Gusto Guide

Get the lowdown on Gusto in our ultimate guide, which goes over the available plans and what you get from this payroll service.

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Our Top Payroll Partner 2025

gusto.com

Our Top Choice For Payroll Services 2025

★★★★★ 4.8/5

Adp.com

Our Top Choice For Payroll Services 2021

★★★★★ 4.8/5

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Pros:

Offers four distinct plans: Contractor Only, Simple, Plus, and Premium, catering to various business needs.
Provides HR templates and tools for onboarding, performance reviews, and compliance management.
Autopilot feature allows for automated payroll runs, ensuring timely payments without manual intervention.
Supports payments for both employees and 1099 contractors, simplifying mixed workforce management.
Offers flexible direct deposit options, including two-day and next-day deposits, depending on the selected plan.

Cons:

Primarily serves businesses within the United States; however, it has recently added support for paying international contractors in over 120 countries.
Lacks a dedicated mobile app; however, the platform is accessible via mobile browsers, offering a responsive design for on-the-go access.
Pricing may be higher compared to some competitors, but many users find value in its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface.

Though Gusto primarily serves businesses in the US and doesn’t have a dedicated mobile app, it’s still a strong choice for business owners. It allows you to set up direct deposit for employees, manage payroll seamlessly, and handle time-off requests within the platform.

What is Gusto?

Gusto is a cloud-based platform offering payroll, benefits, and human resource management software for businesses across the United States. Originally launched as ZenPayroll in 2012, it rebranded to Gusto in 2015 to reflect its expanded services. Today, Gusto serves businesses nationwide, providing tools to manage employee onboarding, payroll processing, benefits administration, and compliance requirements.

Features and Services

Gusto offers various plans tailored to different business needs. The Contractor Only plan is designed for businesses that exclusively hire contractors, providing support for 1099 workers. This plan facilitates the creation and filing of 1099 forms, direct deposit payments, and offers contractors a portal to access their payment records and tax documents.

The Simple plan is ideal for small businesses needing basic payroll services. It includes full-service single-state payroll, direct deposit with a standard processing period, employee self-service profiles, and basic hiring and onboarding tools. This plan also offers access to employee financial benefits and integrates with select accounting software.

The Plus plan caters to evolving teams requiring advanced payroll, HR, and time-tracking features. It offers all Simple plan features, plus next-day direct deposit, multi-state payroll capabilities, time tracking and project tracking, PTO management, and advanced hiring and onboarding tools. This plan also provides access to health benefits administration and workers’ compensation insurance.

The Premium plan is designed for scaling businesses needing a comprehensive payroll, benefits, and HR solution with dedicated support. This plan includes all features from the Plus plan, along with access to certified HR professionals, compliance alerts, and a dedicated customer success manager. It also offers enhanced benefits administration and support for creating custom employee handbooks and job description templates. Pricing for the Premium plan is customized based on specific business needs.

Who is This for?

Gusto is a versatile payroll and HR platform designed for various business needs:

Contractor-Only Businesses: The Contractor Only plan is tailored for businesses exclusively working with 1099 contractors, offering tools for seamless contractor payments and compliance.
Small to Medium-Sized Businesses: The Simple and Plus plans cater to businesses with traditional employees, providing comprehensive payroll and HR features.
Single-Employee Businesses: Gusto also offers solutions for single-employee companies, automating payroll and tax filings to simplify operations.

Additionally, Gusto supports direct deposit, eliminating the need for paper checks, and offers financial wellness programs like Gusto Wallet, which provides employees with tools to manage their finances effectively.

How it Works

Using Gusto is straightforward. To get started, you sign up on Gusto’s website by providing your name, work address, and company details. After creating an account, you choose a plan that fits your business needs, whether it’s the Contractor Only, Simple, Plus, or Premium plan. Once you’ve selected a plan, you’ll add your employees or contractors, entering their details into the system. Gusto offers self-onboarding options, making it easy for employees to set up their own profiles. After setting up your team and tax information, running payroll is just a few clicks away. Gusto automatically calculates wages, files taxes, and processes direct deposits, ensuring employees and contractors are paid on time. It also integrates with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, streamlining financial management.

Pricing

The cost of using Gusto depends on which plan you select. Those who choose the Contractor Only plan pay $35 per month plus $6 per contractor, with no monthly base fee. The Simple plan costs $49 per month as the base rate, plus $6 per employee. The Plus plan is priced at $80 per month, with an additional $12 per employee. The most advanced option, the Premium plan, offers custom pricing based on business needs.

Customer Support

Gusto provides multiple avenues for customer support to address various needs. The Gusto Help Center offers an extensive online troubleshooting guide that walks users through common problems and provides tips for resolution. To access personalized support, customers can log into their Gusto accounts and navigate to the Help section, where they can choose to chat, schedule a callback, or send an email. Support hours are from 5 am to 5 pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. For phone support, customers can call (800) 936-0383 during business hours. Gusto also maintains a dedicated support team to assist with technical issues and inquiries. Additionally, Gusto offers a Gusto Community platform where accountant partners can connect, collaborate, and access resources. This comprehensive approach ensures that users have access to the assistance they need through various channels.

Final Verdict

Gusto stands out as a robust payroll and HR platform, particularly appealing to small and medium-sized businesses. Users frequently praise its user-friendly interface, which simplifies payroll processing and allows business owners to focus on their core operations. The platform’s comprehensive features, including support for both traditional employees and 1099 contractors, make it adaptable to various business needs. While some users have noted that Gusto’s pricing may be higher compared to similar products, many find value in its seamless integration of payroll and HR services. Overall, Gusto is a strong contender for businesses seeking a comprehensive solution that can scale with their growth and handle diverse workforce requirements.