Square Payroll vs Gusto
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 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
| Square Payroll | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #8 / The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs (2026) | #1 / The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs (2026) |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 7.9 | 9.3 |
| Best for | Businesses using Square POS | Overall ease of use |
| Pricing | $$ ($41+/mo) | $$ ($46 to $150+/mo) |
| HQ | San Francisco, USA | San Francisco, USA |
| Founded | 2009 | 2011 |
Square Payroll
Perfect for Square POS users, with seamless integration of hours, tips, and commissions.
squareup.com/us/en/payrollSee full entry in The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs (2026)
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 The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs (2026)
Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.