Gusto vs Wrike
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.
Wrike
Wrike is an enterprise-grade project management platform designed for marketing, creative, and professional services teams. It offers advanced features like request forms, proofing and approvals, and resource management alongside traditional project management tools. Wrike is used by over 20,000 companies including Google, Walmart, and Siemens.
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
- ✓Strong enterprise features including resource management and proofing
- ✓Highly customizable workflows and request forms
- ✓Excellent for marketing and creative teams managing complex approvals
- ✓Robust reporting and analytics
Cons
- ✗Expensive for small teams — free plan is very limited
- ✗Steep learning curve for full feature set
- ✗Interface can feel complex for simple project management
- ✗Some features only available on higher enterprise tiers
Gusto vs Wrike: Side by Side
| Factor | Gusto | Wrike |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.6/5 ★ | 4.5/5 ★ |
| Category | HR Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $40/mo + $6/employee | Free |
| Best For | Small businesses under 100 employees | Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Gusto Features
- ✓Payroll automation
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓onboarding
- ✓time tracking
- ✓compliance
Wrike Features
- ✓Project planning
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓request forms
- ✓proofing and approvals
- ✓resource management
- ✓time tracking
- ✓dashboards
- ✓automation
- ✓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 →Wrike
FreemiumFree to start
Free: $0 · Starter: $40/mo · Business: $80/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
Wrike
- →Marketing teams managing campaigns and creative projects
- →Professional services firms tracking client deliverables
- →Enterprises needing advanced project management with reporting
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
Wrike is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Small teams wanting a simple task manager
- ✗Businesses with tight budgets
- ✗Teams that prefer Kanban-only workflows
Integrations
Gusto
QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, Clover, When I Work, Deputy, BambooHR, Greenhouse
Wrike
Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Salesforce, Adobe Creative Cloud, Zoom, GitHub, Jira
Our Take
Choose Gusto if small businesses under 100 employees. Choose Wrike if marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing.
Best For
Small businesses under 100 employees
Best For
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
Also Consider
If neither Gusto nor Wrike 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 Wrike?
Gusto is best for small businesses under 100 employees. Wrike is best for marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing.
Which is better, Gusto or Wrike?
Choose Gusto if small businesses under 100 employees. Choose Wrike if marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing.
How much does Gusto cost?
Gusto starts at $40/mo + $6/employee. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Wrike cost?
Wrike starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Gusto?
Small businesses under 100 employees
Who should use Wrike?
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing