Gusto vs AME Software

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Our analysts compared Gusto vs AME Software based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Payroll Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

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Product Basics

Gusto is a web-based payroll system for medium-sized organizations. It handles benefits, compliance, direct deposit, employee self-service, employee management, payment processing and taxes. Using automation, calculators and other administrative and HR modules, users can streamline the entire process of paying employees. It integrates with other technologies to offer expanded services such as accounting, bookkeeping, POS, time tracking and other business operations. In addition to filing taxes, it scans the laws of over 50 states to ensure accurate state and federal payments, helping organizations avoid penalties.
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AME Software offers a comprehensive solution for managing payroll and related tasks, making it particularly well-suited for small to mid-sized businesses. The software streamlines payroll processing, tax calculations, and compliance reporting, which can significantly reduce administrative burdens. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface and robust functionality, which includes features like direct deposit, employee self-service portals, and detailed reporting capabilities.

One of the key benefits of AME Software is its affordability, with pricing typically falling within a moderate range, often based on the number of employees and frequency of payroll runs. This makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to balance cost and functionality. Compared to similar products, users often highlight its ease of use and reliable customer support, which can be crucial for businesses without dedicated payroll staff. Overall, AME Software provides a solid, cost-effective solution for efficient payroll management.

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$339 One-Time
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Product Insights

  • Flexible and Easier to Use: Guides admins through set-up and features a user-friendly interface. Let employees account for unexpected expenses, up to 40% of their paycheck, by automatically taking the amount out of their next check.
  • More Cost-Effective: Take advantage of a one-month free trial before full implementation. Subscribe on a monthly basis or based on a price quote, depending on the business’s needs.
  • Better Compliance: Check for updated tax law ensures that the proper documents are filed on time and follow the most recent legislation. Help users keep in compliance with ACA, ERISA and HIPAA standards. Record tests to comply with nondiscrimination policies from the IRS or benefits programs such as FSAs.
  • Timer Saver: Cut down on busy work and manual data entry to save valuable employee hours in payroll processing and tax filing. Manage and complete administrative work by accessing premade job templates, HR guides, live harassment prevention webinars, fitness tests, handbooks, best practices, manuals and more.
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  • Time-Saving Processing: Automate payroll for all employees to save time and eliminate the margin of costly user error. 
  • Customize To Fit Any Business: Maximize the value of a new system by picking the right level of support. Choose between levels of payment and accounting support geared towards businesses small to large. 
  • Increased Security: Protect vulnerable documents and information with encoded checks and built-in data security for sensitive accounting material. 
  • Stay Up To Date with Dynamic Support: Remain compliant and avoid harmful errors with ever-changing local, state and federal requirements with a continuously updated operating system. 
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  • Payroll Processing: Automatically calculate employee checks and file taxes while using online faxing, filing and signing technologies.
    • Payroll Reports: Send money out weekly, bi-weekly, twice a month or monthly. Calculate an employee’s gross pay before taxes by simply entering the amount they should receive. Figure out overtime pay for hourly workers whether they have one or multiple pay rates. Leverage other payroll capabilities such as calculating unlimited and off-cycle payrolls, employee reimbursements, bonuses and more.
    • Automated Taxes: Calculate, file and pay all payroll taxes per local and federal legislation through direct deposit. Generate and send 940, 941, 1099, 8974 and W-2 forms for full-time employees and independent contractors. Manage deductions, garnishments and send child support in all states except for South Carolina. Make adjustments, get support and enter claims for the Federal R&D Tax Credit, FLSA minimum wage requirements and the FICA Tip Credit tax.
    • E-Signatures: Sign and file important documents and forms such as W-2’s, 1099s, 940s, 941s and 8974s. Make it easier to get everyone’s ducks in a row, even when separated by thousands of miles.
    • Leave Tracking: Set up and monitor vacation time, time off and sick time. Choose federal holidays or create other holidays for organizations that accommodate different faiths, locations or cultures.
  • Benefits: Make the necessary deductions automatically for medical insurance, 401(K) contributions and more. Give employees dental, medical and vision insurance and help them find the appropriate plan. Provide other benefits such as 529 (college) savings, commuter perks, disability insurance, FSAs, HSAs, life insurance and workers’ compensation.
  • Wallet: Manage banking accounts, emergency funds, paychecks and savings. Create as many as five saving goals, which deduct funds automatically from the correlating spending accounts — transfer funds from savings to spending easily. Put paychecks in different accounts and let workers see checks and the specifics of deductions, hours and taxes. Give access to paystubs, the Wallet app and W-2s.
  • Worker Management: Give workers digital paystubs accessible by the payday email, account or Wallet app. Let employees send money to charities, organize workers into departments and set policies for PTO and sick leave. Customize and assign various permissions to ensure users can access the appropriate content but not sensitive data.
  • Self-Service: Let employees complete tasks like adding dependents, picking out plans and scheduling changes to plans based on personal details. Let them retain access to specific account information after termination to cut down on unnecessary content. Organize reports based on teams or departments and let workers sign essential documents like I-9s and W-4s.
  • New Employees: Report new hires to the government automatically. Send out onboarding papers before new staff members start so they can fill out bank details, contact information and W-4s. Use an onboarding to-do list for tasks like adding employees to the payroll, background checks, filling out an employee’s I-9, setting up benefits and signing forms.
  • Directory: Create an address book of employees with profile pictures and contact information. Give new workers org charts to see where they fit in the organization. Organize fun facts, t-shirt or merch orders, birthdays and communal coffee dates.
  • Calendar Sync: Track deadlines, birthdays and employee anniversaries and sync with other calendars in iCalendar, Google, and Outlook.
  • Integrations: Uses closed APIs. Integrate with platforms like Accelo, Asana, Box, Clover, Dropbox, Expensify, FreshBooks, Github, G Suite, Homebase, Microsoft 365, QuickBooks Online, Receipt Bank, Slack, SpotOn, TSheets, Veryfi, When I Work, Xero, Ximble, Zoom and more. Contact the vendor for custom connections.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Generate and download reports for benefits, payment history, bank transactions, PTO, contract work, tax payments and more
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  • Employee Payments: Process payments accurately and efficiently for guaranteed correct sums every time. Deposit wages directly into employees’ checking or savings accounts through any compatible third-party processing service. 
  • Digital Filing: Eliminate time-consuming paper trails with automated local, state and federal reporting and filing. Create customized invoices, statements and checks for specific business needs. 
  • Accounting Filing: Record income statements, bank reconciliations and monthly and yearly budgets. File unlimited 1099s and track unlimited vendors. 
  • Employee History: Track employee requests and records for vacation, sick leave and PTO accrual. Manage attendance history on the same platform as wage history. 
  • Electronic Signatures: Sign magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) checks with digital signatures before printing. Save time by simplifying the process of traditional paper checks. 
  • Personal Transmittals: Complete transactions with IRS compatibility for 940s, 941s and DE9s. Pay a rate per number of forms filed per quarter, or pay for a flat fixed rate if filing more than 500 forms. 
  • Tiered Platforms: Select platform support for small business payments and accounting, professional and enterprise payment, general ledger reporting only, direct depositing, check and PDF converting, or everything combined. Add additional state reporting for program tiers that require it. 
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Product Ranking

