Home

/

Payroll Software

/

Gusto

Software Advice offers objective insights based on verified user reviews and independent product and market research. When our advisors match you to a software provider, we may earn a referral fee.
Gusto

Gusto 2026: Benefits, Features & Pricing

Updated March 31, 2025 at 1:09 PM

image of Bruno Peláez

Written by Bruno Peláez

Senior Content Analyst

image of Lindsay Page

Edited by Lindsay Page

Editor

On this page
  • Our Summary
  • User Interface
  • Popular Alternatives
  • Pricing and Plans
  • Features
  • Integrations
  • Key Sentiments
  • User Reviews
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Popular Comparisons

Our Summary

Gusto
Gusto
4.6
(4181)
FrontRunner 2026

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface
  • Automated payroll

Cons:

  • Customer support
  • Pricing model

Pricing

Starting at $35.00 per month

What is Gusto:

Gusto combines payroll, benefits administration, and HR tools in one platform. The software handles tax calculations and filings across all states, processes direct deposits, and manages employee onboarding. Business owners can track time, manage PTO, and access HR experts.

Why we like Gusto:

Gusto stands out with a 4.6/5 overall rating from over 4,000 users. The platform earns praise for its direct deposit functionality, payroll reporting, and automated tax filing. Users value its ability to handle both W-2 employees and international contractors. Gusto has also been recognized in our list of the best human resources software in 2025.

Who should use Gusto:

Small and midsize businesses, particularly those with 2-50 employees, make up Gusto's core user base. The platform works well for companies needing streamlined payroll and benefits management. Service-based businesses and startups often choose Gusto for its straightforward interface.

Wondering if Gusto is right for your organization?

Our Payroll Software selection experts can help you in 15 minutes or less.

Software Advice Logo

Gusto User Interface

0
0
1
2
3
4
5

Gusto Overview

Whether you’re just getting started or scaling your fast-growing business, Gusto is the partner you need to grow and nurture your team. With Gusto, you get modern HR features like payroll, benefits, hiring, management resources, and more — all in one place. Gusto is proud to serve more than 400,000 businesses across the US with a single trusted system, competitive compensation tools, and expert guidance to help you empower your team. Because when your people thrive, your business thrives too.

Effortless Payroll: Pay your employees and contractors with smart technology. Wit...

h Gusto, payroll takes just a few clicks. Plus, we automatically file your taxes, help with compliance, and identify tax credits to help save you money you may never have known you qualified for. Time Tracking: With Gusto’s automated time tools, your team’s hours, PTO, holidays, and more are automatically calculated and entered. We even integrate with the latest time tracking software and help you stay compliant. Talent Management: Keeping your team engaged is crucial—especially working remotely. Give your employees a clear path for growth with performance reviews, trainings, developmental tools, and more.

Gusto Pricing and Plans

Starting price: $35.00 per month
Free Trial
Free Version

Simple

$49.00

per month

Plan includes:

  • Payroll
  • Unlimited payrolls per month
  • Tax Filings & Payments
  • Health Benefits Administration
  • Online Benefits Enrollment
  • 2-day and 4-day direct deposit
  • Third-Party Integrations
  • Employee Mobile App
  • Multiple Pay Rates & Schedules
  • PTO Policy Tracking
Read More

Plus

$80.00

per month

Plan includes:

  • Everything in Simple Plan
  • Full-Service Multi-State Payroll Including W-2s and 1099s
  • Next-day Direct Deposit
  • Advanced Hiring & Onboarding Tools
  • PTO Management & Policies
  • Time Tracking & Project Tracking
  • Time Kiosk
  • Expenses & Reimbursements
  • Workforce Costing & Custom Reports
  • Time off requests and approvals
Read More

Premium

$180.00

per month

Plan includes:

  • Everything in Simple and Plus plans
  • Priority Support
  • Dedicated Customer Success Manager
  • Full-service Payroll Migration
  • Federal and state compliance alerts
  • Health Insurance Broker Integration
  • HR Resource Center
  • Access To Certified HR Experts
  • R&D Tax Credit Discount

Contractor

$35.00

per month

Plan includes:

  • Unlimited contractor payments across all 50 states
  • 4-day direct deposit
  • 1099-NECs at the end of the year
  • Global contractor payments
  • Reporting
  • New hire reporting (if required in your state)
Advisor Get Price CTA Image

Confused about pricing? We've got you covered.

