Gusto vs. SAP SuccessFactors: Comparison & Expert Reviews For 2025
When it comes to HCM platforms, Gusto vs. SAP SuccessFactors is a common comparison—especially for teams deciding between ease of use and enterprise-grade functionality.
Gusto is loved for its simplicity and intuitive interface, making it a favorite among small to midsize teams. SAP SuccessFactors, by contrast, shines with its deep customization options, global capabilities, and powerful HR modules built for large organizations.
In this article, you'll find a detailed comparison of the two tools, including their features, pros and cons, pricing, and more, to help you choose the right HCM software for your business needs.
Gusto vs. SAP SuccessFactors: An Overview
Gusto
SAP SuccessFactors
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Gusto vs. SAP SuccessFactors Pricing Comparison
| Gusto | SAP SuccessFactors | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free demo available | Free trial + free demo available |
| Pricing | From $40/month + $6/user/month | Pricing upon request |
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowGusto vs. SAP SuccessFactors Pricing & Hidden Costs
Gusto pricing follows a subscription model with a base fee plus a cost per employee, which may include additional fees for certain features or services. SAP SuccessFactors pricing is more complex, often tailored to the specific needs of an organization, and can include costs for implementation, customization, and ongoing support. To select the right tool for your team, evaluate your organization's specific needs, consider the total cost of ownership, and assess whether the pricing model aligns with your company's growth plans and HR strategy.
Gusto vs. SAP SuccessFactors Feature Comparison
With Gusto’s payroll automation, you can easily manage employee payments and tax filings, making it perfect for small businesses looking to save time on repetitive tasks. SAP SuccessFactors’s talent management suite is great for large enterprises needing comprehensive tools for employee development and performance tracking. While Gusto simplifies payroll processes, SAP SuccessFactors offers extensive features for managing a diverse and growing workforce.
| Gusto | SAP SuccessFactors | |
|---|---|---|
| API | ||
| Application Tracking | ||
| Approval Workflows | ||
| Attendance Tracking | ||
| Budgeting | ||
| Calendar Management | ||
| Compliance Tracking | ||
| Employee Database | ||
| Employee Engagement | ||
| Employee Incentive Management | ||
| Employee Onboarding | ||
| Employee Training | ||
| Expense Tracking | ||
| External Integrations | ||
| Feedback Management | ||
| Forecasting | ||
| Payroll | ||
| Time Management | ||
| Timesheets | ||
| Vacation & Absence Calendar |
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowGusto vs. SAP SuccessFactors Integrations
| Integration | Gusto | SAP SuccessFactors |
| QuickBooks | ✅ | ❌ |
| Xero | ✅ | ❌ |
| Slack | ✅ | ✅ |
| Google Workspace | ✅ | ✅ |
| Microsoft Teams | ❌ | ✅ |
| DocuSign | ❌ | ✅ |
| Dropbox | ❌ | ✅ |
| Workday | ❌ | ✅ |
| API | ✅ | ✅ |
| Zapier | ✅ | ✅ |
With Gusto's integration with QuickBooks, you can streamline payroll processes, making it easy for small businesses to manage finances. SAP SuccessFactors's integration with Microsoft Teams is great for larger enterprises that need seamless communication and collaboration across departments. While Gusto simplifies financial tasks, SAP SuccessFactors enhances team collaboration tools.
Gusto vs. SAP SuccessFactors Security, Compliance & Reliability
| Factor | Gusto | SAP SuccessFactors |
| Data Encryption | Gusto encrypts data both in transit and at rest using AES-256 encryption. | SAP SuccessFactors uses enterprise-grade encryption for data protection. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Gusto complies with U.S. federal and state regulations, including ACA and HIPAA. | SAP SuccessFactors adheres to global compliance standards such as GDPR and ISO 27001. |
| Uptime Reliability | Gusto offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, ensuring continuous service availability. | SAP SuccessFactors provides a robust infrastructure with multi-region support for high availability. |
Gusto focuses on U.S.-centric compliance, while SAP SuccessFactors offers a more global compliance framework. To choose the right vendor, assess your organization's specific regulatory needs and evaluate how each tool's security measures align with those requirements.
