# Workday HCM vs Gusto: Features and Cost Comparison 2026 | Capterra > Workday HCM vs Gusto: Which payroll tool is right for you? Dive into our detailed comparison of their features, costs, and user experience to make your decision. Source: https://www.capterra.com/compare/66908-131882/Workday-HCM-vs-Gusto --- # Workday HCM vs Gusto Features and Cost Comparison Last updated April 23rd, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team.[Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) Your comparison: GustoWorkday HCM2/4 selected [Workday HCM](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/)[4.5 (1745)](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/reviews/) [Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/)[4.6 (4199)](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/reviews/) [## Workday HCM](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/)[4.5 (1745)](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/reviews/) [## Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/)[4.6 (4199)](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/reviews/) Starting Price Contact vendor Starting Price Contact vendor for pricing Value-for-Money 4.3 Functionality 4.4 Ease of Use 4.3 Customer Service 4.3 Starting Price $49.00/month Starting Price $49.00/month Value-for-Money 4.5 Functionality 4.5 Ease of Use 4.6 Customer Service 4.4 Reviews Sentiment Based on [1,745 reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/reviews/) Positive 1,576 Neutral 129 Negative 40 Positive 1,576 Neutral 129 Negative 40 Reviews Sentiment Based on [4,199 reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/reviews/) Positive 3,923 Neutral 162 Negative 114 Positive 3,923 Neutral 162 Negative 114 Best for (according to reviews) - **Business size**: Enterprise organizations account for 858 reviews (52%), suggesting strong market traction among large-scale businesses, with notable adoption also in small and midsize companies. - **Industry**: Information technology, computer software, and hospital & health care collectively represent 21% of reviews, indicating diverse industry utilization without a single dominant sector. - **Use cases**: Payroll (36%), human resources (36%), and employee vacation & PTO tracking (21%) are key functions, highlighting a focus on workforce management and HR operations. Best for (according to reviews) - **Business size**: Small businesses account for 3,441 reviews, representing 83% of feedback, demonstrating broad uptake among this segment. - **Industry**: Computer software, marketing and advertising, and accounting collectively contribute 22% of reviews, indicating diverse industry adoption. - **Use cases**: Payroll (57%), human resources (19%), and onboarding (18%) are the main applications, reflecting a focus on workforce management. ## Send this comparison chart to my inbox ## Reviewer verdict Workday HCM Workday HCM users find it best for organizations seeking a comprehensive HR and payroll solution, appreciating its integration of payroll, benefits, talent management, and workforce planning. Reviewers highlight its detailed payroll management, customizable reporting, global tax compliance, and mobile accessibility, noting that it offers good value for money for larger organizations despite a complex setup and higher initial costs. Gusto Gusto users consider it ideal for small businesses needing straightforward payroll and HR management, valuing its simplicity, automation, and affordable, scalable pricing. Reviewers appreciate its reliable direct deposit, easy payroll scheduling, integration with accounting tools like Quickbooks, and user-friendly interface, though they mention that customer support and tax management can be inconsistent as businesses grow. ## Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs. ## Features comparison Choosing a payroll solution like Workday HCM or Gusto involves more than just comparing prices. Evaluating the features and capabilities of each option is key to finding the right fit. Selecting a solution that integrates well with your needs can improve efficiency and prevent spending on features you don't require. Here's how these two options measure up in key areas. \[[1](#source-item-1)\] Key features rated by users Features selected based on 65,688 reviews from Payroll users. about the Fit Score methodology. Fit Score methodology To calculate the Fit Score, our proprietary methodology factors in the following: - The importance level for each feature. By default, this is determined by user reviews. They can rate a feature Critical, High, Low, or Not Used. - Feedback from real users on how the product performs for each key feature, derived from verified user reviews and ratings. Please note: - To calculate the Fit Score, the number of reviews for those features and the actual rating carry the same weight. You might see that, in some cases, even though the ratings are the same, we still determine a winner because it had more reviews. - If the Fit Score is not shown for a specific product, that only means there are currently not enough relevant data points to develop a