Gusto vs Monday.com CRM
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Gusto is our recommended pick for most teams — small businesses under 100 employees.
Try Gusto →Read our full Gusto review →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.
Monday.com CRM
Monday.com CRM is a flexible customer relationship management tool built on the Monday.com work operating system. It combines CRM functionality with project management so sales teams can manage deals and collaborate on work in one place. Monday CRM is ideal for teams that want a highly visual and customizable CRM experience.
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
Pros
- ✓Highly visual and intuitive interface that teams love
- ✓Flexible and customizable to fit any sales process
- ✓Strong collaboration tools for cross-functional teams
- ✓Good automation capabilities
Cons
- ✗Not a traditional CRM — lacks some advanced sales features
- ✗Can get expensive with larger teams
- ✗Reporting is less advanced than dedicated CRM tools
Gusto vs Monday.com CRM: Side by Side
| Factor | Gusto | Monday.com CRM |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.6/5 ★ | 4.4/5 ★ |
| Category | HR Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $40/mo + $6/employee | $12/user/mo |
| Best For | Small businesses under 100 employees | Teams that want CRM and project management combined in one visual platform |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Gusto Features
- ✓Payroll automation
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓onboarding
- ✓time tracking
- ✓compliance
Monday.com CRM Features
- ✓Contact and lead management
- ✓deal tracking
- ✓email integration
- ✓automation
- ✓dashboards
- ✓project management
- ✓collaboration tools
- ✓integrations
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 →Monday.com CRM
PaidStarts at $12/user/mo
Basic: $12/user/mo · Standard: $14/user/mo · Pro: $24/user/mo · Enterprise: custom
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
Monday.com CRM
- →Sales teams wanting a visual and flexible CRM
- →Companies already using Monday.com for project management
- →Teams wanting to customize their CRM without coding
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
Monday.com CRM is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Teams needing a dedicated sales-focused CRM with advanced features
- ✗Companies requiring complex deal scoring
- ✗Businesses needing built-in calling and email sequences
Integrations
Gusto
QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, Clover, When I Work, Deputy, BambooHR, Greenhouse
Monday.com CRM
Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Zoom, Salesforce, HubSpot, Zapier, Stripe, LinkedIn
Our Take
Choose Gusto if small businesses under 100 employees. Choose Monday.com CRM if teams that want crm and project management combined in one visual platform.
Best For
Small businesses under 100 employees
Best For
Teams that want CRM and project management combined in one visual platform
Also Consider
If neither Gusto nor Monday.com CRM is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Gusto and Monday.com CRM?
Gusto is best for small businesses under 100 employees. Monday.com CRM is best for teams that want crm and project management combined in one visual platform.
Which is better, Gusto or Monday.com CRM?
Choose Gusto if small businesses under 100 employees. Choose Monday.com CRM if teams that want crm and project management combined in one visual platform.
How much does Gusto cost?
Gusto starts at $40/mo + $6/employee. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Monday.com CRM cost?
Monday.com CRM starts at $12/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Gusto?
Small businesses under 100 employees
Who should use Monday.com CRM?
Teams that want CRM and project management combined in one visual platform