Gusto vs UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group): Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Gusto
4.6(5,247 reviews)
Payroll and HR platform for small businesses with benefits, compliance, and hiring tools.
UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group)
Enterprise HCM platform from the merger of Ultimate Software and Kronos, covering HR, payroll, and workforce management.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Gusto | UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Small businesses and startups (1-100 employees) | Enterprise companies needing unified HCM and workforce management |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Contact Sales |
| Starting Price | $40/mo | Contact Sales |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 4.6/10 | 3.9/10 |
Pros & Cons
Gusto
Pros
- Excellent payroll that handles all 50 states flawlessly
- Easy setup—most companies run first payroll same day
- Affordable benefits access typically reserved for larger companies
- Clean, intuitive interface for employers and employees
- Strong customer support for complex payroll questions
Cons
- HR features are basic compared to dedicated HRIS platforms
- Gets expensive as employee count grows past 50
- Limited international capabilities—US focused
- Reporting and analytics could be more powerful
UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group)
Pros
- Best-in-class workforce management inherited from Kronos
- UKG Pro payroll handles complex multi-state and international scenarios
- Two product tiers let you match the platform to your company size
- Strong compliance tracking for labor laws and scheduling rules
- Large implementation partner ecosystem with deep industry expertise
Cons
- No public pricing — you have to go through sales for any quote
- UI inconsistency between modules due to merger legacy
- Admin interface has a steep learning curve, especially UKG Pro
- Product overlap between Pro and Ready can create confusion during evaluation
- Smaller companies may find the platform overbuilt for their needs
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto | subscription | $40/mo |
| UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) | contact sales | Contact Sales |
Our Verdict
Choose Gusto if...
Small businesses and startups (1-100 employees)
Choose UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) if...
Enterprise companies needing unified HCM and workforce management
Still Not Sure?
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