Gusto is a cloud-based payroll and HR platform built for small and medium-sized businesses. It combines payroll, benefits, and hiring tools into one system. Gusto solves the problem of manually managing tax filings and employee data across separate tools.
Features
- Automated Payroll & Tax Filing: Gusto runs payroll in a few clicks and files taxes with government agencies automatically. It supports all 50 U.S. states at no extra cost per state.
- Benefits Administration: The platform manages health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers' compensation. It syncs benefits data directly with payroll to reduce manual entry errors.
- Time & Attendance Tracking: Gusto tracks hours, breaks, and PTO with geolocation support for hourly workers. Managers can approve timesheets from the Gusto mobile app.
- Hiring & Digital Onboarding: New hire reporting, e-signing, and document storage are built in. Employee I-9s, W-2s, and contractor 1099s are organized and stored online.
- Third-Party Integrations: Gusto connects with tools like QuickBooks, Xero, Slack, and time-tracking software. An AutoPilot feature lets payroll run on a set schedule without manual input.
Use Cases
- For Small Business Owners: Gusto automates payroll and tax compliance, reducing the time spent on manual calculations and government filings each pay period.
- For HR Managers: The platform centralizes onboarding, PTO tracking, and performance management inside one dashboard, replacing multiple disconnected tools.
- For Startups: Digital offer letters, e-signatures, and new hire reporting help growing teams onboard employees quickly without paper-based workflows.
- For Accountants & Bookkeepers: Gusto's integrations with QuickBooks and Xero allow client payroll data to sync automatically, cutting reconciliation time significantly.
Gusto is a well-rounded HR and payroll platform best suited for U.S.-based businesses with fewer than 150 employees. It performs strongest in payroll automation and tax compliance but offers limited support for international teams or highly complex workforce structures.
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TypePaid
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Best ForAgencies, Small Business
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FeaturesAutomated Tax Filing, Benefits Administration, Time Tracking, Employee Self Service, Contractor Payments
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Use CasePayroll Processing, Benefits Administration, Time Tracking, HR Management
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PlatformWeb, iOS, Android, Shopify
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IntegrationAPI, Zapier, Make, Pipedream
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Website Authority50 - 70
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Website Monthly Visits1m - 10m
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Company Age11 - 20 years
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Company Size1000+ members
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Company Type
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Company Location
| Plan | Price | Features |
| Contractor Only | $0/mo base (+ $6/mo per person) | Domestic contractor payments 4 day pay Form 1099 creation and filings Unlimited payrolls per month Global contractor payments (add-on) |
| Simple | $49/mo base (+ $6/mo per person) | Single-state payroll Unlimited payrolls per month Tax filings and payments Basic PTO policies and holiday pay Employee profiles and self-service Hiring and onboarding tools Health benefits administration Workers' compensation Basic support (call/chat) Next-day pay (add-on available) |
| Plus | $80/mo base (+ $12/mo per person) | Multi-state payroll Next-day pay Time tracking synced to payroll Project tracking Scheduling PTO management Full-service hiring and onboarding Performance reviews and goal tracking Basic support (call/chat) Priority support (add-on available) |
| Premium | $180/mo base (+ $22/mo per person) | Dedicated Service Advisor Access to certified HR experts Performance and compensation management Custom reports Priority support Payroll migration and account setup Multi-state payroll Next-day pay Health insurance broker integration (free) R&D tax credits (discounted) |
(Disclaimer: Data sourced from or provided by Gusto. Please verify before purchase.)
