Compare/Head to head

Gusto vs Justworks

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

Starting price

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

Justworks

$8/employee/mo

US payroll from $8 per employee per month plus a $50 monthly base fee. PEO Basic is $79 per employee. PEO Plus is $124.

Where Justworks fits

US startups that want a printed payroll rate
Teams ready for PEO benefits at $79 or $124
Employers that also need time tracking access
Companies hiring abroad through the $599 EOR line

At a glance

Detail	Gusto	Justworks
Starting price	$49/mo	$8/employee/mo
Free tier	–No	–No
MCP server	✓Yes	–No
Public API	✓Yes	–No
Listed under	Benefits administration, HR compliance, HRIS, Onboarding, Payroll, Time & attendance	Benefits administration, HR compliance, Payroll
Capterra	4.6 from 4,225 reviews	Not enough reviews

Where they pull apart

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

Justworks

Stands out: A cheap payroll SKU plus two PEO tiers, so you can stay payroll-only or move into benefits later.

Watch out: Payroll-only adds a $50 monthly base fee. PEO Plus is the benefits tier at $124 per employee. EOR is $599 per employee.

Not the right fit for

Very small shops that refuse a $50 base fee
Enterprises that need a full HCM suite

Pros and cons

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

Justworks

Payroll from $8/employee plus $50 base
Printed PEO rates at $79 and $124
EOR line at $599/employee

$50 monthly base on payroll-only
Benefits need PEO Plus at $124
No published free trial

What each one costs

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

Justworks

$8/employee/mo

Payroll is $8/employee/month plus a $50/month base fee. PEO Basic is $79/employee/month with no base fee. PEO Plus is $124/employee/month. Global EOR is $599/employee/month. No free trial stated. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is Gusto cheaper than Justworks?

Justworks starts lower, at $8/employee/mo 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 Gusto or Justworks for free?

Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

Does Gusto or Justworks 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 Gusto alternatives All Justworks alternatives Every Benefits administration tool

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