meaningful score. It does not indicate that the product should be excluded from further evaluation. Workday HCM 82%Fit Feature ratings Payroll Management 4.5 Direct Deposit 4.7 Payroll Reporting 4.6 Tax Compliance 4.5 Gusto 84%Fit Feature ratings Payroll Management 4.6 Direct Deposit 4.7 Payroll Reporting 4.5 Tax Compliance 4.4 Payroll Management 4.5 (347) 4.6 (764) Workday HCM users appreciate its comprehensive payroll management features, which they say include streamlined processes, real-time insights, and compliance with regulations. They find it useful for managing direct deposits, tracking pay, and generating reports. However, some users mention difficulties with splitting salaries into multiple accounts and navigating the system. Gusto users value its simplicity and automation in payroll management, noting its ability to handle various pay types and integrate with timekeeping systems. They appreciate the ease of scheduling payroll and the detailed breakdown of paychecks. Nonetheless, some users report issues with late payments and unreliable service. Overall, users find Workday HCM's payroll management comprehensive and flexible, while they value Gusto's simplicity and automation. Direct Deposit 4.7 (164) 4.7 (513) Workday HCM users find the direct deposit feature convenient and secure, appreciating the ability to deposit paychecks into multiple accounts and the transparency of deductions. They mention that it saves time and reduces errors. However, some users find the process time-consuming and prefer specialist handling. Gusto users also appreciate the direct deposit feature, highlighting its reliability and flexibility in splitting payments across multiple accounts. They value the ease of setup and the timely deposits. Some users, however, report issues with late payments and misreporting. In general, users find Workday HCM's direct deposit feature secure and efficient, while they value Gusto's reliability and flexibility. Payroll Reporting 4.6 (147) 4.5 (466) Workday HCM users appreciate the detailed and customizable payroll reporting features, which they say provide real-time insights and ensure compliance with regulations. They find it useful for tracking payroll data and generating historical reports. However, some users mention limitations in the reporting features and non-intuitive interfaces. Gusto users value the ease of generating and downloading payroll reports, noting the integration with Quickbooks and the ability to create custom reports. They appreciate the accuracy and timeliness of the reports but mention occasional difficulties in finding specific information. Overall, users find Workday HCM's payroll reporting detailed and customizable, while they value Gusto's ease of use and integration capabilities. Tax Compliance 4.5 (107) 4.4 (458) Workday HCM users appreciate the comprehensive tax compliance features, which they say include automated tax updates, real-time reporting, and support for global tax laws. They find it helpful for managing employee tax information and ensuring compliance. Some users, however, mention the need for more detailed explanations. Gusto users value the tax compliance features for handling payroll tax calculations and filings, noting the support for federal, state, and local regulations. They appreciate the ease of managing tax compliance but report issues with state tax registration and customer support. In summary, users find Workday HCM's tax compliance comprehensive and reliable, while they value Gusto's handling of payroll tax calculations and filings. ## Pricing comparison ### Starting prices Workday HCM Contact vendor for pricing Gusto $49.00 Other (Per Month) Free Trial Free Version [View pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/pricing/) ### Value-for-money analysis 4.3 (1745) 4.5 (4199) A dive into reviewer perceptions about the value for money of both Workday HCM and Gusto demonstrates that Workday HCM reviewers consider it to offer good value for money, while Gusto reviewers comment on its affordability and scalability for small businesses. Reviewers find Workday HCM to be competitively priced and cost-efficient, highlighting its free trial and transparent pricing. They appreciate its ability to reduce operational costs and the good return on investment. However, some users note that the high licensing and implementation costs can be prohibitive for smaller organizations, mentioning that the setup process can be time-consuming and expensive. When it comes to Gusto, reviewers appreciate its affordable pricing structure, which they say scales well with business growth. They find it cost-effective for small businesses and value its user-friendly interface. However, some users mention that the pricing can become expensive as additional features are added, indicating that the cost may be high for larger clients or those with limited budgets. ## How does the user experience compare on Workday HCM vs Gusto? ### Overall rating 4.5 (1745) 4.6 (4199) ### User interface Workday HCM Gusto ### Customer service and support Workday HCM Email/Help Desk FAQs/Forum Knowledge Base Phone Support 