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Gusto suits small businesses that want to run payroll themselves in a clean app, starting at $49 a month plus $6 per person on Simple. It is a legitimate, widely used payroll provider: BBB accredited with an A+ rating, month to month with no contract, and it files your federal, state and local payroll taxes on every plan. The main tradeoffs are cost as you add people or move up to Plus ($80 plus $12 per person) and Premium ($180 plus $22 per person), extra fees for faster pay on Simple, and a steady stream of complaints about slow support when a tax notice or payroll error needs fixing.
Your options
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Gusto This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review Small businesses that want to run their own payroll online with taxes filed for them and clear monthly pricing.
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Deel This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. Alternative Companies hiring a mix of contractors and employees across several countries that want one platform and one invoice.
- Simple plan
- $49 a month plus $6 per person; single state payroll, unlimited payroll runs, tax filings and payments1
- Plus plan
- $80 a month plus $12 per person; adds multi-state payroll, time tracking and unlimited next day pay1
- Premium plan
- $180 a month plus $22 per person; adds a named account partner, HR guidance and unlimited same day and instant pay1
- Contract
- Month to month, cancel anytime; you're billed only for active employees and for contractors in months you pay them1
- Tax forms filed
- Federal, state and local payroll forms, including W-2, 1099, 940, 941 and 89741
- BBB
- A+, accredited since March 28, 2024, 349 complaints in the last 3 years2
- Not a bank
- Gusto says it is a payroll services company, not a bank or lender; same day and instant pay advances are originated by Pathward, N.A. through partner Clair1
- Customers
- More than 500,000 businesses, per Gusto1
Pros
- Published prices with no long-term contract
- Payroll tax filings and W-2s and 1099s included on every plan
- Unlimited payroll runs, including off-cycle runs
- Health insurance through Gusto's licensed brokers with no admin fee
- Pays contractors in more than 120 countries
Cons
- Per-person fees add up; Plus and Premium cost $12 and $22 per person
- Simple is single state only and charges extra for next day pay
- Recurring complaints about slow support during tax or payment problems
- Priority phone and chat support costs extra below Premium
Best for: Small businesses that want to run their own payroll online with taxes filed for them and clear monthly pricing.
Skip it if: You want a dedicated payroll rep on a budget plan, or you have a large or complex multi-state workforce that needs hands-on service.
Gusto vs. competitors
| Company | Base per month | Per person per month | Pricing published | BBB rating | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gusto Simple | $49 | $6 | Yes | A+ | Visit site |
| OnPay Payroll Essentials | $49 | $6 | Yes | A+ | Visit site |
| ADP | Not published | Not published | No, quote based | A+ | Read review |
| Paychex | Not published | Not published | No, quote based | A+ | Visit site |
Payroll software we reviewed
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Gusto This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Small businesses that want to run their own payroll online with taxes filed for them and clear monthly pricing. -
Deel This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.9 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Companies hiring a mix of contractors and employees across several countries that want one platform and one invoice. -
Paychex This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.9 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: U.S. businesses with roughly 10 to several hundred employees that want one provider for payroll, HR support, benefits and possibly a PEO. -
Patriot Software This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Small US businesses with simple payroll that want low published prices and human support. -
Multiplier This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Startups and mid-size companies hiring a handful of full-time employees abroad without setting up local entities. -
Remote This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Startups and mid-size companies hiring a handful to a few hundred people abroad that want published prices and an EOR that owns its local entities. -
Paycor, Inc. This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: U.S. businesses of roughly 10 to a few hundred employees that want payroll, HR and reporting in one platform and are willing to manage a structured setup. -
Quickbooks Payroll Best for: Small businesses that already keep their books in QuickBooks Online and want payroll in the same system.
Gusto pricing at a glance
Gusto payroll plans, as listed on gusto.com in October 20261
| Plan | Base per month | Per person per month | Pay speed | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | $49 | $6 | Standard; Next-Day pay add-on $15 a month plus $3 per person | Basic (help center, phone and chat in business hours) |
| Plus | $80 | $12 | Unlimited next day pay | Basic; Priority Support add-on $30 a month plus $3 per person |
| Premium | $180 | $22 | Unlimited same day and instant pay | Premium Account Support (named partner) |
Common add-ons: same-day pay $90 per payroll and instant pay $100 per payroll on Simple and Plus; Time and Attendance Plus $6 per person on Simple; Remote I-9 $20 per submission; E-Verify $5 per submission; broker integration $6 per eligible employee; R&D tax credit service 15% of credits found; global contractor payments in 120+ countries with no monthly per-contractor fee. State tax registration pricing varies by state. Gusto also sells a Solo plan for S corp owners paying themselves; its price was not shown on the main pricing page.
Gusto, step by step
Create an account
Enter your business details, EIN and bank account. If you are switching mid-year, have records of payroll taxes you already filed.
Add your team
Invite employees and contractors by email so they enter their own tax withholding and direct deposit details.
Run payroll
Review hours and pay, then submit. Every plan includes unlimited payroll runs, including off-cycle runs, at no extra charge.
Gusto files taxes
Gusto pays and files federal, state and local payroll taxes and year-end W-2s and 1099s on your behalf.
Change or cancel
Upgrades take effect right away and downgrades on the first of the next month. There is no long-term contract.
Gusto legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Gusto has run payroll since its founding in November 2011, says it serves more than 500,000 businesses, and holds an A+ rating from the BBB, where it has been accredited since March 28, 2024. It files federal, state and local payroll tax forms on your behalf, including Forms 941, 940, W-2 and 1099.
Gusto is not a bank. Its same day and instant pay features are advances originated by Pathward, N.A. through its partner Clair, and its health insurance is sold through Gusto Insurance Services, LLC. You are still legally responsible for your payroll taxes, so check your IRS and state agency accounts now and then, even with Gusto filing for you.
