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Gusto Logo

Gusto is the all-in-one HR platform for growing businesses.

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Gusto - 2026 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

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All user reviews are verified by in-house moderators and provider data by our software research team.  Learn more

Last updated: February 2026

Gusto overview

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Based on 4167 verified user reviews

What is Gusto?

Gusto is a payroll tool with key features that include direct deposit, payroll management, payroll reporting, tax compliance, W-2 preparation, self service portal, and more.

Who uses Gusto?

Reviews for Gusto come from a wide variety of industries, including computer software (9% of reviewers), marketing and advertising (7%), and accounting (6%). The most frequent use case for Gusto cited by reviewers is payroll (57% of reviewers).

What do users say about Gusto pricing?

Most users consider Gusto to offer good value for money, especially for small businesses, and they appreciate the transparent, scalable pricing. However, some users report that costs rise quickly with growth or added features, and they dislike hidden fees.

What are the most popular integrations for Gusto?

The Gusto integration most frequently cited by reviewers is QuickBooks Online, an accounting product rated 4.6 out of 5 for its integration with Gusto.

Starting price

35 /
per month

Alternatives

with better value for money


Pros & Cons

Processing

Navigation

Design

Customization

Portability

Migration

Gusto’s user interface

Ease of use rating:

Gusto pros, cons and reviews insights

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To determine these pros and cons insights, we analyzed responses from 

Overall rating

Reviews sentiment

 
 
 
1-2(114)
3-4(1,020)
5(3,033)

What do users say about Gusto?

Users say Gusto simplifies payroll, tax management, and employee onboarding, making HR tasks more efficient for small businesses. They find the user interface intuitive, appreciate automated features like direct deposit and tax filings, and value easy access to paystubs, benefits, and time-off tracking. Many report that email notifications and reminders help them stay organized and informed. They also mention cost savings from streamlined processes and integrated benefits management.

Some indicate that customer support response times can be slow and pricing may be high for larger teams. They note occasional limitations in customization, contractor payments, and integration with external providers.

Select to learn more


Who uses Gusto?

Based on 4,167 verified user reviews.

Company size

Small Businesses

Enterprises

Midsize Businesses

Top industries

Computer Software
Marketing and Advertising
Accounting
Health, Wellness and Fitness
Others

Use cases

Payroll
Direct Deposit Payroll
Human Resources
Onboarding
Online Payroll

Gusto's key features

GetApp's analysis of 302 verified user reviews collected between July 2021 and January 2025 identifies Gusto's most critical features and summarizes user sentiment about those features.

Direct deposit

Reviewers appreciate Gusto's Direct Deposit feature for its reliability and convenience. They report timely and accurate deposits, with options to split payments among multiple accounts. Users highlight the ease of setting up and managing direct deposits, including making changes as needed. They find the system's notifications and verification emails helpful. Some reviewers mention issues with late payments, but overall, they value the automation and efficiency Gusto provides for payroll processing. Of the 120 Gusto users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Direct Deposit, 98% rated this feature as important or highly important.

See related user reviews

“This feature is great, not only it makes the deposit correctly every time, but it allows you to chose options like split payments, where you receive your payroll in two different banks. ”
ED

Eduardo D.

Marketing manager

“Allows the employee to take charge of their direct deposits. You can split your paycheck among numerous bank accounts and make changes whenever needed. ”
CM

Cates M.

Director of Events


Payroll management

Reviewers indicate that Gusto's Payroll Management is efficient and user-friendly. They appreciate the automation of payroll tasks, such as calculating taxes, generating pay stubs, and tracking time and attendance. Users find the integration with timekeeping systems beneficial and note the ease of making payroll changes. They also value the ability to manage payroll remotely. Some mention occasional issues with customer service and payroll errors, but overall, they find the system simplifies payroll processes. Of the 122 Gusto users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Payroll Management, 93% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“It automate and streamline the management process. such as calculating and withholding taxes, generating pay stubs and direct deposit .payments, and tracking employee time and attendance. It may also offer options for integrating with”
Jo

Julie o.

Content creating

“Payroll management is the heart of what Gusto does, they mak it very easy to manage payroll with features like the auto run of payroll for salaried employees and ensuring the business has all the neccasary insurance policies in place to stay compliant. ”
MM

Misty M.

