Payroll: what Claude and GPT would buy

Two AI models chose on their own, with no web access. Nobody tested these products: this is what each one says, and how to check it.

Claude and GPT choose the same brand, Gusto

In Software, Claude and GPT choose the same brand in 34 of 64 categories.

Claude Opus 5.5 · October 29, 2026

Gusto (brand)

Gusto runs full-service payroll for small US businesses, automatically filing and paying federal, state and local payroll taxes with year-end W-2s and 1099s.

Not for: Businesses with large or complex HR needs, and employers outside the US.

GPT 6.1 Sol · November 10, 2026

Gusto (brand)

Combines payroll automation, tax filings, benefits administration, and employee self-service in an approachable platform for small U.S. businesses.

Not for: Large enterprises with complex multinational payroll requirements.

Which one fits you

growing business wanting a large provider with HR support

ADP RUN Powered by ADP (line)

ADP's small-business payroll scales into HR, benefits and compliance services from a large provider.

Not for: Owners who want the simplest self-serve setup.

DIY desktop payroll where you file taxes yourself

Halfpricesoft ezPaycheck (line)

ezPaycheck calculates paychecks and tax amounts and prints checks and forms locally, without a cloud subscription to a full-service provider.

Not for: Anyone who wants tax deposits and filings handled for them.

Check before you buy

Full-service tax filing. Prefer services that file and pay federal, state and local payroll taxes for you. Late or wrong deposits trigger penalties that easily exceed the software cost.
State and local coverage. Confirm support for every state and locality where you have employees. Coverage of multi-state and local taxes varies by provider.
Contractor payments. Check that it pays contractors and files 1099s. Most small businesses mix employees and contractors.
Accounting integration. Verify payroll journal entries sync to your accounting software. Manual payroll entries are a common source of book errors.
Direct deposit timing. Check the funding lead time required before payday. Long lead times strain cash flow.

Where to find Gusto

Gusto

Shops seen in search results on November 5, 2026. A shop missing here may sell it too. Nothing was checked by a person.

Brands that matter

Gusto: Full-service payroll built for small businesses.
ADP: Large provider that scales from small business to enterprise.
Paychex: Established full-service payroll and HR provider.
Intuit QuickBooks Payroll: Convenient if you already run QuickBooks Online.
OnPay: Straightforward full-service payroll for small teams.
Halfpricesoft: ezPaycheck, a desktop DIY payroll calculator.

What to avoid

DIY payroll software if you are not prepared to make tax deposits and filings on time yourself.
Providers that do not cover all your employees' states or localities.

Questions

What does full-service payroll mean?

The provider calculates, deposits and files payroll taxes and year-end forms for you, rather than just calculating paychecks.

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