Gusto vs Square Payroll
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of Gusto vs Rippling vs QuickBooks Payroll: 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs 2026. 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. The easiest-to-use platform for all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR, perfect for business owners without HR staff.
At a glance
| Gusto | Square Payroll | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #1 / Gusto vs Rippling vs QuickBooks Payroll: 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs 2026 | #8 / Gusto vs Rippling vs QuickBooks Payroll: 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs 2026 |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9.3 | 7.9 |
| Best for | Overall ease of use | Businesses using Square POS |
| Pricing | $$ ($46 to $150+/mo) | $$ ($41+/mo) |
| HQ | San Francisco, USA | San Francisco, USA |
| Founded | 2011 | 2009 |
Gusto
The easiest-to-use platform for all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR, perfect for business owners without HR staff.
gusto.comSee full entry in Gusto vs Rippling vs QuickBooks Payroll: 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs 2026
Square Payroll
Perfect for Square POS users, with seamless integration of hours, tips, and commissions.
squareup.com/us/en/payrollSee full entry in Gusto vs Rippling vs QuickBooks Payroll: 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs 2026
Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.