Gusto vs Patriot Payroll in 2026: which is actually cheaper
Both providers market themselves as cheap. Patriot has the lower sticker, Gusto bundles more. The crossover headcount tells you which one actually wins for your team.
Monthly cost at every common headcount
| Provider | 1 ee | 3 ee | 5 ee | 10 ee | 15 ee | 20 ee | 25 ee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot Basic + tax add-on | $51 | $59 | $67 | $87 | $107 | $127 | $147 |
| Patriot Full Service | $42 | $52 | $62 | $87 | $112 | $137 | $162 |
| Gusto Simple | $55 | $67 | $79 | $109 | $139 | $169 | $199 |
Patriot holds the win on monthly cost across every headcount in this table. Patriot Full Service is cheapest up to 10 employees (where it ties Patriot Basic plus the tax add-on at $87), and Patriot Basic edges ahead above 10. Gusto never wins on price; the case for Gusto over Patriot is W-2 inclusion and a smoother employee experience.
What you get at the cheapest tier
| Feature | Patriot | Gusto | OnPay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base price | $17 (Basic) / $37 (Full) | $49 Simple / $80 Plus | $49 |
| Per employee | $4 (Basic) / $5 (Full) | $6 Simple / $12 Plus | $6 |
| Federal + state tax filing | Add-on $30/mo on Basic | Included | Included |
| W-2 and 1099 filing | $25/form set | Included | Included |
| Direct deposit | Included | Included | Included |
| Multi-state | Included | Plus tier required ($80 + $12) | Included |
| Time tracking | $6/ee add-on | Plus tier required | Not native |
| Benefits administration | Limited | Native (extra fee) | Native (extra fee) |
| Employee mobile app | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customer support | M-F business hours, US-based | M-F + chat, US-based | M-F + chat, US-based |
Honest verdict
Pick Patriot
You want the cheapest possible monthly bill, you have under 10 employees, and you do not mind a $25 per W-2 charge in January or doing your own tax filing. Patriot Full Service is the workhorse choice. Patriot Basic only makes sense for accounting-savvy owners who file their own taxes.
Pick Gusto
You value polish, employee experience, and zero year-end surprises. W-2s are included, the app is the friendliest in the category, and onboarding for new hires is automated. The trade-off is a higher monthly bill and a Plus-tier upcharge if you ever go multi-state.
What about OnPay?
OnPay matches Gusto Simple at $49 + $6 per employee but includes multi-state at no extra cost and health insurance brokerage in 50 states. If you have employees across state lines, OnPay is cheaper than Gusto without you ever paying the Plus tier. The trade-off is a less-polished UI and weaker time tracking.