Gusto pricing explained
Gusto charges a monthly base fee plus a fee for each person you pay:
- Simple: $49 plus $6 per person, payroll in one state.
- Plus: $80 plus $12 per person, multi-state payroll, time tracking and next day pay.
- Premium: $180 plus $22 per person, a named account partner, HR guidance and same day pay.
A 10 person team costs $109 a month on Simple, $200 on Plus and $400 on Premium before add-ons. U.S. contractors count at your plan’s per-person rate, but only in months you pay them. The add-ons are where the bill grows: next day pay on Simple is $15 a month plus $3 per person, and same day pay is $90 per payroll unless you are on Premium.
What Gusto includes
Every plan includes unlimited payroll runs, payroll tax payments and filings, basic paid time off policies and an employee app for pay stubs and tax forms. Gusto connects with QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks and other accounting tools.
Health insurance is available through Gusto’s licensed brokers with no admin fee; you pay only premiums. If you want to keep your own broker, Gusto charges $6 per eligible employee a month. Workers’ comp starts at $14 a month through partner NEXT Insurance, and HSA, FSA and commuter accounts carry a $200 annual service charge plus per-participant fees.
What customers say about Gusto
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Easy, clean interface for running payroll without training
- Automatic tax filing and year-end forms included on every plan
- Unlimited payroll runs with no fee for off-cycle payrolls
- Well rated mobile app for employees to see pay stubs
Common complaints
- Slow or hard to reach support when a problem comes up
- Payroll tax filing mistakes that lead to agency notices or penalties
- Delayed employee payments or funds held during account reviews
- Long waits for fixes and repeated handoffs between agents
Gusto complaints and how to avoid problems
The BBB lists 349 complaints about Gusto over three years, and Trustpilot’s score is 1.9 out of 5 across 2,533 reviews even though most individual reviews are five star. The recurring complaints are slow support, tax filing errors that trigger agency notices, and delayed or held payments.
To lower your risk: finish tax setup and state registrations before your first payroll, run payroll early enough for your plan’s pay speed, save copies of every filed form, and log in to your IRS and state accounts each quarter to confirm deposits posted. If Gusto made a filing error, ask in writing who pays any penalty.
Cancelling or switching plans
Gusto is month to month with no long-term contract. Upgrades start right away; downgrades start on the first of the next month. Before you cancel mid-year, confirm with Gusto which quarterly and year-end filings it will still complete, and download your payroll reports and tax forms so your next provider or accountant has them.
Who should look elsewhere
If you want one person who knows your account on a budget plan, Gusto only includes a named partner on Premium. If you pay many people across several states, compare the per-person cost of Plus and Premium against quotes from ADP or Paychex. If you have one or two employees and time to learn the rules, the IRS’s Publication 15 and the free EFTPS system let you handle payroll yourself, though missed deadlines bring penalties.
Alternatives to Gusto
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Same $49 plus $6 per worker starting price, with HR and time tracking sold as separate add-ons.
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ADP PayrollBetter if you expect to grow past a small team or want a provider that also handles larger HR and PEO needs, though you need a quote.
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Worth a quote if you want a dedicated payroll specialist and in-person service options.
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Run payroll yourself with IRS tools
Free if you have one or two employees and can follow IRS Publication 15 and pay through EFTPS, but you take on every filing deadline.
Next steps
Gusto reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Gusto cost?
Simple is $49 a month plus $6 per person, Plus is $80 plus $12 per person, and Premium is $180 plus $22 per person, as listed in October 2026. Add-ons such as same day pay and Remote I-9 cost extra.
Is Gusto trustworthy?
Yes. Gusto is a payroll company founded in 2011 that says it serves more than 500,000 businesses, and it has an A+ BBB rating with accreditation since March 2024.
Does Gusto file payroll taxes?
Yes, on every plan. Gusto pays and files federal, state and local payroll taxes and forms such as 941, 940, W-2 and 1099.
Does Gusto have a contract or cancellation fee?
No long-term contract. Gusto is month to month and says you can cancel anytime; downgrades take effect on the first of the next month.
How fast does Gusto pay employees?
Plus includes unlimited next day pay and Premium includes same day and instant pay. On Simple, next day pay is a $15 a month plus $3 per person add-on, and same day pay is $90 per payroll.
Does Gusto charge for contractors?
U.S. contractors are billed at your plan's per-person rate, only in months you pay them. Global contractor payments have no monthly per-contractor fee, but each payment carries a service and foreign exchange fee.
What is the Gusto BBB rating?
A+. Gusto has been BBB accredited since March 28, 2024, with 349 complaints in the last three years as of October 2026.
Why are Gusto's Trustpilot reviews so low?
Trustpilot shows 1.9 out of 5 across 2,533 reviews, with 30% one star. Complaints focus on slow support, tax filing mistakes and delayed payments.
Does Gusto offer health insurance?
Yes, through Gusto Insurance Services, its licensed broker, with no administration fee. You can also keep your own broker for $6 per eligible employee a month.
Is Gusto a bank?
No. Gusto says it is a payroll services company, not a bank or lender; its faster pay options are advances originated by Pathward, N.A.
Sources (11)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Gusto: Pricing, plans and fees (Internet Archive capture, October 9, 2026; gusto.com blocks automated requests) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Gusto business profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Gusto reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Apple App Store: Gusto Mobile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- CFPB Consumer Complaint Database: search for Gusto (accessed October 12, 2026)
- OnPay: Pricing (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: ADP, Inc. profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Paychex Inc profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: OnPay profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Publication 15, Employer's Tax Guide (accessed October 12, 2026)
- EFTPS: Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (accessed October 12, 2026)
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