Independent Audit Report
Gusto
VS
MoonPay

A comprehensive 20-point independent audit covering fees, FX rates, settlement architecture, regulatory standing, customer protection, and real-world performance benchmarks.

20 Audit Criteria Independent Analysis Current Verified Data Live Benchmarks
Gusto
Full-Service Payroll, Benefits & HR Platform
Best For Small to mid-sized US businesses wanting an all-in-one payroll, benefi
Core Fee Simple: $49/month + $6/employee; Plus: $80/month + $12/emplo
Settlement Next-day direct deposit on Plus and above; AutoPilot runs re
Visit Gusto ↗
MoonPay
Crypto On-Ramp & Off-Ramp Infrastructure
Best For Beginners and DeFi users wanting the simplest fiat-to-crypto experienc
Core Fee 4.5% on credit/debit card purchases; 1%–2% on ACH bank trans
Settlement Card purchases near-instant; ACH bank transfers 1–5 business
Visit MoonPay ↗
Full 20-Point Audit Matrix
Verified current data across all key decision criteria
20 Criteria Compared
Audit Criterion Gusto MoonPay
WealthBlueprint RatingOverall score vs. all reviewed platforms (out of 5 stars)
5/5
Gusto: rated on fees, features, safety & ease of use
3/5
MoonPay: rated on fees, features, safety & ease of use
Transaction FeesPer-transfer costs, domestic & international
Simple: $49/month + $6/employee; Plus: $80/month + $12/employee; Premium: $180/month + $22/employee; Contractor Only: $35/month + $6/contractor; base fee raised March 2026 4.5% on credit/debit card purchases; 1%–2% on ACH bank transfers; network gas fees apply separately; MoonPay Balance allows fee-free trades funded by free bank transfers
FX / Conversion SpreadMarkup above mid-market exchange rate
Gusto charges a conversion fee based on the currency pair and transfer amount. Always verify the all-in rate before sending.
Always check the live rate in the app
Free transfers but FX conversion fees may apply depending on the corridor.
Always check the live rate in the app
Account MaintenanceMonthly or annual account-keeping charges
Subscription-based — Gusto charges a recurring fee starting at Simple: $49/month + $6/employe.
Fees subject to change — verify before signing up
No monthly fees — MoonPay does not charge recurring maintenance fees.
Fees subject to change — verify before signing up
Card Issuance FeesVirtual and physical card creation costs
Gusto does not primarily offer physical cards — access is digital-first.
Check Gusto app for current card fees
MoonPay does not primarily offer physical cards — access is digital-first.
Check MoonPay app for current card fees
Domestic SettlementLocal bank transfer completion time
Gusto
Next-day direct deposit on Plus and above; AutoPilot runs re
VS
MoonPay
Card purchases near-instant; ACH bank transfers 1–5 business
✓ MoonPay is faster (instant vs Next-day direct deposit on Plu)
Cross-Border SpeedInternational corridor settlement time
Gusto supports cross-border transfers via its payment rails. Actual delivery depends on the receiving bank and any compliance holds.
Check the app for live estimates
MoonPay supports cross-border transfers via its payment rails. Actual delivery depends on the receiving bank and any compliance holds.
Check the app for live estimates
Uptime / ReliabilityReported annual platform availability rate
Gusto publishes service status updates on its official status page for transparency.
Check Gusto status page for incident history
MoonPay is a regulated platform — it maintains high availability standards as part of its regulatory obligations.
Check MoonPay status page for incident history
Regulatory LicensesGoverning bodies and jurisdictions
SOC 2 Type II certified; 256-bit encryption; all payroll tax filings automated and guaranteed compliant; FDIC-insured spending accounts via partner banks; IRS compliance alerts included
✓ Licensed
Non-custodial — crypto goes directly to user wallet; KYC/AML compliant; regulated in multiple jurisdictions including FCA (UK) and FinCEN (US); partner paywall removed April 2026
✓ Licensed
Deposit InsuranceGovernment-backed protection scheme
FDIC insured — your funds are protected up to applicable limits.
Verify current coverage directly with Gusto
FCA regulated — funds are safeguarded under UK e-money regulations.
Verify current coverage directly with MoonPay
2FA & AuthenticationMulti-factor security implementation
Gusto supports 2FA via authenticator app or SMS. Check security settings for available methods.
Enable 2FA immediately after opening your account
MoonPay supports 2FA via authenticator app or SMS. Check security settings for available methods.
Enable 2FA immediately after opening your account
Fraud DetectionAI/ML-powered transaction monitoring
Gusto employs automated transaction monitoring. Suspicious activity triggers alerts and temporary holds.
✓ Real-time monitoring
MoonPay employs automated transaction monitoring. Suspicious activity triggers alerts and temporary holds.
✓ Real-time monitoring
Ideal Use CasePrimary audience and core value proposition
Gusto
Small to mid-sized US businesses wanting an all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR platform with automated tax filing, digital onboarding, and 150+ integrations including QuickBooks
MoonPay
Beginners and DeFi users wanting the simplest fiat-to-crypto experience with 170+ coins, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo support — non-custodial delivery to your own wallet
Platform ClassificationRegulatory and product category
Full-Service Payroll, Benefits & HR Platform Crypto On-Ramp & Off-Ramp Infrastructure
Withdrawal LimitsDaily / weekly transfer and cash-out caps
Gusto withdrawal limits vary by account type and KYC level.
Log in to see your current limits
MoonPay withdrawal limits vary by account type and KYC level.
Log in to see your current limits
Supported CurrenciesFiat and digital asset coverage
Gusto supports the currencies and assets listed in its official documentation.
Check Gusto official site for full currency list
MoonPay supports the currencies and assets listed in its official documentation.
Check MoonPay official site for full currency list
App Store RatingAggregate iOS + Android user satisfaction
Gusto app ratings reflect recent user sentiment — check the App Store/Google Play for current scores.
Verify live ratings on the App Store
MoonPay app ratings reflect recent user sentiment — check the App Store/Google Play for current scores.
Verify live ratings on the App Store
Customer SupportAvailable resolution pathways and SLA
Gusto routes support through its official help channels. Priority queue access varies by plan.
Check Gusto help centre for current support options
MoonPay offers support through its help centre and official contact channels.
Check MoonPay help centre for current support options
KYC Verification SpeedAccount activation timeline post-submission
Gusto KYC timelines depend on document quality and account type.
Verify current wait times in the Gusto app
MoonPay KYC timelines depend on document quality and account type.
Verify current wait times in the MoonPay app
Overall VerdictWealthBlueprint independent recommendation
Gusto WINS with 5/5 stars vs 3/5.

