Gusto vs Sage People comparison

Gusto and Sage are both solutions in the Benefits Administration category. Gusto is ranked #9 with an average rating of 9.0, while Sage is ranked #17. Gusto holds a 1.8% mindshare in BA, compared to Sage’s 2.2% mindshare. Additionally, 80% of Gusto users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 81% of Sage users who would recommend it.

Gusto

Read 4 Gusto reviews

1,709 Views
1,060 Comparison Views

80% willing to recommend

Sage People

Read 15 Sage People reviews

2,991 Views
1,346 Comparison Views

81% willing to recommend

Gusto

Sage People

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 4, 2024

Sage People and Gusto are top contenders in the HR management solutions category, focusing on payroll, benefits, and employee management. Gusto appears to have an advantage with its payroll features, whereas Sage People is strong in core HR capabilities.

Features: Sage People focuses on comprehensive core HR management, including absence management, an employee database, and performance management tools. Gusto, on the other hand, provides robust payroll services, efficient benefits administration, and user-friendly onboarding features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Gusto offers a straightforward deployment process with reliable customer support through live chat and email. Sage People provides thorough deployment support but may need more time for full integration, suiting larger organizations.

Pricing and ROI: Sage People has a higher initial setup cost, offering substantial ROI for companies in need of full HR capabilities. Gusto's more affordable pricing model delivers strong ROI for small to mid-sized businesses focusing on payroll and benefits, catering well to their streamlined HR needs.

To learn more, read our detailed Gusto vs. Sage People Report (Updated: August 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Gusto vs. Sage People

August 2026

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Helped 909,725 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Gusto

Ranking in Benefits Administration

9th

Ranking in Talent Management

13th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Sage People

Ranking in Benefits Administration

17th

Ranking in Talent Management

24th

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Cloud HCM (19th), HR Analytics Software (8th), Talent Acquisition (16th)

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the Benefits Administration category, the mindshare of Gusto is 1.8%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Sage People is 2.2%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Benefits Administration Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Gusto	1.8%
Sage People	2.2%
Other	96.0%

Benefits Administration

Featured Reviews

Phil Strazzulla

Founder at SelectSoftware Reviews

Provides time-saving solutions for small business payrolls

I would say, relative to another payroll solution, running payroll with Gusto probably costs half the price and saves us 5 to 10 hours a month. I would say Gusto is a really good payroll solution for small businesses. Running payroll with Gusto costs half the price and saves us 5 to 10 hours a month. My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. I was not offered a gift card or incentive for this review. I rated Gusto 9 out of 10 because of some customer support issues that kept it from being a 10.

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Spencer Gray

People Advisor at Thomas International

Highly customizable, robust, and access to helpful online community

In my opinion, the performance management module of this system could use improvement as it falls behind compared to other specialized performance management platforms. While I understand that this system is not solely focused on performance management and is more of a generalist solution, it still lacks the capabilities and features that you can find in other specialized platforms. If we were to switch to a provider solely focused on performance management, we would have access to a wider range of features and capabilities that are not currently available in this system. Sage People offers a wide range of functions that meet most requirements. However, there is still room for improvement. One feature that I would like to see added is the ability to detect and address any failures in the custom processes or functions built within the system. I would like to see a tool that can automatically sense and identify any issues in the system. Currently, when something goes wrong, it's not always immediately obvious and requires a lot of manual troubleshooting. It would be helpful if there was an error message that clearly explained why the system is failing. This would speed up the investigation process and make it ten times faster.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Gusto is a really good payroll solution for small businesses."

"I think the most value I have gotten from Gusto has been the interface, as it's very simple to use and it's very easy to understand."

"We used QuickBooks before Gusto; we switched because Gusto is much easier, and it also is used for payroll as an HR IT solution with multiple uses."

"I like the payroll part. We also use documents and forms whenever we hire, such as a new hire form for each state, and we like that as well."

"I appreciated the templates that they offered for new hires and onboarding."

"The reporting features are also very valuable because, on top of 300+ reports available on the system, you can also customize quite a number of reports."

"The most valuable feature of Sage People is the integration with our payroll system."

"The product is really easy to customise and configure, and the automation has enabled us to manage several HR processes at the right time in the correct manner."

"We are now able to visualize global team structures, and as we rollout other features, the organization will benefit from an easy to use system and standard processes."

"The technical support is astounding and they are one of the best support teams I have had the pleasure to work with."

"The report builder and dashboard builder are very, very good."

"The solution's initial setup was straightforward."

"Compared to the other system that we were using, I think Sage is more friendly. As an administrator, Sage's dashboard is visually friendly and many tasks are easier to accomplish. Another feature that we've liked since we started using Sage is the reporting. With the other system, we needed to configure a lot of things manually when it came to reporting, but with Sage the reporting tasks are much simpler."

More Sage People pros

Cons

"My experience with Gusto's customer support sometimes shows they're not responsive, and they have definitely made mistakes in the past."

"The integration is not so good."

"Their enrollment e-signature, enrollment forms, and other documents need a lot of work."

"In the beginning, their support was top-notch. And then around the beginning of 2022, and end of 2021, their support tanked. We used to get responses in the beginning within one to two business days, and towards the end, we were getting responses in one to two business weeks."

"Their enrollment e-signature, enrollment forms, and other documents need a lot of work. Once we fill in the information, we cannot go back and change any of that. It's a time-taking process. If there is any mistake in the document and if we need to go and change a specific field in the form, it's not possible. We have to redo the entire form."

"The automation in Sage People could improve. The solution is the best used for data storage but the automation could be better to have more functionality."

"Right now, Sage doesn't seem to have what we are looking for when it comes to managing HR tickets."

"There were a couple of things that we wanted to customize, but we couldn’t do it ourselves."