Get a personalized pricing breakdown tailored to your specific needs—no guesswork, no generic estimates.

Our Analysis of Gusto's Pricing Plans

We've dug deep into Gusto's payroll and HR software pricing plans to help you determine which option aligns best with your company's needs and budget. We've also outlined the key advantages and limitations of each plan.

Gusto provides three primary pricing tiers: the Simple Plan, the Plus Plan, and the Premium Plan. In addition to these three, there is also a Contractor Only Plan. Each tier is tailored to accommodate businesses of different...

sizes and complexities, and grasping the nuances of each is essential for making a well-informed choice. **Simple Plan** Gusto's Simple Plan is tailored for new businesses and startups with employees in a single state. At $49 per month plus $6 per person, it offers an affordable entry point into payroll management. **Pros:** - **Budget-friendly:** The low monthly base fee and per-person cost make it accessible for small businesses with tight budgets. - **Streamlined setup:** Designed for single-state payroll, it simplifies the onboarding process for new users. - **Essential features:** Provides core payroll functionalities to meet the needs of small teams. **Cons:** - **Limited scalability:** As businesses expand to multiple states, they may quickly outgrow this plan. - **Basic functionality:** Lacks advanced features like built-in time tracking and HR tools, which growing businesses may require. - **Minimal support:** Doesn't include the dedicated success liaison offered in the Premium Plan, leaving users to navigate the system independently. **Plus Plan** The Plus Plan, at $80 per month plus $12 per person, caters to businesses operating across two or more states. It introduces time tracking and HR tools to support more complex payroll needs. **Pros:** - **Multi-state coverage:** Enables businesses to manage payroll efficiently across multiple states. - **Time-saving tools:** Built-in time tracking and HR features streamline workforce management processes. - **Expanded functionality:** Offers a more comprehensive set of tools compared to the Simple Plan, supporting business growth. **Cons:** - **Increased costs:** The higher base fee and per-person cost may strain the budgets of smaller businesses. - **Learning curve:** Additional features may require more time for users to master, especially for those transitioning from the Simple Plan. - **Potential overkill:** Businesses with straightforward payroll needs may find the extra features unnecessary. **Premium Plan** Gusto's Premium Plan, priced at $180 per month plus $22 per person, targets businesses with complex payroll requirements. It includes a dedicated success liaison for personalized support. **Pros:** - **White-glove service:** The dedicated success liaison provides individualized assistance, ensuring smooth payroll management. - **Comprehensive solution:** Offers the most extensive set of features to handle intricate payroll scenarios. - **Scalability:** Accommodates businesses with more sophisticated needs as they grow and evolve. **Cons:** - **Steep pricing:** The high monthly base fee and per-person cost may be prohibitive for many small and medium-sized businesses. - **Potential underutilization:** Smaller businesses may not fully leverage the advanced features, leading to a lower return on investment. - **Dependency on support:** Reliance on the dedicated success liaison may create challenges if that individual becomes unavailable or the business needs to downgrade plans. **Add-ons and Integrations** Gusto offers various add-ons and integrations, such as Secureframe, Xero, Practice Ignition, and Okta, among others. These additional services typically start at around $46 to $55 per month, allowing businesses to extend Gusto's functionality to meet their specific needs. **Conclusion** After analyzing Gusto's pricing structure, it's evident that they offer a range of plans designed to cater to businesses of various sizes and complexities. - **For startups and small businesses:** The Simple Plan is an attractive option, providing essential payroll features at an affordable price point. However, as a business grows and expands into multiple states, the limitations of this plan may become apparent. The Plus Plan offers a more comprehensive solution, with additional HR tools and multi-state payroll capabilities, making it a better fit for businesses experiencing growth. - **For larger enterprises:** The Premium Plan is the ideal choice for companies with more intricate needs. The higher price tag is justified by the dedicated support and personalized guidance provided by a success liaison. This plan ensures that complex payroll and HR requirements are met with efficiency and expertise. Ultimately, the decision lies in carefully evaluating your company's current needs, growth trajectory, and budget. By aligning these factors with Gusto's pricing plans, you can select the option that best supports your business's financial well-being and long-term objectives. It's crucial to consider not only your present circumstances but also your anticipated growth, ensuring that the chosen plan can scale alongside your organization.

