Compare/Head to head

Eddy vs Gusto

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Starting price

Eddy

$4/user/mo + $50/mo base

Eddy is all-in-one HR and payroll software for small and midsize businesses. Starter is $4 per person per month plus a $50/mo base; Premium is quoted.

Where Eddy fits

  • US SMBs that want payroll, HR, ATS, and onboarding in one vendor
  • Teams comparing Eddy from $4 per person with Gusto at $49/mo or BambooHR at $250/mo
  • Multi-state employers that have outgrown spreadsheets but not Workday
  • HR leads who want compliance and onboarding next to pay

Gusto

$49/mo

US small-business payroll, benefits and onboarding in one stack, from around $49/mo plus a per-seat charge.

Where Gusto fits

  • US small companies running payroll in-house
  • HR teams that want benefits next to pay
  • Desks that want MCP on payroll data
  • A first HRIS after spreadsheets

At a glance

DetailEddyGusto
Starting price$4/user/mo + $50/mo base$49/mo
Free tier–No–No
MCP server–No✓Yes
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underATS, HR compliance, HRIS, Onboarding, PayrollBenefits administration, HR compliance, HRIS, Onboarding, Payroll, Time & attendance
CapterraNot enough reviews4.6 from 4,225 reviews

Where they pull apart

Eddy

Stands out: HRIS, payroll, ATS, onboarding, and HR compliance sit in one SMB bundle, closer to Gusto than to a modular HR Cloud deal.

Watch out: Payroll is an add-on at $6 per person plus a $50/mo base, and Hiring is $199/mo. US payroll plus tax filing is the conversation, not global EOR.

Not the right fit for

  • Global employers that need Deel-style EOR
  • Enterprises on ADP Workforce Now or Workday

Gusto

Stands out: Payroll sitting next to HR for US small companies, with a first-party MCP.

Watch out: It is US-only, so it is not a route to hiring people in other countries.

Not the right fit for

  • Global employer-of-record buyers
  • Enterprise HRIS selection processes

Pros and cons

Eddy

  • Payroll, HRIS, ATS, onboarding, and compliance in one SMB bundle
  • Aimed at US small and midsize employers, not enterprise HCM
  • One vendor instead of Gusto plus a separate ATS
  • Payroll and Hiring are paid add-ons on Starter and Growth
  • Not a global EOR
  • Premium with payroll included is quoted

Gusto

  • Payroll, benefits and onboarding in one US stack
  • MCP and API available
  • Fits small-business HR and finance buyers
  • US-only
  • Per-person charges on top of the base
  • Recruiting is basic: no interview scheduling or automated candidate emails

What each one costs

Eddy

$4/user/mo + $50/mo base

Eddy Starter is $4 per person per month plus a $50/mo base, and Growth is $8 per person per month plus a $75/mo base. Premium, which adds Eddy Payroll and Hiring, is quoted. Add-ons: Payroll at $6 per person plus a $50/mo base, and Hiring at $199/mo. Billing is month to month on active employees. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Gusto

$49/mo

Simple is $49/mo plus $6 per person, Plus is $80/mo plus $12 per person, and Premium is $180/mo plus $22 per person. Gusto Recruiting (job posting to 100+ boards, applicant tracking and offer letters) is included on Plus and Premium. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is Eddy cheaper than Gusto?
Eddy starts lower, at $4/user/mo + $50/mo base against $49/mo for Gusto. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Eddy or Gusto for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.
Does Eddy or Gusto have an MCP server?
Gusto ships a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

All Eddy alternatives All Gusto alternatives Every ATS tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?