Gusto vs HubSpot CRM
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Gusto and HubSpot CRM. We compare features, pricing, ease of use, and value for money to help you make the right choice in 2026.
Reviewed by the Ikaroa team · Last updated: March 2026
Quick Verdict
HubSpot CRM edges ahead overall with a rating of 4.5/5. However, Gusto (4.3/5) may be the better fit if you prioritise US-based small businesses wanting simple, full-service payroll with benefits administration. Read on for the full breakdown.
Gusto vs HubSpot CRM at a Glance
Gusto
★ 4.3Gusto is a modern payroll and HR platform that simplifies paying employees, filing taxes, and managing benefits. Known for its delightful user experience and full-service payroll, it handles everything from direct deposits and tax filings to health insurance and retirement plans. Primarily focused on the US market.
Starting from: £30/month + £5/person
Best for: US-based small businesses wanting simple, full-service payroll with benefits administration
Read full review →HubSpot CRM
★ 4.5HubSpot offers a free CRM with powerful marketing, sales, and service tools. Popular with small to mid-sized businesses for its generous free tier and intuitive interface.
Starting from: £0/month
Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a free starting point with room to grow
Read full review →Gusto vs HubSpot CRM Feature Comparison
Here is how Gusto and HubSpot CRM compare across the features that matter most. We have tested both platforms extensively across client implementations.
| Feature | Gusto | HubSpot CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan Available | No | Yes |
| Starting Price | £30/month + £5/person | £0/month |
| Best For | US-based small businesses wanting simple, full-service payroll with benefits administration | Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a free starting point with room to grow |
| Our Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Email Marketing | No | Yes |
| Automation | Limited | Yes |
| Reporting | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Limited | Extensive |
| API Access | Limited | Limited |
| Ikaroa Exclusive Discount | N/A | N/A |
Gusto vs HubSpot CRM Pricing
Pricing is often the deciding factor. Here is a full breakdown of what each platform charges at every tier:
Gusto Pricing
Simple
£30/month + £5/person
- ✓Full-service payroll
- ✓Employee self-service
- ✓Health benefits
- ✓2-day direct deposit
Plus
£55/month + £8/person
- ✓Everything in Simple
- ✓Next-day direct deposit
- ✓Time tracking
- ✓PTO management
- ✓Hiring tools
Premium
Custom
- ✓Everything in Plus
- ✓Dedicated support
- ✓HR Resource Centre
- ✓Compliance alerts
- ✓Performance reviews
HubSpot CRM Pricing
Free
£0/month
- ✓Contact management
- ✓Email tracking
- ✓Deal pipeline
- ✓Live chat
Starter
£18/month
- ✓Everything in Free
- ✓Email marketing
- ✓Ad management
- ✓Landing pages
Professional
£720/month
- ✓Everything in Starter
- ✓Automation
- ✓Custom reporting
- ✓Teams
Enterprise
£3,000/month
- ✓Everything in Professional
- ✓Advanced permissions
- ✓Predictive lead scoring
- ✓Custom objects
Not sure which to pick?
Our team has implemented both Gusto and HubSpot CRM for clients. We can help you decide based on your specific needs.
Gusto Pros and Cons
✓Pros
- •Excellent, user-friendly interface
- •Full-service payroll (they handle tax filings)
- •Built-in benefits administration
- •Good hiring and onboarding tools
- •Affordable for small businesses
✗Cons
- •Primarily US-focused (limited international)
- •No UK payroll currently
- •Per-person pricing increases with headcount
- •Limited HR features on Simple plan
- •Benefits are US-specific
HubSpot CRM Pros and Cons
✓Pros
- •Generous free tier with no time limit
- •Excellent user interface and onboarding
- •All-in-one platform (marketing, sales, service)
- •Huge integration marketplace (1,000+)
- •Strong community and learning resources
✗Cons
- •Gets expensive quickly at Professional tier
- •Free plan has HubSpot branding
- •Limited customisation on lower tiers
- •Annual contracts on paid plans
- •Per-seat pricing adds up for larger teams
Our Verdict: Gusto vs HubSpot CRM
Both Gusto and HubSpot CRM are solid options, but they serve different needs. Having implemented both for multiple clients, here is our recommendation:
Choose Gusto if you need US-based small businesses wanting simple, full-service payroll with benefits administration. With a starting price of £30/month + £5/person and a rating of 4.3/5, it offers excellent, user-friendly interface.
Choose HubSpot CRM if you need Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a free starting point with room to grow. Starting at £0/month with a 4.5/5 rating, it excels at generous free tier with no time limit.
Still not sure? Talk to the Ikaroa team. We have helped hundreds of businesses make this exact decision, and we are happy to point you in the right direction.
🎁 Get either product at a discount through Ikaroa Partners
Consider Open Doors Instead
Why choose between Gusto and HubSpot CRM? Open Doors gives you the best features of both in one platform, for less. It is an all-in-one CRM with email marketing, SMS, funnels, booking, invoicing, automation, and more, starting at just £97/month with unlimited contacts.
Need implementation help?
Ikaroa can set up Gusto or HubSpot CRM for your business, migrate your data, and train your team. We have done it dozens of times.
Free consultation. No obligation.