GoCo Logo

10 Best GoCo Alternatives & Top Competitors 2026

Looking for GoCo alternatives? This list highlights HR and payroll platforms that offer stronger payroll depth, broader integrations, or support for more complex team structures. If GoCo starts to feel limiting as your company grows, these options give you added flexibility without pushing you straight into enterprise software.

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GoCo is a clean, approachable HR platform that does the fundamentals well: onboarding, benefits administration, basic payroll, and HR workflows without a lot of noise. It tends to land nicely with small to mid-sized teams that want structure but don’t want to feel buried under software. Friction usually shows up as teams grow, more complex payroll rules, multi-state headaches, global hiring questions, or executives asking for deeper reporting. That’s when GoCo users start scanning the market to see what else fits the next phase.

Comparison Table: GoCo Vs. Alternatives

Product NameBest For Compared to GoCoKey AdvantageKey Limitation
DeelTeams hiring internationallyGlobal EOR & contractor coverageNot built as a full core HR
RipplingOps-heavy scaling companiesHR + IT + payroll in one systemComplexity ramps quickly
PaylocityMid-market US payroll depthStrong payroll & reportingLess flexible UX
PaychexTraditional payroll-first orgsCompliance & tax handlingFeels dated for HR teams
GustoSmall US-based teamsSimple payroll & benefitsLimited customization
PaycorGrowing SMBsSolid HR + payroll balanceUI can feel rigid
iSolvedFranchises and multi-entity orgsWorkforce management depthSetup takes effort
DayforceLarge, complex employersUnified payroll & WFMHeavy implementation
TriNetCompanies wanting PEO supportOutsourced HR & benefitsLess control in-house
WorkdayEnterprise organizationsDeep HCM & analyticsOverkill for GoCo’s audience

Our Top GoCo Alternatives Picks: Quick List

Deel Logo
Deel
4.8
Starting Price
$49/Month
HR Stacks Score
93%
Paylocity Logo
Paylocity
0.0
Starting Price
Custom Price
HR Stacks Score
89.75%
Paychex Logo
Paychex
0.0
Starting Price
Custom
HR Stacks Score
91%
Rippling Logo
Rippling
5.0
Starting Price
$8/User
HR Stacks Score
93%
Trinet Logo
Trinet
0.0
Starting Price
Custom
HR Stacks Score
91.5%
Workday logo
Workday
0.0
Starting Price
$7/Month
HR Stacks Score
91.25%
Gusto Logo
Gusto
0.0
Starting Price
$40
HR Stacks Score
92.5%
Paycor-Logo
Paycor
0.0
Starting Price
Custom
HR Stacks Score
91.25%
Isolved logo
Isolved
0.0
Starting Price
Custom
HR Stacks Score
88.75%
Dayforce Logo
Dayforce
0.0
Starting Price
Custom Pricing
HR Stacks Score
91.5%

Best GoCo Alternatives In Detail

Let's understand each of the GoCo alternatives in detail and why we selected the product as one of the alternatives and what it has to offer.
Deel Logo

Deel

4.8 (based on 5 reviews)
Free Trial: No
Starting Price: $49/Month

Deel comes up when GoCo users start hiring outside the U.S. and realize GoCo simply isn’t built for that problem. It handles contractors, EOR, global payroll, and compliance in a way that feels fast and modern. Startups and distributed teams gravitate toward it quickly. It’s less about HR depth, more about removing friction from global hiring.

How it differs from GoCo

  • Deel focuses on international employment first, not core HR workflows
  • Contractor management is far more mature
  • Benefits and performance features are lighter than GoCo’s
  • Pricing scales with global headcount fast
  • Better when geography is the problem you’re solving

Overall Score & Reviews Summary

  • G2 Score: 4.6 (6,000+ reviews analyzed)
  • Trustpilot Score: 4.3 (4,000+ reviews analyzed)
Pros
Cut onboarding time to 5 mins
Eliminates errors and duplicate work
Provides holistic view of employer costs, churn, and headcount
Automatically pays contractors and employees
Provides 15 plus global payment option
Instant expertise access
Cons
Issues in payment system
Delay response time
User interface is not intuitive
Paylocity Logo

Paylocity

0.0 (based on 0 reviews)
Free Trial: Yes
Starting Price: Custom Price

Paylocity shows up for teams that want deeper US payroll and reporting than GoCo offers. It’s strong in compliance, analytics, and workforce data. Mid-sized companies with finance-heavy oversight tend to like it. HR teams sometimes find it less flexible day to day.

