Gusto vs Zoom

Estimated monthly cost comparison — not just the headline price

Gusto and Zoom do different jobs, so this is not a like-for-like comparison. The prices below are shown side by side for reference only; compare what each tool does before comparing cost.

Prices change often — confirm on the vendor's site before buying. Report incorrect pricing →

Quick Take

Different tools for different jobs — no cost winner

Based on advertised price plus documented recurring fees, not your exact usage.

Best for Gusto

Payroll, benefits, and HR platform for small businesses. Base at $40/mo + $6/person/mo, but benefits

Best for Zoom

Video conferencing and collaboration platform. Free plan has a 40-minute meeting limit. Add-ons for

G

Gusto

Payroll, benefits, and HR platform for small businesses. Base at $40/mo + $6/per...

Advertised

$40

/month

Estimated monthly cost

$86

/month (illustrative)

Documented Extra Fees (+$46/mo + $50 one-time)

Per-Person Fee Scaling

Simple plan: $40/mo + $6/person. Plus: $80/mo + $12/person. Premium: $180/mo + $22/person. A 25-pers...

+$6/mo

Benefits Administration Add-On

Health insurance, 401(k), and benefits administration are not included in Simple. Plus plan ($80/mo ...

+$40/mo

State Tax Registration Fees

Registering for state taxes in new states costs $35-$100 per state as a one-time fee. Multi-state re...

+$50 one-time

Pricing Tiers

SimplePopular
$40/mo
Plus
$80/mo
Premium
$180/mo
Z

Zoom

Video conferencing and collaboration platform. Free plan has a 40-minute meeting...

Advertised

$13.32

/month

Estimated monthly cost

$161.32

/month (illustrative)

Documented Extra Fees (+$148/mo)

40-Minute Free Meeting Limit

Free plan limits group meetings (3+ participants) to 40 minutes. Meetings cut off abruptly. Must res...

+$0 per use

Zoom Phone Add-On

Zoom Phone (VOIP) is NOT included in any Workplace plan. Metered at $10/user/mo or Unlimited at $15/...

+$10/mo

Zoom Rooms Add-On

Conference room hardware/software integration costs $49/room/mo. A 10-room office adds $490/mo. Hard...

+$49/mo

Webinar & Events Add-On

Zoom Webinars start at $79/mo/license (500 attendees). Zoom Events at $99/mo. These are per-license,...

+$79/mo

Cloud Recording Storage

Workplace Business includes limited cloud storage. Additional storage packs cost extra. Heavy record...

+$10/mo

Pricing Tiers

Basic
$0/mo
Workplace BusinessPopular(per user)
$13/mo
Business Plus(per user)
$18/mo
Enterprise(per user)
$0/mo

Key Differences

1

Gusto advertises $40/mo. Zoom advertises $13.32/mo.

2

Gusto has 3 documented hidden fees. Zoom has 5.

3

Gusto confidence: 76%. Zoom confidence: 83%.

Cost Comparison Summary

MetricGustoZoomWinner
Advertised Price$40/mo$13.32/moZoom
Estimated Monthly Cost$86/mo$161.32/mo—
Recurring Extra Fees+$46/mo+$148/moGusto
One-Time Costs$50$0Zoom
# Documented Fees35—
Pricing Tiers34—
Affiliate ProgramNoneNo public affiliate program—

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gusto or Zoom cheaper?

Gusto advertises $40/mo and Zoom advertises $13.32/mo. Gusto has 3 documented extra fees (recurring: +$46/mo, one-time: $50), while Zoom has 5 (recurring: +$148/mo). Gusto and Zoom do different jobs, so there is no like-for-like cost winner — compare what each one does before comparing price. Your real cost depends on seats and usage — use the calculator for your numbers.

What extra fees does Gusto have?

Gusto has 3 documented extra fees: Per-Person Fee Scaling, Benefits Administration Add-On, State Tax Registration Fees. Recurring fees add roughly $46/mo on top of the $40/mo advertised price, plus about $50 in one-time costs.

What extra fees does Zoom have?

Zoom has 5 documented extra fees: 40-Minute Free Meeting Limit, Zoom Phone Add-On, Zoom Rooms Add-On, Webinar & Events Add-On, Cloud Recording Storage. Recurring fees add roughly $148/mo on top of the $13.32/mo advertised price.

Should I choose Gusto or Zoom?

Choose Gusto if: Payroll, benefits, and HR platform for small businesses. Base at $40/mo + $6/person/mo, but benefits. Choose Zoom if: Video conferencing and collaboration platform. Free plan has a 40-minute meeting limit. Add-ons for . The right choice depends on your team size, usage volume, and which features you need most.

How accurate is this Gusto vs Zoom comparison?

This comparison is compiled from public vendor pricing pages and documentation. It uses illustrative assumptions (see "Cost Comparison Summary"), not your exact seats or usage, and vendor prices change often. Confirm current prices on each vendor's site, and use our calculator with your own usage for a closer estimate. Spotted an error? Email hello@trulycritic.com.

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