15Five vs Gusto

Detailed side-by-side comparison

15Five

From $4/mo

15Five is a performance management platform focused on building high-performing teams through continuous feedback, OKRs, and engagement surveys. It streamlines manager-employee communication with weekly check-ins, 1-on-1s, and performance reviews while providing actionable insights into employee development and engagement.

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Gusto

From $40/mo

Gusto is an all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It combines automated payroll processing, tax filing, benefits administration, and employee onboarding into a single intuitive system that handles the operational side of HR management.

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Feature Comparison

Feature	15Five	Gusto
Primary Focus	Performance management, employee engagement, and continuous feedback to develop talent and improve team performance	Payroll processing, benefits administration, and HR compliance to handle operational HR tasks and legal requirements
Employee Development	Offers OKR goal tracking, 360-degree feedback, performance reviews, and structured 1-on-1 meeting tools with engagement analytics	Provides basic onboarding and offer letters but lacks dedicated performance management or goal-setting features
Compensation & Payroll	Does not handle payroll processing or compensation administration; focuses purely on performance aspects	Fully automated payroll processing with tax filing, direct deposits, contractor payments, and comprehensive compliance support
Communication Tools	Weekly check-ins, pulse surveys, recognition features, and 1-on-1 agenda builders to facilitate ongoing manager-employee dialogue	Employee self-service portal for accessing pay stubs and benefits, but limited communication or feedback features
Benefits Administration	No benefits administration capabilities; does not manage insurance or retirement plans	Comprehensive benefits management including health insurance, 401(k) administration, and enrollment workflows
Compliance & Reporting	Provides engagement analytics and performance insights to identify trends and development needs across the organization	Handles payroll tax compliance, labor law requirements, HR reporting, and automated tax filing to ensure legal compliance

Pricing Comparison

15Five starts at $4 per user per month, making it affordable for teams focused solely on performance management. Gusto starts at $40 per month (plus per-employee fees), which is higher but reflects its comprehensive payroll and benefits processing capabilities that replace multiple operational HR tools.

Verdict

Choose 15Five if...

Choose 15Five if you already have payroll and benefits handled and want to focus on improving employee engagement, manager effectiveness, and performance management through structured feedback and goal-tracking systems.

Choose Gusto if...

Choose Gusto if you need an operational HR solution that handles payroll processing, tax compliance, benefits administration, and employee onboarding, particularly if you're a small to medium-sized business without dedicated HR infrastructure.

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Pros & Cons

15Five

Pros

+ Intuitive interface that encourages consistent manager-employee communication
+ Reduces administrative burden of performance management processes
+ Strong integration capabilities with HRIS and collaboration tools
+ Evidence-based approach with built-in best practices for people management

Cons

- Can be overwhelming for teams new to structured performance management
- Pricing can be steep for smaller organizations
- Some features require training to maximize value

Gusto

Pros

+ Intuitive and user-friendly interface that's easy to navigate
+ Comprehensive payroll tax filing and compliance support
+ Excellent customer support with dedicated assistance
+ Seamless integration of payroll, benefits, and HR functions

Cons

- Higher pricing compared to basic payroll-only solutions
- Limited customization options for larger enterprises
- Some advanced features require higher-tier plans