How it differs from GoCo

  • Payroll reporting is more robust
  • Better suited for regulated industries
  • UI feels more structured
  • Less nimble onboarding flows
  • Stronger finance appeal

Overall Score & Reviews Summary

  • G2 Score: 4.4 (2,500+ reviews analyzed)
  • Trustpilot Score: 4.2 (900+ reviews analyzed)
Pros
All-in-one HR and payroll platform
Streamlines payroll, benefits, and performance reviews
Effortless tax calculations and direct deposits
Robust talent management for recruitment and onboarding
Employee self-service portal (pay stubs, time-off requests)
Social collaboration feature for team communication
Cons
May have a learning curve for new users
Features can be overwhelming for small businesses
Paychex Logo

Paychex

0.0 (based on 0 reviews)
Free Trial: Yes
Starting Price: Custom

Paychex is a payroll institution. It’s reliable, conservative, and built to handle taxes and compliance without drama. Companies that value stability over experience lean this way. Compared to GoCo, it feels heavier and less HR-friendly.

How it differs from GoCo

  • Payroll-first, HR second
  • Very compliance-oriented
  • Interface feels dated
  • Strong service model
  • Less modern employee experience

Overall Score & Reviews Summary

  • G2 Score: 4.2 (1,800+ reviews analyzed)
  • Trustpilot Score: 4.1 (1,000+ reviews analyzed)
Pros
All-in-one centralized system for HR functions
Intuitive dashboard and reporting tools
Substantial compliance and security features
Customizable templates and workflows
A dedicated support team is available 24/7
Mobile accessibility via iOS and Android apps
Cons
The steep learning curve for more complex tasks
Higher pricing for bundled packages
Limited third-party integrations
Rippling Logo

Rippling

5.0 (based on 2 reviews)
Free Trial: Yes
Starting Price: $8/User

Rippling is what teams look at when GoCo starts feeling “too small.” It blends HR, payroll, IT, device management, and app provisioning into one system. Ops-heavy companies love it. In my experience, it’s powerful but demands discipline, you don’t casually roll Rippling out.

How it differs from GoCo

  • Much broader scope beyond HR
  • Payroll and IT are tightly connected
  • Requires more internal ownership
  • Less forgiving if processes aren’t clean
  • Scales further, faster

Overall Score & Reviews Summary

  • G2 Score: 4.8 (3,000+ reviews analyzed)
  • Trustpilot Score: 4.7 (1,000+ reviews analyzed)
Pros
Onboard and offboard employees within 90 seconds
Automatically syncs employee updates to payroll
Centralized dashboard to access employee’s data
Provides a Rippling library
One single platform for all HR processes
Cons
Limitation in integrating capabilities
Does not provide 24/7 live support
Trinet Logo

Trinet

0.0 (based on 0 reviews)
Free Trial: No
Starting Price: Custom

TriNet is a PEO, which changes the relationship entirely. You’re outsourcing HR, payroll, and benefits rather than managing them yourself. For some teams, that’s a relief. For others, it’s a loss of control compared to GoCo.

How it differs from GoCo

  • Co-employment model
  • Strong benefits access
  • Less internal flexibility
  • Compliance handled externally
  • Pricing tied to payroll

Overall Score & Reviews Summary

  • G2 Score: 4.3 (1,100+ reviews analyzed)
  • Trustpilot Score: 4.2 (800+ reviews analyzed)

Pros
Complete outsourced HR services from payroll to compliance
Access to comprehensive benefits plans for employees
Expert HR guidance and support are available at all times
Technology platform simplifies HR processes
Removes employer responsibilities and liabilities
Scalable solutions suited for businesses of all sizes
Help with talent acquisition and retention
Self-service employee portal for 24/7 access
Cons
Higher costs compared to standalone services
Minimal customization in standard plans
Additional charges for on-demand consulting
Workday logo

Workday

0.0 (based on 0 reviews)
Free Trial: Yes
Starting Price: $7/Month

Workday isn’t really competing with GoCo, it lives in another universe. It’s built for enterprises with layered approvals, global reporting, and complex org structures. When companies jump from GoCo to Workday, it’s a sign of massive scale.

How it differs from GoCo

  • Enterprise HCM depth
  • Long, expensive implementations
  • Powerful analytics
  • Requires specialist admins
  • Not SMB-friendly

Overall Score & Reviews Summary

  • G2 Score: 4.1 (2,000+ reviews analyzed)
  • Trustpilot Score: 3.8 (900+ reviews analyzed)
Pros
Continuous innovation with regular product updates
Excellent mobile experience for employees
Robust implementation and support services
Track record of handling complex global deployments
Flexible to grow with the evolving needs of customers
Skills Cloud provides comprehensive skills data insights
Cons
Expensive compared to other specialized solutions
Implementation can be a lengthy and resource-intensive process
Lacks transparency on pricing information
Gusto Logo

Gusto

0.0 (based on 0 reviews)
Free Trial: Yes
Starting Price: $40

Gusto is often the first stop before GoCo, or the fallback after. It’s simple, clean, and easy to run. Small teams love it. Once complexity increases, its limits become obvious.