Why: Gusto excels at Small to mid-sized US businesses wanting an all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR platform with automated tax filing, digital onboarding, and 150+ integrations including QuickBooks.

✓ Choose Gusto if Small to mid-sized US businesses wanting
➜ MoonPay is still solid for Beginners and DeFi users wanting the sim
Official WebsiteVisit platform to sign up or verify current fees
Visit Gusto ↗ Visit MoonPay ↗
WealthBlueprint Verdict Summary
Gusto — Best For
Small to mid-sized US businesses wanting an all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR platform with automated tax filing, digital onboarding, and 150+ integrations including QuickBooks
✓ Strong in its core category
MoonPay — Best For
Beginners and DeFi users wanting the simplest fiat-to-crypto experience with 170+ coins, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo support — non-custodial delivery to your own wallet
✓ Strong in its core category

Not sure which is right for you?

Take our 2-minute financial literacy quiz to understand which platforms align with your income profile and goals.

From the WealthBlueprint Library

Before you decide, here's some context worth reading.

📖 Business Funding Without a Bank 📖 Can VOO Make You a Millionaire?
More Comparisons Worth Reading

Thinking about MoonPay? Our readers who compared these two also read these.

🔍 Karat vs Stash: Independent Audit 🔍 Karat vs Streitwise: Independent Audit