Gusto Review, Pricing, Features with Pros and Cons

In this Gusto review, you'll find more information about its features, pricing, pros and cons and why you should consider using it.
9.1/10 (Expert Score)
Product is rated as #11 in category Payroll
9.1Expert Score
Hire, pay, and manage your team all in one place.

Elevate your business operations with Gusto’s seamless payroll solutions, tailored to fit every budget. From comprehensive HR tools and full-service tax filings to user-friendly interfaces and multi-state payroll capabilities, Gusto offers unparalleled value. Dive into a world where payroll meets perfection, all wrapped up in budget-friendly packages designed for success !

Customer support
8.9
Value for money
9.1
Ease of use
9.2
Features
9.2
Pros
  • Feature-rich
  • Compliant with local labor laws
  • Ease of use
Cons
  • Challenging time off management
  • Manuel entry for contractor payments
  • Physical paychecks

Navigating the world of payroll and HR can be daunting, but with Gusto’s dynamic range of pricing plans, it’s never been more accessible or affordable. Whether you’re a budding startup or an established enterprise, this guide unveils the perfect blend of features and affordability tailored just for you.

Gusto dashboard

Dive in and discover how Gusto can revolutionize your payroll experience without breaking the bank !

Read further to learn more about Gusto, in our review we will detail its features, pros and cons with our rating, and a conclusion about why you should use it.

Click on “open” if you want to see exactly what we will talk about in the rest of this article.

Overview

What is Gusto?

Gusto, ranking as the top choice in the Best Payroll Software of 2023, offers a comprehensive payroll service tailored for diverse business needs.

Launched in 2011 by Joshua Reeves as ZenPayroll, the platform has since collaborated with over 300,000 businesses, processing tens of billions in payroll annually.

Gusto’s core features include an automated payroll process, brokered health insurance, and as businesses upgrade, they can access time tracking, multi-state payroll, compliance alerts, and more.

The software also integrates seamlessly with popular apps like QuickBooks, Deputy, and Asana. With its headquarters in San Francisco, Gusto continues to be a preferred choice for businesses, especially those seeking scalability in their payroll solutions.

Gusto specifications

FeaturesCalendar sync / Complete Solution for Human Resources / Compliance and Regulations / Customer Success / Health insurance broker integration / Make Payroll 90% Faster / Multi-state payroll / Scalable / Security and Compliance / Time Kiosk / Time Tracking
Best suited forFreelancers, Small businesses
Website languagesEnglish
Website URLVisit official website
Support linkSupport page
Live chatNo
Company addressCalifornia 94107
Year founded2011

Pricing

Gusto pricing: How much does Gusto cost?

From startups to growing businesses, Gusto offers a range of pricing plans tailored to your needs. With plans starting at just $40/month and scaling to exclusive premium offerings, there’s a perfect fit for every budget. Dive in to find the best value for your business !

Pricing rangeFrom $40 to $80 per month
Pricing typesMonthly subscription
Free planNo
Free trialNo
Money back guaranteeNo
Pricing page linkSee plans

Gusto pricing plans

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Simple Plan

    • Price: $40/mo base + $6/mo per person
    • Features:
      • Full-service single-state payroll including W-2s and 1099s
      • Full support
      • Employee profiles and self-service
      • Basic hiring and onboarding tools
      • Gusto-brokered health insurance administration
      • Employee financial benefits
      • Payroll and time-off reports
      • Custom admin permissions
      • Integrations for accounting, time tracking, expense management, and more

Plus Plan

    • Price: $80/mo base + $12/mo per person
    • Features:
      • Everything in the Simple plan
      • Full-service multi-state payroll including W-2s and 1099s
      • Next-day direct deposit
      • Advanced hiring and onboarding tools
      • PTO management and policies
      • Time tracking and project tracking
      • Workforce costing and reports
      • Team management tools
      • Performance reviews
      • Employee surveys and insights
    • Add-ons:
      • Priority support and HR resources: +$8/mo per person
      • Time Kiosk: +$4/mo per Time Kiosk user (Currently free for a limited time)

Premium Plan

    • Price: Exclusive pricing (Contact Gusto for details)
    • Features:
      • Everything in the Plus plan
      • Dedicated Customer Success Manager
      • HR Resource Center
      • Compliance alerts
      • Access to certified HR experts
      • Full-service payroll migration and account setup
      • Health insurance broker integration
      • R&D tax credit discount
      • Waived fees and exclusive pricing
      • Priority support
      • Time Kiosk

Contractor Only Plan

    • Price: Discounted base price of $0/mo for 6 months (Regularly $35/mo) + $6/mo per contractor

These plans offer a range of features tailored to different business needs, from basic payroll functionalities to comprehensive HR tools and benefits administration.

