Overview
Gusto is a payroll and HR platform built for small businesses, combining automated payroll tax filing, benefits administration, and basic HR tools in one approachable product. It's frequently rated among the easiest payroll tools to set up and run.
Gusto automates federal, state, and local payroll tax filings, handles multi-state payroll, and bundles health benefits, 401(k), and workers' comp administration. Its HR tools (onboarding, PTO tracking, org charts) are solid for small teams but less robust than dedicated HRIS platforms once companies scale past a few hundred employees.
- Founded
- 2011
- Pricing model
- Subscription
- Starting price
- $49/mo + $6/person
- Best for
- Small businesses wanting simple, reliable payroll and benefits
Features
Automated payroll
Run payroll on autopilot with automatic federal, state, and local tax filing.
Benefits administration
Shop and manage health insurance, 401(k), and commuter benefits in-app.
Employee onboarding
Digital offer letters, I-9/W-4 collection, and self-service onboarding checklists.
Time tracking & PTO
Track hours and time-off requests with manager approval workflows.
Contractor payments
Pay 1099 contractors alongside W-2 employees with automatic 1099 filing.
HR resources & compliance
Access HR advisors and compliance alerts for state-specific requirements.
Screenshots
Pricing
Gusto uses a subscription pricing model, starting at $49/mo + $6/person.
Simple
$49/mo + $6/person
- Full-service payroll
- Employee self-service
- Basic hiring & onboarding
Plus
$80/mo + $12/person
- Multi-state payroll
- Time tracking & PTO
- Next-day direct deposit
Premium
$180/mo + $22/person
- Dedicated support
- HR compliance alerts
- Certified HR pros access
Pros and Cons
Pros
- One of the easiest payroll tools to set up and run
- Transparent, predictable pricing structure
- Strong benefits shopping and administration built in
- Friendly support for small business owners without HR staff
Cons
- HR features thin out for companies beyond a few hundred employees
- Per-person fees add up quickly for larger headcounts
- Limited performance management and org-development tools
- International payroll support is more limited than competitors
User Reviews (1)
Michelle Ortiz
VerifiedOffice Manager · 11-50 employees
Payroll finally feels simple
I'm not an HR person by training, but Gusto walks me through everything — new hires, benefits enrollment, tax filings. Support has been genuinely helpful every time I've needed them.
Pros: Very approachable, great support.
Cons: Per-employee fees add up as we grow.