Gusto vs. Workful (2026): Full Payroll Platform vs. Time-Tracking Payroll

The short version: Gusto is a full payroll and benefits platform with built-in health, 401(k), and 188+ integrations, while Workful is a budget-friendly payroll tool built around integrated time tracking and employee self-service. If you want payroll plus benefits and room to grow, Gusto is the broader choice. If you run a small hourly team, want time tracking and payroll in one low-cost tool, and don’t need built-in benefits, Workful is a tidy, affordable option.

I’ve run my own small business payroll on Gusto for about three years, so this comparison focuses on what decides it in practice: what’s included, what you pay, and which tool fits how your team works.

Gusto vs. Workful at a glance

Two different value propositions

Workful’s pitch is affordable payroll with time tracking baked in. It bundles a time clock, employee self-service, and basic expense/document features at a low monthly base, which appeals to small hourly teams that want to track hours and run payroll without paying for a bigger platform.

Gusto’s pitch is a complete payroll and benefits platform. Every plan includes full-service payroll that files federal, state, and local taxes, and the platform layers on built-in health insurance, 401(k) via Guideline, workers’ comp, a contractor-only plan, and 188+ integrations. It’s built to be the system you keep as you add employees and offer benefits.

Pricing

Gusto publishes every plan:

• Simple — $49/month base + $6 per employee
• Plus — $80/month base + $12 per employee
• Premium — $180/month base + $22 per employee
• Contractor Only — $35/month base (free for the first 6 months) + $6 per contractor

Direct deposit, pay stubs, and tax filing are included.

Workful is priced at around $25/month + $5 per employee (as of 2026 — verify current pricing). That lower base is its headline advantage, and for a tiny hourly team it can be genuinely cheaper. The trade-off is scope: Workful doesn’t bundle the benefits administration and broad integration ecosystem that come with Gusto.

For a 5-person hourly team that mostly needs time tracking plus payroll, Workful’s ~$25 + $25 (5 × $5) = $50/month is appealing. For a team that wants health benefits or a 401(k), Gusto’s higher base buys capabilities Workful doesn’t include.

Features: where each one pulls ahead

Gusto leads on:

• Built-in health insurance, 401(k) via Guideline, and workers’ comp
• 188+ integrations with accounting, time, and HR tools
• A contractor-only plan and strong 1099 support
• HR tools on Plus and Premium for growing teams
• Full-service tax filing across federal, state, and local

Workful leads on:

• A lower monthly base price
• Time tracking built directly into payroll as a core feature
• Employee self-service plus basic expense and document tools
• Simplicity for small hourly teams that don’t need benefits

To be fair to Workful: if your need is “track hours and run payroll cheaply,” its built-in time tracking and low base are a real fit, and you’re not paying for benefits modules you won’t use. Gusto includes time tracking too, but on its higher tiers — it’s not the centerpiece.

Which should you choose?

Choose Gusto if you:

• Want payroll plus built-in benefits in one platform
• Need integrations with your accounting and other tools
• Pay a mix of employees and contractors
• Want a platform that scales as you grow

Choose Workful if you:

• Run a small hourly team on a tight budget
• Want time tracking and payroll bundled in one low-cost tool
• Don’t need built-in health or 401(k) benefits
• Prefer the lowest monthly base price

For most businesses that want payroll plus benefits and room to grow, Gusto is the more complete platform; for small hourly teams focused on time and cost, Workful is a sensible, affordable pick. More comparisons on the blog, including Gusto vs. Homebase and Gusto vs. Roll by ADP.

How to get Gusto’s best deal

Gusto doesn’t use a typed coupon code. The current offer is a referral link that pays a Visa gift card after your first paid payroll — $100 for businesses with fewer than 10 employees, $200 for 10 or more — plus 3 months free on your subscription. Click the referral link before you sign up, create your account, and run one paid payroll to qualify; the gift card arrives within 30 days of your first paid invoice. Start from the homepage for the current offer.

Frequently asked questions

Is Workful cheaper than Gusto?

Often, on base price — around $25/month plus $5 per employee versus Gusto’s $49 plus $6 (verify current Workful pricing). But Workful is narrower. Gusto’s higher base includes benefits administration and a large integration ecosystem that Workful doesn’t bundle, so compare on the features you’ll actually use.

Does Workful file payroll taxes like Gusto?

Yes. Both Workful and Gusto handle full-service payroll and file payroll taxes. Gusto files federal, state, and local taxes automatically, including year-end W-2s and 1099s. The core compliance work is covered by both; they differ on breadth.

Does Gusto include time tracking like Workful?

Gusto includes time tracking on its Plus and Premium plans, but it’s not the centerpiece. Workful builds time tracking directly into its core product, which is a better fit if integrated time tracking is your main reason for choosing a tool.

Which is better for benefits?

Gusto. It bundles health insurance, 401(k) via Guideline, and workers’ comp into the platform with a transparent setup. Workful offers limited benefits administration by comparison, which is part of why its base price is lower.