Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Gusto
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Gusto offers payroll, benefits and compliance capabilities. Gusto is scaled for small to mid-sized businesses, and emphasizes an easy to use interface.
$49
per month
Iris HR Software
Score 7.5 out of 10
N/A
Iris HR Software (formerly Octopus HR, acquired by Iris Software Group April 2016) is an HR suite.
$1.50
Per User Per Month
Pricing
GustoIris HR Software
Editions & Modules
Simple: A streamlined set of automatic payroll features and benefits integrations
$49/month + $6/mo per person
per month
Plus: Comprehensive payroll, benefits, and HR tools for employers building a great place to work
$80/month + $12/mo per person
per month
Premium: Scalable payroll and benefits, expert HR, and dedicated support for the complex needs of growing teams
$180/month + $22/mo per person
per month
Basic
$1.50
Per User Per Month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
GustoIris HR Software
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsGusto offers three pricing plans for payroll, benefits, and HR.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
GustoIris HR Software
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
GustoIris HR Software
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
Gusto
8.9
522 Ratings
8% above category average
Iris HR Software
7.6
2 Ratings
5% below category average
Pay calculation9.1500 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Support for external payroll vendors8.58 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Benefit plan administration8.6361 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Direct deposit files9.0505 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management8.8388 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Reimbursement management9.4132 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Off-cycle/On-Demand payment00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Human Resource Management
Comparison of Human Resource Management features of Product A and Product B
Gusto
-
Ratings
Iris HR Software
8.5
2 Ratings
8% above category average
Employee demographic data00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Employment history00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Job profiles and administration00 Ratings9.92 Ratings
Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Organizational charting00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Organization and location management00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Leave and Attendance Management
Comparison of Leave and Attendance Management features of Product A and Product B
Gusto
-
Ratings
Iris HR Software
8.3
2 Ratings
3% above category average
Approval workflow00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Balance details00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Annual carry-forward and encashment00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Employee Self Service
Comparison of Employee Self Service features of Product A and Product B
Gusto
-
Ratings
Iris HR Software
8.2
2 Ratings
1% above category average
View and generate pay and benefit information00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Update personal information00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
View company policy documentation00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Employee recognition00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
View job history00 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Asset Management
Comparison of Asset Management features of Product A and Product B
Gusto
-
Ratings
Iris HR Software
7.0
1 Ratings
13% below category average
Tracking of all physical assets00 Ratings7.01 Ratings
HR Reporting
Comparison of HR Reporting features of Product A and Product B
Gusto
-
Ratings
Iris HR Software
7.4
2 Ratings
2% below category average
Report builder00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Pre-built reports00 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Ability to combine HR data with external data00 Ratings6.12 Ratings
Onboarding
Comparison of Onboarding features of Product A and Product B
Gusto
-
Ratings
Iris HR Software
8.5
2 Ratings
7% above category average
New hire portal00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Manager tracking tools00 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Performance and Goals
Comparison of Performance and Goals features of Product A and Product B
Gusto
-
Ratings
Iris HR Software
8.2
2 Ratings
3% above category average
Corporate goal setting00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Individual goal setting00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Line-of sight-visibility00 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Performance tracking00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Performance Management
Comparison of Performance Management features of Product A and Product B
Gusto
-
Ratings
Iris HR Software
8.4
2 Ratings
7% above category average
Performance plans00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Performance improvement plans00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Review status tracking00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Review reminders00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Multiple review frequency00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Succession Planning
Comparison of Succession Planning features of Product A and Product B
Gusto
-
Ratings
Iris HR Software
8.0
2 Ratings
2% above category average
Create succession plans/pools00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Candidate ranking00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Candidate search00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Candidate development00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Recruiting / ATS
Comparison of Recruiting / ATS features of Product A and Product B
Gusto
-
Ratings
Iris HR Software
7.8
2 Ratings
0% above category average
Job Requisition Management00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Company Website Posting00 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Duplicate Candidate Prevention00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Applicant Tracking00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Notifications and Alerts00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Best Alternatives
GustoIris HR Software
Small Businesses
Dayforce Powerpay
Dayforce Powerpay
Score 9.4 out of 10
Dayforce Powerpay
Dayforce Powerpay
Score 9.4 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Paypro Workforce Management
Paypro Workforce Management
Score 9.7 out of 10
Paypro Workforce Management
Paypro Workforce Management
Score 9.7 out of 10
Enterprises
Infor Human Resources
Infor Human Resources
Score 7.1 out of 10
Infor Human Resources
Infor Human Resources
Score 7.1 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
GustoIris HR Software
Likelihood to Recommend
8.6
(546 ratings)
8.0
(3 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(12 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Usability
9.4
(370 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
1.1
(25 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
8.2
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
GustoIris HR Software
Likelihood to Recommend
Gusto
It's very easy to use, especially for smaller companies. The site is user-friendly and eye-catching. Everything you need is easily accessible. I have never had to use the customer service side of Gusto, but there is not much that you would need help with or have issues with. I also really enjoy the little pig when logging in.
