Gusto is a cloud-based payroll, HR, and benefits platform designed for small and mid-size businesses. It automates payroll tax filing, W-2 and 1099 generation, new hire onboarding, time tracking, and benefits administration — including health insurance and 401k management. Gusto serves 300,000+ businesses with a focus on making HR and payroll simple for non-HR professionals running small companies.
Payroll, benefits, and HR platform built for small businesses — the most popular payroll software for US companies with 1-200 employees.
Best for: US-based small businesses with 1-50 employees that want automated payroll with tax filing, benefits administration, and basic HR in one place — especially those offering health insurance for the first time
- $40 / month + $6 / person
4.5/5 ratingEditorial score 84/100gusto.com
Starts at
$40 / month + $6 / person
Visit Gusto
Opens the official website in a new tab.
Editorial score84/100
The editorial note
What to know about Gusto
Is it right for you?
Who Gusto suits
Choose it if
- US-based small businesses with 1-50 employees that want automated payroll with tax filing, benefits administration, and basic HR in one place — especially those offering health insurance for the first time
Look elsewhere if
- Large enterprises with complex HR needs and custom workflows — ADP Workforce Now or Workday handle advanced payroll, compliance, and talent management at enterprise scale
What you get
Key features
- Automated payroll with tax filing
- W-2 and 1099 form generation
- New hire onboarding workflows
- Health, dental, and vision benefits
- 401k and HSA administration
- Time tracking integration
- Employee self-service portal
- HR policies and document management
Works with
Integrations8
What it costs
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | $40 / month + $6 / personBilled monthly | Payroll, tax filings, and employee onboarding for a flat fee |
| Plus | $80 / month + $12 / personBilled monthly | HR tools, time tracking, next-day direct deposit, and PTO management |
| Premium | Contact sales | Dedicated support, compliance alerts, and HR resource center |
Prices are recorded from the vendor's public pricing page and can change. Check before you buy.
The trade-off
Pros and cons
Pros
- Full-service payroll including automatic federal, state, and local tax filing
- New hire onboarding paperwork handled digitally within the platform
- Integrated health insurance, dental, vision, and 401k administration
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or per-payroll charges
- Excellent customer service reputation compared to ADP and Paychex
Cons
- Pricing is higher than competitors for larger teams with many employees
- Limited HR functionality compared to full HRIS platforms like BambooHR for growing companies
- Contractor payments require an add-on or separate plan
- Not available for businesses outside the United States
Quick read
At a glance
- Category
- Finance & Business Services
- Pricing model
- Subscription
- Entry plan
- $40 / month + $6 / person
- Free plan
- Not listed
- Free trial
- Not listed
- Website
- gusto.com
The verdict
Our take on Gusto
Gusto is the best payroll software for US small businesses. The automatic tax filing alone saves meaningful hours each quarter and eliminates compliance risk. The benefits administration makes it possible for small businesses to offer competitive health insurance without a dedicated HR person. The per-employee pricing is competitive up to about 50 employees — above that, evaluate Rippling or ADP for better rates.
Editorial review
From the journal
Editorial review of Gusto
Gusto is the best payroll software for US small businesses. The automatic tax filing alone saves meaningful hours each quarter and eliminates compliance risk. The benefits administration makes it possible for small businesses to offer competitive health insurance without a dedicated HR person. The per-employee pricing is competitive up to about 50 employees — above that, evaluate Rippling or ADP for better rates.
Where this appears
Mentioned in
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