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PayAdvisors vs Gusto: A Payroll App or a Payroll Team
Gusto is a payroll app: you or someone on your team enters hours and changes, reviews each run and submits it, and Gusto files and pays the payroll taxes. PayAdvisors is a team of payroll professionals that does that work for you, in the payroll system you already use, and you approve every run.
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At a glance
Gusto: an app your team runs, from $49 a month plus $6 per person
PayAdvisors: a payroll team that runs payroll for you, month to month
Both file your federal, state and local payroll taxes
Facts checked October 28, 2026
In short
Which one fits you?
Choose Gusto if someone on your team has the time and know-how to run payroll every pay period, you want the lowest monthly price, and you like having payroll, benefits, time tracking and HR tools in one app.
Choose PayAdvisors if nobody on your team should be running payroll, your payroll person just left or is stretched thin, or errors and agency notices keep landing on your desk, and you want a payroll team to take the work off your plate.
Side by side
PayAdvisors and Gusto compared
Features and prices as each company lists them on its own website, checked October 28, 2026.
| PayAdvisors | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A payroll team that runs your payroll | A payroll, benefits and HR app |
| Who enters and submits each payroll | Our team, and you approve every run | You or your staff |
| Payroll tax filing | Federal, state and local filings and agency notices handled by our team | Gusto files federal, state and local payroll tax forms, such as Form 941, Form 940, W-2s and 1099s |
| Which system | The payroll system you already use | Gusto |
| Plans | One managed service, scoped to your payroll | Simple, Plus and Premium |
| Price | Quoted on a quick consultation based on your payroll | Simple $49 a month plus $6 per person; Plus $80 plus $12; Premium $180 plus $22 |
| Multi-state payroll | Included in the service; we also register new state tax accounts | Plus and Premium (Simple is one state); state tax registration is included in Premium, an add-on priced by state on other plans |
| Support | A payroll team that knows your file, with backup coverage when someone is out | Help center, phone and chat during business hours; Priority Support add-on; a dedicated Premium Account Partner on Premium |
| Term | Month to month, no minimum term | Month to month, cancel any time |
| Setup | Weeks 1 to 2 onboarding, weeks 3 to 4 takeover and first live payroll | You set it up; Gusto says it can often transfer payroll data for larger teams |
The cost
What Gusto costs a team
Gusto's listed price is a monthly base plus a fee for each person you pay. Example only, using Gusto's listed prices for 20 employees, before any add-ons:
| Gusto plan | Base | Per person | 20 employees, per month | 20 employees, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | $49 | $6 | $169 | $2,028 |
| Plus | $80 | $12 | $320 | $3,840 |
| Premium | $180 | $22 | $620 | $7,440 |
Add-ons such as next-day pay, Priority Support, state tax registration and business compliance cost extra on some plans. The app fee also does not include the time your own staff spends running payroll each pay period.
PayAdvisors pricing is quoted on a quick consultation based on your payroll. Compare that quote with the app fee plus the cost of the person who runs it, or with the full cost of hiring a payroll specialist. See hire vs outsource payroll.
The difference
The difference: who does the work each payday
With an app, the app calculates and files from the numbers you enter. Someone at your company still collects hours, enters new hires and terminations, sets up deductions and garnishments, checks each run, fixes mistakes, answers employee paycheck questions and deals with agency letters.
With PayAdvisors, that work moves to a team of 25+ payroll and HR professionals:
- Each payroll processed start to finish, and checked twice before it goes out
- New hires, terminations, deductions and garnishments
- Off-cycle runs and corrections
- Federal, state and local tax filings and agency notices
- New state tax registrations when you hire in another state (see our state payroll tax registration guides)
- W-2s, 1099s and 941 reconciliations
- Employee paycheck questions
- Backup coverage when someone is out
You stay the employer and you approve every run.
Keep your system
Already on Gusto?
Many employers comparing Gusto alternatives are not unhappy with the app. They are short on the person who runs it. We work inside any major payroll system you already use, so you may not need to switch at all. Talk it through with us on a short call. See payroll processing.
If payday is at risk right now, start with emergency payroll support.
Paying only yourself as an S corp owner? See PayAdvisors vs Gusto Solo.
Best fit
Who each is best for
Gusto
Employers with someone in-house who will run payroll each pay period and want an app with payroll, benefits, time tracking and HR tools at a published price.
PayAdvisors
Employers who want payroll done for them by a payroll team, month to month, without hiring a payroll person or training someone to run an app. Also a fit when you are adding employees in new states and want the registrations, filings and notices handled.
Sources
Where these facts come from
Gusto is a trademark of its owner. PayAdvisors is an independent firm and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Gusto.
- Gusto pricing: Simple $49/mo + $6/mo per person (basic payroll in one state); Plus $80/mo + $12/mo per person (multi-state payroll); Premium $180/mo + $22/mo per person (Premium Account Support, HR guidance and tools, Gusto Business Compliance); "Gusto is month-to-month. Cancel anytime."; files federal, state and local payroll tax forms including Form W-2, Form 1099, Form 940 and Form 941; Priority Support add-on; "if you have a larger team, we can often handle payroll data transfers on your behalf" (checked October 28, 2026)
- Gusto Help Center: What's new with Gusto plans, starting October: for signups on or after October 1, 2026, Premium includes Gusto Business Compliance, which includes State Tax Registration and Closure; on Simple and Plus, Gusto Business Compliance is a paid add-on priced per state; no price change to the plans (checked October 29, 2026)
- PayAdvisors: All services, Payroll processing and Get started pages (checked October 28, 2026)
Prices change, so confirm them on gusto.com before you decide. This is general information, not tax advice. Confirm your situation with your tax professional.
Related
Related
- PayAdvisors vs ADP and Paychex: a payroll platform or a payroll team.
- PayAdvisors vs Gusto Solo: for S corp owners paying only themselves.
- Payroll tax filing and compliance: filings and agency notices, on time.
- All services
PayAdvisors vs Gusto questions
How is PayAdvisors different from Gusto?
Gusto is a payroll app that you or your staff use to enter and submit payroll, and Gusto files the payroll taxes. PayAdvisors is a payroll team that does that work for you, in the payroll system you already use, and you approve every run.
Is Gusto cheaper than PayAdvisors?
Gusto's app fee is usually lower. Gusto lists Simple at $49 a month plus $6 per person, Plus at $80 plus $12 and Premium at $180 plus $22 (checked October 28, 2026). PayAdvisors costs more because a payroll team does the work instead of your staff. Compare our quote with the app fee plus the time your team spends running payroll.
Do I have to switch away from Gusto to work with PayAdvisors?
Not necessarily. We work inside any major payroll system you already use. Tell us what you run on a short call and we will tell you how we would handle it.
Does Gusto file payroll taxes?
Yes. Gusto says it files federal, state and local payroll tax forms on your behalf, including Forms 941, 940, W-2 and 1099. Someone on your team still enters and reviews the payroll those filings come from.
Is there a minimum commitment with PayAdvisors?
No. Service is month to month, with no minimum term.
How long does it take PayAdvisors to take over payroll?
Weeks 1 to 2 are onboarding and training. Weeks 3 to 4 are payroll takeover and your first live payroll with us. From week 5, we move into ongoing payroll optimization.
Next step
Keep your system. Hand us the payroll.
Book a call with our team to talk through your payroll. There is no obligation.