Gusto
full-service payroll and HR for small to midsize businesses
How it works
Gusto handles the full payroll cycle — running payroll, filing federal and state taxes, and managing benefits like health insurance and 401(k) — all from a clean, modern interface. It also covers HR basics like onboarding, PTO tracking, and offer letters. Most small business owners say it takes the dread out of payroll.
Is it right for you?
Consider if you
- Small business owners with 1 to 50 employees
- Founders who want payroll taxes handled automatically
- Businesses that need benefits administration alongside payroll
Skip if you
- Large enterprises with 50-plus employees
- Budget-conscious businesses wanting the cheapest option
- Companies with highly custom payroll and reporting needs
Your money and data
Gusto is a licensed payroll provider registered in all 50 states and processes payroll on SOC2-certified infrastructure. It handles federal and state tax filings automatically on your behalf.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Most intuitive payroll interface available today
- Automated federal and state tax filing included
- 150+ integrations including QuickBooks and Xero
Cons
- Among the priciest payroll solutions as headcount grows
- Customer support outside business hours is slow
- Simple plan direct deposit takes 2-4 business days
Pricing details
Solo $49/month + $6/person · Simple $49/month + $6/person · Plus $80/month + $12/person · Premium $180/month + $22/person · Contractor-only plan: $35/month first 6 months then standard rates
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