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15Five vs Gusto

Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.

Performance and engagement for managers.

Payroll, benefits, and HR for small business.

The verdict

Both 15Five and Gusto are credible hr tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.

Choose 15Five if you want a lower starting price (from $4/user/mo). Performance and engagement for managers.

Gusto — Payroll, benefits, and HR for small business.

15Five vs Gusto: side by side

Dimension15FiveGusto
Starting priceFrom $4/user/moWinnerFrom $40/mo
Free planNoNo
Pricing modelSubscriptionSubscription
Best forSmb, Mid MarketSmb, Startups
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android
Rating4.6/54.6/5

15Five key facts

Vendor
15Five
Pricing
Subscription — From $4/user/mo
Free tier
No
Platforms
Web, Ios, Android
Best for
Smb, Mid Market
Editor rating
4.6 / 5
Founded
2011
Headquarters
San Francisco, CA, USA

Gusto key facts

Vendor
Gusto
Pricing
Subscription — From $40/mo
Free tier
No
Platforms
Web, Ios, Android
Best for
Smb, Startups
Editor rating
4.6 / 5
Founded
2011
Headquarters
San Francisco, CA, USA

Frequently asked questions

Is 15Five better than Gusto?

Neither is universally better — 15Five edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.

Is 15Five or Gusto cheaper?

15Five is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $4/user/mo. 15Five starts at from $4/user/mo; Gusto starts at from $40/mo.

Can 15Five replace Gusto?

Yes for most teams — both are hr tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.