Gusto vs Justworks for global payroll
A detailed comparison of pricing, features, country coverage, and more to help you choose the right global payroll provider.
You've narrowed it down to Gusto and Justworks — smart shortlist. Both handle employer of record services and contractor management, and both come in at the same starting price of $599 per month. So how do you actually choose? Gusto has been around since 2011 and covers 103+ countries, making it a solid option if you're hiring across a wide range of locations. Justworks launched a year later and focuses on a tighter network of 25+ countries, but holds a slightly higher G2 rating at 4.6 versus Gusto's 4.5. This comparison breaks down the real differences between the two — pricing details, country coverage, services, and the types of teams each one tends to suit . By the end, you should have a clear sense of which one fits your situation.
Which one should you pick?
Not sure which to pick? Here's when each provider shines.
- ·US companies expanding internationally who want a familiar platform that has grown beyond domestic payroll
- ·Businesses managing a mix of full-time employees and contractors across multiple countries
- ·Companies interested in offering modern payment options like crypto or on-demand pay to their workforce
- ·Not ideal for companies needing transparent, upfront pricing without going through a sales process
You are in one or two countries only
At that footprint a local payroll bureau is usually cheaper and closer to the rules. Platforms start paying off around the third country.
How do Gusto and Justworks compare at a glance?
Same fields, same order, same wording. Green marks the stronger figure where one is objectively better.
| Payroll comparison | Gusto | Justworks |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll price | Quote only | $8/emp/mo |
| Payroll countries | 106 | 42 |
| Pay cycles | bi-weekly, semi-monthly | bi-weekly, semi-monthly |
| Payout currencies | — | 1 |
| GL & HRIS integrations | QuickBooks Online, Xero, Greenhouse | QuickBooks, Xero, Greenhouse |
| Founded | 2011 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, US | New York City, US |
| Rating | 3.4 | 3.8 |
| Review volume | 14,439 | 1,898 |
Prices are the published starting rate. Ratings are averaged across G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot; we do not collect ratings ourselves.
How does Gusto compare to Justworks on pricing?
Justworks has transparent pricing starting at $8/mo. Gusto uses custom pricing - contact them for a quote.
💡 Tip: Prices vary based on country, employee volume, and contract terms. Request quotes from both providers to get accurate pricing for your team.
Still comparing? Get personalized pricing
Request a quote from both providers to compare costs for your specific needs.
Where can Gusto and Justworks actually run payroll?
Gusto supports 64 more countries than Justworks. 32 countries are covered by both. G is Gusto, J is Justworks.
Only Gusto (74)
Only Justworks (10)
How do Gusto and Justworks compare on features?
Gusto offers more features in our comparison.
| Feature | Gusto | Justworks |
|---|---|---|
| Services offered | ||
| Global payroll | ||
| Employer of Record (EOR) | ||
| Contractor management | ||
| PEO services | ||
| Payroll features | ||
| multi-currency | ||
| automated-tax | ||
| payslip-generation | ||
| employee-portal | ||
| api-access | ||
| hris-integration | ||
| compliance-dashboard | ||
| dedicated-support | ||
| 24-7-support | ||
| mobile-app | ||
| Total features | 13 | 12 |
What are the pros and cons of Gusto vs Justworks?
Both providers have similar trade-offs. Gusto has 6 pros and 5 cons, while Justworks has 6 pros and 3 cons.
Pros
- They cover 103 countries, which is above the typical 50-100 range. This gives you solid global reach without paying for enterprise-level coverage you might not need.
- With 15 years in business, they've had time to work out the bugs. That maturity shows in their 4.5-star rating across 2,200+ reviews.
- The crypto payment option is genuinely unique. If you're hiring remote talent who prefer digital currency, this sets them apart from competitors.
- 24/7 support and dedicated account management means you're not stuck waiting during payroll emergencies, which matters when you're dealing with multiple time zones.
- Their employee portal and mobile app make it easy for your team to access pay stubs and tax documents without bugging HR constantly.
- Multi-currency support with payment methods like Wise and PayPal alongside traditional banking gives you flexibility in how money moves.
Cons
- No public pricing means you can't quickly compare costs. You'll need to sit through a sales call to get numbers, which slows down evaluation.
- Based on the pricing tier context, they likely fall in the mid to upper range compared to competitors like Deel and Remote who advertise $29-49 per employee.
- Only offers bi-weekly and semi-monthly pay frequencies. If your team needs weekly or monthly payroll, you'll have to adjust your processes.
- Some reviews mention the platform can feel complex when you're first setting it up, especially if you're migrating from a simpler US-only system.
- While 103 countries is solid, it's not as extensive as some enterprise providers if you need truly global coverage in more obscure markets.
Pros
- Clear, transparent pricing model
- Comprehensive benefits access, including health insurance and 401(k)
- Contractor payment flexibility in 40+ currencies
- Direct entities in 11 key markets
- Dual PEO and EOR capabilities serving both domestic and international needs
- Strong small business focus
Cons
- Global coverage not as extensive as some competitors
- Limited software integrations (only eight accounting/HR apps)
- Mixed user reviews, particularly on platforms like Trustpilot
What is each one genuinely better at?
Both are solid options. The right pick depends on what matters most to your team.
Choose Gusto if
- +You need broader country coverage (106 vs 42 countries)
- +You need global payroll processing, which Justworks doesn't offer
- +Your priority is us companies expanding internationally who want a familiar platform that has grown beyond domestic payroll
Choose Justworks if
- +You prefer transparent, published pricing (from $8/mo)
- +User reviews matter to you (rated 3.8/5 across 1,898 reviews)
Both are solid choices for global payroll
Get started with a free demo to see which platform fits your team better. Most companies can be onboarded within days.
Frequently asked questions about Gusto vs Justworks
Is Gusto or Justworks cheaper?
Both charge $599/month for EOR services, so pricing is a wash at the base level. The real cost difference comes down to your specific needs — Gusto adds Global Payroll as a service, which may affect total pricing depending on your setup. Get quotes from both based on your headcount.
Which has better country coverage?
Gusto covers 103+ countries versus Justworks' 25+. If you're hiring in major markets like the US, UK, Canada, or Western Europe, Justworks likely covers you. But if you need talent in less common regions — Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa — Gusto has a clear advantage.
Which is better for small businesses and startups?
Both are solid for small teams. Justworks has a slightly higher G2 rating (4.6 vs 4.5) and is known for a clean, simple experience. Gusto edges ahead if you anticipate international growth beyond 25 countries. Early-stage, US-focused startups often lean Justworks; globally ambitious ones lean Gusto.
Can I switch from Gusto to Justworks?
Yes, but time it carefully. Mid-contract switches can disrupt payroll cycles and employee benefits continuity. Map out your current contracts, notice periods, and payroll dates before initiating. Most companies switch at the start of a new quarter or fiscal year to keep things clean.
Which has better customer support?
Both score closely on G2 — Justworks at 4.6 and Gusto at 4.5 — suggesting support quality is comparable. Justworks is frequently praised for responsiveness with smaller teams. Gusto's support breadth may be stronger if you're managing employees across many international markets simultaneously.
What's the main difference between Gusto and Justworks?
The biggest differentiator is global reach and services. Gusto offers EOR, Global Payroll, and Contractor Management across 103+ countries. Justworks offers EOR and Contractor Management across 25+ countries. Same EOR price point, but Gusto has more coverage and an additional payroll service layer.
Compare with other providers
Take it up with both directly.
Both Gusto and Justworks offer free demos. Try them out to see which fits your team better.
