Gusto vs Payroll4Free (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Gusto if

• Fits if you want to approve hours and run payroll from your phone
• Works for paying W-2 staff and US contractors in the same run

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if your team works in more than one state, as that needs Plus at $80 plus $12 a person
• Skip it if you want to try before you pay, because there's no free trial on record
• Pricey if you need fast pay on Simple: next-day pay is $15 a month plus $3 a person, same-day $90 a payroll
• Watch out: priority phone and chat support is $30 a month plus $3 a person on Simple and Plus
• Not for you if you pay contractors abroad without an add-on, or want the API, which is for approved partners only

Pick Payroll4Free if

• Fits if you pay 9 or fewer people in the US once a month
• Works for owners who accept ads in the software to avoid a bill

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you pay staff more than once a month or have 10 or more
• Watch out: tax filing and bank deposits are paid, with no price shown
• Not for you if you use a Mac: it needs Windows and a browser extension
• Not for you if you run payroll outside the US: it is US only

Gusto

• Gusto runs US payroll only: W-2 employees, state and local taxes and US contractors. Paying contractors abroad is a separate add-on covering 120+ countries.
• Many extras cost more on Simple: next-day pay is $15 a month plus $3 a person, same-day pay $90 a payroll and instant pay $100 a payroll.
• Priority phone and chat support is a $30-a-month add-on, plus $3 a person, on Simple and Plus.
• Gusto's API is open only to approved integration and embedded-payroll partners, not to customers building their own links.

Payroll4Free

• Free only for 9 or fewer people paid no more than once monthly; the site publishes no prices beyond that.
• Tax filing for you (Payroll Tax Service) and deposits through its bank (Direct Deposit Service) are paid, with no price shown.
• Each extra state or location carries a fee the site does not price. Payroll is for US businesses only.
• The FAQ says it needs a small browser extension, and Macs must run Windows to use it.

Gusto

Regular and off-cycle payroll

Runs payroll on a set schedule, including hours, paid time off and bonuses, plus one-off payrolls for corrections or special bonuses.

Tax withholding and deductions

Works out federal, state and local taxes by work location, takes pre-tax and post-tax deductions, and pays by direct deposit or check.

Time and time off

Employees and contractors clock in and out and request time off in the app; admins review and approve hours before payroll.

Onboarding and documents

Add and onboard new team members from the app, and have employees read and sign documents there.

Expense reimbursements

Employees photograph receipts and submit expenses, and admins approve them in the app. The App Store listing limits this to Gusto Plus and Premium.

Gusto CLI and MCP server

Customers connect their own systems to their Gusto account through a command-line tool or an MCP server; the full API is for approved partners.

Payroll4Free

Employees and contractors

Pays W-2 employees and 1099 contractors, and the FAQ says year-end tax forms are included for both.

Tax calculations and reports

Calculates federal, state and local payroll taxes and gives access to filled-out tax forms. Filing the forms for you is an optional paid service.

Direct deposit or checks

Employees and contractors can be paid by paper check, direct deposit or a mix of both. Direct deposit through your own bank is free.

Time off tracking

Vacation, sick and PTO time can be set up to accrue by length of service or hours worked.

Employee portal

Employees can view pay information, reprint paystubs and W-2s, check accrued time and change personal details online.

Exports and imports

Payroll data can be exported to accounting packages, banks and benefit companies, and employee hours can be imported from a time clock file.

Gusto

• Simple$49

  per month, plus $6 per person paid

  Payroll in one state: unlimited pay runs, tax filings and payments, and basic time-off and holiday pay rules.

• Plus$80

  per month, plus $12 per person paid

  Adds multi-state payroll, time tracking and scheduling, unlimited next-day pay and contractor invoice handling. Marked best value.

• Premium$180

  per month, plus $22 per person paid

  Adds a named advisor and premium support, HR guidance, Gusto Business Compliance, and unlimited same-day and instant pay.

Payroll4Free

• Free$0

  All basic payroll services for businesses paying 9 or fewer people no more than once monthly, with ads from partner companies shown inside the software.