In a Nutshell
pros
- 1-month free trial
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Full of useful integrations
cons
- 24/7 customer support not available
- Some features not available in all states
Gusto at a Glance
Best for: SMBs, especially those employing contractors
Price range: $39/month (plus $6/month per person) - $140/month, (plus $12/month per person)
Benefits & HR: 401(k), Workers’ compensation, HSA and FSA, Health insurance administration, Dental, Vision, Commuter benefits
Automatic tax filing: Yes
Apps: Employee app on Android and iOS
Features and Add-ons
The software’s key features include hiring and onboarding solutions, employee benefits, time-tracking tools, and a payroll management service that allows you to make unlimited runs. Depending on your business’s specific needs, you can also apply to add the following to your plan:
- Worker’s compensation
- Commuter benefits
- Matching for employee charity donation
- A cashout feature that allows employees early access to up to 40% of their paycheck
Certain features, such as cashout, and some health benefits, such as dental and vision, are not available in every state. It’s therefore a good idea to check that all the tools you need are available in your region before you sign up.
As well as its service for businesses, Gusto also offers a Pro service that is catered specifically toward accounting professionals.
Tax Compliance
To help ensure you meet all relevant tax regulations, Gusto will automatically calculate, file, and pay all your federal and state taxes through e-file, e-sign, and e-fax technology. Likewise, it will issue and file relevant tax documents to both employees and contractors.
Key tax forms handled by Gusto include the following.
- Form W-2
- Form 8974
- Form 941
- Form 940
- Form 1099
- State and local forms
The software will also make automatic deductions for any pre-tax benefits your employees receive or garnishments such as child support.
Payment Options
If you sign up to Gusto, your options for making payments to employees will depend on the plan you choose. All plans allow you to make payments through paperless or printed checks and prepaid cards. Also known as prepaid debit cards, payroll cards allow employees to receive their funds directly to the card by entering their card’s routing number and the account number in their Gusto profile.
Alternatively, you can pay your employees through next-day direct deposits if you choose the Complete, Concierge, or Select plans.
Pricing/Costs & Fees
If you’d like to subscribe to Gusto, you can choose between 4 plan types: Core, Complete, Concierge, and Select.
With bespoke pricing, the Select plan is aimed towards companies with a minimum of 25 employees, and its features will be crafted around your company’s requirements.
A free 1-month trial is available for the Core, Complete, and Concierge service.
$12/month per person
Usability
With many users praising its simple and intuitive interface, Gusto could be an especially good choice for small business owners who may not feel particularly confident with new systems and different types of tech. With its use of large fonts and an accessible layout, the site feels friendly and welcoming, which can take some of the stress out of tasks such as payroll and tax compliance.
From an employee perspective, the Gusto Wallet app allows your staff members to manage paychecks, save money, and access funds in the event of an emergency. The app is available from both Google Play and the App Store.
In one of its most user-friendly features, the software has integrations with hundreds of other solutions. Some of the most popular include the following.
- Workday
- Xero
- Zoom
- Slack
- Dropbox
- Jazz HR
- Breezy HR
- Monday
- Microsoft 365
- QuickBooks
If you encounter any difficulties with the software, Gusto offers customer support via phone, email, or live chat. Customer service hours are 8AM-5PM (MST), Monday to Friday. Depending on the plan you choose, you could receive access to a dedicated customer team, as well as the company's HR pros, who have relevant HR qualifications and expertise in employment law.
Conclusion
If you’re seeking to streamline your payroll and employee benefits, as well as making sure your business is compliant with all relevant tax laws, Gusto has a great deal in its favor. In addition to its full-service payroll solution, it has a sleek and intuitive user interface. Although the company doesn’t offer 24/7 customer service, users can benefit from access to a dedicated customer support team who will be familiar with their business’s needs.
