Gusto vs Employee Navigator
Side-by-side from the Top 11 rankings of The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs and The 11 Best Benefits Administration Software Platforms. Last verified May 31, 2026.
The short answer
Gusto ranks higher on Top 11 (#1 vs #8) for Small business owners running payroll without in-house HR / HR teams managing employee health insurance, 401k, and benefits enrollment. The easiest-to-use platform for all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR, perfect for business owners without HR staff.
At a glance
| Gusto | Employee Navigator | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #1 / The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs | #8 / The 11 Best Benefits Administration Software Platforms |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9.3 | 7.9 |
| Best for | Overall ease of use | Best for Benefits Brokers |
| Pricing | $$ ($46 to $150+/mo) | $ ($3 to $5 PEPM) |
| HQ | San Francisco, USA | Bethesda, USA |
| Founded | 2011 | 2008 |
Gusto
The easiest-to-use platform for all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR, perfect for business owners without HR staff.
gusto.comEmployee Navigator
A powerful, dedicated platform sold through benefits brokers.
www.employeenavigator.comSee full entry in The 11 Best Benefits Administration Software Platforms
Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.