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Things VS Gusto

Compare Things VS Gusto and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

Things logo Things

Things is an easy to use task manager.

Gusto logo Gusto

Gusto. Payroll, benefits and compliance in one integrated product. We're here to change how the world works, and put people first.
  • Things Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-17
  • Gusto Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-24

Things features and specs

  • User Experience
    Things is known for its clean, intuitive, and beautifully designed user interface, making it easy to use.
  • Integration with Apple Ecosystem
    Seamlessly integrates with macOS and iOS devices, offering features like Handoff and deep Apple Calendar integration.
  • Powerful Task Management
    Supports projects, areas, headings, and tags, providing a robust system for managing complex tasks and workflows.
  • Quick Entry
    Provides a quick entry function allowing users to capture tasks efficiently, which can later be categorized and detailed.
  • Updates and Support
    Regularly updated with new features and enhancements, backed by reliable customer support.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    Offers extensive keyboard shortcuts for power users to navigate and manage tasks quickly.
  • Natural Language Processing
    Allows users to input tasks using natural language, which is then intelligently parsed and scheduled.

Possible disadvantages of Things

  • Cost
    Things requires a one-time purchase for each platform (macOS, iOS), making it relatively expensive compared to some subscription-based competitors.
  • Platform Limitation
    Only available on Apple devices (macOS and iOS), making it inaccessible for users on Windows, Android, or other platforms.
  • No Collaboration Features
    Lacks built-in collaboration tools, which can be a drawback for teams looking to share and manage tasks collectively.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, fully utilizing advanced features can require time and a deeper understanding.
  • Limited Automation
    Offers fewer automation options and integrations compared to some competitors like Todoist or Microsoft To Do.

Gusto features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Gusto offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface which simplifies payroll processing and HR management for businesses of all sizes.
  • Comprehensive HR Tools
    The platform provides a wide range of HR tools, including benefits administration, time tracking, and compliance assistance, helping businesses manage their workforce effectively.
  • Automated Payroll Processing
    With Gusto, payroll processing is automated, reducing the likelihood of errors and saving time for HR departments.
  • Employee Self-Service
    Employees can access their payslips, tax documents, and benefits information directly through Gusto, improving transparency and reducing administrative burden.
  • Customer Support
    Gusto is known for its responsive and knowledgeable customer support, which can assist users with any issues or questions they may have.

Possible disadvantages of Gusto

  • Cost
    Gusto's pricing can be relatively high, especially for small businesses or startups with limited budgets.
  • Limited Integration Options
    While Gusto integrates with several popular apps and software, it may not support all the tools a business uses, potentially complicating workflow processes.
  • Lack of Customization
    Some users may find Gusto's features to be less customizable compared to other HR software solutions, limiting the ability to tailor the platform to specific needs.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly design, some users may experience a learning curve when initially adopting the platform, particularly if they are transitioning from a different system.
  • Dependency on Internet
    As a cloud-based solution, Gusto requires a reliable internet connection for access, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.

Analysis of Things

Overall verdict

  • Things is widely regarded as an excellent productivity tool, especially for Apple ecosystem users. It combines elegance with functionality, making it a top choice for those who prefer a minimalist but powerful task manager.

Why this product is good

  • Things by Cultured Code is highly acclaimed for its clean, intuitive design and effective task management features. It provides a seamless user experience with its natural language input, powerful integration with macOS and iOS, and features like projects, areas, deadlines, and reminders that help users organize their tasks efficiently. The app is particularly praised for its focus on simplicity and ease of use, which allows users to focus on their tasks without being overwhelmed by features.

Recommended for

    Things is ideal for individuals who are deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem and appreciate a minimalist design approach. It's perfect for users who prefer a straightforward, no-frills task management system that emphasizes ease of use, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal.

Analysis of Gusto

Overall verdict

  • Gusto is widely regarded as a good option for small to medium-sized businesses seeking payroll and human resources solutions.

Why this product is good

  • Gusto offers an intuitive platform that simplifies payroll processing, benefits administration, and HR tasks. Users often praise its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and excellent customer service. It automates many time-consuming processes, making it easier for businesses to manage their workforce and comply with regulations.

