Starting at $40/mo+ $6/employee
QuickBooks, Xero, Clover, TSheets, Trainual
Medical, 401(k), Workers’ Comp, Life & Disability
Gusto is an all-in-one HR platform founded in 2011, specifically designed to serve small to medium-sized businesses. It has grown into a market leader by focusing on a 'people-first' approach, moving beyond simple payroll to offer a complete suite of tools including benefits administration, hiring and onboarding, and automated tax compliance. Unlike traditional payroll providers, Gusto's interface is celebrated for its modern design and ease of use, making complex tasks like multi-state tax filing and benefits sync effortless for business owners. With over 400,000 customers, Gusto has established itself as a reliable partner for companies that want to automate their back-office operations while providing a professional experience for their employees.
Gusto’s core strength lies in its full-service payroll automation. Once set up, the system can run on 'AutoPilot,' calculating and filing federal, state, and local taxes automatically. This includes specialized support for companies with employees in multiple states, ensuring you remain compliant with varying regional tax laws without manual intervention.
The platform excels at managing different types of workers. Whether you have full-time W-2 employees or 1099 contractors, Gusto handles both seamlessly. It automatically generates and files year-end forms like W-2s and 1099s at no extra cost, which is a significant value-add compared to competitors who often charge per form.
Beyond payroll, Gusto offers a robust suite of HR tools. From digital offer letters and automated onboarding checklists to performance reviews and employee sentiment surveys, Gusto helps manage the entire employee lifecycle. The platform also includes a 'Gusto Wallet' app for employees, allowing them to track their pay, manage savings, and access a portion of their earned wages early through Gusto Cashout.
• Full-service payroll in all 50 U.S. states
• Automated federal, state, and local tax filings
• International contractor payments in 120+ countries
• Integrated health benefits and 401(k) plans
• Automated W-2 and 1099 generation and filing
• Comprehensive HR tools for hiring and onboarding
Benefits: Gusto simplifies the complex world of employee benefits by integrating them directly with payroll. It offers access to over 9,000 health insurance plans from top-tier carriers. Because the system is unified, benefits deductions are automatically calculated and subtracted from paychecks, eliminating manual entry errors. Beyond medical, Gusto supports 401(k) retirement plans, HSAs, FSAs, and even 529 college savings plans.
HR Tools: Gusto helps you build your team with professional hiring tools. You can post jobs directly to major boards like LinkedIn and Indeed, manage applicants, and send electronic offer letters. Once hired, the onboarding process is entirely paperless. New hires can sign documents digitally, set up their own profiles, and choose their benefits before their first day.
Global Capabilities: While Gusto is primarily U.S.-focused, it has expanded its reach. Through Gusto Global (powered by Remote), businesses can now hire full-time employees in international markets like Canada, with more countries being added. For those working with freelancers, Gusto enables easy payments to contractors in over 120 countries, handling the currency conversions and compliance details for you.
Accounting and Time Management: Gusto offers seamless sync with popular accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks. This ensures that every payroll run is automatically reflected in your general ledger. For time tracking, Gusto provides built-in tools for employees to clock in and out via the web or mobile app, which then flows directly into the payroll run for approval.
Records and Reports: The reporting engine is powerful yet intuitive. You can generate payroll journals, tax summaries, and employee bank transaction reports with a few clicks. Custom reports allow you to filter data by department, location, or employee group, providing clear insights into your labor costs.
Usability: Gusto is widely considered the most user-friendly payroll platform on the market. The dashboard is clean, and the 'Payroll To-Do List' ensures you never miss a deadline. For employees, the Gusto Wallet app provides a modern way to manage their finances, making the company look professional and tech-forward.
Gusto is known for its empathetic and helpful support staff. Unlike legacy providers where you might get lost in a phone tree, Gusto offers multiple channels for assistance including phone, chat, and email support. They also provide a massive Help Center with step-by-step guides for almost every HR and payroll scenario.
Callback hours: Simple plan: 9am - 4pm PT; Plus and Premium plans: 7am - 4pm PT. Priority support is available for Premium members, ensuring shorter wait times and access to certified HR experts.
Gusto offers transparent pricing with no hidden setup fees. The **Simple** plan starts at $40/month plus $6/employee, making it ideal for small businesses needing basic payroll and benefits. The **Plus** plan, at $80/month plus $12/employee, adds multi-state payroll, time tracking, and advanced hiring tools. For larger organizations, the **Premium** plan offers dedicated support and access to HR professionals.
| Plan | Price | Sample Features |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | $40/mo + $6/person | Single-state payroll, W-2s & 1099s, Basic HR tools, Employee benefits |
| Plus | $80/mo + $12/person | Multi-state payroll, Time tracking, PTO management, Advanced hiring & onboarding |
| Premium | Contact Sales | Dedicated Success Manager, HR Resource Center, Compliance alerts, Priority support |
Gusto is a top-tier choice for U.S. small businesses that want to move away from spreadsheets and manual calculations. Its combination of automated tax filing, integrated benefits, and a delightful user interface makes it a standout in the payroll industry. While it may be slightly more expensive than bare-bones processors, the peace of mind and time saved on compliance make it an excellent investment for growing teams.
Trusted by 400,000+ U.S. businesses. Gusto simplifies payroll, taxes, and benefits with automation, compliance, and employee self-service—all in one secure, people-first platform built for growth and reliability.
Yes. Gusto calculates, files, and pays all federal, state, and local payroll taxes automatically for every payroll run.
Absolutely. Gusto is designed specifically for small and growing businesses, offering an intuitive interface that requires no prior payroll experience.
Yes. You can manage both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors from the same dashboard, and Gusto handles the year-end filings for both.
Yes. Gusto supports payroll in all 50 states and can manage tax registration and filings for employees living in different states than your business headquarters.
Yes. Gusto provides access to health, dental, vision, and retirement plans, with all deductions automatically synced to your payroll runs.