How it differs from GoCo

  • Simpler feature set
  • Faster setup for small teams
  • Less configurable workflows
  • Payroll is very approachable
  • Outgrown quickly past 100 employees

Overall Score & Reviews Summary

  • G2 Score: 4.6 (6,500+ reviews analyzed)
  • Trustpilot Score: 4.5 (3,000+ reviews analyzed)
Pros
Easy employee onboarding and management
Automated tax filing and compliance
Quick and easy setup
Third-party integration options
User-friendly dashboard and mobile app
Cons
More expensive than DIY options at scale
Limited invoicing and time sheeting
Advanced features require additional modules
Paycor-Logo

Paycor

0.0 (based on 0 reviews)
Free Trial: Yes
Starting Price: Custom

Paycor sits in the same general weight class as GoCo but leans slightly more toward payroll and analytics. It works well for growing SMBs that want structure without enterprise bloat. Some teams find the UI a bit rigid once processes evolve.

How it differs from GoCo

  • Stronger payroll analytics
  • HR workflows feel more fixed
  • Less visual flexibility
  • Better for compliance-heavy teams
  • Slightly steeper learning curve

Overall Score & Reviews Summary

  • G2 Score: 4.3 (1,200+ reviews analyzed)
  • Trustpilot Score: 4.1 (600+ reviews analyzed)
Pros
Single integrated platform for HR, payroll, benefits & compliance
User-friendly interface optimized for mobile use
Robust suite of HR tools like applicant tracking & performance reviews
Assists with onboarding, paperwork, & new hire reporting
Offers on-demand pay for employees
A strong support team is available via phone and online
Cons
Pricing is customized rather than transparent
Additional fees apply for features like time tracking
Implementation & activation fees for most plan levels
Isolved logo

Isolved

0.0 (based on 0 reviews)
Free Trial: Yes
Starting Price: Custom

iSolved appeals to organizations with multiple entities, franchises, or shift-heavy workforces. It’s more operational than GoCo and less “friendly,” but powerful under the hood. HR teams usually need training to get full value.

How it differs from GoCo

  • Workforce management depth
  • Handles complex org structures
  • Setup takes longer
  • Less intuitive UI
  • Strong payroll engine

Overall Score & Reviews Summary

  • G2 Score: 4.1 (900+ reviews analyzed)
  • Trustpilot Score: 3.9 (400+ reviews analyzed)
Pros
Easy-to-use interface
Comprehensive payroll management
Automated compliance tracking
Employee self-service options
All-in-one HR solution
Strong performance management tools
Cons
Limited customization for some features
Can feel overwhelming for small teams
Occasional lags with updates
Dayforce Logo

Dayforce

0.0 (based on 0 reviews)
Free Trial: No
Starting Price: Custom Pricing

Dayforce enters the picture when GoCo is no longer even close to enough. Large employers use it to unify payroll, workforce management, and compliance globally. It’s powerful, but no one calls it “easy.”

How it differs from GoCo

  • Enterprise-scale platform
  • Deep payroll + WFM integration
  • Long implementation cycles
  • Requires dedicated admins
  • Overkill for SMBs

Overall Score & Reviews Summary

  • G2 Score: 4.2 (1,500+ reviews analyzed)
  • Trustpilot Score: 4.0 (700+ reviews analyzed)
Pros
Comprehensive HR management
Real-time data insights
User-friendly interface
Mobile Accessibility
Automated payroll
Scalable solution
Cons
Complex reporting
Limited integration
Customer support issues
Steep learning curve

FAQs: GoCo Alternatives

Yes. If you’re under ~200 employees and mostly US-based, GoCo remains a solid, sane choice.
When payroll complexity, reporting demands, or global hiring start driving daily frustration.
HR data is manageable. Payroll history takes planning. I always advise running parallel payroll once.
Usually, yes. GoCo isn’t built for EOR or international compliance.
Rippling, without question, but only if you’re ready to manage it properly.
Upgrading too early, or worse, buying enterprise software to solve problems they don’t have yet.
Manjuri Dutta
Manjuri Dutta

Manjuri Dutta is the co-founder and Content Editor of HR Stacks, a leading HR tech and workforce management review platform, and EmployerRecords.com, specializing in Employer-of-Record services for global hiring. She brings a thoughtful and expert voice to articles designed to inform HR leaders, practitioners, and tech buyers alike.

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