Gusto vs Namely
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 #7) 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 | Namely | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #1 / The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs | #7 / The 11 Best Benefits Administration Software Platforms |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9.3 | 8 |
| Best for | Overall ease of use | Best for Mid-Sized Teams |
| Pricing | $$ ($46 to $150+/mo) | $$$ ($12 to $30 PEPM) |
| HQ | San Francisco, USA | New York, USA |
| Founded | 2011 | 2012 |
Gusto
The easiest-to-use platform for all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR, perfect for business owners without HR staff.
gusto.comNamely
A flexible HRIS platform tailored to the mid-market.
www.namely.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.