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About Gusto
What it does
Gusto automates payroll, tax filings, and benefits administration for small businesses and startups. Enter hours or salaries, and Gusto calculates paychecks, deducts taxes, and files federal and state payroll taxes automatically. Employees get a self-service portal for pay stubs, W-2s, and benefits enrollment.
Who it is for
Best for small business owners who want to outsource payroll compliance, startups offering health benefits and 401(k) without a dedicated HR person, and freelancers or contractors needing simple invoicing and 1099 filing. It is not designed for large enterprises with complex HR needs.
Use cases
Use Gusto to run payroll on autopilot, set up health insurance and 401(k) plans in one dashboard, track employee time and PTO, and manage contractors with automated 1099 forms.
Key features
- Automated payroll — Calculate pay, deduct taxes, and direct deposit on your schedule
- Tax compliance — Gusto files and pays all federal and state payroll taxes automatically
- Benefits administration — Set up health insurance, 401(k), workers’ comp, and commuter benefits
- Employee self-service — Employees access pay stubs, W-2s, PTO balances, and benefits info
- Time tracking — Built-in clock-in/out and PTO requests sync with payroll
- Contractor management — Pay contractors, send 1099 forms, and track invoices
SaaSpartout Score
7.2
/10
Editorial score from our review methodology — not user ratings.
Gusto Pricing
Gusto pricing: from $40/mo + $6/employee. Billing model: Subscription.
Simple plan
$40/mo + $6/employee: Full-service payroll, tax filings, employee self-service, and time tracking.
Plus plan
$60/mo + $9/employee: Everything in Simple, plus next-day direct deposit, time-off management, and contractor management.
Premium plan
Custom pricing: All features above, plus dedicated support, HR advisory, and compliance alerts.
Free trial available for all plans.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Gusto cost?
Gusto pricing starts at $40/mo + $6/employee for the Simple plan. The Plus plan is $60/mo + $9/employee, and Premium is custom-priced. A free trial is available.
Is Gusto free?
Gusto offers a free trial, but there is no permanent free plan. Paid plans start at $40/mo + $6/employee.
What is Gusto best used for?
Gusto is best for small businesses and startups that need automated payroll, tax compliance, and benefits administration without an in-house HR team.
Does Gusto handle payroll taxes?
Yes. Gusto automatically calculates, files, and pays all federal and state payroll taxes, including W-2s and 1099 forms.
What are the top alternatives to Gusto?
Common alternatives include ADP, Paychex, QuickBooks Payroll, and Rippling. Each offers different features for small and mid-sized businesses.
Can Gusto manage contractors?
Yes. Gusto supports contractor payments, 1099 form filing, and invoice tracking for freelancers and independent contractors.