Features

Gusto features: What can you do with it?

Gusto offers a suite of features designed to simplify and streamline payroll processes for businesses. From automated tax filings to flexible payroll options and comprehensive employee management tools, Gusto ensures that businesses can efficiently handle their payroll tasks with ease and precision.

Gusto-features

Automated payroll, taxes, and filings

Gusto’s automated system ensures that businesses can run their payroll without manual interventions. The software automatically calculates and deducts the appropriate taxes for each employee based on their location and other factors.

Additionally, Gusto handles all the necessary filings related to payroll taxes, ensuring businesses remain compliant with local, state, and federal regulations.

All the forms

Gusto forms

Gusto takes responsibility for filing all required payroll tax forms on a company’s behalf. This includes forms at the federal, state, and local levels. By utilizing e-file, e-sign, and e-fax technologies, Gusto ensures a paperless and efficient process.

For instance, they handle state-specific tax forms, though the exact list of states and forms was not specified in the provided content.

Flexible payroll

Gusto flexible payroll features

While the exact details of these flexible features are not provided, it can be inferred that Gusto offers a range of options to cater to different business needs. This might include varying payroll schedules, different payment methods, or other customizable features that allow businesses to tailor the payroll process to their specific requirements.

Advanced payroll features

Gusto’s advanced features likely delve deeper into the intricacies of payroll management. These could include detailed reporting, analytics, integration with other financial tools, or specialized compliance checks. The exact nature of these advanced features is not specified in the provided content.

Employee management

Gusto employee management

Beyond just payroll, Gusto offers tools for comprehensive employee management. This could encompass everything from onboarding new hires, managing employee benefits, tracking performance, and more. Such features ensure that businesses have a holistic view of their workforce and can manage all related tasks in one place.

Online and on the go

Gusto online and on the go

Gusto’s platform is designed to be accessible from anywhere. Whether businesses want to run payroll from their office computer or check details on the go from a mobile device, Gusto’s platform is optimized for both scenarios. This ensures that businesses have the flexibility to manage payroll tasks as per their convenience.

Conclusion

Gusto review: Why you should use it?

Gusto is a comprehensive online payroll and HR administration platform tailored for startups and small businesses. It simplifies complex payroll processing and benefits administration tasks. With Gusto, businesses can automate payroll schedules, manage employee and contractor payments, and ensure tax compliance.

The platform also offers a robust suite of HR tools, including recruiting and onboarding functionalities, benefits administration, and time management tools. Gusto’s user-friendly interface allows for easy setup of payroll schedules, tax filings, and benefits administration.

Additionally, the platform provides employee self-service features, allowing employees to access their profiles, view pay stubs, and manage their personal details. Gusto’s commitment to compliance ensures businesses remain updated with local labor laws, and its integrated compliance features cover ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ERISA.

Pros:

  • Comprehensive Features: Gusto offers a wide range of features, from payroll processing to benefits administration and HR tools.
  • User-Friendly: The platform is designed for ease of use, making it simple for businesses to set up and manage their payroll and HR tasks.
  • Compliance: Gusto ensures businesses remain compliant with local labor laws and offers built-in compliance for benefits administration.

Cons:

  • Manual Entry for Contractor Payments: Payments for contractors, especially international ones, require manual entry, which can be time-consuming.
  • Physical Paychecks: If businesses opt to pay via check, they need to manually print checks generated by Gusto, as there’s no option for automatic printing and mailing.
  • Time Off Management: Some users have reported challenges in viewing time off requests from the admin side, which might be more streamlined in higher-tier plans.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Gusto Review, Pricing, Features with Pros and Cons
Gusto Review, Pricing, Features with Pros and Cons

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