HR & Payroll Software
Gusto
Approachable full-service payroll, benefits, and light HR for US small businesses.
Solo / FreelancerSmall businessMedium businessNorth America
Last reviewed Jul 16, 2026 · Pricing verified Jul 16, 2026
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DEV-TOP · horizontalOur take
Best for US-only small businesses that want payroll, benefits, and light HR bundled into one approachable product — not an option at all if you need to pay or employ people outside the US.
Choose this if...
- US small businesses running payroll in one or a few states
- Solo founders needing simple W-2 or 1099 payroll
Look elsewhere if...
- You need to employ or pay people outside the US
- You're a larger company needing deep HRIS/ATS functionality beyond payroll and light HR
Visit Gusto
This is a direct link to Gusto— we don't currently earn anything from it.
Pricing
Verified Jul 16, 2026 against Gusto's own pricing page.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Key limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | 49 USD/mo | — | $49/mo base + $6/employee/mo; single-state payroll |
| Plus | 80 USD/mo | — | $80/mo base + $12/employee/mo; multi-state payroll, time tracking |
| Premium | 180 USD/mo | — | $180/mo base + $22/employee/mo; dedicated advisor, certified HR experts |
| Contractor Only | 35 USD/mo | — | $35/mo base + $6/contractor/mo; for businesses with no W-2 employees |
Free tier reality
There's no permanent free plan. No free tier. A Contractor Only plan exists for businesses with no W-2 employees at $35/mo + $6/contractor/mo. Pricing is base fee plus per-person fee on every plan.
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DEV-MID · rectanglePros
- Easy setup and approachable interface for non-HR specialists
- Transparent, predictable base + per-person pricing across all tiers
- Strong benefits and 401(k) integration for US employees
Cons
- US-only — no international payroll or employment
- Per-person fees add up quickly as headcount grows
- Deeper HR support (certified experts) only on the top Premium tier
Key features
- Full-service payroll with automatic federal/state/local tax filing
- Employee self-service portal
- Benefits administration (health insurance, 401(k))
- PTO tracking and holiday pay
- Time tracking (Plus/Premium)
- Certified HR experts (Premium)
Integrations
- VERIFY
Platforms
- web
- ios
- android
Regional fit
US-only for payroll and benefits (all 50 states). Contractor payments can go to international contractors, but there is no non-US payroll or benefits administration — VERIFY current international contractor coverage.
- North America
Best for
Try free first
Not ready for Gusto? Start with our free tools — come back when you outgrow them.
Alternatives
BambooHR
Pick this instead if: Small-to-midsize businesses wanting a single system of record for HR
Deel
Pick this instead if: Companies hiring contractors or employees across multiple countries
Remote
Pick this instead if: Companies hiring internationally that already have (or plan to set up) local entities and just need payroll run
QuickBooks Payroll
Pick this instead if: Existing QuickBooks Online users wanting payroll in the same login
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DEV-BOTTOM · horizontalWas this review of Gusto helpful?
Gusto FAQ
Questions about this tool
Is Gusto free?
No — Gusto doesn't have a permanent free plan. No free tier. A Contractor Only plan exists for businesses with no W-2 employees at $35/mo + $6/contractor/mo. Pricing is base fee plus per-person fee on every plan.
How much does Gusto cost?
From 35 USD/mo. We verify pricing directly against Gusto's own pricing page — see the pricing table above for the full breakdown of plans, and check the verified date before making a decision, since software pricing changes often.
Who is Gusto best for?
US small businesses running payroll in one or a few states Solo founders needing simple W-2 or 1099 payroll
Who should avoid Gusto?
You need to employ or pay people outside the US You're a larger company needing deep HRIS/ATS functionality beyond payroll and light HR
Does Gusto work well outside the US?
US-only for payroll and benefits (all 50 states). Contractor payments can go to international contractors, but there is no non-US payroll or benefits administration — VERIFY current international contractor coverage.
What are the best alternatives to Gusto?
Worth comparing: BambooHR, Deel, Remote, QuickBooks Payroll. See the Alternatives section above for why you might pick one of these instead.