Unclaimed: Are you working at Gusto?
Gusto Reviews: 4.6/5 — Highly Rated
One of the most preferred payroll platforms on the web today, Gusto is a great tool for all-around HR management that can handle everything from automatic year-end tax form filing to new-hire form filing, and managing employee benefits. It easily integrates with numerous accounting and business tools, as well as collaboration platforms such as Asana and Autobooks. The platform is well known for its exceptional customer support and delivers great insights and reporting.
| Capabilities |
API
|
|---|---|
| Segment |
Small Business
Mid Market
Enterprise
|
| Deployment | Cloud / SaaS / Web-Based, Mobile Android, Mobile iPhone |
| Training | Documentation |
| Languages | English |
Gusto charges a monthly base fee plus a per-person rate, and for small teams the base fee is most of the bill. Simple is a reported $49 a month plus $6 per person, so a three-person company pays $67 — around $22 per employee. The same plan at fifty people works out near $7 each. Nothing about the product changes; the arithmetic does, and it decides whether Gusto is cheap or expensive for you.
- What it is: A payroll and benefits platform for US small businesses, covering tax filing, onboarding, and HR basics.
- Best for: US small businesses of roughly 10 to 50 employees who want payroll handled properly without an accountant on retainer.
- Pricing: Simple $49 + $6/person, Plus $80 + $12, Premium $180 + $22. Contractor Only $35 + $6. Reported July 2026.
- The honest catch: Gusto raised the Simple base fee from $40 to $49 in March 2026, a 22.5% increase on the entry plan.
What Is Gusto?
Gusto is payroll built for people who are not payroll specialists. It runs the pay cycle, calculates and files federal, state, and local taxes automatically, handles W-2s and 1099s, manages benefits enrolment, and covers the onboarding paperwork that surrounds hiring someone in the United States.
Its reputation rests on doing an unglamorous job without drama. Payroll is a category where the product’s main virtue is that nothing goes wrong — taxes filed on time, employees paid on the right day, compliance handled — and Gusto is consistently well regarded on exactly that. The interface is unusually approachable for a compliance-heavy product, which matters when the person running payroll is also the founder.
It is firmly a US product. Payroll is jurisdiction-specific, and Gusto’s tax filing and compliance coverage is built for US federal and state requirements. Businesses hiring internationally need Deel, Remote, or Oyster instead.
How Gusto Works
- Base fee plus per-person pricing. Two components, and the ratio between them is what decides your effective rate.
- Automatic tax filing. Federal, state, and local, which is the core value and the reason people stop doing this manually.
- Full-service payroll. Direct deposit, W-2s, 1099s, and unlimited pay runs.
- Benefits administration. Health insurance, 401(k), and workers’ compensation, available in supported states.
- Contractor-only option. A reported $35 a month plus $6 per contractor for businesses with no W-2 employees.
- Tiered HR depth. Plus adds time tracking and PTO management; Premium adds HR support and compliance advice.
Gusto Pricing
Gusto blocks automated access from our infrastructure, so figures below are third-party reported for July 2026.
| Plan | Base/month | Per person | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contractor Only | $35 | $6/contractor | 1099 filing, contractor payments |
| Simple | $49 | $6 | Full-service payroll, tax filing, employee self-service |
| Plus | $80 | $12 | Time tracking, PTO management, multi-state payroll, deeper HR |
| Premium | $180 | $22 | HR support, compliance guidance, dedicated service |
The arithmetic that decides your tier:
- Below about ten people, you are mostly paying the base fee. Three employees on Simple costs $67 a month — $22.33 each — because $49 of that is fixed. At twenty-five employees the same plan is $7.96 each. Gusto gets substantially better value as you grow, which is the opposite of per-seat software.
- Plus roughly doubles the marginal rate. $12 per person against $6, on top of a higher base. Five employees on Plus is $140 a month, or $28 each. Only move up if time tracking, PTO management, or multi-state payroll are things you genuinely need.
