Gusto vs Zendesk Sell
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.
Zendesk Sell
Zendesk Sell is a sales CRM designed to help sales teams improve productivity and pipeline visibility. It is part of the Zendesk customer experience suite, making it a natural fit for companies already using Zendesk Support. Zendesk Sell offers strong automation, reporting, and communication tools for growing sales teams.
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
- ✓Seamless integration with Zendesk Support for unified customer view
- ✓Strong reporting and analytics
- ✓Good mobile app for field sales teams
- ✓Clean and modern interface
Cons
- ✗Expensive compared to standalone CRM tools
- ✗Best value only if you already use Zendesk Support
- ✗Limited marketing automation features
Gusto vs Zendesk Sell: Side by Side
| Factor | Gusto | Zendesk Sell |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.6/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $40/mo + $6/employee | $19/user/mo |
| Best For | Small businesses under 100 employees | Sales teams already using Zendesk Support who want a connected CRM |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Gusto Features
- ✓Payroll automation
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓onboarding
- ✓time tracking
- ✓compliance
Zendesk Sell Features
- ✓Contact and lead management
- ✓visual pipeline
- ✓email integration
- ✓call tracking
- ✓reporting and analytics
- ✓automation
- ✓Zendesk integration
- ✓mobile app
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 Gusto if small businesses under 100 employees. Choose Zendesk Sell if sales teams already using zendesk support who want a connected crm.
Best For
Small businesses under 100 employees
Best For
Sales teams already using Zendesk Support who want a connected CRM
Also Consider
If neither Gusto nor Zendesk Sell 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 Zendesk Sell?
Gusto is best for small businesses under 100 employees. Zendesk Sell is best for sales teams already using zendesk support who want a connected crm.
Which is better, Gusto or Zendesk Sell?
Choose Gusto if small businesses under 100 employees. Choose Zendesk Sell if sales teams already using zendesk support who want a connected crm.
How much does Gusto cost?
Gusto starts at $40/mo + $6/employee. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Zendesk Sell cost?
Zendesk Sell starts at $19/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Gusto?
Small businesses under 100 employees
Who should use Zendesk Sell?
Sales teams already using Zendesk Support who want a connected CRM