks
Paylocity
Paylocity
Add Paylocity
Discussions
FreshBooks
FreshBooks Discussions
Does FreshBooks support recurring billing?
3 Comments
Pat M.
PM
I'm a long-time user, and yes. Freshbooks does recurring billing flawlessly. Your client can also have their credit card information stored so they don't...Read more
How do you like using Freshbooks
2 Comments
Zack B.
ZB
Hi Rodney, We have used Freshbooks since 2013, and are in no way affiliated with them. For the most part, our experience overall has been positive,...Read more
What is the best way to manage deposits against future work as a consultant?
2 Comments
DL
Hi Mark, You most likely would benefit from the retainer feature in FB which allows you to track time against a retainer payment....Read more
Gusto
Gusto Discussions
Is there an app for Gusto payroll?
4 Comments
Michael M.
MM
Yes it’s gusto wallet but it’s used by employees or payees not payroll provider. Read more
Is gusto payroll safe?
3 Comments
Samuel D.
SD
Yes, it is secureRead more
Why doesn't Gusto take responsibility and rectify the pay problems that they have caused?
2 Comments
Official Response from Gusto
Hi there, we see you've been in touch with several customer support advocates and managers to help go through the situation as well as provide options for...Read more
FreshBooks
FreshBooks
Optimized for quick response
Gusto
Gusto
Optimized for quick response