Recommended for

  • Small to medium-sized businesses
  • Companies seeking easy-to-use payroll solutions
  • Organizations in need of integrated HR tools
  • Businesses looking for efficient employee onboarding processes
  • HR managers wanting comprehensive benefits administration support

Things videos

+ Add

Brandon's Cult Movie Reviews: THINGS

More videos:

  • Review - Things 3: Full Review (2019)
  • Review - OmniFocus vs. Things 3 review: which is best for you?

Gusto videos

+ Add

Gusto Payroll Review | Top 6 favorite features | $100 referral code

More videos:

  • Review - Gusto vs. QuickBooks Payroll
  • Tutorial - Gusto Payroll Review & Tutorial ($100 Amazon Bonus)
  • Review - Gusto Payment System: An Honest Review
  • Review - Gusto Payroll Software Review: An In-Depth Look At The Features
  • Review - What You MUST Know About Gusto Payroll
  • Review - Gusto Payroll Software Review - Why this is the BEST Payroll Software in 2023
  • Review - Gusto Payroll Software: The Ultimate Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Things and Gusto)

Things

Gusto

Task Management
100 100%
Task Management
0% 0
HR
0 0%
HR
100% 100
Project Management
100 100%
Project Management
0% 0
HR Tools
0 0%
HR Tools
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Things and Gusto

Things Reviews

11 Ayanza Alternatives
Things 3 is a multi-award-winning personal task manager that assists you in keeping track of your tasks. The environment of the application is attractive with a fresh new look, delightful integrations, and powerful features. It has been completely effective to boost efficiency with easy to use and is attractive to the eye. The themes are a creative and powerful feature that...
Source: www.justalternativeto.com
Five of the Best To-Do Apps for iOS
Things 3 is one of the few to-do apps that's not subscription based, and it costs $9.99 to purchase. Things 3 is also available for Mac and iPad, though each app must be purchased individually.
Source: www.macrumors.com

Gusto Reviews

Best Paychex alternatives (2026): prices you can actually see
The default landing for small teams. I run a real Gusto account and rated it 8/10 in the full Gusto review: transparent pricing, strong employee self-onboarding, and it files federal, state and local taxes without me touching anything. Simple costs $49/mo + $6/person per Gustoโ€™s pricing page (captured 30 June 2026), so a 10-person team knows its bill is $109 before ever...
Source: wiserstaff.com
Best BambooHR alternatives (2026): tested picks by use case
I only hand out a score after testing a tool with my own account, so this list splits in two. Gusto, Deel, Breezy HR and Manatal carry real tested verdicts from their own reviews. Rippling, HiBob and Zoho People are credible candidates I havenโ€™t tested, so they appear with no score and no invented pricing. Affiliate links are disclosed above this content and never change...
Source: wiserstaff.com
Best Rippling alternatives (2026): tested picks by use case
If the honest job is โ€œpay a US team correctly and keep the records straightโ€, Gusto does it with published pricing and no sales call, which is precisely the contrast with a quote-only platform. (Weighing Gusto against other payroll routes first? The Gusto alternatives round-up sorts them by exit reason.)
Source: wiserstaff.com
Best Gusto alternatives (2026): picked by exit reason
The best Gusto alternative depends on why youโ€™re leaving. If itโ€™s support quality, OnPay and Patriot are the names real users vouch for. If your team is going global, Gusto canโ€™t follow you; Deel (tested 8/10) can (see Deelโ€™s plans). If you live in QuickBooks, the payroll add-on to your accounting suite has an obvious logic. And if itโ€™s none of those, the honest answer may...
Source: wiserstaff.com
Best Freshteam alternatives (2026): what to switch to
Freshworks is retiring Freshteam, its applicant-tracking and light-HR product, so teams on it need a new home before it shuts down. The best replacement depends on which half of Freshteam you actually used. For the applicant-tracking core, Breezy HR is the closest like-for-like and the one Iโ€™d try first: a free plan, a visual pipeline a non-recruiter can run, and one-click...
Source: wiserstaff.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Things should be more popular than Gusto. It has been mentiond 58 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Things mentions (58)