Compare Pricing

Compare pricing across our most frequently recommended Payroll products.

Software options
Starting price*
User rating
$10.00 per month
592

recommendations

$8.00 per month
405

recommendations

$8.00 per month
91

recommendations

$17.00 per month
81

recommendations

$1,500.00 per month
50

recommendations

*Defined as the price above any available free plan

Gusto Features

Drawn from insights across 4181 verified reviews, we've outlined Gusto's best and worst rated features and how they stack up against the average rating.

Gusto's score
Category average

Gusto's Best Rated Features

Mobile App

5.0

3.65 category average

API

4.91

3.36 category average

Life Insurance Administration

4.83

4.29 category average

Gusto's Worst Rated Features

Training Management

3.95

3.43 category average

Employee Handbook

3.95

4.16 category average

Check Printing

3.97

3.17 category average

  • Popular features found in Payroll
    401(k) Tracking
    Benefits Management
    Check Printing
    Compensation Management
    Compliance Management
    Direct Deposit
    Employee Database
    Self Service Portal
    Third-Party Integrations
    W-2 Preparation
    Wage Garnishment
  • More features of Gusto
    1099 Preparation
    ACA Reporting
    Access Controls/Permissions
    Accounting
    Accounting Integration
    Activity Dashboard
    Alerts/Notifications
    API
    Applicant Tracking
    Attendance Management
    Attendance Tracking
    Audit Trail
    Benefits Administration Outsourcing
    Benefits Dashboard
    Billable & Non-Billable Hours
    Budget Management
    Calendar Management
    Career Development
    COBRA Administration
    Collaboration Tools
    Compensation Plan Modeling
    Customizable Reports
    Dashboard
    Data Import/Export
    Deduction Management
    Disability Insurance Administration
    Document Management
    Document Storage
    Electronic Forms
    Email Reminders
    Employee Benefits Administration
    Employee Handbook
    Employee Management
    Employee Onboarding
    Employee Portal
    Employee Profiles
    Employee Self Service
    Employee Time Tracking
    Feedback Management
    For Accountants
    For Cloud
    For Small Businesses
    Goal Setting/Tracking
    Health Insurance Administration
    HIPAA Compliant
    HR Management
    HSA/FSA Administration
    Learning & Development
    Leave Tracking
    Life Insurance Administration
    Market Data Analysis
    Mobile Access
    Mobile App
    Multi-Country
    Multi-State
    Offboarding
    Onboarding
    Online Benefits Enrollment
    Online Time Tracking
    Orientation Workflow Management
    Payroll Management
    Payroll Reporting
    Performance Management
    Performance Review Management
    QuickBooks Integration
    Recruitment Management
    Reimbursement Management
    Reminders
    Reporting/Analytics
    Reporting & Statistics
    Retirement Plan Management
    Role-Based Permissions
    Sick Leave Tracking
    Talent Management
    Task Management
    Tax Calculation
    Tax Compliance
    Tax Filing
    Tax Forms
    Tax Management
    Time & Attendance
    Time Off Management
    Time Off Requests
    Timesheet Management
    Time Tracking
    Training Management
    Vacation/Leave Tracking
    Web-based Deployment
    Workflow Management

Gusto Integrations

Based on 4181 verified reviews, we've identified products most frequently integrated with Gusto.

Guideline
Guideline
Integration rated 4.5 from 11 reviews
Connecteam
Connecteam
Integration rated 4.5 from 9 reviews
Google Workspace
Google Workspace
Integration rated 4.7 from 6 reviews
FreshBooks
FreshBooks
Integration rated 4.0 from 5 reviews
When I Work
When I Work
Integration rated 5.0 from 4 reviews
Google Calendar
Google Calendar
Integration rated 5.0 from 4 reviews

See all 139 integrations

Gusto Key Sentiments

We analyzed 4181 verified reviews for Gusto to find out what actual users really think.