"The integration with our payroll system could improve. However, it is managed by another company."

"Right now, Sage doesn't seem to have what we are looking for when it comes to managing HR tickets. In my previous experiences with other HR software, we had to buy another solution to obtain this functionality, and it would be a great feature for Sage to consider adding. For an HR system, Sage would do very well to include it."

"There is a mash-up of Visualforce and apex triggers which bear down heavily on the system."

"Its technical support could have been better."

"If Sage People were to become a fully cloud-based solution, it could lead to significant improvements. With the COVID pandemic highlighting the benefits of remote work, a complete shift to cloud-based functionality would be a welcome development for users."

More Sage People cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"Its cost is moderate for a multi-group licensing model."

"The cost of Sage People varies depending on the financial resources of the organization. While it may be affordable for middle-level companies, it may be more challenging for young companies to bear the cost."

"From an SME standpoint, I wouldn't necessarily describe it as expensive. However, for the average startup, it may not be affordable since our current annual expenditure on the system, which supports approximately 210-220 users, amounts to approximately £15,000 to £18,000."

"We have to purchase the solution's license to use it."

"The price of the solution is reasonable."

"I think it's reasonably priced. But in comparison to other systems, I would choose them over Sage People, regardless of their prices."

"I believe we pay licensing on a yearly basis, but I can't comment on the total amount that we pay on licensing."

"The pricing is reasonable."

More Sage People pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Construction Company

13%

Outsourcing Company

11%

Media Company

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

15%

Construction Company

15%

Marketing Services Firm

Outsourcing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	3
Midsize Enterprise	7
Large Enterprise	6

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Gusto?

I wish Gusto's customer support was better for improvements. My experience with Gusto's customer support sometimes shows they're not responsive, and they have definitely made mistakes in the past.

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Gusto?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Gusto?

Our main use case for Gusto is for payroll, and we pay our US employees through it. Gusto helps with our payroll process because we use it for tax filings and benefits.

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Comparisons

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Compared 12% of the time

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Compared 11% of the time

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Compared 9% of the time

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Compared 8% of the time

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Compared 7% of the time

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Compared 11% of the time

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Compared 8% of the time

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Compared 5% of the time

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Compared 5% of the time

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Compared 5% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Benefits Administration

July 2026

Download Gusto product report

Buyer's Guide

Sage People

July 2026

Download Sage People product report

Also Known As

ZenPayroll

Fairsail

Overview

Gusto offers comprehensive payroll, benefits, and HR tools designed to simplify business operations for small to medium-sized enterprises. Known for its intuitive platform, Gusto facilitates the seamless management of crucial business functions.

Gusto provides a streamlined platform enabling employers to handle critical HR tasks effectively. It incorporates payroll processing, benefits management, and HR services into a unified interface, making it a valuable asset for businesses looking to optimize workforce administration. Its ease of use is frequently highlighted in reviews, with many users appreciating the reduction in administrative burden. Gusto supports businesses by automating intricate processes, reducing errors, and providing insights through smart reports. With a focus on efficiency and simplicity, Gusto addresses key business administration needs, aiding in maintaining compliance and boosting productivity.

What are Gusto's Most Important Features?

Payroll Processing: Automates pay runs, including taxes, filings, and reporting.
Benefits Management: Easy management of health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
HR Tools: Offers onboarding, time tracking, and organizational insights.
Gusto Wallet: Employee financial tools enhancing payroll experience.

What Benefits or ROI Should Users Look For?

Time Savings: Simplifies and accelerates payroll and benefits tasks.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces overhead through automation and online tools.
Compliance Assurance: Provides updates and guidance on regulatory adherence.
Employee Satisfaction: Facilitates better benefits and payroll management leading to higher morale.

In industries such as tech startups and boutique firms, Gusto's implementation streamlines HR requirements, supporting agile business models. Many have found that it integrates seamlessly, allowing them to focus on core objectives without being bogged down by administrative complexities. Service-oriented and creative industries particularly benefit from its flexible and user-friendly approach, offering the needed adaptability in dynamic environments.

Gusto

Sage People offers customizable reporting, system integration, and HR management capabilities tailored to companies managing diverse teams globally through Salesforce technology. It enhances workforce engagement and enables seamless interaction with payroll and financial systems.

Sage People is built for managing HR services, including payroll integration, employee data handling, and talent acquisition. It provides a visually appealing interface powered by Salesforce, enhancing employee processes with functions like time-off management and legally compliant reporting. Implementation supports global operations across APAC, EMEA, and Americas, optimizing workforce engagement and standardizing HR processes.

What are Sage People's key features?

Customizable Reporting: Enables detailed analysis and evaluation of HR metrics
Payroll Integration: Seamlessly connects with payroll systems to streamline financial transactions
Global Team Visualization: Visualizes team structures for better management
Employee Information Management: Centralizes employee data for easy access and updates
Cloud and On-Premise Support: Allows flexibility in deployment and ensures robust performance

What benefits are important to consider in reviews?

Process Standardization: Facilitates consistent HR practices across various regions
Employee Engagement: Enhances workforce interaction and satisfaction
Mobile Access: Provides remote accessibility for team management
Efficient Integration: Connects with existing financial systems for simplified workflows

Sage People is widely used across industries for efficient HR management, especially in talent acquisition and onboarding processes. Its adaptability enables companies to customize according to workforce requirements, whether in the cloud or on-premise, supporting comprehensive payroll management and application oversight.

Sage

Sample Customers

Farmgirl Flowers, Bevel, Pooch Pals, ALL MAVEN

Rocketship Education, Monitise, u-blox, SolarWinds, Mitsubishi, SmartStream, Canonical, Betfair

Buyer's Guide

Gusto vs. Sage People

August 2026

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