Serving more than 300,000 small businesses in all 50 states, Gusto is known for being with you. Its mission is to “create a world where work can make a better life.” It focuses on employee benefits, automation, and ease of use.
Gusto at a Glance
Automatic Tax Filing
You file payroll taxes, but you don’t calculate taxes. There are no additional fees.
HR Features
It offers a variety of HR tools and benefits, from timekeeping to 401(k) tools and health insurance.
Employee Experience
The Wallet app lets employees manage pay, benefits, savings, emergencies, and access information for their retirement savings.
Customer Service
Customer service during business hours, chatbot, and help center
09:00
Trials
1-month free trial
Gusto Pros & Cons
PROS
- Complete payroll, benefits, and HR platform
- Access to financial benefits (401k, HSA, FSA, 529)
- Access to HR tools to help hire and manage teams.
CONS
- No PEO option
- Only manual processing for mandatory deposits
HR Features
As mentioned above, Gusto is all about “treating people as people, not ID numbers.” It does this with a simple platform for managers to work with (reducing their burden and stress) and a program that’s full of benefits for employees. These are some of the features we really liked from Gusto’s feature list.
Payroll
Most HR software offers payroll services, and Gusto is no exception. It features an unlimited payroll option. This service allows users to pay employees whenever they want, without additional fees. There’s no need to wait for the required pay cycle. Gusto Payroll lets you make recurring payments, award bonuses, and track unique employees without any hassle. Canceling payments with Gusto is easier than with most other sites.
It has everything customers need, and it seamlessly integrates with Gusto for 401(k), employee accrual, timekeeping, PTO, and more, so you can protect data entry and only require review and approval. For example, Gusto recently launched Time Kiosk, which allows employees to securely clock in and out from a centralized station in just seconds. It also integrates seamlessly with Gusto Payroll, so you never have to buy time. Increase your efficiency and accuracy by automatically syncing employee hours when you run payroll.
Gusto also adds peace of mind when it comes to tax compliance. Stay on top of ever-changing options and regulations and calculate their results so your clients don’t have to worry. Employee I9s, W2s, and contractor 1099s are stored and organized online for quick access. State tax filing in all 50 states makes it easy for clients to hire and pay employees across state lines.
Benefits
Gusto helps you offer affordable health and financial coverage to your team, making your company a better place to work and helping you attract and retain the right talent.
Offer health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), financial insurance (401(k), HSA, FSA, 529), and supplemental insurance (transportation, workers’ compensation). Automate payroll deductions to reduce manual errors and get direct support from authorized advisors.
With over 9,000 health insurance plans, over 30 companies, and licensed advisors, Gusto can help customers find the right plan that fits their budget. Customers who already have health insurance can easily migrate their current insurance broker to Gusto.
HR Tools
Gusto can help you build your dream team with tools for recruiting, onboarding, and talent development.
You can streamline hiring by managing candidates in one place and creating and sharing job postings across 100+ top job sites, including LinkedIn and Indeed.
With a customizable onboarding checklist and digital document management tools, you can onboard new employees quickly. You or your manager simply click the “New” button.
The ability to hire and manage talent from around the world, compliantly
Gusto recently announced the launch of Gusto Global, an employer of record (EOR) solution that allows businesses to hire full-time employees worldwide without compromising regulatory compliance. Managed remotely, Gusto Global lets you hire, pay, and manage talent through Gusto’s comprehensive platform and quickly process payroll for your entire team, whether they’re based in the U.S. or abroad, on temporary or full-time contracts. Having one platform for all your employees will help you keep your finances in order without having to worry about managing different systems and tools.
It’s also important that Gusto Global allows you to pay your team correctly. One of the most difficult aspects of hiring international workers is ensuring regulatory compliance. Failure to comply in another country can result in significant fines or even a ban on operating there. For example, in Canada, fines for misclassifying employees can range from $50,000 to $500,000. In Australia, similar violations can cost up to $80,000. But with Gusto, you have the peace of mind of knowing that you are compliant with all international laws and regulations in the countries where Gusto Global operates.
