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HRGP vs Gusto
Gusto is a payroll, benefits and HR company for small businesses. It runs payroll and files payroll taxes, and its site says it is trusted by more than 500,000 businesses.
HRGP is an HRIS for small business, from the first applicant through payroll prep. It does not run payroll. It prepares the file for your payroll company, and Gusto is one of the payroll companies it supports.
Side by side
Prices and features change; check each vendor's site. Last checked November 10, 2026. Facts about Gusto come from Gusto's own website.
Price
- HRGP
- $99 a month, flat. No per-seat or per-job fees. AI interviews are $10 each after one free in the trial. Texting is $2 a month plus $0.05 per text you send ($35 one-time registration).
- Gusto
- Simple: $49 a month plus $7 per person. Plus: $99 a month plus $12 per person. Premium: $179 a month plus $22 per person. Some features are add-ons. As listed on Gusto's website, November 2026.
What's included
- HRGP
- Hiring, onboarding, employee records, time off, benefits enrollment, an employee portal, Time Clock and payroll preparation, in one plan.
- Gusto
- Payroll, benefits and HR. Simple covers payroll in one state. Plus adds multi-state payroll, time tracking, applicant tracking and performance management. Premium adds HR guidance and premium support.
Hiring
- HRGP
- Applicant tracking, AI applicant review with reasons, Interview Guides (written answers rated 1 to 5), texting, video interviews on HRGP video, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams, interview hours with an emailed pick-a-time link, a careers page and free posting to Organic sites through JobTarget.
- Gusto
- Applicant tracking and job posts on Plus and Premium, not Simple. A job board link, application questions, scorecards, free LinkedIn posting and free posting to 100+ boards through Jobcase. Gusto's help center says interview scheduling and email templates for applicants are not included.
HR features
- HRGP
- Onboarding with I-9, W-4 and state forms (US), employee records and files, time off, benefits enrollment, My Employee Portal, Time Clock (US), First 90 Days check-ins, a 360 survey (How My Team Sees Me), Team Map and offboarding.
- Gusto
- Digital I-9s and W-4s, document storage, self-onboarding and time off on every plan. Time tracking, scheduling and a time kiosk on Plus and Premium (an add-on on Simple). Performance management on Plus and Premium.
Payroll
- HRGP
- Prepares payroll and reports, then makes the file for your payroll company (Gusto, BambooHR, ADP, Paychex Flex, Paycom, QuickBooks Payroll or others). HRGP does not run payroll or file taxes; your payroll company does. Included through June 30, 2027.
- Gusto
- Runs payroll and files and pays payroll taxes, on every plan. For US employers. Next-day and same-day pay options.
Free trial
- HRGP
- 14 days, no credit card needed.
- Gusto
- Not listed on Gusto's pricing page. Account setup is free.
Contract
- HRGP
- No long-term contract. Cancel anytime.
- Gusto
- No contracts. Cancel anytime.
Where HRGP is stronger
- Hiring tools on the one $99 plan. Gusto's applicant tracking starts on Plus, which is $99 a month plus $12 per person, as listed on Gusto's website, November 2026.
- Interview scheduling. HRGP lets you set interview hours and emails applicants a link to pick a time. Gusto's help center says interview scheduling isn't included in its hiring tool.
- Texting applicants, AI applicant review with reasons, Interview Guides, AI interviews, and video interviews on HRGP video, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams.
- A flat price that doesn't grow with headcount. Gusto charges per person on every plan (though Gusto's price includes payroll).
- People tools after the hire: First 90 Days check-ins, a 360 survey, Team Map and offboarding.
- A 14-day free trial.
Where Gusto is stronger
- Gusto runs payroll, pays your people, and files and pays payroll taxes. HRGP does not.
- Benefits through Gusto, including health insurance, 401(k) and workers' comp, with no Gusto administration fee on health plans.
- Next-day, same-day and instant pay options, and contractor payments in more than 120 countries (add-on).
- HR expert guidance and compliance tools on Premium.
- A very large customer base: more than 500,000 businesses, by Gusto's count.
Which is right for you
If you want one company to run payroll and do your HR on one bill, Gusto may suit you.
If you already use Gusto, or want to, and you hire often, you can use both. HRGP handles hiring, onboarding, time off and hours, then prepares the payroll file for Gusto. Gusto pays your people and files the taxes.
Try both with a real job before you decide. Our guide to comparing HR software has questions to ask any vendor.
Questions
Does HRGP work with Gusto?
Yes. HRGP prepares a payroll file or entry sheet for Gusto each pay period. Information goes one way, from HRGP to Gusto. Gusto runs payroll and files taxes.
Does HRGP run payroll like Gusto?
No. HRGP prepares payroll and reports. Your payroll company, such as Gusto, pays your people and files the taxes.
Do I need Gusto Plus for hiring if I use HRGP?
No. HRGP's hiring tools are in its $99 plan, so you can keep whichever Gusto plan fits your payroll.
What does Gusto cost for 10 people?
Using the prices listed on Gusto's website in November 2026, before add-ons: $119 a month on Simple and $219 on Plus. Check Gusto's site for today's prices.
Other comparisons
See if HRGP fits better than Gusto
HRGP, the HRIS for small business. $99 a month. No per-seat fees. 14-day free trial.
Prices and features change; check each vendor's site. Last checked November 10, 2026.
Sources for Gusto: Gusto pricing, Gusto help center: recruiting.
Gusto is a trademark of its owner. HRGP is not affiliated with Gusto.