- Premium is a different category of spend. $180 plus $22 per person means twenty-five employees costs $730 a month. That buys HR support and compliance guidance, which is worth it for companies without an HR function and wasteful for those with one.
- The Simple base fee rose 22.5% in March 2026, from $40 to $49. Worth knowing when comparing against older reviews and price guides, most of which still quote $40.
- Contractor Only is genuinely cheaper for the right business. $35 plus $6 per contractor suits agencies and companies with no W-2 employees, and it is easy to miss because most comparisons only cover the employee plans.
- Very small teams should do the maths against alternatives. At $22 per head for three employees, Gusto is not obviously cheap, and that is the size at which the comparison is closest.
Who Should Use Gusto
- US small businesses with 10 to 50 employees. The clearest case, where the base fee has amortised and the product is well matched to the need.
- Founders running payroll themselves. The interface is genuinely approachable for a compliance product, which is its main practical advantage.
- Companies offering benefits. Health insurance, 401(k), and workers’ comp administration in one place removes real friction.
- Contractor-heavy businesses. The Contractor Only plan is well priced and under-publicised.
It fits poorly for very small teams of two or three, where the base fee dominates and the per-head cost is high; for international hiring, since Gusto is US-only; and for companies wanting HR and IT unified, where Rippling covers considerably more ground.
Honest Pros and Cons
Strengths
- Reliable automatic tax filing. The core job, done without drama, which is what you are buying.
- Genuinely easy to use. Unusual for a compliance-heavy product.
- Benefits administration included. Health, 401(k), and workers’ comp in supported states.
- Unlimited pay runs. No penalty for off-cycle payments or corrections.
- A well-priced contractor plan. $35 plus $6 each for businesses without employees.
- Improving value with scale. Effective per-employee cost falls steadily as you grow.
Limitations
- The base fee punishes small teams. $22 per head at three employees.
- A 22.5% increase on Simple in March 2026. From $40 to $49.
- US only. No international payroll capability.
- Plus doubles the per-person rate. $12 against $6, plus a higher base.
- Premium is expensive. $180 plus $22 per person for HR support.
- Benefits availability varies by state, so coverage is not universal.
Gusto Alternatives and How It Compares
- Rippling unifies HR, payroll, and IT on one employee record, which is more capable and considerably more expensive, with no published pricing.
- Deel, Remote, and Oyster handle international hiring and EOR, which Gusto does not attempt.
- QuickBooks Online offers payroll as an add-on, which is convenient if your accounting already lives there.
- Employment Hero covers similar ground outside the US.
- Paychex and ADP are the established incumbents, generally more expensive and more sales-led, with deeper enterprise capability.
For a broader survey, browse our payroll directory.
The Verdict
Gusto is a good product doing a job most founders should not be doing themselves. Payroll tax filing is unforgiving, mistakes are expensive, and Gusto handles federal, state, and local obligations automatically with an interface that does not require a payroll background. For a US small business that has outgrown spreadsheets and does not want an accountant on retainer, it is a straightforwardly sensible purchase, and the fact that its main virtue is “nothing goes wrong” is the right virtue for this category.
Price it by working out your own per-head number, because the base fee changes the answer completely depending on size. Three employees on Simple is $67 a month, or $22.33 each — not obviously cheap. Twenty-five employees on the same plan is $199, or $7.96 each — very good value. Gusto improves as you grow, which is unusual, and it means the businesses most likely to feel it is expensive are precisely the smallest ones. If you are a two- or three-person company, run the comparison carefully rather than assuming the entry plan is the budget option.
Two specifics worth carrying into the decision. Gusto raised the Simple base fee from $40 to $49 in March 2026, so most published comparisons are now out of date by 22.5% on the entry plan — check the current figure rather than trusting a guide. And if your business pays contractors rather than employees, the Contractor Only plan at a reported $35 plus $6 each is meaningfully cheaper and rarely mentioned in comparisons; it is the most commonly missed saving in Gusto’s lineup.
