---
title: "Gusto Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra"
description: "With the help of Capterra, learn about Gusto Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other Payroll products and more."
source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/"
page_type: "product"
language: "en"
publication_date: "2026-10-02"
---

# 

 Gusto Software Review 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons

Last updated on October 2, 2026

Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team.

[Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[FAQs](#faqs)[Users](#users)[Pros and Cons](#pros-cons)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Integrations](#integrations)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews)

Gusto

## What is Gusto?

Fast, accurate, and effortless Payroll. Running Payroll on Gusto couldn’t be easier. Whether you’re just getting started or scaling your fast-growing business, Gusto is the partner you need to grow and nurture your team. With Gusto, you get modern HR features like Payroll, benefits, hiring, management resources, and more — all in one place. Gusto is proud to serve more than 500,000 businesses across the US with a single trusted system, competitive compensation tools, and expert guidance to help you empower your team. Because when your people thrive, your business thrives too.

## What is Gusto used for?

[Payroll](https://www.capterra.com/payroll-software/)[Direct Deposit Payroll](https://www.capterra.com/direct-deposit-payroll-software/)[Human Resources](https://www.capterra.com/human-resource-software/)

Recognitions

Shortlist

Overall rating

Based on 4,230 user reviews

Reviews sentiment

Positive

93%

Neutral

4%

Negative

3%

Pros & cons

Intuitive and simple workflow

Clean and organized interface

Restrictive and complex reporting

Limited mobile functionality

Starting price

$49

Other, Per Month

Free trial  
available

Free version not included

Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products...

-   Attendance Tracking / 2026
-   Compensation Management / 2026
-   Direct Deposit Payroll / 2026
-   Human Resources / 2026
-   Onboarding / 2026
-   Payroll / 2026
-   Benefits Administration / 2025

Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings...

Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings...

## Gusto alternatives

Highest Rated

[4.9 (4,885)](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/reviews/)

Starting price

$8.00

Per User, Per Month

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

User Rating

98%

of reviewers

rated it above 4 stars

[4.9 (4,314)](https://www.capterra.com/p/205015/Deel/reviews/)

Starting price

$5.00

Per User, Per Month

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

User Rating

98%

of reviewers

rated it above 4 stars

[4.3 (1,976)](https://www.capterra.com/p/86714/WebPay/reviews/)

Starting price

Contact vendor for pricing

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

User Rating

87%

of reviewers

rated it above 4 stars

[4.8 (3,966)](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/reviews/)

Starting price

$17.00

Per User, Per Month

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

User Rating

97%

of reviewers

rated it above 4 stars

[View all alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/alternatives/)

## FAQs about Gusto

Overview

### What problems does Gusto solve?

Gusto solves time-consuming payroll, tax filing, onboarding, PTO tracking, and benefits administration by putting them in one simple system with reminders, automation, and employee self-service. Small businesses, startups, HR leads, accountants, and operations managers benefit most by reducing paperwork, compliance stress, payroll errors, and back-and-forth over pay stubs, forms, and time-off requests.

Answer based on 3126 reviews

Overview

### Which roles and teams benefit most from Gusto?

Gusto is most used by small-business owners, founders, CEOs, and presidents who need streamlined payroll, benefits, and hiring administration. Operations leaders, office managers, and directors use it to manage onboarding, time-off tracking, and compliance, while accountants and finance teams rely on it for payroll accuracy, tax filings, and employee records.

Answer based on 4183 reviews

Overview

### What company size and industries is Gusto built for?

Gusto is built primarily for small businesses, which make up 88% of reviewers, with the strongest presence in computer software at 9%. It also serves midsize businesses at 6% and enterprises at 5%, and appears often in marketing and advertising at 7% and accounting at 6%.

Answer based on 4224 reviews

Features and Usability

### What are the key features of Gusto?

Gusto includes core payroll management like automated payroll, direct deposit, pay stubs, W-2 and 1099 preparation, and tax filing. Commonly discussed differentiators include employee self-service, onboarding, time off management, benefits administration, and email reminders and notifications that keep payroll and HR tasks visible.

Answer based on 1919 reviews

Pricing

### How much does it cost and what fees or limitations are included?

Gusto starts at $35/month for Contractor-only businesses, while payroll plans begin with Simple at 49/month plus 6/person, Plus at 80/month plus 12/person, and Premium at 180/month plus 22/person. A free trial is available. Reviewers call pricing transparent and reasonable for small teams, but note rising monthly and per-person costs as headcount grows.

