Gusto vs Streak
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.
Streak
Streak is a CRM built directly inside Gmail, allowing users to manage their sales pipeline without ever leaving their inbox. It turns Gmail into a fully functional CRM with pipelines, contact tracking, and email tools. Streak is ideal for solopreneurs and small teams that do all their business communication through Gmail.
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
- ✓Works entirely inside Gmail — zero context switching
- ✓Free plan is genuinely useful for individuals
- ✓Easy to set up in minutes
- ✓Great for solopreneurs and freelancers
Cons
- ✗Only works if your team uses Gmail
- ✗Not suitable for large teams or complex sales processes
- ✗Limited features compared to standalone CRM platforms
Gusto vs Streak: Side by Side
| Factor | Gusto | Streak |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.6/5 ★ | 4.3/5 ★ |
| Category | HR Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $40/mo + $6/employee | Free |
| Best For | Small businesses under 100 employees | Solopreneurs and small teams that manage all business communication through Gmail |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Gusto Features
- ✓Payroll automation
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓onboarding
- ✓time tracking
- ✓compliance
Streak Features
- ✓Gmail-based pipeline management
- ✓email tracking
- ✓mail merge
- ✓contact management
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓reporting
- ✓collaboration
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
Streak
- →Gmail users wanting CRM built into their inbox
- →Small teams managing deals without switching apps
- →Businesses wanting a simple pipeline in Google Workspace
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
Streak is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Teams not using Gmail as their primary email
- ✗Companies needing advanced reporting and forecasting
- ✗Businesses requiring dedicated mobile CRM apps
Integrations
Gusto
QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, Clover, When I Work, Deputy, BambooHR, Greenhouse
Streak
Gmail, Google Sheets, Google Drive, Zapier, Slack
Our Take
Choose Gusto if small businesses under 100 employees. Choose Streak if solopreneurs and small teams that manage all business communication through gmail.
Best For
Small businesses under 100 employees
Best For
Solopreneurs and small teams that manage all business communication through Gmail
Also Consider
If neither Gusto nor Streak 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 Streak?
Gusto is best for small businesses under 100 employees. Streak is best for solopreneurs and small teams that manage all business communication through gmail.
Which is better, Gusto or Streak?
Choose Gusto if small businesses under 100 employees. Choose Streak if solopreneurs and small teams that manage all business communication through gmail.
How much does Gusto cost?
Gusto starts at $40/mo + $6/employee. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Streak cost?
Streak starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Gusto?
Small businesses under 100 employees
Who should use Streak?
Solopreneurs and small teams that manage all business communication through Gmail