Gusto Global is currently available in beta in Canada and will soon be available in other countries. The remote version is available in over 75 countries worldwide.
However, if you’re not ready to hire full-time international employees and prefer to work with international contractors or freelancers, Gusto also offers a solution. Gusto lets you pay international contractors in over 120 countries around the world with just a few clicks, again through its comprehensive platform.
Accounting and Time Management
In addition to Gusto’s timekeeping solutions and time clock kiosks, it also offers integrations with third-party platforms like MP and Homebase so you can easily identify employees who are serious about their work (share this information with talent management, attendance, and task management features). This gives you a clear picture of employee productivity. What’s more, Gusto syncs with QuickBooks, Xero, TSheets, and other timesheets so your work hours are updated and instantly added to your payroll system. Tax management features ensure your accounting is compliant with state and federal laws, and Gusto will even update your taxes with the latest changes and regulations.
Records and Reports
Gusto’s reports are easy to use, even for those who are less tech-savvy. Fields are customizable, and you can create, manage, and print a variety of reports, including payroll reports, individual or team productivity graphs, timesheets, employee surveys (anonymous or named), and new hire reports.
Usability
The modern online interface makes it easy to add and update information. Plus, once you’ve set up your schedules, settings, and preferences, Gusto’s HR software does most of the work automatically. So there’s no need for manual updates or implementation.
Gusto is optimized for mobile, so you can access the site directly from your mobile device without having to download an app. The mobile site has the same functionality, features, and navigation as the desktop site, with the same look and feel for a seamless experience.
For your company’s employees, Gusto offers a free mobile app called Gusto Wallet. It lets your employees manage, save, and access their money. Employees can set budgets and automatically save by tracking their paychecks and tax returns.
Gusto Customer Support
so users may not appreciate two-factor authentication, but it’s the best way to protect your organization and company information. It’s worth noting that Gusto also offers comprehensive security for all of its data centers, including biometric and iris scanner locks, 24/7 surveillance cameras, and on-site security staff.
Gusto Customer Service
The website design is user-friendly, open, honest, and simple, ensuring a better user experience from the start. Gusto maintains the same philosophy by selecting and training excellent staff.
Pricing & Special Offers
Recognizing the challenges and potential financial risks of manual payroll processing, Gusto stands out as a cost-effective solution for small business owners. Many business owners in the United States still manage payroll manually, a risky approach that often results in costly errors and thousands of dollars in IRS fines each year.
Gusto addresses this problem head-on by offering an automated, reliable, and easy-to-use service that not only solves existing payroll problems, but also prevents future errors. By choosing Gusto, businesses are making a smart, long-term investment. The cost of using Gusto’s services is consistently lower than the significant fees and penalties associated with manual payroll errors.
Gusto offers affordability and transparency in pricing. Even with its highly competitive prices, such as $40 per month plus $6 per user for the Gusto Simple Plan, you get a comprehensive suite of services.
This plan includes automated tax reporting, unlimited payroll payments, multiple pay rates and schedules, multiple payroll features, absence tracking, tax form changes, and, where applicable, expedited payroll services.
*Pricing last updated December 2023. Specifically for startups and small businesses, this Simple package offers an affordable yet feature-rich option, ensuring that companies of all sizes have access to essential services such as unlimited payroll, tax reporting, unemployment insurance, comprehensive reporting, health services, and solid customer support.
Gusto also offers a free trial, which you won’t find with other HR software providers. This is a huge advantage, as you can test the software without any obligation. With this company, you also won’t have to pay setup fees or file annual tax returns (W-2 forms).
Bottom Line
Gusto offers a wide range of useful features, clear and concise information on its website, and more services than you can imagine. Working with Gusto is a real pleasure. Add to that a comprehensive suite of services and an incredibly affordable price, and this company is quickly positioning itself among the best. You won’t regret trying it for free.
