Easier setup
First payroll and onboarding feel less intimidating.
Gusto
Payroll software4.6
Payroll, tax filing, and employee onboarding for small businesses.FieldOwner verdict: Best for first-time payroll setupBuilt by a real service business owner
Ratings across public platforms
G2
4.6/5
CA
4.6/5
TR
8.7/10
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What is Gusto?
Gusto is payroll and HR software for small businesses that need to pay employees, file payroll taxes, onboard new hires, and manage basic benefits without building a full HR department.
Run payroll
Pay employees through a guided payroll flow.
File payroll taxes
Reduce manual federal, state, and local tax tasks.
Onboard employees
Let new hires complete forms without back-and-forth paperwork.
Running a payroll cycle in Gusto
Quick verdict
Gusto is strongest for small teams that want payroll to feel simple and predictable. Costs can rise with add-ons, but it remains one of the easiest payroll platforms for first-time employers.
Best for
- Straightforward small-team payroll
- Fewer manual payroll tax tasks
- Regular employee onboarding
- Clean workflows over customization
Not best for
- ✕Global or multi-currency payroll
- ✕Highly complex HR needs
- ✕Tight budgets with add-ons
Pricing
See full pricing details →All plans include payroll, tax filing, and employee self-service.
Simple
$49/mo
+ $6 per employee / mo
Core payroll and tax filing for W-2 employees.
- Full-service payroll
- Automated tax filing
- Employee self-onboarding
Plus
Most popular$80/mo
+ $12 per employee / mo
Includes benefits admin and time tracking.
- Everything in Simple
- Time tracking
- Project tracking
- Custom reports
Premium
$180/mo
+ $22 per employee / mo
Priority support, HR tools, and custom onboarding.
- Everything in Plus
- Advanced HR tools
- Priority support
- Dedicated support team
Pricing as of May 2025. Gusto may change pricing at any time. Always confirm current pricing and your state's availability during signup.
Key features
Payroll
Run payroll, auto-calculate taxes and deductions, direct deposit
Tax filing & compliance
Automatic federal, state, and local tax filing and payments
Benefits administration
Health insurance, 401(k), and other benefit management
Employee onboarding
Offer letters, e-signatures, and new hire setup
Time tracking
Track hours, manage PTO, and integrate with payroll
HR tools
Employee profiles, document storage, and reporting
Ratings across public platforms
Sourced from each platform's public listing. We summarise themes — we don't republish individual reviews.
G2G2
4.6/5Ease of use, payroll accuracy, customer support
CACapterra
4.6/5Simple setup, feature set, time savings
TRTrustRadius
8.7/10Usability, onboarding, reliability
What business owners commonly say
Themes from public reviews, summarized in our own words.
Payroll tax help
Automated filings reduce manual admin work.
Add-ons raise cost
Benefits, HR tools, and upgrades can raise the monthly cost.
Best for simple teams
Strongest for straightforward small-business payroll.
Pros
- Easy for first-time payroll
- Automated tax filing
- Clean employee onboarding
- Strong fit for small teams
x
Cons
- xAdd-ons raise total cost
- xAdvanced HR tools need higher plans
- xNot ideal for global payroll
- xLess customizable than enterprise systems
Alternatives to Gusto
Other payroll software worth considering.
SoftwareBest forMain difference
ADP Run
QuickBooks Payroll
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gusto good for small businesses?
Yes. Gusto is purpose-built for small teams running their first payroll. The setup is straightforward and the recurring payroll workflow is reliable once configured.
Does Gusto handle weekly payroll?
Yes. Weekly payroll is one of the strongest practical use cases once setup is complete and your recurring process is dialled in.
Is Gusto expensive for small teams?
It can cost more than bare-bones tools, but many teams recover the difference through reduced admin time and lower compliance risk.
What happens if you miss payroll?
Missed payroll creates employee trust and operational issues. Gusto helps with consistency but you still need internal discipline around deadlines.
Can I switch to Gusto from my current provider?
Yes. Gusto has a migration process and handles importing prior payroll history. Most small teams complete the switch within a pay cycle.
How FieldOwner recommends software
Ratings are sourced from public platform pages. Recommendations combine hands-on operator experience, public pricing research, and business owner feedback. We summarise themes — we don't republish third-party review text. Gusto is a tool I use directly in my own business.
Our review methodology →$100 Visa Gift Card
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