HRplan vs Gusto: Which HR Software is Right for You in 2025?

HRplan vs Gusto: A Fresh Take on Modern HR Solutions 

Introduction 

As your team grows, so do the little challenges that come with managing people—things like time-off requests, equipment tracking, and expense approvals suddenly start taking up more of your day than you'd like. And when spreadsheets stop cutting it, choosing the right HR software becomes more than just a tech decision—it becomes a strategic one. 

Gusto has built a name for itself as a go-to option for small U.S.-based businesses. But for teams that need something more flexible, scalable, and internationally friendly, HRplan is starting to turn heads. 

In this post, we’ll take a down-to-earth look at how these two platforms stack up across key areas like features, pricing, customization, and support—so you can decide which one really fits your team’s needs in 2025 and beyond. 

1. Who Are They For? 

If you're a small business in the U.S. looking for a simple way to handle payroll and basic HR tasks, Gusto might be a good fit. It's built with local startups in mind—especially those with straightforward team structures and little need for international support. 

HRplan, however, is built for teams that need more than just the basics. Whether you're a fast-growing startup, a mid-sized company, or a global team spread across time zones, HRplan gives you the tools to manage real-world HR tasks—like leave approvals, equipment handovers, and expense tracking—with ease and flexibility. It’s made for companies that don’t want to adapt their processes to a tool, but want a tool that adapts to them. 

2. Core Features Comparison 

Here’s a side-by-side look at some of the key features, just to give you a feel for where the two platforms shine—and where one might cover gaps the other doesn’t. 

Why HRplan Stands Out 

HRplan doesn’t just check the basic HR boxes—it goes a few steps further. With built-in tools for tracking IT assets, flexible leave types, and workflows that don’t need a dozen third-party add-ons, it feels more like a system designed for your team, not just a generic tool you have to mold your processes around. 

Especially for teams working across departments or borders, HRplan’s flexibility can really make day-to-day HR tasks feel a whole lot smoother. 

3. Pricing Transparency 

One of the most common complaints about Gusto? It’s hard to know what you’ll actually end up paying. Sure, the base cost looks fine at first—but once you start adding things like onboarding tools or time tracking, the price can creep up quickly. 

HRplan takes a more straightforward approach. You get clear pricing tiers, a pay-as-you-grow model, and all the essentials included from day one. 

Whether you’ve got a team of 10 or 200, you won’t be surprised by hidden add-ons or suddenly find yourself paying extra for features you assumed were standard. 

4. Customization & Modularity 

Gusto keeps things simple—but sometimes, a little too simple. If your HR needs go beyond the basics, its fixed templates and rigid workflows can start to feel like a bad fit. 

HRplan, on the other hand, gives you room to breathe. You can build your own approval flows, tailor forms and fields to different departments, and even plug in modules specific to how you work. 

In other words, you don’t have to bend your internal processes to fit the software. HRplan lets the software adapt to you—which honestly makes a big difference when your team starts scaling. 

5. Support & User Experience 

Gusto’s interface is clean and easy to navigate—that’s definitely a plus. But if you ever need real-time support, things can get frustrating unless you’re on one of the higher-tier plans. 

With HRplan, the experience feels more hands-on from the start. You get 24/7 support, onboarding that doesn’t leave you guessing, and a UI that actually works well in both Turkish and English. 

Plus, it’s built with mobile teams in mind. Everything runs smoothly on phones, and you even get offline access for when your connection drops. It’s the kind of usability that makes you not dread opening your HR tool on a Monday morning. 

6. Security & Compliance 

Let’s be honest—when it comes to HR software, trust matters. Both Gusto and HRplan take security seriously, but HRplan has a bit of an edge here, especially if you’re working with international teams or operating in Europe. 

Since it was built with GDPR and KVKK in mind, HRplan comes with everything you'd expect: role-based permissions, detailed audit logs, and two-factor authentication. 

It’s not just about ticking the compliance boxes—it’s about giving you peace of mind that sensitive employee data is actually protected, no matter where your team is logging in from. 

7. Real-Life Use Case: Local to Global 

Here’s a quick story that really shows what HRplan can do in the real world: 

A mid-sized software company in Turkey—about 120 people—was using Gusto but started running into issues as their team became more global and more complex. They needed multi-language support, better compliance with local laws, and honestly, fewer workarounds just to get simple tasks done. 

After switching to HRplan, things changed fast. Remote onboarding became twice as quick, their HR team saw a huge drop in repetitive questions, and for the first time, they had full visibility into who had what equipment across departments. 

And the best part? They didn’t need to buy extra tools or hire consultants to make it all work. Everything they needed was already there, built into HRplan. 

Conclusion: HRplan or Gusto? 

Gusto’s great if you’re a U.S.-based startup that just needs solid payroll and basic HR features. But if your team is growing, working across countries, or needs more flexibility in how things get done—HRplan might be a better long-term fit. 

It’s built for international teams. It’s priced clearly (and fairly). And it includes things like leave management, expense tracking, and equipment handling right out of the box—no add-ons, no surprises. 

Plus, it speaks your team’s language—literally. 

So if you're tired of forcing your HR processes to fit into a rigid system, maybe it's time to try a platform that flexes with you. HRplan’s designed to grow with your team, not slow it down.