Overview
Gusto is "a cloud-based payroll and workforce management platform designed primarily for small and growing businesses." The service consolidates payroll processing, tax administration, employee onboarding, benefits management, time tracking, and HR tools into one integrated system.
Key Capabilities
The platform automates several essential functions:
- Tax Administration: "Gusto calculates, files, and pays federal, state, and local payroll taxes" and manages W-2 and 1099 form creation and distribution.
- Payment Flexibility: Supports direct deposit, multiple payroll schedules, and optional next-day or same-day payment depending on the subscription tier selected.
- Employee Management: Provides online onboarding, digital document handling, and employee self-service portals for accessing pay information and benefits enrollment.
- Time and PTO Tracking: Integrates time recording with payroll calculations and enables businesses to establish paid time-off policies.
- Contractor Support: Handles independent contractor payments and 1099 reporting, with options for international contractors across 120+ countries.
Pricing Structure
Gusto offers four primary tiers:
- Contractor Only: $35/month plus $6 per contractor
- Simple: $49/month plus $6 per person
- Plus: $80/month plus $12 per person
- Premium: $180/month plus $22 per person
Best Fit
The platform suits businesses at various growth stages, particularly those managing multiple states, hourly workforces, or requiring integrated benefits administration alongside payroll.