Most Positive Sentiments

HR management

70% Positive
23% Neutral
7% Negative

Reviewers highlight Gusto's user-friendly interface and its effectiveness in managing HR tasks such as employee onboarding, benefits, and payroll. They appreciate the platform's ability to streamline HR processes and reduce administrative burdens. Additionally, Gusto's comprehensive features make it a valuable tool for small to midsize businesses without a dedicated HR department.

Payroll management

65% Positive
23% Neutral
10% Negative

Users appreciate Gusto's automated payroll features, which save time and reduce manual errors. They find the time tracking functionality helpful for monitoring employee hours and ensuring accurate payments. Additionally, Gusto's intuitive interface and seamless integration with other systems make payroll processing quick and efficient.

Customer service

58% Positive
14% Neutral
27% Negative

Users find Gusto's customer service helpful and responsive, often resolving issues effectively. They appreciate the knowledgeable support team and the effort to provide clear explanations. However, some users experience slow response times and unhelpful interactions, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction with the support quality.

Least Positive Sentiments

Mobile access

49% Positive
27% Neutral
24% Negative

Reviewers enjoy Gusto's mobile-friendly design and the ability to access the platform from their phones. They find the user interface intuitive and appreciate the convenience of managing tasks on the go. However, some users express dissatisfaction with the lack of a dedicated mobile app, slow loading times, and limited functionality compared to the desktop version.

Tax management

50% Positive
33% Neutral
17% Negative

Users find Gusto's tax management features convenient, with easy access to tax documents and automated tax filing. They appreciate the platform's ability to handle complex tax compliance tasks and provide necessary documentation. However, some users report issues with tax filing errors, lack of accountability, and the need for manual updates, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.

Pay administration

51% Positive
35% Neutral
15% Negative

Reviewers value Gusto's comprehensive pay administration capabilities, including easy access to paystubs, W-2 forms, and PTO management. They find the notifications about upcoming payments and the ability to track pay details particularly useful. However, some users wish for more flexibility in modifying accepted PTO requests and better communication about transaction statuses.

Gusto User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.6

Ratings Breakdown

5

73%

4

21%

3

4%

2

1%

1

2%

Secondary Ratings

Ease of Use

4.6

Value for money

4.5

Customer support

4.4

Functionality

4.5

RS
Rebecca S.

Verified reviewer

Environmental Services

Self-Employed

Used weekly for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed March 2026

Still good jus one issue

5

Previously 1

Overall, my experience has been great and wonderful. Only complaint is the slow customer service recently.

Ratings Breakdown

5
Ease of use
5
Value for money
5
Customer support
5
Functionality
icon
Pros:
I still like the same that I did is when I first started using it nothing has changed in my previous review
Cons:
Nothing has changed since my previous review other than customer service has been slow slower lately

Read More

JB
John B.

Verified reviewer

Civic & Social Organization

2-10 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2026

Great payroll system for small businesses and nonprofits

5

We have been using Gusto for payroll for several years now and it has made our payroll process very easy. We are a small nonprofit with only a handful of paid employees, but they work from home in multiple states and Gusto made that all simple to setup and manage.

Ratings Breakdown

5
Ease of use
5
Value for money
3
Customer support
4
Functionality
icon
Pros:
Gusto is straightforward and easy to set up, provides simple-to-use tools for running payroll, and is one of the least expensive solutions available to small businesses.
Cons:
It was tricky to get Gusto fully integrated with our preferred timekeeping system. Additionally, user roles and permissions cannot be customized, so you must choose from a small set of pre-configured roles - but these were sufficient for our use.

Reasons for choosing Gusto

Gusto was simpler to setup and use and also was much less expensive.

Vendor Response

Thank you for the thoughtful review, John. We’re glad Gusto has made payroll easier to manage for your nonprofit, especially with employees working across multiple states. We also appreciate the feedback on integrations and permissions and will share that with our team as we continue to improve. Thanks for choosing Gusto. Gusto Client Relations

Replied January 2026

Read More

MK
Mohamed K.

