Compare/Head to head

Gusto vs PeopleKeep

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

PeopleKeep is Remodel Health's HRA administration product. Group coverage HRA (GCHRA) is $12 per employee per month plus a $30 company base fee. QSEHRA and ICHRA start at $25 per employee per month plus a $50 base. A three-seat minimum applies on every plan.

Where PeopleKeep fits

US small employers replacing a group medical plan with a QSEHRA
Companies of any size that want an ICHRA instead of, or beside, a group plan
Employers that already have group coverage and want a GCHRA for out-of-pocket medical costs
HR and finance teams that need receipt review and plan documents without building an HRA in-house

At a glance

Detail	Gusto	PeopleKeep
Starting price	$49/mo	$12/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
Capterra	4.6 from 4,225 reviews	4.5 from 89 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

PeopleKeep

Stands out: Employers pick QSEHRA (under 50 employees, no group plan), ICHRA (any size, individual policies), or GCHRA (a supplement on top of an existing group policy). Unused GCHRA allowance stays with the employer.

Watch out: Three seats are billed even if you have one or two employees. QSEHRA and ICHRA add a $50 monthly base. Annual QSEHRA is prepaid for the year.

Not the right fit for

Buyers who want a full PEO, payroll, and benefits suite rather than an HRA administrator
Teams outside the US. PeopleKeep administers US HRA rules

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

PeopleKeep

Published PEPM tables for QSEHRA, ICHRA, and GCHRA instead of a hidden quote
GCHRA at $12/employee/mo is a cheap supplement when you already buy group medical
Capterra 4.5 from 89 matching PeopleKeep reviews

Three-seat minimum inflates cost for one- and two-person shops
QSEHRA and ICHRA add a $50 monthly base on top of $25 PEPM
It is HRA administration only, not payroll, dental shopping, or a PEO

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

PeopleKeep

$12/employee/mo

GCHRA is $12 per employee per month plus a $30 company base fee. QSEHRA is $25 per employee per month plus a $50 base, for employers with fewer than 50 employees. ICHRA starts at $25 per employee per month plus a $50 base, with no charge for opted-out employees. Every plan has a three-seat minimum. Annual QSEHRA is prepaid. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is Gusto cheaper than PeopleKeep?

PeopleKeep starts lower, at $12/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 PeopleKeep for free?

Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

Does Gusto or PeopleKeep have an MCP server?

Gusto ships a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

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