Manager


Payroll reporting

Users report that Gusto's Payroll Reporting is comprehensive and easy to use. They appreciate the ability to generate and download reports in various formats, including PDF and CSV. Reviewers highlight the accuracy of the reports and the convenience of having detailed breakdowns of salaries, taxes, and other expenses. They find the integration with QuickBooks helpful for accounting purposes. Some users mention difficulties with customizing reports, but overall, they value the clarity and accessibility of payroll data. Of the 75 Gusto users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Payroll Reporting, 92% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“Reporting is based on the check date and most reports can be downloaded in both PDF and CSV format .If you don't see the report section in your account,your administrator is willing to give the requirements permission to view your report.”
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Anthony A.

Freelancer

“Accurate reporting of salaries and tax reporting. Everything is on time and really explains when the payments took place, how much was taxed, what other expenses were included and all that.”
TK

Tania K.

Engineer


Tax compliance

Reviewers highlight Gusto's Tax Compliance capabilities as a major benefit. They appreciate the automated payroll tax calculations and filings, which help avoid penalties and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Users find the system reliable for managing tax withholdings and payments. Some mention issues with multi-state compliance and customer support, but overall, they value the peace of mind Gusto provides in handling tax responsibilities. Of the 90 Gusto users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Tax Compliance, 91% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“Gusto functions of Tax Compliance have helped us avoid penalties, by ensuring accurate payroll tax collections, timely fillings, and compliance with tax laws ”
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Adebayo E.

DIRECTOR

“Gusto makes the aspect of tax compliance very easy as the forms and the stored information regarding payroll is easily accessible through their reports page. Gusto also automatically generates W2 forms and 1099 forms for employees and contractors, respectively. Overall, the tax compliance aspect of Gusto, alone, makes the purchase of Gusto worth it. ”
DM

David M.

Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel


W-2 preparation

Users report that Gusto makes W-2 Preparation straightforward and efficient. They appreciate the automatic generation and distribution of W-2 forms, which can be accessed electronically or mailed to employees. Reviewers find this capability saves time and reduces stress during tax season. They also value the secure storage and easy access to tax documents. Some users mention early availability of W-2s as a positive aspect, enhancing the overall user experience. Of the 84 Gusto users who gave detailed accounts of their use of W-2 Preparation, 88% rated this feature as important or highly important.

See related user reviews

“This feature is important because it allows the employer to upload your W-2's directly into the employees profile so that they may begin preparing their taxes faster.”
CW

Candace W.

Library Technician

“Gusto makes W-2 preparation as easy as it gets. Every employee can download their own W-2 from their individual account plus Gusto can mail a paper copy to every employee past and present. We always dreaded W-2 time of year but it is not an issue any longer. ”
LL

Lianna L.

Manager


Self service portal

Reviewers find Gusto's Self Service Portal highly useful and user-friendly. They appreciate the ability for employees to access pay stubs, tax forms, and benefits information independently. Users highlight the convenience of managing onboarding, updating personal information, and tracking hours through the portal. They report that this reduces the administrative burden on HR personnel and enhances employee autonomy. Overall, they value the intuitive interface and ease of use. Of the 51 Gusto users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Self Service Portal, 84% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“Employees can access their pay stubs, tax forms, and benefits information through the Gusto platform, reducing administrative tasks for HR personnel.”
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Israel P.

Language Educator

“Having a self-service portal makes it easy for employees to login to view their paystubs, update withholding or bank accounts and manage their money.”
AE

Ashley E.

Accountant


All Gusto features

Features rating:

Timesheet management
Employee benefits administration
Learning & development
Accounting integration
Mobile app
Sick leave tracking
Data import/export
Attendance tracking
Online time tracking
Electronic forms
Health insurance administration
COBRA administration
Employee portal
Deduction management
Document management
Employee onboarding
Online benefits enrollment
Tax calculation
Employee time tracking
Leave tracking
Compensation management
Alerts/Notifications
Mobile access
Onboarding
Benefits dashboard
Employee management
HR management
HSA/FSA administration
Performance management
Accounting
Time off requests
Employee database
Reporting/Analytics
Customizable reports
Recruitment management
Workflow management
ACA reporting
1099 preparation
Employee profiles
Offboarding
Applicant tracking
Compliance management
HIPAA compliant
Retirement plan management
Vacation/Leave tracking
Disability insurance administration
Life insurance administration
Benefits management
Time off management
Task management
Employee self service
Time tracking
Multi-State
Third-Party integrations
Training management
Calendar management
Reminders
Wage garnishment
Activity dashboard
Access controls/permissions
Employee handbook
Document storage
401(k) tracking
Orientation workflow management
API
Multi-Country
Check printing
Web-based deployment
Email reminders
Budget management
Dashboard
Billable & non-billable hours
Feedback management
For accountants
For cloud
For small businesses
Tax management
Tax forms
Tax filing
Goal setting/tracking
Compensation plan modeling
Talent management
Market data analysis
Role-Based permissions
Collaboration tools
Reporting & statistics
Career development
Reimbursement management
Attendance management
QuickBooks integration
Performance review management
Audit trail
Benefits administration outsourcing