FAQ
How much does Gusto cost?
Reported 2026 pricing is a base fee plus a per-person charge: Simple at $49 per month plus $6 per person, Plus at $80 plus $12, and Premium at $180 plus $22. A Contractor Only plan is reported at $35 per month plus $6 per contractor. Gusto blocks automated access from our infrastructure, so these are third-party figures and should be confirmed directly.
Why does Gusto seem expensive for a small team?
Because the base fee is fixed regardless of headcount. On Simple, three employees costs $67 a month — $22.33 each — since $49 of that is the base. The same plan at twenty-five employees is $199, or $7.96 each. The effective rate therefore improves substantially with size, and very small teams pay the highest per-person cost.
Did Gusto raise its prices?
Yes. Gusto increased the Simple plan’s base fee from $40 to $49 per month in March 2026, a 22.5% rise on the entry tier. Many published pricing guides and comparisons still quote the older figure, so verify the current rate rather than relying on secondary sources when budgeting.
Does Gusto work outside the United States?
No. Gusto is a US payroll product, and its tax filing and compliance capabilities are built around US federal, state, and local requirements. Businesses hiring internationally need a global employment platform such as Deel, Remote, or Oyster, which handle employer-of-record arrangements and local payroll in other countries.
What is Gusto best for?
US small businesses of roughly ten to fifty employees that want payroll, tax filing, and benefits handled reliably without specialist knowledge. It suits founders running payroll themselves, and companies offering health insurance or 401(k). It is a weaker fit for very small teams, where the base fee dominates, for international hiring, and for companies wanting HR and IT unified in one platform.
Compare Gusto with other popular tools in the same category.
It is easy to track hours, request time off and see hour balances.
The app doesn't always work great. I think there could be some updates to help ease the use.
None at this time.
Made access to payroll processing an easy transition for our small non-profit. Easy to use and lots of reasources.
There are some limitations to syncing with Quickbooks (such as reimbrusement categories).
Tax compliance. Direct deposit for employees and contractors. 1099 and w2 prep. All very seemless!
It's easy to use and navigate. Clean, clear, and simple. It has 2-factor auth for security.
None that I am aware of. I haven't experienced any issues.
It helps me find out the info about my compensation. It is clear and simple.
Gusto is simple to use for employees, which helps with early adaptation from the team during implementation. The interface for payroll processing is very intuitive and allows for updates while processing payroll. We suggest this platform over others because prior payroll updates are straightforward and don't create a web of payroll journals to sift through. The integration between Gusto and QBO is easily mapped and goes to job or class level, which is helpful.
The tax team is hard to reach directly. I feel like if I could speak to them directly and quickly, we could easily resolve an issue that sometimes takes several emails for them to fully understand.
Gusto creates an easy to use platform with great reporting features.
Very user friendly, I am in control of my company's employee's, payroll, etc. The support from Gusto personnel is beyond fabulous. Very easy to reach someone in person or via chat. Crazy easy implementation across my small organization. The features offered are very robust.
Sometimes finding the answers on the support site are difficult, so I usually opt to chat or speak with someone.
The ability to run multiple different cycle payrolls and contractor payments without excessive fees. My employees are able to control everything about their payroll - even to last minute split checks for direct deposit.
The interface is very clean, and intuitive. Everything is where is "should" be in an interface. The mobile app has nearly all the same functionality as the web version.
The only thing I've disliked is the post-face ID two-factor identification - it was/is buggy and was very obnoxious. There is also some functionality strangness for companies that are tracking salaried employees time for PTO accural.
Gusto is helping me keep track of my time so my leadership can reward me with additional PTO based on my overtime hours. It also allows me to see my benefits, time off, paystubs and more in a very easy and accessible way.
It is easy to access your pay stubs, and employment verification and easy to navigate.
There is really nothing to dislike about Gusto.
