Homebase vs Gusto 2026: Scheduling vs Full-Service HR
Homebase is $35/month flat for hourly teams. Gusto starts at $40 + $6/employee. We compare scheduling, payroll, HR features, and which wins for your business.
Is it right for you?
- Do you have hourly employees who need scheduling and time tracking?
- How many employees do you have, and do they receive benefits?
- Do you need HR features like PTO tracking, onboarding, or offer letters?
- Are you primarily in retail, restaurant, or hospitality?
- What is your monthly budget for payroll software?
Quick verdict
Homebase wins for hourly shift-based teams (retail, restaurant, hospitality) who want scheduling and payroll in one tool at a flat $35/month. Gusto wins for businesses that need full-service HR: benefits administration, onboarding, compliance support, and no scheduling requirement.
The core difference
Homebase and Gusto both handle payroll for small businesses, but they were built for different use cases. Homebase started as scheduling software for hourly teams and added payroll. The scheduling and time clock features are deep and the pricing is flat ($35/month for payroll regardless of employee count on the Essentials plan). Gusto started as a payroll and HR platform: tax filing, benefits, onboarding, and compliance are strong, but scheduling is not a feature.
The decision is usually simple: if you run a restaurant, retail store, or any business with shift workers who need scheduling, Homebase is the natural choice. If you run an office-based or remote team where HR paperwork, benefits enrollment, and employee onboarding matter more than scheduling, Gusto is better.
Pricing comparison
| Homebase | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll starting price | $35/month flat | $40/mo + $6/employee |
| Cost for 10 employees | $35/month | $100/month |
| Cost for 25 employees | $35/month | $190/month |
| Scheduling | ✅ Included | ❌ Not available |
| Time clock | ✅ Included | ⚠️ Basic (no shift mgmt) |
| Benefits administration | ❌ Not available | ✅ Full health, 401k |
| Digital employee onboarding | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Full digital onboarding |
| Contractor (1099) payroll | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
When Homebase wins
Homebase is the clear winner for any business with shift-based hourly employees. The scheduling-to-payroll workflow is seamless: managers build the schedule, employees clock in via the free mobile app or a tablet time clock, and hours flow directly into payroll with no manual entry. For a 15-person restaurant or retail store, this eliminates the biggest weekly friction in running payroll.
The flat pricing is a genuine advantage as you grow. A restaurant going from 10 to 25 employees pays the same $35/month. Gusto's per-employee model means that same growth adds $90/month to your bill.
Homebase also offers a free tier for one location that covers scheduling and basic time tracking, which lets very small teams test before committing to payroll.
When Gusto wins
Gusto wins for teams where HR depth matters more than scheduling. Full benefits administration (health insurance, dental, vision, 401k) directly through Gusto means employees enroll and manage their benefits in the same system where they see their paystubs. For an office-based team of 10-30 where offering competitive benefits matters for recruiting, this integration saves meaningful administrative time.
Gusto's onboarding flow handles offer letters, I-9 collection, direct deposit setup, and state tax forms digitally. New hires complete everything before day one. For companies hiring frequently or managing remote employees across multiple states, Gusto's compliance tooling (automatic state tax registration, multi-state payroll) handles edge cases that Homebase does not.
FAQ: Homebase vs Gusto
Can Homebase handle salaried employees? Yes, Homebase Payroll supports both hourly and salaried employees. Salaried employees receive a fixed pay amount per period without time tracking. However, the platform is optimized for hourly workers. If your team is primarily salaried professionals, Gusto's HR features are a better fit.
Does Gusto have a scheduling feature? No. Gusto does not offer employee scheduling or shift management. If scheduling is a requirement, you would need to use a separate tool (Homebase, Deputy, or When I Work) alongside Gusto, which adds cost and eliminates the time-tracking integration.
Which is easier to set up? Both have setup times under an hour for a team under 20 employees. Homebase is slightly faster for simple hourly setups. Gusto requires more configuration if you are setting up benefits or multi-state payroll, but the guided setup wizard is well-designed. Most users can run their first payroll within a few hours on either platform.
Is Homebase payroll available for multiple locations? Yes. Homebase supports multiple locations on a single account, with per-location scheduling and a combined payroll run. The $35/month Essentials plan covers one location; additional locations add cost. If you run multiple restaurants or retail stores, verify current multi-location pricing with Homebase before committing.