CloverHR vs Gusto
US small-business payroll with benefits and HR tools. CloverHR is self-hosted HR software for the US and Canada, free for organizations under US $5 million. Here is how they differ, and when each one fits.
At a glance
| Topic | CloverHR | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Self-hosted HR software for small and mid-sized teams in the United States and Canada. | A cloud payroll service for US small businesses, with benefits and HR tools. |
| Where it runs | Your own server: one-click deploy on StackBlaze, or a Docker image with Postgres 16 anywhere. | Cloud only. |
| Price | Free in production for organizations under US $5 million in total finances a year; a commercial licence above that. | A monthly base fee plus a fee per person, in tiers published on its pricing page. |
| Payroll | Not included. A per-pay-period export (CSV or JSON) for the payroll software you use. | Its core product, for US employers. Canadian employees are paid through an employer-of-record service run by Remote. |
| Canada | Built in: provincial holidays, overtime and break rules, TD1 forms and CAD, next to the same for every US state. | No Canadian payroll for Canadian employers. |
| French | English and Canadian French, chosen by each person. | Not stated on its site |
| Source code | Source available (Business Source License 1.1; each version becomes GPL-3.0 after four years). | Proprietary. |
| API | Read and write REST API with an OpenAPI reference, and signed webhooks. | An API aimed mainly at embedding Gusto payroll in other software. |
Facts about Gusto come from its own website, checked on October 1, 2026. Prices and plans change; check its site for the latest.
Where CloverHR is different
- CloverHR is an HR system first: records with dated history, time off, timesheets, hiring, performance, compensation planning and reports.
- Built for Canadian employers as much as US ones.
- Free under US $5 million, with no base or per-person fee.
- Runs on your own server.
When Gusto may fit better
- You want a service that runs US payroll and files payroll taxes for you.
- You want health benefits and payroll from one US provider.
Questions
Is CloverHR a Gusto alternative?
For HR, yes; for payroll, no. Gusto is mainly a US payroll service. CloverHR is HR software that keeps records, time off, hours and more, then exports what payroll needs to the payroll provider you choose.
Does CloverHR work for Canadian companies that Gusto does not pay?
Yes. CloverHR is built for Canadian employers as well as US ones, with provincial rules, TD1 forms, CAD and Canadian French.
Sources
- https://gusto.com/product/pricing
- https://gusto.com/product/global/country-guide/canada
- https://docs.gusto.com/
Gusto is a trademark of its owner. CloverHR is not affiliated with or endorsed by Gusto.