  • We don't need startups, we need Digital-Mittelstand
    Correct: https://culturedcode.com/things/ Looks like the different apps (desktop, mobile, iPad) have different prices, but all are one-time payments of $10-$50. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Essential Software for Mac Users: Three Recommended Efficient Tools
    Things 3is an award-winning task management application known for its clean, elegant interface and intuitive usability. It employs a minimalist design style, allowing users to easily add, organize, and view tasks, helping individuals efficiently manage daily affairs. While Things 3 does not support team collaboration features, it provides a smooth user experience on macOS as a personal task management tool. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Show HN: I built a task manager that separates "Do" & "Due" dates
    How badly do Twos want to SEO rank on searches for Things? https://culturedcode.com/things/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: What macOS apps/programs do you use daily and recommend?
    Alfred - Productivity App for macOS [1] iTerm2 - macOS Terminal Replacement [2] Dropshare App - upload anything anywhere on macOS [3] Mimestream - A native macOS email client for Gmail [4] Things - To-Do List for Mac & iOS [5] [1] https://www.alfredapp.com [2] https://iterm2.com [3] https://dropshare.app [4] https://mimestream.com [5] https://culturedcode.com/things. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Ready to advance from Evernote, looking at Obsidian
    Currently, I use Things (https://culturedcode.com/things/) for tasks and Evernote for notes, and experimented with Freeform (I love the visual aspect and simplicity). At work, I've used Notion, Mural, Miro, LucidChart, Quip, and many other collaboration-based knowledge systems. I never researched the best of personal knowledge systems until now. Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

Gusto mentions (18)

  • As a completely inexperienced newbie, how does salary payment work?
    If they are W2 or 1099, look at gusto.com, but I would encourage you to speak with a CPA so they can best advise you on your situation. If you do things wrong, it could put you in a lot of legal trouble. Source: over 3 years ago
  • The Fair Tax Act Aims to Abolish the IRS and Set a National Sales Tax. Here's How It Would Work
    There's Quickbooks for accounting. There's Gusto for payroll. There's CalendarCrush for invoicing. It'll cost you about $200 a month to get tooled correctly and you're off to the races. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Breaking Into Legal Tech
    Make โ€ข Build and automate workflows InvoiceBerry โ€ข Online invoicing for small businesses Gusto โ€ข Payroll, benefits and HR management Hive โ€ข Manage tasks, workflows and teamโ€™s work Lanva โ€ข Social video editing app. ClickUp โ€ข Manage tasks, docs, chat, goals and more Plausible โ€ข Open-source privacy-friendly web analytics Podcast Hawk โ€ข Podcast guest booking software. Writesonic โ€ข AI-driven content... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Do I need to out my 18y old on as an employee?
    W2 employee - More complicated to setup but there are lots of great services like Gusto that do pretty much everything for you. Then you just run payroll and taxes are taken out of his check. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Hiring a Canadian for ad hoc, hourly work (I'm a US person, not yet a business)
    Third - the 1099. If you have a consulting contract, then you don't have to pay taxes for the individual. The consulting contract will clearly state that they are responsible for all taxes, including self-employment taxes. I still use a payroll service (gusto.com in my case, but whatever floats your boat) to pay contractors, that way someone else is taking care of the 1099s and such, which can be a pain in the ass. Source: almost 4 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Things and Gusto, you can also consider the following products

Todoist - Todoist is a to-do list that helps you get organized, at work and in life.

Paychex - Are you in need of payroll services, HR services, 401(k) and benefits administration, or more? No matter the size of your business, Paychex can help.

TickTick - TickTickis a cross-platform to-do list app & task manager helps you to get all things done and make life well organized.

ADP Workforce Now - ADP Workforce Now provides cloud-based software, expert support and predictive analytics for data-driven insights.

Remember The Milk - Remember The Milk is a task and time management application for mobile devices.

Paylocity - Paylocity has revolutionized the industry and has quickly become the leading independent provider of online payroll services and HR solutions.

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