Gusto vs. Patriot Software: Comparison & Expert Reviews for 2025
Gusto offers an intuitive payroll solution designed to simplify your team's financial management tasks. Patriot Software, on the other hand, provides a straightforward platform focused on affordability and ease of use.
The main difference between Gusto and Patriot Software lies in their approach to user experience and pricing, which could significantly impact your choice depending on your business needs. In this article, we'll compare the tools and their features, pros and cons, pricing, and more, to help you find the right payroll software for your organization.
Gusto vs. Patriot Software: An Overview
Gusto
Patriot Software
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Gusto vs. Patriot Software Pricing Comparison
| Gusto | Patriot Software | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free demo available | 30-day free trial |
| Pricing | From $40/month + $6/user/month | From $17/user/month + $4/employee |
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Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowGusto vs. Patriot Software Pricing & Hidden Costs
Gusto’s pricing is structured around a monthly subscription fee based on the number of employees, though users might encounter additional charges for certain features like benefits administration.
Patriot Software’s pricing offers a more straightforward model with a base fee plus a per-employee charge, but users should be aware of potential extra costs for add-ons like time tracking.
To choose the right pricing model for your payroll needs, evaluate the core features included in the base price and consider any additional tools your team might require. This approach helps you align the software's offerings with your financial plans, ensuring you get the most value for your investment.
Gusto vs. Patriot Software Feature Comparison
With Gusto’s automated tax filing, you can effortlessly manage compliance, saving time during tax season and reducing errors in your payroll processes. Patriot Software’s robust direct deposit feature is great for ensuring timely and accurate employee payments, especially valuable for small businesses managing a tight payroll schedule.
Both tools offer unique advantages, with Gusto excelling in compliance automation and Patriot Software offering reliable payment processing.
| Gusto | Patriot Software | |
|---|---|---|
| API | ||
| Application Tracking | ||
| Approval Workflows | ||
| Attendance Tracking | ||
| Billing/Invoicing | ||
| Budgeting | ||
| CRM Integration | ||
| Calendar Management | ||
| Compliance Tracking | ||
| Contact Management | ||
| Employee Database | ||
| Employee Incentive Management | ||
| Employee Onboarding | ||
| Expense Tracking | ||
| External Integrations | ||
| Feedback Management | ||
| Forecasting | ||
| Inventory Tracking | ||
| Payroll | ||
| Supplier Management | ||
| Time Management | ||
| Timesheets | ||
| Vacation & Absence Calendar |
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Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowGusto vs. Patriot Software Integrations
| Integration | Gusto | Patriot Software |
| QuickBooks | ✅ | ✅ |
| Xero | ✅ | ❌ |
| Slack | ✅ | ❌ |
| Microsoft Teams | ❌ | ❌ |
| Google Workspace | ✅ | ❌ |
| Trello | ❌ | ❌ |
| Asana | ❌ | ❌ |
| DocuSign | ❌ | ❌ |
| API | ✅ | ✅ |
| Zapier | ✅ | ✅ |
Gusto's integration with QuickBooks lets you streamline financial reporting, which is particularly valuable during end-of-month reconciliations. Patriot Software's Zapier integration is great for automating repetitive tasks, freeing up your time to focus on more strategic payroll activities.
Both integrations offer distinct benefits, with Gusto enhancing financial management and Patriot Software simplifying workflow automation.
Gusto vs. Patriot Software Security, Compliance & Reliability
| Factor | Gusto | Patriot Software |
| Data Encryption | Gusto encrypts sensitive data both at rest and in transit using AES-256 encryption to protect your payroll information. | Patriot Software uses SSL encryption to ensure data security during transmission. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Gusto automates tax filing and compliance updates to help you meet federal and state regulations effortlessly. | Patriot Software provides compliance support with built-in tax calculations and filing reminders. |
| Data Privacy | Gusto follows strict data privacy policies and offers role-based access controls to safeguard your team's information. | Patriot Software ensures privacy with secure login protocols and user permissions management. |
Gusto offers more comprehensive security features compared to Patriot Software, particularly in data encryption and privacy measures.
When evaluating these tools, consider what specific security features align with your organization's priorities, like encryption standards and compliance automation, to ensure you choose a vendor that meets your security and operational needs.
Gusto vs. Patriot Software Ease of Use
| Factor | Gusto | Patriot Software |
| User Interface | Gusto offers a clean, intuitive dashboard that simplifies navigation and payroll tasks. | Patriot Software provides a straightforward interface but can seem basic for advanced needs. |
| Onboarding Experience | Gusto's onboarding process includes guided setup and personalized support to help you get started smoothly. | Patriot Software offers step-by-step tutorials, though it might require more manual input during setup. |
| Customer Support | Gusto offers multi-channel support, including chat and phone assistance, to resolve queries quickly. | Patriot Software provides email and phone support, but response times can vary. |
Gusto excels in providing a user-friendly interface and robust support options, making it easier to navigate and resolve issues.
