Gusto Review - Features, Pricing & Deals

Gusto is a cloud-based payroll, benefits, and HR management platform that helps US businesses handle their administrative tasks. The platform brings together essential tools for managing employee payments, benefits, and HR functions in one central system.

Since its launch in 2012, the platform has grown from a simple payroll service to include comprehensive features like automated tax filing, health insurance administration, and employee onboarding tools. Small and medium-sized businesses can process payroll, manage time off requests, and handle employee documentation through a user-friendly interface.

The software offers three main pricing tiers: Simple, Plus, and Premium. Each plan includes core payroll features, with more advanced HR and benefits tools available in higher tiers. Businesses can choose additional add-ons like next-day direct deposit or time tracking to customize their setup.

Notable features include automated payroll processing across all 50 states, benefits administration for health insurance and retirement plans, and digital employee onboarding. The platform also connects with popular accounting software and time-tracking tools to create a smoother workflow for businesses.

• Automated Payroll Processing: Simplifies payroll tasks with automated tax filing, multiple pay schedules, and direct deposit options across all 50 states, making employee compensation management effortless.
• Comprehensive Benefits Management: Offers robust insurance options including medical, dental, vision, and optional retirement plans like 401(k), helping businesses provide comprehensive employee benefits packages.
• Advanced HR Management: Provides digital onboarding tools, self-service employee portals, time-off tracking, and performance review capabilities to streamline human resource processes.
• Detailed Reporting Capabilities: Generates customizable payroll, time-off, and workforce cost reports to help businesses track and analyze critical financial and employee data.
• Seamless Software Integrations: Connects easily with popular accounting, time tracking, and expense management platforms to create a unified business management ecosystem.
• Employee Financial Tools: Includes a mobile app with spending accounts, early direct deposit, and personal finance tracking to enhance employee financial wellness.
• Flexible Pricing Plans: Offers scalable pricing options from Simple to Premium plans, allowing businesses to choose features that match their specific organizational needs and budget.

• Simple Plan starts at $40 base price plus $6 per employee monthly, offering full-service payroll, employee self-service, and basic hiring tools for small businesses in one state.
• Plus Plan costs $80 base price with $12 per employee monthly, including multi-state payroll, next-day direct deposit, advanced onboarding tools, and time tracking features.
• Premium Plan offers custom pricing with a dedicated customer success manager, HR resource center, compliance alerts, and access to certified HR experts.
• Contractor Plan provides unlimited contractor payments at $35 base price plus $6 per contractor monthly, supporting payments in all 50 states with four-day direct deposit.
• Optional add-ons like time tracking, next-day direct deposit, and health insurance integration may incur additional costs, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees.

Gusto stands out by offering an all-in-one platform that handles payroll, benefits, and HR in one place. Unlike some competitors that focus just on payroll, Gusto provides employee self-service tools, automated tax filings in all 50 states, and built-in time tracking. Their user-friendly interface is designed for small business owners who don't have HR experience. Many users love that Gusto handles compliance automatically and offers next-day direct deposit options.

Yes! Gusto offers a Contractor-only plan specifically for businesses that work exclusively with independent contractors. This plan costs $35 per month plus $6 per contractor. You'll be able to pay contractors in all 50 states, provide them with 1099 forms, and give them access to the Gusto Wallet app. You can easily upgrade to a full-service plan later if you hire employees.

Mistakes happen! With Gusto, you can run off-cycle payrolls to correct errors. Their customer support team can help you fix issues like incorrect tax withholdings or payment amounts. For Simple and Plus plans, you'll have access to email, chat, and phone support during business hours. Premium plan members get priority support with shorter wait times. Just note that if you've already run payroll and funds have been withdrawn, some corrections might take extra time.

Gusto integrates with popular accounting platforms including QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Xero, and FreshBooks. These integrations sync your payroll data automatically, saving you from manual data entry and reducing errors. Gusto also works with time tracking tools like TSheets and WhenIWork, plus expense management systems. If you use software that's not officially supported, you can always export reports from Gusto to upload elsewhere.

Absolutely! Employees get their own Gusto login where they can view pay stubs, access W-2s, manage their tax withholdings, and update their personal information. They can also enroll in benefits, track time off balances, and submit time-off requests. With the free Gusto Wallet app, employees can even access their pay up to two days early with direct deposit, set savings goals, and track their spending. This self-service feature saves you time answering basic payroll questions.