Gusto vs. SAP SuccessFactors Ease of Use
| Factor | Gusto | SAP SuccessFactors |
| User Interface | Gusto features a simple, intuitive interface that's easy to navigate, especially for small businesses. | SAP SuccessFactors has a more complex interface with extensive features for larger enterprises. |
| Onboarding Experience | Gusto provides a straightforward onboarding process with helpful guides and resources. | SAP SuccessFactors offers a detailed onboarding experience with customizable workflows. |
| Customer Support | Gusto offers responsive customer support through multiple channels, including chat and email. | SAP SuccessFactors provides comprehensive support with dedicated account managers for enterprise clients. |
Gusto is easier to navigate with its clean and straightforward interface, making it ideal for small businesses. SAP SuccessFactors can be challenging due to its complexity, but it's powerful for those needing extensive customization and additional features.
Gusto vs SAP SuccessFactors: 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.
SAP SuccessFactors
- The platform's scalability supports your growing business needs without compromising performance.
- Its robust analytics provide valuable insights to help you make data-driven decisions.
- It offers comprehensive talent management tools that streamline your team's recruitment and performance tracking.
- Navigating the extensive features may require more training for effective use.
- Customizing the software to fit specific needs often requires additional support.
- The user interface can be complex, which might slow down your team's workflow initially.
Best Use Cases for Gusto and SAP SuccessFactors
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.
SAP SuccessFactors
- Large Enterprises SAP SuccessFactors scales efficiently to handle large employee bases and complex workflows.
- Healthcare Industry The software’s compliance and regulatory features are ideal for the healthcare sector’s stringent requirements.
- Manufacturing Sector Its robust analytics help you optimize workforce allocation and improve operational efficiency.
- HR Departments Your team benefits from its complete suite of tools for managing recruitment, performance, and employee development.
- Talent Acquisition Teams The platform’s recruitment features streamline your hiring processes and improve candidate experience.
- Global Companies SAP SuccessFactors supports multiple languages and currencies, perfect for managing your international workforce.
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowWho Should Use Gusto, and Who Should Use SAP SuccessFactors?
In my opinion, Gusto is best for small businesses and startups that need a simple, user-friendly payroll and benefits platform without the complexity of larger systems. It's perfect for teams with limited HR resources that want to streamline their processes. On the other hand, SAP SuccessFactors is ideal for large enterprises that require a comprehensive and customizable HCM solution to manage a diverse and global workforce. If your organization needs robust tools for talent management and complex integrations, SAP SuccessFactors is the way to go.
Differences Between Gusto and SAP SuccessFactors
| Gusto | SAP SuccessFactors | |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | Gusto automates payroll and tax filings for easy management. | SAP SuccessFactors offers extensive automation for talent management and HR processes. |
| Compliance | Gusto focuses on U.S. compliance with ACA and HIPAA standards. | SAP SuccessFactors meets global compliance standards like GDPR and ISO 27001. |
| Integrations | Gusto integrates well with tools like QuickBooks and Slack. | SAP SuccessFactors integrates with Microsoft Teams and offers robust API support for large-scale needs. |
| Pricing | Gusto uses a subscription model with a base fee plus per-employee costs. | SAP SuccessFactors offers customized pricing based on enterprise needs. |
| User Interface | Gusto has a simple, intuitive interface suited for small businesses. | SAP SuccessFactors has a complex interface with extensive features for large enterprises. |
| Visit GustoOpens new window | Visit SAP SuccessFactorsOpens new window |
Similarities Between Gusto and SAP SuccessFactors
| Analytics Tools | Gusto and SAP SuccessFactors both offer analytics to help you make data-driven HR decisions. Gusto focuses on basic insights, while SAP SuccessFactors provides in-depth analytics for strategic planning. |
|---|---|
| Cloud-Based Access | Both solutions are cloud-based, ensuring you can access your HR tools from anywhere. Gusto is ideal for small teams, whereas SAP SuccessFactors supports large, distributed workforces. |
| Employee Self-Service | Both platforms provide self-service portals, letting employees access pay stubs and update personal information. Gusto's portal is straightforward, while SAP SuccessFactors offers more detailed options for larger teams. |
| Payroll | Both Gusto and SAP SuccessFactors offer robust payroll management features, allowing you to handle employee payments efficiently. Gusto excels in simplicity, while SAP SuccessFactors provides advanced options for complex payroll needs. |
| Visit GustoOpens new window Visit SAP SuccessFactorsOpens new window | |