HR- Gusto recently added HR options.
The helpful staff that I have been communicating our international needs for a while. The thing is the system keeps improving in all ways/
At first there was difficulty and complexity in paying international contractors. I complained about the need for better reports and gusto provided them
We have international contractors that were difficult to pay. Gusto solved the problem and it is easy to pay them now.The work is quick , accurate and convenient.
Ease of use, and very responsive staff, who answer all my questions quickly.
Nothing I can think of. I have never run into any issues.
Being able to run payroll and pull reports quickly and from anywhere in the world
Simple and easy to use. Intuitive. The interface is adorable.
Lack of ability to have groups of employees be paid from different bank accounts.
Quick and easy payroll processing.
The platform is user friendly and the customer service is top notch!
We've had trouble with the payroll being pulled out of the wrong linked DDA account.
Helping us stay compliant and organized along with a professional platform.
I didn't know the first thing about hiring employees or processing payroll and Gusto made the process so easy. I love that they handle all the tax and reporting things.
There's almost nothing that I dislike about Gusto. I think I'm probably underutilizing it. There are lots of features I don't use. It's not really a ''dislike".
I hire remote employees in different states and Gusto handles not only all of the time tracking and payroll for those employees, but also the state reporting requirements.
Gusto has made it easy to access all of my documents that I would need. Everything is easy to understand.
I really do t have any dislikes about Gusto.
If I need to show proof of income, Gusto make my paycheck stubs easily accessible.
Gusto has a streamlined process to run payroll. I like the weekly reminders of when payroll should be ran. I like the ease of intergration with state, workmen's compensation, and banking.
The downside is the time time I have spent on hold
Onboarding of employees, running payroll.
The app is easy for employees to use for time-tracking, and easy for management to utilize.
Can be confusing, but that's due to user error.
Manages my payroll and taxes.
Onboarding and Support with Gusto is better than all other Payroll Platforms by Far.
Not one thing can I say that I dislike about Gusto
The platform is simple, straightforward and easy for the client and firm to use.
Using the app makes it super easy to check my paystubs and other information
Sometimes the PTO function doesn't work but it's not a big deal for my company.
It allows me to see my paystubs electronically.
Gusto was easy and efficient to set up for our business. The cost is well below other competitors like ADP.
Nothing, it's been a great payroll system for us and then some!
It's incredibly simple and intuitive to set up without having to wait for the involvement of sales people like a lot of other payroll platforms require.
You take a leap of faith starting a business, so many unknowns. Your small and want a company that can grow with you and that is Gusto. I can get the service I can afford and add on as my business grows.
I originally thought in this digital age where all customer service is handled via a chat box I knew I wasn't going to like that. I accepted it, However I was able to set up meetings with Gusto and get the personalized service I needed.
As a business I need to grow my company spend time ramping up my business. My time is valuable and having someone take care of these services are worth every penny.
Gusto has simplified all the behind the scenes work that every business owner must do to stay compliant - they offer a wide variety of services, including payroll and HR services, to minimize the time and effort from you so you can get back to running your business. Customer support is great - timely and thorough; they respond within 24 hours.
They are remote so it is not like I can walk down the hallway to get immediate response
They process my payroll with ease and clarity - I pay a small fee each month, rather than pay an employee's salary and benefits and worry about making sure that employee is doing it correctly. I also appreciate their HR library and services - they are there when I have a question and need help clarifying HR concerns, and, if needed, they send me applicable legal information and links so I can access the information. They make onboarding simple and quick!
Gusto gives me all of the information I need about my compensation in a friendly and easy to use format. I love the warmth of the design and messages I get from Gusto - it reinforces that my employer actually cares about me. Gusto makes it easy to not only see compensation information but also to download documents when needed. The interface is very straightforward - no complicated or confusing menus!
I have absolutely no complaints about Gusto whatsoever, I love it!
