Gusto vs Employee Navigator
Side-by-side from the Top 11 rankings of Gusto vs Rippling vs QuickBooks Payroll: 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs 2026 and Rippling vs Gusto vs Zenefits: 11 Best Benefits Administration Software Platforms 2026. Last verified May 31, 2026.
The short answer
Gusto ranks higher on Top 11 (#1 vs #8) for Small business owners running payroll without in-house HR / HR teams managing employee health insurance, 401k, and benefits enrollment. The easiest-to-use platform for all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR, perfect for business owners without HR staff.
At a glance
| Gusto | Employee Navigator | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #1 / Gusto vs Rippling vs QuickBooks Payroll: 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs 2026 | #8 / Rippling vs Gusto vs Zenefits: 11 Best Benefits Administration Software Platforms 2026 |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9.3 | 7.9 |
| Best for | Overall ease of use | Best for Benefits Brokers |
| Pricing | $$ ($46 to $150+/mo) | $ ($3 to $5 PEPM) |
| HQ | San Francisco, USA | Bethesda, USA |
| Founded | 2011 | 2008 |
Gusto
The easiest-to-use platform for all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR, perfect for business owners without HR staff.
gusto.comSee full entry in Gusto vs Rippling vs QuickBooks Payroll: 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs 2026
Employee Navigator
A powerful, dedicated platform sold through benefits brokers.
www.employeenavigator.comMethodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.