Verified reviewer

Consumer Services

51-200 employees

Used monthly for less than 12 months

Review source

Reviewed December 2025

Gusto review

5

Ratings Breakdown

5
Ease of use
4
Value for money
4
Customer support
5
Functionality
icon
Pros:
Still like how gusto is easy to use, I also love the the automated taxes filing , and amazing integration other accounting apps
Cons:
The base price is fair however the additional features are not cheap and I find that add-on are a must , the mobile app is really not that great compared to the website

Read More

AH
Amanda H.

Verified reviewer

Medical Practice

11-50 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed February 2026

Excellent Time Management Program

5

Great Experience! Have been using Gusto for over 7+ years now and have not even wanted or needed to look for any additional services!

Ratings Breakdown

5
Ease of use
5
Value for money
5
Customer support
5
Functionality
icon
Pros:
Very easy to use app that allows all employees the ease of time tracking and time off requests. Great customer support for small business management and value for your money!
Cons:
Nothing! We have been able to set up the app to allow for as much autonomy as we like for our employees to have, while still being streamlined for payroll and schedules!

Reasons for switching to Gusto

Hard to use, not able to get an app that was functioning, cost

Read More

RK
Rob K.

Verified reviewer

Health, Wellness and Fitness

2-10 employees

Used weekly for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed March 2026

Great payroll and time tracking software

5

We have had a good experience with gusto’s software and with their customer service. They’re always friendly and helpful when we run into questions.

Ratings Breakdown

5
Ease of use
4
Value for money
5
Customer support
5
Functionality
icon
Pros:
We love how easy gusto is to use for a small business owner who has no experience in running payroll and all that comes with that piece of owning a business. They give checklists for hiring, file certain forms and submit certain taxes when needed.
Cons:
I don’t like how you get charged per person if you want to upgrade to using the time tracking service. More than half of our team is on salary, so we only need time tracking for 2 employees but would be charged extra for 6.

Reasons for choosing Gusto

The price and functionality was a better fit for us. We also had poor experience with QuickBooks customer service for book keeping

Read More

Dovid's profile
Dovid D.

Verified reviewer

Consumer Services

Self-Employed

Used weekly for less than 12 months

Review source

Reviewed February 2026

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY

1

In the beggining it was okay, now customer service and response is abysmal.. I cannot get a response without doing things like this.

Ratings Breakdown

1
Ease of use
1
Value for money
1
Customer support
1
Functionality
icon
Pros:
They seemed to have an easy and effective setup this was a lie. In the begging they responded quickly to chat only to never respond to anything short of escalations
Cons:
They lie about forms and tax filing so that they cause loss of money to the company. They claim i filled out a w-4 which they used to determine the tax witholding but they lied about it

Reasons for choosing Gusto

Because they seem to actually know what they are doing

Read More

YP
Yolanda P.

Verified reviewer

Education Management

Self-Employed

Used monthly for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2026

Love Gusto

5

I love Gusto. The financial features are great for employees. Users can manage their own finances and pick what they want.

Ratings Breakdown

5
Ease of use
5
Value for money
5
Customer support
5
Functionality
icon
Pros:
I love Gusto. It has so many features that are good for employees. I also like the notifications. It is easy to manage on your own.
Cons:
The first time I applied for the Gusto card it took a while before my fun’s were on my card and my deposit was not sent to my card right away.

Reasons for switching to Gusto

The company switched products because Gusto cost less in different ways.

Vendor Response

Thank you for the review, Yolanda. We’re glad you’ve enjoyed the features, notifications, and flexibility Gusto offers for managing payroll and finances. We also appreciate the feedback about your first experience with the Gusto card and are sharing that with our team. Thanks for choosing Gusto. Gusto Client Relations

Replied January 2026

Read More

Emily's profile
Emily C.

Verified reviewer

Chemicals

11-50 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2026

Gusto: Easy, Affordable, but Not Perfect

3

Gusto is affordable, easy to integrate, and employee-friendly, which makes it a strong choice for many businesses. However, some workflow and tax-related issues could definitely be improved to make the experience smoother for administrators.