Answer based on 471 reviews

Integrations

### Which third-party tools and platforms does Gusto integrate with?

Gusto integrates with Xero, QuickBooks Online, FreshBooks, Google Calendar, QuickBooks Time, Slack, Guideline, and Brex. It supports over 100 integrations overall, spanning accounting, scheduling, HR, and workplace tools. Reviewer mentions center most heavily on accounting connections, especially Xero and QuickBooks Online for payroll syncing.

Answer based on 271 reviews

Getting Started and Support

### How easy is it to onboard and train a team on Gusto?

Gusto is generally quick to onboard for employees, freelancers, and small teams, with a simple interface that many nontechnical users learn with little training. Gusto offers live online sessions, webinars, videos, and documentation. Admins setting up payroll, benefits, or complex withholdings usually need more time, guidance, and occasional support.

Answer based on 56 reviews

Getting Started and Support

### What customer support options does Gusto offer, and how do users rate the experience?

Gusto offers email/help desk, FAQ/forum, a knowledge base, phone support, and chat. Users often describe support as friendly, knowledgeable, and effective for setup, payroll, and tax questions. Response times are mixed, though, with some reporting quick help and others citing long holds, slower follow-up, inconsistent chat availability, and repeated explanations.

Answer based on 977 reviews

Security

### How does Gusto handle data security and access control?

Gusto uses login authentication, two-factor or dual authentication, password-protected tax documents, privacy controls, user permissions, and secure onboarding for payroll and banking details. Reviewers also note concerns: payday emails can expose pay amounts by default, roles and permissions can feel broad, and some reported cumbersome verification or account-security support issues.

Answer based on 96 reviews

## Who uses Gusto?

Based on Capterra reviews from the past year

Talk to a software expert

to get a free software list  
tailored to your business needs

## Pros and Cons

Intuitive and simple workflow

95% positive reviews out of 1024

Most users report ease of use, highlighting straightforward setup, clear navigation, and time-saving automation features.

JAMIE L.

Interior Designer, 1 employee.

"They have great tutorials and articles if you have a hard time with anything on their site."

Restrictive and complex reporting

42% negative reviews out of 181

Some users comment reporting options lack customization, are difficult to navigate, and do not meet specific business needs.

Zakaria B.

sales rep, 5,001 - 10,000 employees.

"The limited customization options for reports can be a drawback for businesses with specific needs."

Clean and organized interface

93% positive reviews out of 751

Most reviewers find the user interface visually appealing, easy to navigate, and effective for accessing essential information.

Amir M.

Production, 501 - 1,000 employees.

"The user-friendly interface, coupled with automation features, significantly streamlined our administrative tasks, enhancing overall efficiency."

Limited mobile functionality

42% negative reviews out of 153

Some reviewers indicate mobile access is lacking, citing absence of a robust app and incomplete feature availability.

Streamlined diGital onboarding process

95% positive reviews out of 198

Most reviewers describe employee onboarding as efficient, user-driven, and significantly reduces administrative workload for HR.

Janna G.

Executive Director, 11 - 50 employees.

"Gusto allows for individual employee engagement which provides efficiency for the HR team while allowing an autonomous management of personal details such as PTO request, pay stubs, downloading W2, review process, hiring database and onboarding."

Challenging migration and changes

36% negative reviews out of 64

Some users report switching and transition processes are difficult, with setup and migration causing frustration and confusion.

Jessica H.

Owner, 2 - 10 employees.

"it pulled two months of benefit premiums and then wouldn't change my processing time back. After SEVEN different people "helping" and "responding" to my issue, I switched. While I like their feature set, its not worth the massive headache that comes when any little thing goes wrong- steer clear!!!"

## Features

AI summary

Based on 18,203 Payroll reviews

Capterra data shows that buyers of payroll software rank the following features as their top priorities:

-   **Payroll Management** (**59%** of reviewers rated this feature as critical)
-   **Direct Deposit** (**58%**)
-   **Payroll Reporting** (**51%**)

Gusto supports all three features that reviewers rate most important: **Payroll Management**, **Direct Deposit**, and **Payroll Reporting**. Together, these capabilities help businesses run payroll accurately, pay employees on time through direct deposit, and track payroll data for reporting and compliance, allowing teams to manage payroll with greater confidence and efficiency.

Payroll Management

4.6 (781)

66.84% of 781 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Gusto offers a streamlined payroll management experience, letting you automate, customize, and update payroll easily. Reviewers appreciate the intuitive interface, automation options, timely payments, and seamless integration with timekeeping, making payroll less stressful and more efficient.

