The 5 best Gusto alternatives
Short answer
The best Gusto alternatives are FreshBooks, QuickBooks, Deel. FreshBooks is our top pick — it scores 8.2/10 and is best for Freelancers and consultants billing by project or time. The right choice depends on your budget, team size, and which features matter most.
Why look for a Gusto alternative?
Gusto scores 9/10 in our review and works well for many teams — but it is not the right fit for everyone. The most common reasons readers look elsewhere:
- ✗US-only — not suitable for international payroll (use Deel)
- ✗Per-person pricing adds up as headcount grows
- ✗No free plan
Gusto alternatives, ranked
FreshBooks
Top pickInvoicing and accounting for small businesses
FreshBooks is an accounting and invoicing platform designed for service businesses and freelancers. It covers invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, estimates, and basic double-entry accounting. Much easier to use than QuickBooks, though less powerful for complex accounting needs.
Strengths
- ✓Extremely easy to use
- ✓Beautiful invoices
- ✓Time tracking built in
Best for
- →Freelancers and consultants billing by project or time
- →Service businesses
QuickBooks
Small business accounting that does the heavy lifting
QuickBooks is the dominant small business accounting software in the US. It handles invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, tax preparation, and financial reporting. Best for businesses that work with a bookkeeper or accountant.
Strengths
- ✓Gold standard for accountants and bookkeepers
- ✓Comprehensive payroll features
- ✓Huge integration ecosystem
Best for
- →Small businesses with employees
- →Anyone working with a US-based accountant or bookkeeper
Deel
Hire and pay contractors and employees in 150+ countries
Deel solves international hiring compliance — it lets businesses hire full-time employees and contractors in 150+ countries without setting up a local legal entity. Deel acts as the Employer of Record (EoR), handling local employment contracts, tax compliance, and payroll in each country. For contractors, Deel manages contracts, invoicing, and payments in local currencies. Built for globally distributed teams. Critical infrastructure for agencies and remote-first businesses hiring internationally.
Strengths
- ✓Hire legally in 150+ countries without setting up a local entity
- ✓Contractor management (contracts, invoicing, payments) free for up to 200 contractors
- ✓Handles local tax compliance, social contributions, and mandatory benefits automatically
Best for
- →Remote-first agencies hiring developers, designers, or marketers internationally
- →Any business paying contractors across multiple countries who wants compliance certainty
Xero
Beautiful accounting software for small businesses
Xero is a cloud-based accounting platform popular outside the US, particularly in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. It's cleaner and more modern than QuickBooks, with excellent multi-currency support and a strong app marketplace.
Strengths
- ✓Best multi-currency accounting
- ✓Cleaner UI than QuickBooks
- ✓Strong international accounting standards support
Best for
- →International businesses or remote-first teams
- →Businesses outside the US looking for modern accounting
Wave
Free accounting software for freelancers and small businesses
Wave offers genuinely free accounting software — invoicing, expense tracking, double-entry bookkeeping, and financial reports with no subscription fee. Revenue comes from optional paid add-ons: payroll (US and Canada only) and payment processing (per-transaction fee). Acquired by H&R Block in 2019. Wave is especially well-suited to self-employed individuals and very small businesses that don't need the complexity of QuickBooks or Xero.
Strengths
- ✓Core accounting (invoicing, expense tracking, reports) is genuinely free
- ✓Double-entry bookkeeping — proper accounting, not just spreadsheets
- ✓Easy bank reconciliation via bank connections
Best for
- →Freelancers and self-employed individuals who need real accounting at $0
- →Very small businesses that want proper books without a subscription
Gusto vs. the alternatives
| Tool | Score | Starting price | Free plan | Ease of use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gusto(current) | 9/10 | — | No | 8.5/10 |
| FreshBooks | 8.2/10 | $19/mo | No | 9/10 |
| QuickBooks | 8/10 | $17/mo | No | 7/10 |
| Deel | 9/10 | — | Yes | 8/10 |
| Xero | 8.3/10 | $15/mo | No | 8/10 |
| Wave | 8.2/10 | — | Yes | 8.5/10 |
Gusto alternatives — FAQ
What is the best Gusto alternative?
FreshBooks is our top-rated Gusto alternative, scoring 8.2/10. It is best for Freelancers and consultants billing by project or time.
Is there a free Gusto alternative?
Yes — Deel, Wave offer a free plan you can use to evaluate the tool before paying.