Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Payroll APIs

Gusto vs Pinwheel

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Gusto #2 in Payroll APIs 7.8/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Gusto
Pinwheel #8 in Payroll APIs 6.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 4 features Contact Pinwheel

Gusto leads on 0 checks, Pinwheel on 2, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGusto · 7.8/10
  • Most featuresPinwheel · 2 of 4

Gusto scores higher on our rubric for payroll apis: 7.8 against 6.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

Pinwheel offers payroll data access; Gusto doesn't publish it. Pinwheel offers payroll processing; Gusto doesn't publish it.

Gusto is the better fit for small and mid-market employers needing full payroll. Pinwheel is the better fit for fintechs accessing payroll data and paystubs.

  • Gusto fits best

    Small and mid-market employers needing full payroll

  • Pinwheel fits best

    Fintechs accessing payroll data and paystubs

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Gusto 7.8/10 Visit ↗ Pinwheel 6.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.8 6.6
Ranking #2 in Payroll APIs #8 in Payroll APIs
Best for Small and mid-market employers needing full payroll Fintechs accessing payroll data and paystubs
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs · 24/7 Email
Compliance SOC 2, HIPAA, 2FA SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS
Built for Small business, Mid-market Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Gusto 0/4 · Pinwheel 2/4
Payroll data access Not published ✓ (best)
Payroll processing Not published ✓ (best)
Pay calculation Not published Not published
Worker onboarding Not published Not published
Specs
Connection method Not published Both
Our review
Pros
  • Payroll processing, tax filings, benefits, and HR workflows in one platform
  • Multi-state payroll, time tracking, onboarding, PTO, and performance tools
  • Web, iOS, and Android access with broad business-app integrations
  • Retrieves income, employment, historical paystubs, and payroll tax forms
  • Supports direct-deposit allocation updates with user permission
  • Link SDK, webhooks, and sandbox and development modes support integration
Cons
  • Contractor Only is limited to domestic contractor payments
  • Advanced payroll and support capabilities vary by plan
  • The current offering is primarily U.S.-focused
  • API access requires contacting Sales or a Client Success Manager
  • Production API calls are billable
  • Integration depends on supported payroll employers and platforms
Our verdict

Gusto is a cloud-based payroll and HR platform for small and mid-market employers. It combines payroll processing and tax filings with employee records, onboarding checklists, e-signatures, PTO, benefits administration, time tracking,…

Read the review →

Pinwheel provides payroll connectivity infrastructure for banks, fintechs, lenders, and other financial platforms. With a consumer’s permission, its APIs retrieve income, employment, current and historical paystub data, and payroll tax…

Read the review →
  1. GustoPayroll APIs 7.8Paid
  2. PinwheelPayroll APIs 6.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Gusto — where it wins

    • Payroll processing, tax filings, benefits, and HR workflows in one platform
    • Multi-state payroll, time tracking, onboarding, PTO, and performance tools
    • Web, iOS, and Android access with broad business-app integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Contractor Only is limited to domestic contractor payments
    • Advanced payroll and support capabilities vary by plan
    • The current offering is primarily U.S.-focused

  • Pinwheel — where it wins

    • Retrieves income, employment, historical paystubs, and payroll tax forms
    • Supports direct-deposit allocation updates with user permission
    • Link SDK, webhooks, and sandbox and development modes support integration

    Where it doesn't

    • API access requires contacting Sales or a Client Success Manager
    • Production API calls are billable
    • Integration depends on supported payroll employers and platforms

More comparisons

All payroll APIs comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update