Ratings Breakdown

5
Ease of use
4
Value for money
3
Customer support
3
Functionality
icon
Pros:
Gusto integrates easily with other systems we use, which saves time and reduces manual work. The employee app is very convenient—our team finds it simple to access pay stubs, tax documents, and personal information right from their phones. It’s also very affordable compared to many other payroll services, especially for small to mid-sized businesses, and offers good value for what you get.
Cons:
One major frustration is that when an employee is rehired, Gusto does not reset their settings. This can cause confusion and extra manual cleanup. We’ve also had ongoing issues with city tax handling, which has required additional monitoring to make sure everything is correct. Another small but annoying usability issue is that when you tab to the next employee, it doesn’t stay in the same section you were working in—you have to keep navigating back to where you were, which slows things down.

Read More

Abbey's profile
Abbey W.

Verified reviewer

Retail

2-10 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2026

Consistent, reliable, and easy to use

5

Overall, Gusto is the most cost effective option to manage all things employees. I've never experienced any bugs or outages that affected my business in the 10 years or so I've used it.

Ratings Breakdown

5
Ease of use
5
Value for money
5
Customer support
5
Functionality
icon
Pros:
I love how simple it is to use as Gusto guides you through all the requirements, from taxes to reports and files them all automatically.
Cons:
It's a bit difficult to link Gusto to benefits like workers comp and insurance. You have to deal with a few different reps to get it to completed.

Vendor Response

Hi Abbey, thank you so much for the thoughtful review! We’re thrilled to hear Gusto has been a consistent, reliable, and easy solution for your business over the years. We also appreciate your feedback about benefits setup, and we’re always working to make that process smoother and more seamless. Thanks again for trusting us to support your team!

Replied January 2026

Read More

Carlie's profile
Carlie R.

Verified reviewer

Arts and Crafts

2-10 employees

Used daily for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed March 2026

TRUST GUSTO FOR ALL YOUR COMPANIES NEEDS

5

Overall, I've had a good experience with gusto. No real issues would recommend over other platforms.

Ratings Breakdown

5
Ease of use
5
Value for money
5
Customer support
5
Functionality
icon
Pros:
Gusto made it easy to keep all of my companies affairs In order. everything from scheduling, payroll, training, and even PTO requests.
Cons:
Sometimes the system ran a little bit slower than was supposed to and paychecks were going out late for several months

Read More

Showing 1 - 10 of 4181 Reviews

Gusto FAQs

  • Why is Gusto so popular?

    Gusto combines essential business tools—payroll, benefits, and HR management—in an easy-to-use platform. Small business owners appreciate its automated tax calculations, direct deposit capabilities, and time-saving features. The software's modern interface and responsive customer support make it accessible for companies without dedicated HR staff.

  • How much does Gusto cost a month?

    Gusto offers several pricing tiers starting at $49 per month plus $6 per person for the Simple plan. The Plus plan costs $80 monthly plus $12 per person, while the Premium plan requires $180 monthly plus $22 per person. A Contractor-only option is available at $35 monthly plus $6 per contractor monthly.

  • Is Gusto hard to use?

    Most users find Gusto straightforward and user-friendly. The platform features an intuitive interface for both administrators and employees. New users can complete setup in minutes, while the employee self-service portal makes it simple for staff members to access pay stubs, tax documents, and benefits information.

  • Does Gusto have hidden fees?

    Gusto maintains transparent pricing with no hidden costs. Each plan includes clear per-month and per-person fees. The base price covers unlimited payroll runs, tax filings, and direct deposits. Additional services such as health benefits or 401(k) administration may have separate costs based on usage.

  • Does Gusto track sick time?

    Yes, Gusto tracks sick time and other forms of paid time off. The system automatically calculates accruals based on your company's policies, allows employees to submit time-off requests, and maintains compliance with state and local sick leave laws. Managers can approve requests and monitor balances through the dashboard.

Advisor Get Price CTA Image

Stuck Between Options?

Our experts can help you compare Gusto with other top options, so you can find the best fit for your needs.

See what companies are saying about Software Advice