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Gusto pricing

Pricing plans

Pricing details:

Free plan
Free trial
Subscription

Simple

49

Per month

Features included:

  • Payroll
  • Unlimited payrolls per month
  • Tax Filings & Payments
  • Health Benefits Administration
  • Online Benefits Enrollment
  • 2-day and 4-day direct deposit
  • Third-Party Integrations
  • Employee Mobile App
  • Multiple Pay Rates & Schedules
  • PTO Policy Tracking
  • State & Federal Unemployment Insurance
  • Worker's Compensation Administration
  • Calendar Reminders
  • Paystubs
  • Payday Emails
  • ACA Compliant
  • HIPPA Compliant
  • ERISA Compliant
  • Garnishments
  • Employee Profiles & Self-Service
  • Holiday Pay
  • Lifetime Access
  • Tip Credits
  • Document Storage
  • W-2s and 1099s
  • Digital pay stubs with lifetime access
  • Onboarding checklist
  • Background checks

Plus

80

Per month

Features included:

  • Everything in Simple Plan
  • Full-Service Multi-State Payroll Including W-2s and 1099s
  • Next-day Direct Deposit
  • Advanced Hiring & Onboarding Tools
  • PTO Management & Policies
  • Time Tracking & Project Tracking
  • Time Kiosk
  • Expenses & Reimbursements
  • Workforce Costing & Custom Reports
  • Time off requests and approvals
  • Scheduling
  • Custom onboarding checklist
  • Custom document e-signing
  • Software provisioning and deprovisioning
  • Job postings
  • Applicant tracking system

Premium

180

Per month

Features included:

  • Everything in Simple and Plus plans
  • Priority Support
  • Dedicated Customer Success Manager
  • Full-service Payroll Migration
  • Federal and state compliance alerts
  • Health Insurance Broker Integration
  • HR Resource Center
  • Access To Certified HR Experts
  • R&D Tax Credit Discount

Contractor

35

Per month

Features included:

  • Unlimited contractor payments across all 50 states
  • 4-day direct deposit
  • 1099-NECs at the end of the year
  • Global contractor payments
  • Reporting
  • New hire reporting (if required in your state)

User opinions about Gusto price and value

Value for money rating:

Of 374 reviews that provide robust commentary on Gusto's price and value, 71% mention it in a positive light.

Most users consider Gusto to offer good value for money, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses. They appreciate that Gusto's pricing is competitive and scales with the size of their organization, making it affordable as they grow. Users find the base package to be feature-rich, and the transparent pricing structure helps them manage costs effectively. They also note that Gusto's intuitive interface and self-service options contribute to its cost-effectiveness compared to other providers.

However, some users report that Gusto can become expensive as their business expands or when additional features are needed. They mention that the pricing model, which includes a base fee plus a cost per employee, can add up quickly. Some reviewers feel that the higher-tier plans and extra features come with hidden costs, making them less cost-effective for larger companies or those with limited budgets. Additionally, the lack of a free trial and the need for multiple calls to get pricing information are seen as drawbacks.

, and

To see what individual users think of Gusto's cost and value, check out the review excerpts below.

“Their pricing is not only competitive, but scales linearly with the size of your organization - beating many other services handily price-wise for smaller companies, especially if you run bi-weekly or weekly payrolls. ”
RD

Robert D.

Accountant

“Their pricing is designed to scale with our business without breaking the bank so as we grow we can continue to manage our payroll in house.”
LM

Lee M.

Dir. of Business Development

“What I don't like about Gusto is that it can get a bit pricey as your business grows or if you need additional features. While it's affordable for small businesses, the pricing model includes a base fee plus a cost per employee, which can quickly add up if you have a growing workforce or decide to use more advanced features like benefits administration and additional HR tools.”
GM

Gustavo M.

Manager

Gusto integrations (209)

Integrations rated by users

We looked at 4,167 user reviews to identify which products are mentioned as Gusto integrations and how users feel about them.

