Gusto Review: Payroll That Small Businesses Love
Gusto (formerly ZenPayroll) has become the go-to payroll solution for small businesses in the United States. With over 300,000 companies using the platform, it's known for making payroll surprisingly... enjoyable?
We ran payroll through Gusto for a 15-person team over three months. This review covers everything from setup to tax filing, with honest assessments of where Gusto shines and where it falls short.
The Verdict: Gusto
Gusto simplifies payroll and benefits administration for small businesses. Its user-friendly interface and full-service payroll make it a top choice for US-based companies.
Pros
- Incredibly easy to use
- Full-service payroll with tax filing
- Excellent benefits administration
Cons
- US-only (no international payroll)
- Can get expensive with add-ons
- Limited HR features on basic plan
What Gusto Does
Gusto is a full-service payroll provider, meaning they handle everything from calculating paychecks to filing federal, state, and local taxes on your behalf. Beyond payroll, they've expanded into benefits administration, HR tools, and even hiring/onboarding.
Core Features
- Automated Payroll: Set it and forget it. Gusto can run payroll automatically on schedule.
- Tax Filing: Federal, state, and local tax calculations and filings handled automatically.
- Direct Deposit: Pay employees directly to their bank accounts (next-day available on higher plans).
- Benefits Administration: Health insurance, 401(k), FSA, HSA, commuter benefits, and more.
- Time Tracking: Built-in time and attendance (or integrate with existing tools).
- Hiring & Onboarding: Digital offer letters, e-signatures, and new hire checklists.
- Employee Self-Service: Employees access pay stubs, W-2s, and update info themselves.
- Compliance Alerts: Notifications for regulatory changes affecting your business.
Pricing Plans
- Simple ($40/month + $6/person): Single-state payroll, employee self-service, basic hiring tools.
- Plus ($80/month + $12/person): Multi-state payroll, next-day direct deposit, time tracking, PTO management.
- Premium (Custom pricing): Dedicated support, HR resource center, compliance alerts, performance reviews.
Note: Benefits like health insurance are additional costs, brokered through Gusto's partners.
Gusto vs Rippling
| Feature | Gusto | Rippling |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $40/mo + $6/person | $8/user/mo |
| International Payroll | No | Yes |
| IT Management | No | Yes |
| Benefits Brokerage | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Small Business | Growing Companies |
| Ease of Use | Excellent | Good |
The Gusto Experience
What sets Gusto apart is the user experience. Running payroll feels almost delightful—there are celebratory confetti animations when you complete payroll (which sounds silly but genuinely makes the task more pleasant).
The interface is clean and modern, with clear explanations of what each step does. Even if you've never run payroll before, Gusto guides you through the process.
Limitations
- US-Only: No international payroll or contractor payments. If you have global team members, you'll need Deel or Remote.
- Contractor-Only Plans Removed: They no longer offer contractor-only pricing.
- Add-On Costs: Benefits, 401(k), and advanced features add up quickly.
- Limited HR on Basic Plan: Performance reviews and HR resources require Premium.
Final Verdict
For US-based small businesses, Gusto is the gold standard for payroll. It's easy to use, reliable, and takes the stress out of paying your team.
Our recommendation: If you have a US-only team of 1-100 employees, Gusto should be at the top of your list. For international teams, look at Deel or Remote instead.