Asana vs Gusto
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Gusto is our recommended pick for most teams — small businesses under 100 employees.
Try Gusto →Read our full Gusto review →Asana
Asana is a leading project management platform that helps teams organize, track, and manage their work. It offers multiple views including lists, boards, timelines, and calendars to suit different working styles. Asana is trusted by over 130,000 organizations worldwide for managing everything from daily tasks to complex cross-functional projects.
Gusto
Gusto is a full-service HR and payroll platform built for small businesses. It handles payroll taxes automatically, offers employee benefits administration, and includes onboarding tools that make it easy to bring on new hires. Gusto is known for its clean interface and transparent pricing, making it a top choice for founders managing HR for the first time.
Pros
- ✓Intuitive interface that teams adopt quickly with minimal training
- ✓Multiple project views including list, board, and Gantt timeline
- ✓Strong automation features to reduce manual work
- ✓Generous free plan for small teams
Cons
- ✗Can feel overwhelming for simple use cases with too many features
- ✗Pricing jumps significantly from free to paid plans
- ✗No built-in time tracking on lower tiers
- ✗Limited native reporting on free plan
Pros
- ✓Automatic federal, state, and local tax filing saves hours each month
- ✓Transparent flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees
- ✓Excellent onboarding flow with offer letters, e-signatures, and self-onboarding
- ✓Strong benefits administration including health, dental, and 401k
Cons
- ✗International payroll is limited and requires third-party tools
- ✗Can get expensive as headcount grows beyond 50 employees
- ✗Reporting and analytics are basic compared to enterprise tools
Asana vs Gusto: Side by Side
| Factor | Asana | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.6/5 ★ |
| Category | Project Management | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | $40/mo + $6/employee |
| Best For | Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool | Small businesses under 100 employees |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Asana Features
- ✓Task and project management
- ✓timeline view
- ✓board view
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓reporting dashboards
- ✓goals tracking
- ✓integrations
- ✓mobile app
Gusto Features
- ✓Payroll automation
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓onboarding
- ✓time tracking
- ✓compliance
Pricing Comparison
Gusto
PaidStarts at $40/mo + $6/employee
Simple: $40/mo + $6/employee · Plus: $80/mo + $12/employee · Premium: $180/mo + $22/employee
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Gusto
- →US small businesses running payroll for the first time
- →Startups wanting automated tax filing
- →Companies needing combined payroll and benefits administration
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Gusto is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Companies with international employees
- ✗Large enterprises needing complex payroll rules
- ✗Businesses outside the United States
Integrations
Gusto
QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, Clover, When I Work, Deputy, BambooHR, Greenhouse
Our Take
Choose Asana if teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool. Choose Gusto if small businesses under 100 employees.
Best For
Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool
Best For
Small businesses under 100 employees
Also Consider
If neither Asana nor Gusto is the right fit, Wrike is worth evaluating.
Wrike
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
From Free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Asana and Gusto?
Asana is best for teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool. Gusto is best for small businesses under 100 employees.
Which is better, Asana or Gusto?
Choose Asana if teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool. Choose Gusto if small businesses under 100 employees.
How much does Asana cost?
Asana starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Gusto cost?
Gusto starts at $40/mo + $6/employee. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Asana?
Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool
Who should use Gusto?
Small businesses under 100 employees