Integration rating: 4.6 (30)

I want all my data to be in QBO. I was disappointed the data didn't fully flow over to QBO. We switched back to QBTime/QBO. But it's still a good program if it fits your needs, it just didn't fit ours.

I'd prefer not to have to make any payroll journal entries myself. As it is, I have to correct Gusto's payroll JEs every, single, payroll.

No need for manual payroll summary/distribution accounting. All are mapped and integrated.

When we switched in February 2024 this one of the reasons that we found a different system.

It automatically adds the payroll journal entries to QBO so I have one less step to do.

SK

Suzanne K.

Business Manager

1/5
Connecteam logo
Connecteam

Integration rating: 4.4 (7)

There were too many glitches in Connectteam. Therefore, the integration was not utilized for long.

This allows our employees to login in from one app and track their time from there.

JS

Jessica S.

Program Manager

1/2

Integration rating: 5.0 (2)

This is how are staff clock in and out and the software we use for billing and enrollment.

The transfer of time cards tracked on Procare to the Gusto platform always worked well.

HU

Heather U.

Director

1/2
FreshBooks logo
FreshBooks

Integration rating: 3.7 (3)

Use of Freshbooks, Gusto, and Bench together gives me a complete system that requires very little of my time. In the past, I've paid for in-house bookkeeping and had less accurate books for more money.

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Keleigh S.

President

Homebase logo
Homebase

Integration rating: 4.7 (3)

We use Homebase for timekeeping and once it is integrated with Gusto, we can import timesheets into Gusto for payroll prep with only a few clicks.

JB

John B.

Treasurer

Wizehire logo
Wizehire

Integration rating: 4.5 (2)

We have a smaller company, so we've made few hires since adding WizeHire. When we do though, we can move employee data into Gusto quickly.

VS

Victoria S.

Operations Manager

SpotOn logo
SpotOn

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

Spot on is what we use to clock in and out then that information is transferred to Gusto for payroll.

LL

Lianna L.

Manager

ZipBooks logo
ZipBooks

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

I wished that this would have worked better because I love zipbooks and the ease of use I have with Zipbooks. Gusto just never really worked.

Verified reviewer profile picture

Anonymous R.

Owner

Bench logo
Bench

Integration rating: 4.0 (1)

The data share is seamless and happens in the background. I only wish it were quicker.

Verified reviewer profile picture

Keleigh S.

President

Integration rating: 2.0 (1)

Hard to get support, when it was working it was fine, but the second we had a small hiccup it's causing us major issues.

VM

Vincent M.

Operations Manager

Checkr logo
Checkr

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

We needed to have background checks done on our employees. Gusto made it so easy to integrate with Checkr so our employees could do everything through Gusto.

JA

Judith A.

Director of Operations

Integration rating: 5.0 (3)

7shifts logo
7shifts

Integration rating: 4.5 (2)

Brex logo
Brex

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

Breezy logo
Breezy

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

EasyLlama logo
EasyLlama

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

Gusto customer support

What do users say about Gusto customer support?

Customer support rating:

We analyzed 815 verified user reviews to identify positive and negative aspects of Gusto customer support.

Widespread user sentiment highlights Gusto's customer support as friendly, knowledgeable, and quick to resolve issues.

A significant portion of users value the immediate, clear responses from support, especially for urgent payroll and HR questions.

Common user feedback praises the availability of helpful support staff who guide users through complex or unusual situations.

A minority of users report slow response times, long hold periods, and inconsistent support quality, especially for complex issues.

Support options

Chat
Email/help desk
Knowledge base
Phone support
Faqs/forum

Training options

Webinars
Documentation
Live online
Videos

To see what individual users say about Gusto's customer support, check out the review snippets below.

“We are signed up for the Conceriege level service and have a dedicated team of customer service people who are knowledgable and friendly and responsive and have helped us out with innumerable questions.”

KA

Karen A.

CEO

“Gusto has phenomenal (and quick) customer service. If I can't figure out what I need to do (which happens very infrequently due to a very user friendly interface) their support team is able to give concise instructions.”

AR

Ashley R.

Human Resources

“Wait time for customer service is lengthy and usually requires a call back which they prompt for automatically or disconnect if the wait time is over 10 minutes. ”

SJ

SHEILA J.

