Payroll software
Gusto review
Small businesses that want easy payroll, tax filings, benefits and onboarding.
We check it out so you don’t have to.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we believe are useful. Read our full disclosure.
- What it is
- Payroll and HR
- Best for
- Most small businesses, easy setup
- Price
- $49/mo + $6/person (Simple), checked October 26, 2026
- Prices checked
- October 26, 2026
We researched Gusto's official pricing, plan terms, product pages and help documentation. We haven't used Gusto ourselves, so this is a research-based review, not a hands-on test.
Who it’s best for
- Small businesses running their first payroll.
- Teams that want payroll, benefits and HR in one place.
- Businesses with employees in several states (Plus).
Who should skip it
- Less ideal for businesses deeply tied to QuickBooks for everything.
How it works day to day
This part draws on Gusto’s own product pages, help center and documentation, read October 26, 2026 (listed under Sources). We haven’t used Gusto ourselves.
Enter hours or salaries, submit, and Gusto runs payroll and files taxes. Employees can self-onboard. Time tracking, PTO and benefits deductions sync with payroll.
Key features in use
- Unlimited payrolls with automatic tax filing.
- Basic PTO policies and holiday pay.
- Time tracking and scheduling (Plus).
- Contractor payments and invoices.
- State tax registration in all 50 states.
Setup and learning curve
Create a free account, add your team (or let them self-onboard), and run your first payroll.
Integrations
Gusto syncs with 401(k), workers' comp, time tracking and other tools.
Support
Gusto promotes support from real people; Premium adds a named advisor.
Real-world use cases
- A cafe pays hourly staff every two weeks.
- A startup pays employees in three states on Plus.
- A business pays contractors and files 1099s.
What it costs
Prices checked October 26, 2026, from Gusto’s own pricing page unless noted. Prices change often, so check the official page before you buy.
- Simple: $49 a month plus $6 a month per person. Payroll in one state.
- Plus: $80 a month plus $12 a month per person. Multi-state payroll, time tracking and next-day pay.
- Premium: $180 a month plus $22 a month per person. A named advisor, HR guidance and compliance tools.
- No hidden fees; cancel any time.
What we like
- Unlimited payrolls with no extra fees.
- Taxes filed automatically.
- Form handling: I-9s, W-2s and contractor 1099s.
- Health and financial benefits, 401(k) and workers' comp options.
- Instant Pay to send money in minutes.
What to watch for
- Per-person fees add up as you grow.
- Multi-state payroll needs Plus.
- HR guidance needs Premium.
- Benefits cost extra.
The fine print
- Prices are per month plus a per-person fee.
- Check which features each plan includes.
The main alternative: QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll works inside QuickBooks, so it suits businesses that already keep their books there. Check the official site for current prices.
What it costs: $50/mo + $7 per employee, checked October 26, 2026
Read our full QuickBooks Payroll review · Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll
Pick Gusto if you…
- want easy payroll with taxes handled.
- want benefits and HR in the same tool.
Pick QuickBooks Payroll if you…
- already use QuickBooks for accounting.
- want payroll and books in one place.
Our take
Gusto makes payroll straightforward, with automatic tax filing, unlimited runs and benefits built in. Fees grow with your team. If your books are in QuickBooks, compare QuickBooks Payroll.
Side by side
| Company | Best for | Starting price | Trial / refund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gusto | Most small businesses, easy setup | $49/mo + $6/person (Simple), checked October 26, 2026 | See the official site |
| QuickBooks Payroll | Businesses already on QuickBooks | $50/mo + $7 per employee, checked October 26, 2026 | See the official site |
From our company records. Check the official pages for current prices.
What we checked
- Gusto's pricing page and plan terms, read October 26, 2026
- QuickBooks Payroll's details: from our small-business payroll guide
- Gusto's feature pages, help-center articles and integration pages, read October 26, 2026
Sources
How we review
We read the company's own terms, test the sign-up or booking steps where we can, and compare it with alternatives. A commission never changes what we write. Read our disclosure.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we believe are useful. Read our full disclosure.