24/7 (Live rep) Chat Gusto Email/Help Desk FAQs/Forum Knowledge Base Phone Support 24/7 (Live rep) Chat ## What users say about the pros and cons of Workday HCM vs Gusto When it comes to payroll tools, Workday HCM and Gusto are two options that have been reviewed on Capterra by verified reviewers. Explore the experiences our reviewers have shared about Workday HCM and Gusto to see how they stack up against one another and pick the one that would best fit your needs. Users appreciate Workday HCM for its comprehensive HR management, noting its all-in-one solution that integrates payroll, benefits, talent management, and workforce planning. They highlight its user-friendly interface and real-time analytics, which streamline HR processes and empower employees. Additionally, reviewers value its global capabilities and mobile accessibility for employee management. Meanwhile, Gusto users praise its payroll management, citing automated functionalities, tax filing, and seamless integration with accounting software. They also appreciate its pay administration features, such as timely payments and easy tracking of paystubs, and its intuitive HR management interface. As for the cons, Workday HCM users find navigation cumbersome and the submission process tedious. They also report occasional software issues like glitches and slow performance. With regard to Gusto, users criticize its customer service for being inconsistent and slow. They also mention high pricing and difficulties with tax management. \[[2](#source-item-2)\] Pros Workday HCM Trinidad F Remote Assistance OperatorOutsourcing/Offshoring, 10,001+ employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “It's an all-in-one application that centralizes so many business needs such as internal opportunities and positions, employee referrals, and additional company information.“ December 15, 2025 Waghlis T Software Dev ManagerComputer Software, 5,001 - 10,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The interface is clear and most functions are intuitive, allowing me to quickly find the information I need and complete routine HR processes efficiently. While there are some areas that could be improved, such as report speed and navigation, the overall experience has been good and the platform provides useful tools that support effective team management.“ March 7, 2026 Gusto Ryan P Graphic DesignerDesign, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “As an employee with the employer implementing Gusto as our way to clock hours and bill labor, I found it pretty simple and straightforward, with full transparency as far as being able to view accrued hours, break time etc.“ December 6, 2025 RK Raechel K Training ManagerFund-Raising, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “I appreciate that all of the information that I need is included in this application and provides a menu where I can access my personal information and easily transition to what I need as a leader.“ April 17, 2026 Cons Workday HCM HT Hailie T RNHospital & Health Care, 10,001+ employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “If there is not a stable internet connection, the app can be glitchy at times. When necessary, changes need to be made by an associate such as address or phone number, they have to go through administration which can delay this change from processing immediately.“ April 15, 2026 CT Cameron T IT Service Desk AnalystFinancial Services, 201 - 500 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “It is very hard to be negative / suggest improvements about workday, but I would say the one thing stopping it from being a complete user friendly system is the lack of customisation, for example there is no ability to set your own theme / colour code certain things which may cause accessibility issues for some people.“ February 25, 2026 Gusto Hallye N Operation ManagementMechanical or Industrial Engineering, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: I used a free trial. “Slow support, rising per-employee costs, limited customization, weaker mobile app, and advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans.“ March 26, 2026 Sofia L Head Administrative AssistantAccounting, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “Gusto can get pricey depending upon the number of employees being serviced, and some employees have found it difficult to customize their withholdings.“ December 8, 2025 * * * Sources 1. Our research team identified features from vendor websites based on their analysis of what users find valuable or expect from payroll software. This list is not exhaustive. For additional features, refer to the vendor’s website. 2. Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts are evaluated for positive or negative sentiment and receive a sentiment score. They represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by Capterra or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar. * * * Need Help Deciding Between Workday HCM and Gusto? Talk to a Capterra advisor for free and get results within 15 minutes. 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