Owner

Gusto FAQs

Q. What type of pricing plans does Gusto offer?

Gusto has the following pricing plans:
Starting from: $49.00/month
Pricing model: Subscription
Free Trial: Available | (No Credit Card required)

These products have better value for money


Q. What is Gusto used for?

Whether you’re just getting started or scaling your fast-growing business, Gusto is the partner you need to grow and nurture your team. With Gusto, you get modern HR features like payroll, benefits, hiring, management resources, and more — all in one place. Gusto is proud to serve more than 400,000 businesses across the US with a single trusted system, competitive compensation tools, and expert guidance to help you empower your team. Because when your people thrive, your business thrives too. Gusto features: Tools for hiring in a competitive talent market. - Job posts and offers - Hiring integrations - Onboarding checklists - Document storage - Team building - Software provisioning Remote-friendly payroll and compliance capabilities. - Tax registration in all 50 states - Contractor payments in 80+ countries - Mobile time tracking and geolocation Features for building a rewarding and engaging work culture. - Performance reviews - Team insights - Performance integrations - Celebration reminders Data and insights so you don’t miss critical opportunities. - NEW! Ardius R&D tax credits - NEW! Support for tax credit applications - Custom report builder - Project workforce costing Effortless software syncing and workflow management. - Integrations - Admin permissions - Calendar sync Automated payroll features and benefits that fit your team’s needs. - Broker integration - Unlimited payroll - Built-in calculations - Automatic tax filings - Health and financial benefits - Benefits administration Thoughtful, opinionated guidance through every twist and turn. - Dedicated support contact - COVID-19 resources - Employee benefits support - Expert support from certified HR professionals - Unlimited support access


Q. What are the benefits of using Gusto?

Gusto provides award-winning payroll for businesses of all sizes. Gusto automatically calculates, pays, and files your federal, state, and local payroll taxes, as well as W-2s, 1099s, and new hire forms.

- 85% of businesses agree Gusto makes running payroll easier
- 88% of businesses agree Gusto helps them stay compliant with federal and state regulations
- It takes businesses an average of 16 minutes to run payroll each time with Gusto

It takes more than a paycheck to build an amazing team. With Gusto, you can offer a wide range of no-cost, low-cost, and premium health and financial benefits to support your team into the future. Plus, Gusto syncs medical, dental, and vision insurance with payroll.


Q. Who are the typical users of Gusto?

Gusto has the following typical customers:
Freelancers, Large Enterprises, Mid Size Business, Non Profit, Public Administrations, Small Business


Q. What languages does Gusto support?

Gusto supports the following languages:
English


Q. Does Gusto offer an API?

No, Gusto does not have an API available.


Q. What other apps does Gusto integrate with?

Gusto integrates with the following applications:
Hyperproof, Aplos, 7shifts, Jirav, allGeo, Lattice, Shopify Plus, GitHub, JobScore, Sling, Sauce Labs, Dropbox Business, neo.tax, Teamtailor, Webex Suite, Sapling, Uptick, MonkeyPod, AttendanceBot, Breezy, Time Tracker, OnTheClock, Brex, Drata, Sage Accounting, Ashby, Bookkeeper360, Deputy, JobTread, Dynatrace, Flatly, VGS, Sage Intacct, Guideline, QuickBooks Online Advanced, PerformYard, Bench, QuickBooks Desktop, SINC, Vagaro, Expensify, Synder, Housecall Pro, QuickBooks Time, Google Workspace, Workyard, ZarMoney, Trello, Box, Fulfil.IO, FreshBooks, Procare Solutions, Reach Reporting, Travitor, KeldairHR, Dext, Vanta, Hubstaff Tasks, Trainual, Wizehire, CustomBooks, Traliant, BusyBusy, Clover, When I Work, Jobber, LastPass, Culture Amp, OpenComp, QuickBooks Enterprise, BambooHR, ZipBooks, Human Interest, Workiz, Okta, Connecteam, Slack, Buildertrend, ClockShark, EasyLlama, talech, ChartHop, WorkforceHub, SpotOn, Online Check Writer, Bonusly, Engagedly, AvaHR, Timeero, Syft Analytics, QuickBooks Online, Sapling, JazzHR, Homebase, CleanCloud, Secureframe, monday.com, 15Five, ClickUp, Hubstaff, Ethena, Empuls, Accelo, Greenhouse, Lendio, IncentFit, Ignition, Asana, Tinq, GoalSpan, Xero, isolved Talent Acquisition, Boast, Veryfi, Brandly, brightwheel, Hour Timesheet, Dataddo, GoCo, Shopify


Q. What level of support does Gusto offer?

Gusto offers the following support options:
Chat, Email/Help Desk, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, FAQs/Forum

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