Gusto

Cloud-based payroll and HR platform that automates tax filings, benefits administration, and employee onboarding. Additional per-employee fees apply and advanced features require higher-tier plans. Setup process can be lengthy and customer support response times may vary during peak periods.

Gusto

Cloud-based payroll and HR platform that automates tax filings, benefits administration, and employee onboarding. Additional per-employee fees apply and advanced features require higher-tier plans. Setup process can be lengthy and customer support response times may vary during peak periods.

Gusto

Cloud-based payroll and HR platform that automates tax filings, benefits administration, and employee onboarding. Additional per-employee fees apply and advanced features require higher-tier plans. Setup process can be lengthy and customer support response times may vary during peak periods.

Category:

Last Updated: Dec 15, 2024

Paid

Starting Price: $40

Learning Curve: Low

Rating: 8.5

How Much Does Gusto Cost?

Gusto offers four distinct tiers (Simple, Plus, Premium, and Contractor-Only) with a limited-time 25% discount for the first 3 months on Plus and Premium plans, plus special contractor-only pricing.

$

$40

The Simple tier ($40/mo + $6/person) includes essential features like single-state payroll for W-2s and 1099s, basic support, employee self-service, basic hiring tools, health insurance administration, employee benefits, payroll reports, custom permissions, basic PTO policies, and key integrations.

$

$60

The Plus tier ($60/mo + $9/person) enhances the offering with multi-state payroll, next-day direct deposit, advanced hiring tools, comprehensive PTO management, time and project tracking, scheduling capabilities, expense management, workforce costing, and team management features.

$

$135

The Premium tier ($135/mo + $16.50/person) adds a dedicated Customer Success Manager, HR resource center, compliance alerts, certified HR expert access, full-service migration, health insurance broker integration, R&D tax credits, priority support, and special pricing options.

$

$0

The Contractor-Only plan (currently $0/mo + $6/person) is a limited-time offer specifically for businesses without W-2 employees, providing basic contractor payment features at a discounted rate for the first 6 months.

Gusto homepage featuring 'Payroll, HR, benefits. Simplified.' with biweekly payroll interface demo and promotional countdown timer
Gusto homepage featuring 'Payroll, HR, benefits. Simplified.' with biweekly payroll interface demo and promotional countdown timer

Overview of Gusto Features and Limitations

Gusto provides integrated payroll and HR management designed for small to medium-sized businesses seeking to automate their workforce management processes. The platform serves companies across various industries, with particular strength in serving businesses with W-2 employees and 1099 contractors.

Key Benefits:

  • Automated Tax Management: Automatically calculates, files, and pays federal, state, and local taxes across all 50 states

  • Employee Self-Service: Digital onboarding, document storage, and benefits selection through personalized dashboards

  • Benefits Administration: Integrated health insurance, 401(k), FSA, and HSA management with automated deductions

  • Time Tracking: Built-in time tracking with automatic sync to payroll calculations

  • Reporting Tools: Detailed payroll reports, tax documents, and custom report builder for specific business needs

Notable Limitations:

  • Implementation Time: Initial setup can take 2-4 weeks, particularly when transferring from another provider

  • Support Availability: Phone support limited to business hours, with potentially longer wait times during tax seasons

  • State Registration: New state tax account setup can take several weeks

  • Integration Restrictions: Some integrations only available on higher-tier plans

Gusto works best for small businesses with 1-100 employees who need comprehensive payroll and basic HR features. Companies requiring advanced HR features or enterprise-level customization may need to consider alternatives.

Overview of Gusto Features and Limitations

Gusto provides integrated payroll and HR management designed for small to medium-sized businesses seeking to automate their workforce management processes. The platform serves companies across various industries, with particular strength in serving businesses with W-2 employees and 1099 contractors.

Key Benefits:

  • Automated Tax Management: Automatically calculates, files, and pays federal, state, and local taxes across all 50 states

  • Employee Self-Service: Digital onboarding, document storage, and benefits selection through personalized dashboards

  • Benefits Administration: Integrated health insurance, 401(k), FSA, and HSA management with automated deductions

  • Time Tracking: Built-in time tracking with automatic sync to payroll calculations

  • Reporting Tools: Detailed payroll reports, tax documents, and custom report builder for specific business needs

Notable Limitations:

  • Implementation Time: Initial setup can take 2-4 weeks, particularly when transferring from another provider

  • Support Availability: Phone support limited to business hours, with potentially longer wait times during tax seasons

  • State Registration: New state tax account setup can take several weeks

  • Integration Restrictions: Some integrations only available on higher-tier plans

Gusto works best for small businesses with 1-100 employees who need comprehensive payroll and basic HR features. Companies requiring advanced HR features or enterprise-level customization may need to consider alternatives.

Alternatives:

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