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IRIS Software Group
Our staff is kept updated with more company policies and we are able to track their holiday and sick days much better. The help and support of their contact support are super good. They reply super fast and are very kind. Also, their sales department isn't pushy like other services they are very knowledgeable and kind.
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Pros
Gusto
  • Gusto really kills it on the simplicity. The app and website are very clear and straightforward.
  • Gusto also does a great job at being easy to navigate, visually pleasing, and logically posed.
  • Gusto communicates very clearly and provides just the right amount of communication.
  • Gusto makes the onboarding process very easy. I recently started at a new company and the process of filling out the necessary documents, filling out forms, and getting my benefit information input was soooooo easy!
Read full review
IRIS Software Group
  • It's simple. I really appreciate that the layout of Octopus HR isn't something I have to question. I know where to look for something because it's clearly labeled, that's more than I can say for a lot of other HR systems I've seen.
  • Support. If I ever have a question about setting something up, or if something goes wrong, they're always on top of it. For instance, I had no idea how to set up employee photos on our accounts. I tweeted them and they responded right away, I'm based in LA and they're a UK company, I was impressed that they were able to respond right away. They make sure their customers are taken care of.
  • Great self guide. If there's ever an ordinary question I need answered their "Octopus Guide" is very thorough and walks you through everything.
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Cons
Gusto
  • Adding in previous time manually could be more accessible.
  • Notifications for when employees manually change hours.
  • We should allow 1099 users to use the mobile app instead of restricting them to the website, especially since they can just log into the full website on their mobile device.
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IRIS Software Group
  • initial scope/setup support (outside of template)
  • Contacting support can be difficult
  • case sensitive username for end users (email addresses have to match exactly)
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Likelihood to Renew
Gusto
Unless they break it, I'm never leaving. It's just too easy. Gusto is also really affordable, and for what I pay, it's worth having the historical record within the system. I like that I can go back and pull up W2's for year's past. This sort of easy access reporting, has been helpful especially when getting reports for PPP loans.
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IRIS Software Group
Employees don't complain about it! If anything they've commented on how nice of a tool it is to have.
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Usability
Gusto
It is a great piece of software, something that I have used since its ZenPayroll days. Its weakest feature at this point is its timekeeping and lack of scheduling. If it adds that, it gets a 10/10 and cannot be replaced by any other payroll software. Like I said, I recommend it to all of my clients and associates.
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IRIS Software Group
Iris HR Software is a stable and fairly intuitive product which has had a positive impact on our organisation. We have had some support issues but generally feel we've had a positive experience and our personnel and finance teams have benefitted from this process structure. Whilst contacting the correct Iris HR Software support channel has been our biggest issue once we have established contact our tickets have been raised and resolved promptly.
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Support Rating
Gusto
Gusto's customer service has really deteriorated lately and they seem to have really changed their focus. It used to be when you called you were routed to an individual who knew about payroll, benefits, reporting, etc. but now you get someone who seems to have not received the correct training. My last call about a dismissal payroll took me over an hour of my time and the person still could not help me and finally transferred me to someone else.
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IRIS Software Group
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Gusto
Super easy to implement and use!
Read full review
IRIS Software Group
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Gusto
I've used both Workday and Paylocity for years and they don't even compare. Between the mobile app and the website, everything feels seamless, well thought out, and easy to navigate. I'm so used to the frustration of navigating these apps, even after years of working with them. I never considered there was an option like Gusto out there. It's made everything so easy for me. If I ever get a say I'll be a diehard Gusto evangelist from here on out.
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IRIS Software Group
I would say the pricing is good but it could be better. Also, the customer service is amazing they do such a great job and you can tell they know what they are doing. Visually it is very easy to use and looks very professional. It is a quick set up and they do their best to give you what you want and need.
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Return on Investment
Gusto
  • It is definitely an easy, intuitive platform to utilize with lots of helpful features!
  • The Benefits package is very poor and is not useful to me at all.
  • I enjoy how it breaks up the spending insights into several categories such as Food, Transportation, Shopping, Housing Medical, etc.
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IRIS Software Group
  • Our staff is super happy with the service
  • Huge improvement
  • Looks quite professional
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ScreenShots

Gusto Screenshots

Screenshot of Gusto's automated payrollScreenshot of the time-off tracking interfaceScreenshot of the source of truth for HR data