Patriot Software, while straightforward, might feel limited in functionality and requires more manual setup, which could be challenging if you're looking for a more automated experience.
Gusto vs Patriot Software: Pros & Cons
Gusto
- It has an intuitive interface that is simple to use even without prior payroll management experience.
- It offers an employee self-service module to help staff view pay stubs and tax documents, and update personal information.
- Monthly charges for health insurance and 401(k) retirement plan contributions are synced directly with payroll.
- It lacks advanced and customizable reporting features found in other payroll software.
- No built-in time trackingm so a separate system is required.
- Customer support response times can sometimes be inconsistent.
Patriot Software
- Patriot offers tax filing services to help companies handle federal, state, and local payroll tax calculations and filings.
- The employee self-service portal helps staff view pay stubs, update information, and access tax documents.
- Patriot allows teams to process unlimited payroll runs each month for no extra cost.
- Patriot’s basic reporting options cover essentials but have limited customization compared to some alternatives.
- With no mobile app, users can't access the software or run payroll on the go from a smartphone app.
- The software lacks advanced HR features like performance management, employee directories, and org charts.
Best Use Cases for Gusto and Patriot Software
Gusto
- Small businesses: Gusto provides an affordable, user-friendly payroll solution with solid customer support that is ideal for small businesses.
- Startups: With its simple pricing model, modern user interface, and useful HR tools, Gusto is a great choice for tech-savvy startups that need to get payroll up and running quickly.
- Restaurants: Gusto offers restaurant-specific features to facilitate tip pooling, distribution, and automated reporting. This makes it one of the top payroll options for food service businesses.
- Nonprofits: Gusto waives the base fee for the first 10 employees, which makes it an economical payroll choice for budget-conscious nonprofits.
- Professional services: Gusto is a good fit for many professional services firms due to its automatic tax filing and support for multiple pay rates and schedules.
- Household employers: Gusto’s payroll option also handles W-2s and 1099s for those who employ nannies, housekeepers, and other household workers.
Patriot Software
- Small businesses Patriot offers an affordable and user-friendly payroll solution that aligns well with the straightforward needs and limited budgets of small businesses.
- Restaurants Features like integrated tip tracking and reporting simplify payroll processing for restaurant owners and managers using Patriot.
- Nonprofits Patriot effectively manages the payroll needs of nonprofit organizations by supporting key tax filings and forms specific to this sector.
- Household employers The software provides the necessary payroll and tax functionality for individuals employing nannies, caregivers, or other household staff.
- Startups The core feature set and low price point of Patriot payroll match the needs and financial constraints of many early-stage startups.
- Accounting firms Patriot's dedicated accountant features and wholesale pricing facilitate efficient client payroll management for accounting practices.
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Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowWho Should Use Gusto, and Who Should Use Patriot Software?
In my opinion, Gusto is best suited for businesses that need a comprehensive payroll solution with robust features and excellent support, making it ideal for growing teams in diverse industries. However, I think Patriot Software is a great fit for small businesses or startups looking for a cost-effective and straightforward payroll system that covers the basics without extra frills.
If you prioritize ease of use and a wide range of integrations, Gusto might be the right choice, but if budget constraints are your primary concern, Patriot Software could be the better option for your team.
Differences Between Gusto and Patriot Software
| Gusto | Patriot Software | |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | Gusto automates tax filings and compliance updates, reducing manual work. | Patriot Software requires more manual input for compliance tasks. |
| Integrations | Gusto integrates with a wide range of software, enhancing functionality. | Patriot Software has fewer integrations, focusing on core payroll functions. |
| Pricing | Gusto uses a subscription model with additional fees for extra features. | Patriot Software offers a base fee plus a per-employee charge, with optional add-ons. |
| Support | Gusto offers multi-channel support, including chat and phone help. | Patriot Software provides email and phone support, with varying response times. |
| User Interface | Gusto provides a visually appealing and intuitive dashboard for easy navigation. | Patriot Software's interface is straightforward but less visually engaging. |
| Visit GustoOpens new window | Visit Patriot SoftwareOpens new window |
Similarities Between Gusto and Patriot Software
| Cost-Effective | Both Gusto and Patriot Software provide cost-effective payroll solutions, catering to small and medium-sized businesses. |
|---|---|
| Direct Deposit | They both support direct deposit, allowing you to pay employees electronically and save time. |
| Employee Portal | Each offers an employee portal for accessing pay stubs and personal information, enhancing transparency. |
| Payroll | Both Gusto and Patriot Software offer efficient payroll processing, ensuring your team gets paid accurately and on time. |
| Tax Compliance | Both solutions assist with tax compliance, with Gusto automating filings and Patriot Software providing calculation support. |
| Visit GustoOpens new window Visit Patriot SoftwareOpens new window | |