Gusto
Review · HR & People Ops · Paid
About Gusto
Gusto is a popular payroll and benefits platform designed for US-based small to mid-sized businesses. It handles payroll, benefits, hiring, and compliance with a simple, user-friendly interface.
The platform automates payroll tax filing, offers health insurance brokerage, and provides employee self-service. Workers can access pay stubs, update information, and enroll in benefits through a clean mobile app.
Gusto is ideal for US companies wanting straightforward payroll and benefits without enterprise complexity. The simple pricing and excellent UX make it popular with startups and growing businesses.
Our Take on Gusto
Verdict: Gusto is the friendliest US payroll and HR platform for small companies. It has clear public pricing, automated tax filings, benefits and onboarding. For remote teams, the detail that matters is multi-state payroll: once you employ people in more than one state, you need Plus, which doubles the per-person fee.
Pricing (per month)
| Plan | Base fee | Per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | $49 | $6 | Single-state payroll (base rose from $40 in March 2026) |
| Plus | $80 | $12 | Multi-state payroll, time tracking, PTO |
| Premium | $180 | $22 | HR support, advanced features |
Remote-team maths: a 10-person team in one state pays $49 + $60 = $109/month on Simple. Hire one person in a second state, and Plus costs $80 + $120 = $200/month.
Where Gusto shines
- Automated payroll taxes and filings at federal and state level.
- Clean onboarding with offer letters, documents and benefits enrolment.
- Transparent pricing published online.
Where it falls short
- US-focused. International employees need an EOR such as Deel or Remote.
- Multi-state jump to Plus.
- Less IT/app management than Rippling.
Choose Gusto if
- You're a US company with a small to mid-size remote team
- You want simple, predictable payroll pricing
Avoid Gusto if
- You employ people outside the US. Use Deel or Remote
- You want HR, payroll and IT device/app management in one. Compare Rippling
More in HR & people ops tools.
Sources (checked 2026-10-10)
Key Features
- ✓Full-service payroll
- ✓Benefits administration
- ✓Hiring and onboarding
- ✓Time tracking
- ✓Compliance support
- ✓Employee self-service
Pricing
Simple
$49/mo + $6/person
- • Single-state payroll
Plus
$80/mo + $12/person
- • Multi-state payroll
Premium
$180/mo + $22/person
- • HR support
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gusto good for remote teams?
Gusto is excellent for US-based remote teams. It handles payroll and benefits well. For international employees, you'll need a global HR platform like Deel or Remote.com.
How does Gusto pricing work?
Gusto charges a base fee ($40-60/month) plus a per-user fee ($6-9/user/month). This makes it affordable for small teams but potentially expensive as you scale.
Quick Verdict
Popular payroll and benefits platform for small to mid-sized US businesses
92/100 · Excellent
Pros
- ✓Excellent user experience
- ✓Popular with SMBs
- ✓Good benefits options
Cons
- ✗US only
- ✗Limited international features
- ✗Add-ons increase cost
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