Compare/Head to head

Gusto vs SurePayroll

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

SurePayroll

$29/mo + $7/worker

Full-service small-business payroll. Small Business is $29/mo plus $7 per worker.

Where SurePayroll fits

US small employers that want full-service taxes
Single-state teams starting at $29 plus $7 per worker
Households paying a nanny on the $39 plan
Owners who will add $9.99 for a second state

At a glance

Detail	Gusto	SurePayroll
Starting price	$49/mo	$29/mo + $7/worker
Free tier	–No	–No
MCP server	✓Yes	–No
Public API	✓Yes	–No
Listed under	Benefits administration, HR compliance, HRIS, Onboarding, Payroll, Time & attendance	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

SurePayroll

Stands out: A $29 base with tax filing in the product, plus a $9.99/mo add-on for extra states.

Watch out: Free months are a promo, not a numbered trial. Multi-state payroll is $9.99/mo extra. Nanny plan is $39/mo.

Not the right fit for

Companies that need a global EOR
Teams that want a 14-day labeled trial

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

SurePayroll

$29/mo plus $7 per worker
Full-service tax filing
Extra state only $9.99/mo

Promo months are not a numbered trial
US small business only
Per-worker fees on every run

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

SurePayroll

$29/mo + $7/worker

Small Business is $29/mo + $7/worker, first state included. Multi-state add-on $9.99/mo. Nanny and Household is $39/mo including one employee. Promo free months are not a numbered trial. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is Gusto cheaper than SurePayroll?

SurePayroll starts lower, at $29/mo + $7/worker 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 SurePayroll for free?

Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

Does Gusto or SurePayroll 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 SurePayroll 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?