Gusto
All-in-one HR platform with payroll, benefits, and team management for small businesses.
Best for
- Small businesses
- Startups
- First-time employers
- US companies
Not ideal for
- Gets expensive
- US only
- Limited customization
- Add-on costs
Get Started with Gusto
From $40/mo · 3 plans available
Visit Gusto →Gusto Overview
Gusto vs Top Alternatives
| Software | Rating | Starting Price | Free Tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GGusto | 4.5 ★ | $40/mo | No | |
| BBambooHR | 4.6 ★ | $10/mo | No | Compare → |
| DeDeel | 4.6 ★ | $49/mo | No | Compare → |
| JwJustworks | 4.6 ★ | $59/mo | No | Compare → |
| RiRippling | 4.6 ★ | $8/mo | No | Compare → |
| GGreenhouse | 4.5 ★ | $6,000/yr | No | Compare → |
Gusto Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy payroll
- Benefits administration
- Great onboarding
- Excellent UI
- Automatic tax filing
Cons
- Gets expensive
- US only
- Limited customization
- Add-on costs
Pricing Plans
Simple
- Full-service payroll
- Employee profiles
- Basic hiring
Plus
- Time tracking
- PTO policies
- Next-day direct deposit
Premium
- Performance reviews
- Surveys
- Dedicated support
Gusto Integrations
Gusto connects with 5 services to extend your workflow.
Who Should Use Gusto?
Small businesses (under 50 employees)
Gusto is designed primarily for small and growing US businesses that need easy-to-use payroll with minimal setup requirements. Users report it "works great for small business" with up to 50 people across multiple locations.
RecommendedCost-conscious businesses
With transparent pricing starting at $49 per month plus per-employee fees and no long-term contracts, Gusto appeals to businesses that need predictable payroll costs. However, users note that costs can escalate quickly as you add employees and features.
RecommendedBusinesses hiring freelancers
Gusto simplifies contractor payments by allowing freelancers to self-board online and automatically generating 1099-MISC forms. Users appreciate how it reduces manual administrative work for contractor management.
RecommendedCompanies with 50+ employees
Users report significant issues once scaling beyond 50 employees, with one stating "the second we had more than 50 employees everything broke." The platform is designed for very small companies and users tend to outgrow it beyond this size.
Not idealWhen to Consider Alternatives
Need comprehensive HR tools beyond basic payroll
Users report that Gusto's HR software is basic and not as deep as full HR suites. It lacks employee engagement tools, recruiting/ATS functionality, and robust learning management systems.
Consider BambooHR instead →Require responsive customer support
Users consistently report poor customer support with slow response times and difficulty reaching representatives. Support response times are notably slower outside standard business hours.
Need global payroll capabilities
Gusto is designed for the United States only. If you need full-time employees abroad, you must purchase Gusto Global at significantly higher cost.
Consider Workday instead →Have complex payroll customization needs
The platform offers limited customization for businesses with unique payroll needs, and there's no way to retroactively correct pay with auto-calculation - manual adjustments are required.
Top Gusto Alternatives
BambooHR
HR software for small and medium businesses with employee management and reporting.
Deel
Deel is an all-in-one global people platform combining payroll, HRIS, compliance, performance, IT, and equity management for workers in 150+ countries. It enables compliant hiring and operations without local entities, serving 40,000+ customers from startups to enterprises.
Justworks
Justworks is a full-service PEO platform that simplifies HR, payroll, and benefits for small to mid-sized US businesses by acting as co-employer, providing compliance support, and offering competitive group health plans. Founded in 2012, it enables companies to access enterprise-grade tools without in-house expertise.
Rippling
All-in-one workforce management platform that unifies HR, IT, and Finance on a single data source, automating onboarding, payroll, devices, compliance, and workflows for global teams.
Greenhouse
Recruiting software and applicant tracking system for hiring teams.
Paychex
Unified HCM platform that combines payroll processing, HR administration, benefits management, and workforce management tools in a single cloud-based solution. Designed for businesses of all sizes with automated tax calculations and compliance support.