Gusto vs Manatal
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Manatal is our recommended pick for most teams — recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
Try Manatal →Read our full Manatal review →Gusto
Gusto is a full-service payroll platform built for small businesses in the US. 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 payroll for the first time.
Manatal
Manatal is an AI-powered applicant tracking system designed for recruitment agencies and corporate HR teams. It offers one of the most affordable price points in the ATS market while including advanced AI features like candidate scoring, enrichment from LinkedIn and social profiles, and automated recommendations. Manatal is popular in Southeast Asia and with global recruiting agencies.
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 and e-signatures
- ✓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
Pros
- ✓One of the most affordable ATS tools with genuine AI features
- ✓AI candidate scoring and profile enrichment save significant research time
- ✓Simple to set up and use
- ✓Good for recruitment agencies managing multiple clients
Cons
- ✗Less established in Western markets compared to Greenhouse or Lever
- ✗Some advanced features limited to higher tiers
- ✗Customer support response times can vary
- ✗Limited employer branding customization
Gusto vs Manatal: Side by Side
| Factor | Gusto | Manatal |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.6/5 ★ |
| Category | Payroll Software | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $40/mo + $6/person | $15/user/mo |
| Best For | Small businesses under 100 employees wanting full-service payroll with benefits | Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Gusto Features
- ✓Full-service payroll
- ✓automatic tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee benefits
- ✓onboarding
- ✓PTO tracking
- ✓time tracking
- ✓contractor payments
Manatal Features
- ✓AI candidate scoring
- ✓social profile enrichment
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓job posting
- ✓collaboration tools
- ✓career page
- ✓analytics
- ✓mobile app
- ✓integrations
Pricing Comparison
Best Use Cases
Manatal
- →Recruiting agencies managing multiple client pipelines
- →HR teams wanting AI-powered candidate scoring
- →Companies sourcing candidates from LinkedIn at scale
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Manatal is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Companies needing full HRIS beyond recruiting
- ✗Small businesses with occasional hiring needs
- ✗Teams wanting a free ATS option
Integrations
Manatal
LinkedIn, Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Zapier, Google Calendar, Zoom, Teams
Our Take
Choose Gusto if small businesses under 100 employees wanting full-service payroll with benefits. Choose Manatal if recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
Best For
Small businesses under 100 employees wanting full-service payroll with benefits
Best For
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price
Also Consider
If neither Gusto nor Manatal is the right fit, Multiplier is worth evaluating.
Multiplier
Startups and SMBs hiring internationally on a budget
From $40/contractor/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Gusto and Manatal?
Gusto is best for small businesses under 100 employees wanting full-service payroll with benefits. Manatal is best for recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
Which is better, Gusto or Manatal?
Choose Gusto if small businesses under 100 employees wanting full-service payroll with benefits. Choose Manatal if recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
How much does Gusto cost?
Gusto starts at $40/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Manatal cost?
Manatal starts at $15/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Gusto?
Small businesses under 100 employees wanting full-service payroll with benefits
Who should use Manatal?
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price