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Head-to-head · Salon Payroll Software

Spa/Salon Manager vs Gusto

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Spa/Salon Manager #2 in Salon Payroll Software 9.3/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 6 features Visit Spa/Salon
Gusto #3 in Salon Payroll Software 9.2/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Gusto

Spa/Salon Manager leads on 0 checks, Gusto on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSpa/Salon Manager · 9.3/10
  • Free trialonly Spa/Salon Manager
  • Most featuresSpa/Salon Manager · 4 of 6

Spa/Salon Manager scores higher on our rubric for salon payroll software: 9.3 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Spa/Salon Manager is the better fit for established salons needing detailed payroll calculations. Gusto is the better fit for businesses prioritizing tax-filing payroll.

  • Spa/Salon Manager fits best

    Established salons needing detailed payroll calculations

  • Gusto fits best

    Businesses prioritizing tax-filing payroll

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Side by side

Feature Spa/Salon Manager 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Gusto 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.2
Ranking #2 in Salon Payroll Software #3 in Salon Payroll Software
Best for Established salons needing detailed payroll calculations Businesses prioritizing tax-filing payroll
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $74/mo —
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Phone, Docs Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 1 integrations 8 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market
Features Spa/Salon Manager 4/6 · Gusto 0/6
Commission tracking ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Tip calculation ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Contractor payments ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Tax filing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Payroll reports ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Direct deposit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports wages, commissions, taxes, deductions, and four pay methods
  • Handles W-2, W-3, 1099 forms and payroll checks
  • Combines payroll with booking, point of sale, inventory, and time tracking
  • Payroll processing and tax filings support salon payroll workflows
  • Time tracking, time off, employee records, and onboarding in one platform
  • Web, iOS, Android, API access, and broad business integrations
Cons
  • Starting price is $74 per month with no free plan
  • Entry plans limit terminals to one
  • QuickBooks is the listed accounting integration
  • Not designed specifically for salon operations
  • No free plan is available
  • Advanced features and service support require higher-tier plans
Our verdict

Spa/Salon Manager combines salon and spa management with payroll, appointments, point of sale, inventory, client records, and employee time tracking. It is designed for established salons that need to calculate taxes, deductions, wages,…

Read the review →

Gusto combines payroll, benefits administration, and human resources tools for small businesses. Salon owners can use it to maintain employee records, manage onboarding documents, handle time-off requests, track time and breaks, run…

Read the review →
  1. Spa/Salon ManagerSalon Payroll Software 9.330-day trial
  2. GustoSalon Payroll Software 9.2Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Spa/Salon Manager — where it wins

    • Supports wages, commissions, taxes, deductions, and four pay methods
    • Handles W-2, W-3, 1099 forms and payroll checks
    • Combines payroll with booking, point of sale, inventory, and time tracking

    Where it doesn't

    • Starting price is $74 per month with no free plan
    • Entry plans limit terminals to one
    • QuickBooks is the listed accounting integration

  • Gusto — where it wins

    • Payroll processing and tax filings support salon payroll workflows
    • Time tracking, time off, employee records, and onboarding in one platform
    • Web, iOS, Android, API access, and broad business integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Not designed specifically for salon operations
    • No free plan is available
    • Advanced features and service support require higher-tier plans

More comparisons

All salon payroll software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update