Gusto vs Sesame HR
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Gusto and Sesame HR are credible payroll tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Gusto if you want a higher overall rating (4.6/5). Payroll, benefits, and HR for small business.
Choose Sesame HR if you'd rather have a lower starting price (from $4.50/mo) and a longer free trial (14 days). HR & time-tracking for SMBs.
Gusto vs Sesame HR: side by side
| Dimension | Gusto | Sesame HR |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $40/mo | From $4.50/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | — | 14 daysWinner |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best for | Smb, Startups | Es Smb, Latam Smb |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.6/5Winner | 4.3/5 |
Gusto key facts
- Vendor
- Gusto
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $40/mo
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Smb, Startups
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2011
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Sesame HR key facts
- Vendor
- Sesame
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $4.50/mo
- Free tier
- Free trial (14 days)
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Es Smb, Latam Smb
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2016
- Headquarters
- Valencia, Spain
Frequently asked questions
Is Gusto better than Sesame HR?
Neither is universally better — Gusto edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Gusto or Sesame HR cheaper?
Sesame HR is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $4.50/mo. Gusto starts at from $40/mo; Sesame HR starts at from $4.50/mo.
Can Gusto replace Sesame HR?
Yes for most teams — both are payroll tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.