Gusto provides all of the information I need, instead of burying it in complicated menus with cryptic names. It's simple, straightforward and user-friendly!
We love how easy it is to run payroll! There are a lot of different options and capabilities so that you have flexibility with how you pay your owners and employees. Implementation is easier than any other site, and it plays so nicely with all of our online accounting systems. Customer support is responsive and easy to access through the software. I have one partner dashboard that allows me to see all my clients and easily manage my team.
I wish the vacation policies were a little more robust. There are a few processes that are only completed at year end, and 1) it's hard to remember how I did them last year and 2) know if the system has changed how to do them since last year. Wish there were some webinars and/or training specifically related to these items so that we can be well prepared this time of the year! Sometimes I get conflicting advice or guidance when contacting support, so I'm never sure if that's the "final answer".
It takes a very complex task and makes it as easy as possible. It files our returns without us having to think about them or worse, login to state sites! Offers benefits throughout the country, which is especially needed for 100% remote teams.
Gusto takes care of our payroll taxes which is a huge plus for me. The support staff is knowledgeable and response time is great.
We have been using Gusto for 5 years and so far we have not seen any downsides to the service.
Tax matters for payroll and onboarding new hires. Since each state is different Gusto navigates this and takes it off of my plate.
Convenient HR services integrated into one platform. Helpful customer service with prompt responses.
Frequent reminder emails about things that aren't relevant to my business.
Payroll, figuring out tax deferrals, integrating retirement and health benefits
the ease of making my returns done on time and the fabulous support staff for any questions I have or help I may need.
Sometimes there is a wait on the phone to get a live support staff person to assist.
making sure payroll taxes are filed and paid on time.
I've used Gusto for 3.5 years. I'm a small business owner with no training or experience in running a business and frankly very little interest in the administrative side of things. With Gusto linked to my bookkeeping program I can run payroll in a matter of minutes. Virtually everything is taken care of, from taxes to worker's comp insurance (through a separate vendor). It handles holidays, vacation time, bonuses, and many other things that I don't use because I'm small potatoes. I've dabbled in exporting some data as well, which seemed useful. Of all the services I currently use, Gusto has been the most reliable and helpful and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to a friend.
Very few complaints at all. I run a seasonal business and had an issue where the program flagged me for running $0 payrolls. (I kept running the payrolls because I felt it was necessary for records and for my worker's comp. insurance.) But then when I stopped running payrolls altogether, Gusto told me my account may be closed. I talked to customer service and we worked out a solution that involved suspending my acccount during the winter months, but it was a bit shaky/confusing getting to that point and I'm hoping that it works properly and nothing gets screwed up. Other than that, the service has been great.
Simplifies payroll by syncing with my bookkeping program and importing employee hours. Simplifies taxes by automatically deducting. Allows employees to access W2 information etc. Works with worker's compensation insurers to offer that service, automatically deducted.
The ease of the website and having all income, time off and W2 information in the same place.
I don't have any complaints about Gusto.
Consistent pay on the same day at the same time, easily accesible paystubs and income information; easy to requst time off.
Gusto makes it easy for me as an employee to make updates to my account. I can easily see where to go and how to update. Not to mention they remind me every year what I need to update! You can grab your records easily. I barely scratch the surface of all the features available, but appreciate the ease of use.
None! I've never run into any problems with the system.
Gusto is our system for payroll and payroll reporting.
I love how it integrates with QBO and has the option to sign up for many of my businesses tax/payroll IDs directly through their website.
So far, I haven't found any. The Customer Service chat is great whenever I've had a problem.
Gusto offers great, easy payroll service allowing me to handle vacation pay, bonuses, commission, and expense reimbursement.
Gusto makes it very easy to to check your time off/request time off see how much sick time you have/ check your gross earnings print out paystubs and that's just a few things you can look up on the app. I definitely recommend the gusto app!!
Can't say I have a complaint with the app. It's awesome!!
Have not had any issues with Gusto.
