Best GoCo Alternatives
GoCo now belongs to Intuit and is merging into QuickBooks Payroll, so companies on other payroll systems are comparing standalone HR and onboarding tools.
Since Intuit's 2025 acquisition, GoCo is being folded into QuickBooks Payroll and Intuit Enterprise Suite, and its pricing page now points to QuickBooks. Companies that run payroll through ADP, Gusto or another provider worry the standalone product will get less attention. Buyers also cannot trial it or see a published rate first.
GoCo and its alternatives at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| GoCo (current) | QuickBooks Payroll Premium or Elite customers adding HR and benefits | No added cost with an active QuickBooks Payroll Premium or Elite subscription (per goco.io) |
| BambooHR | First-time HRIS buyers at 25 to 300 employees | $10 PEPM |
| Gusto | US small businesses wanting published payroll pricing and 50-state tax filing | $49/mo + $6 PEPM |
| Rippling | Tech-forward firms tying HR, IT devices and finance together | Quote-based (est. ~$8 PEPM + $35–$40/month base) |
Companies already on QuickBooks Payroll Premium or Elite have the easiest path, since GoCo's features are being added there. Customers using GoCo with a different payroll provider should ask Intuit in writing how long their current integration and contract terms will be supported, and export benefits enrollment records before any renewal.
The alternatives buyers shortlist
BambooHR is the HR platform that most small and mid-sized teams encounter first when they outgrow spreadsheets.
- Pricing
- Per-employee pricing
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Free trial
- Available
Gusto is the payroll platform that most small businesses encounter first when they realize they need more than a spreadsheet and a quarterly trip to the accountant.
- Pricing
- Per-employee pricing
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Free trial
- Available
Rippling is the HR platform that refused to stay in its lane.
- Pricing
- Modular pricing
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Free trial
- Not stated
Questions buyers ask
Does GoCo still work without QuickBooks?
GoCo was built as a standalone HR and benefits platform, but since Intuit's 2025 acquisition its features are being integrated into QuickBooks Payroll Premium and Elite and Intuit Enterprise Suite. Its pricing page now redirects to QuickBooks. Existing customers on other payroll systems should confirm support terms with Intuit directly.