Gusto vs Remote.com
A detailed comparison of Gusto and Remote.com. See how they stack up on features, pricing, and user ratings.
At a Glance
| Gusto | Remote.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Starting Price | $40/mo | $29/mo |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Plan | No | No |
| Features | 9 | 9 |
| Best For | SMB | All |
This comparison comes up when a company that currently uses (or is evaluating) Gusto for US payroll starts hiring internationally. These tools serve different markets with minimal overlap.
Gusto (rated 4.5/5) is a US payroll and HR platform starting at $40/month + $6/person. It handles payroll in all 50 states, benefits administration (health, dental, vision, 401k), tax filings, onboarding, and basic HR tools. It is one of the best-regarded small business payroll platforms in the US — but it does not support international payroll or EOR services.
Remote.com (rated 4.5/5) is a global employment platform specialising in international hiring. Its EOR service (~$599/employee/month) lets you hire in 60+ countries without local entities. It also offers contractor management, global payroll for companies with existing entities, and equity incentive management. Remote owns its legal entities rather than using third-party partners.
The decision is geographic. US-only team → Gusto. International team → Remote. Both US and international → many companies run both, using Gusto for domestic payroll/HR and Remote for international hires.
Editor's Note
This isn't really a versus — it's a "when do I need which?" decision. Gusto handles US payroll and HR beautifully at $40+/month. Remote handles international compliance at $599+/employee/month. If you're hiring your first international employee, Remote (or Deel) solves the compliance problem. Gusto can continue handling your US team.
Gusto
Cloud-based payroll and HR platform for small businesses handling payroll processing, benefits administration, time tracking, hiring, and compliance in one system.
Remote.com
Global employment platform providing Employer of Record, contractor management, and global payroll services for companies hiring internationally across borders and jurisdictions.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Gusto | Remote.com |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow Automation | ||
| Reporting Dashboard | ||
| EEO/OFCCP Compliance | ||
| GDPR Compliance | ||
| API Access | ||
| HRIS Integration | ||
| Slack Integration | ||
| Zapier Integration | ||
| Mobile App |
Pricing Comparison
Gusto
Remote.com
Integrations
Both tools integrate with
Only Gusto
Only Remote.com
Pros & Cons
Gusto
Pros
- +Best-in-class payroll for small businesses
- +Very easy to set up and use
- +Transparent, affordable pricing
- +Excellent employee self-service portal
Cons
- -Limited to US-based companies (mostly)
- -HR features less deep than dedicated HRIS tools
- -Reporting not as robust as enterprise solutions
- -Not ideal for companies over 200 employees
Remote.com
Pros
- +Strong alternative to Deel for global hiring
- +Owns entities in 80+ countries (not third-party)
- +Good IP protection and compliance
- +Contractor and EOR management in one platform
Cons
- -EOR pricing expensive at $599/employee/month
- -HR features beyond payroll are limited
- -Newer platform — still building out features
- -Country coverage less than Deel in some regions
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Gusto if:
- • Your company is SMB size
- • Best-in-class payroll for small businesses
Choose Remote.com if:
- • Budget is a priority (starts from $29/mo vs $40/mo)
- • Strong alternative to Deel for global hiring
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Gusto pay international contractors?
Gusto added limited international contractor payments, but it's not its core strength. For occasional contractor payments, it may work. For regular international hiring (employees or contractors at scale), Remote or Deel offer deeper compliance coverage, local tax handling, and multi-currency support.
Is Remote.com overkill if I'm only hiring one person abroad?
Not necessarily — Remote's EOR pricing is per-employee, so you pay for what you use. But at $599/month for one employee, evaluate whether that person could be engaged as a contractor instead (Remote's contractor management is cheaper). EOR is essential when the role genuinely requires employment status for compliance or IP protection.
Should I switch from Gusto to Remote if I'm going international?
No — keep both. Gusto is better and cheaper for US payroll and HR than Remote's domestic offerings. Add Remote (or Deel) specifically for international hires. The two tools serve different purposes and complement each other well.
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How we evaluate tools
Our ratings combine verified user reviews from G2 and Capterra with hands-on feature analysis. Pricing is checked against official sources. We may earn a commission through affiliate links, but this never influences our rankings or recommendations. Read our full methodology.