#7

among all
Payroll Software

#116

among all
Payroll Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Benefits Management Dashboard And Reporting Expense Management Mobile Capabilities Payroll And Tax Management Platform Capabilities Security And Compliance Time And Attendance Management 95 40 90 54 89 87 80 63 0 25 50 75 100
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User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 2802 reviews
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93%
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Gusto has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 93% when considering 2802 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

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Awards

Gusto stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Easy to Use: Just under 70% of all reviewers found this product easy to use with 10% specifically praising the design.
Great Conflict Resolution: The customer service was noted for being helpful, knowledgeable and excellent at resolving errors.
Helpful Features: Around 40% of reviewers said they appreciated the functionality, particularly praising the tax system, deductions, payroll processing and multiple payment options.
Appropriate Pricing: Over 30% of users felt that the price was well worth the system.
Good for Small Business: This was called a good choice for small businesses in over 10% of reviews.
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Ease of Use: Users consistently praise AME Software for its intuitive interface, making it easy to navigate and understand, even for those with limited payroll experience.
Time-Saving Features: AME Software's automation features, such as automatic tax calculations and direct deposit processing, significantly reduce the time spent on manual tasks, allowing payroll professionals to focus on more strategic initiatives.
Reliable Accuracy: Users consistently report high levels of accuracy in payroll calculations, minimizing the risk of errors and ensuring timely and correct payments to employees.
Excellent Customer Support: AME Software's customer support team is highly responsive and knowledgeable, providing prompt assistance and resolving issues efficiently.
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Issues with Certain Functionality: While around 40% felt the solution worked well, another 40% reported issues, especially with the time tracking and integration features.
Slow/Pushy Customer Support: Around 10% of users reported negative experiences with customer service. Of them around 50% felt the staff was pushy and trying to upsell them and 50% felt they had to wait too long for answers or couldn't get in touch with them online.
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Limited Customization: Some users have reported difficulty in tailoring the software to their specific payroll needs, particularly when dealing with unique pay structures or complex deductions. For example, they may find it challenging to set up custom pay periods or integrate with specific third-party applications.
Steep Learning Curve: The software's interface can be overwhelming for new users, requiring significant time and effort to master its functionalities. This can be particularly challenging for smaller businesses with limited IT resources.
Lack of Mobile App: The absence of a dedicated mobile app can be a drawback for businesses that require on-the-go access to payroll information. This can be inconvenient for managers who need to approve time off requests or view employee pay stubs remotely.
Customer Support Issues: Some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the responsiveness and quality of customer support. They may encounter long wait times or find it difficult to resolve technical issues effectively.
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Gusto is a well-reviewed payroll solution which many users enjoy for its good design and easy-to-use features. It’s UI and payroll processing abilities in particular make it a popular choice for automating payroll. Many also feel it handles benefits and PTO well. Some say it's an affordable choice given what it does while others note that it’s on the pricey side. The time tracking features aren’t universally loved. Users are split on the integration abilities with around 10% satisfied and around 10% dissatisfied. All in all, it appears to be a good solution for small and medium-sized businesses looking to streamline their payroll. Keep an eye on the price and, as always, demo extensively before buying.

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Is AME Software the "ace" up your sleeve for payroll, or does it leave you feeling confused? User reviews from the past year paint a mixed picture of AME Software, particularly focusing on its payroll capabilities. Some users appreciate its simplicity and affordability, highlighting features like unlimited checks and direct deposit processing as major pluses, especially for smaller businesses. However, a chorus of concern emerges regarding the software's outdated interface and clunky functionality, with some users even likening it to stepping back in time. For instance, one user pointed out that "almost everything has to be done by hand." The recent update to version 3.0 has been met with resistance, with users reporting significant glitches and a preference for the older version. While the company offers live technical support, some users have reported difficulties in getting issues resolved effectively. This mixed bag suggests that AME Software might be best suited for businesses prioritizing affordability and simplicity over modern features and a seamless user experience, particularly those already familiar with the software's quirks. However, businesses seeking a more contemporary and feature-rich payroll solution might find AME Software lacking and should consider exploring alternative options.

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