Direct Deposit

4.7 (525)

68.00% of 525 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

It gives you a reliable, automated way to pay employees directly into their bank accounts. Users think Gusto’s direct deposit is dependable, easy to manage, supports split payments, and consistently delivers pay on time, boosting satisfaction for both employers and staff.

Payroll Reporting

4.5 (482)

65.15% of 482 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

It helps you generate, customize, and download payroll reports in various formats. Reviewers indicate Gusto’s payroll reporting is easy to use, integrates with QuickBooks, provides timely and accurate data, and supports both internal and external reporting needs.

Tax Compliance

4.4 (466)

64.16% of 466 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

This aspect helps you stay current with payroll tax laws and filings. Some reviewers find Gusto’s tax compliance valuable for automating tax payments, handling multi-state requirements, and providing reminders, though a few mention occasional errors or delayed support in resolving tax issues.

W-2 Preparation

4.7 (455)

63.52% of 455 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

With this capability, you can access, download, and distribute W-2s quickly and accurately. Reviewers appreciate how Gusto automates W-2 creation, notifies employees, enables easy online access, and saves significant time during tax season.

Employee Database

4.6 (509)

51.47% of 509 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Electronic storage of staff/employee contact information and job status in a centralized repository

Gusto 100 features

Generate, file and review 1099 tax forms for IRS (Internal Revenue Service)

Track 401(k) participant contributions and employer match

Collect data and compile reports to stay in compliance with Affordable Care Act requirements

Define levels of authorization for access to specific files or systems

Built-in accounting to manage ledger, accounts payable/receivable, financial reports, etc.

Integrate with a third-party accounting system

Dashboard to view the status of ongoing processes, identify current incidents and track past activities

Alerts or notifications of various types such as pop-up messages, sounds, banners, or badges

Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases

Find and manage potential candidates and their applications and resumes through the recruiting life cycle

Manage attendance for classes, shifts, meetings, or events

Track the attendance of specific individuals or groups

A record of all activities within the system, including user access, changes made, etc.

Delegate benefits administration to third party vendors

Use a dashboard to view benefits that are selected by employees or offered by employers

Record employee's benefit plans and selections throughout career progression

Track billable hours and/or non-billable expenses for work performed

Forecast, allocate funds, organize financial resources and report & analyze project's income and expenditure

Track and manage schedules and meetings via an integrated calendar

Process of enhancing skills & experiences for continuous professional growth & advancement

Print paychecks issued to confirm payment of wages or salary

Manage mandated benefit continuation for employees who no longer work for the company for a limited time period

Provides a channel for team members to share AI models, media files, communicate, and work together

Manages compensation such as salary, bonus, and benefits processes, aligning with policies

Performs calculations and analyzes how salary and equity should be awarded to employees across locations, performance levels

Track and manage adherence to policies for any service, product, process, or supplier

Alter the layout and content of reports

Assembly of graphs and charts for visualizing and tracking statistics/metrics

Import and export data to and from software applications

Determine what amounts employees should contribute towards their benefits from each paycheck

It gives you a reliable, automated way to pay employees directly into their bank accounts. Users think Gusto’s direct deposit is dependable, easy to manage, supports split payments, and consistently delivers pay on time, boosting satisfaction for both employers and staff.

Set up and manage short and/or long term disability insurance benefits

Store, manage, and track all electronic documents in a centralized location

Store and organize documents in a centralized system

Digital forms that are shared and accessed online

Reminders sent via email

Manage benefit portfolio selection that is available to your employees through workplace and automate related administrative tasks

Electronic storage of staff/employee contact information and job status in a centralized repository

Create and share a new employee handbook with helpful information

Track employee schedules, availability, and performance across projects and tasks

Process of familiarizing new employees with the company, their position, and responsibilities

Online portal where employees can access and track their own information

Centralized storage for employee data, records, and performance metrics

Gateway through which employees can access the system

Track and measure time worked for employees

Collecting, analyzing, and utilizing feedback from users or customers to improve a product or service

Software specialized for accountants and accounting firms

Software that is accessible through the cloud with an active internet connection

Designed for small businesses

Establish measurable goals and objectives and track their progress over a specific period of time

Set up and manage health insurance benefits for employees

Compliant with HIPAA, which sets standards for sensitive patient data protection

Automates core HR functions such as talent management, employee evaluation and learning management

Set up and manage health savings and flexible spending accounts for your employees

Facilitate training materials that help employees grow and progress in their positions

Manage and track employee attendance

Set up and manage life insurance benefits for your employees

Collect & analyze data from multiple sources to get insights into competing products, customer behavior, pricing & marketing strategies

Access software remotely via mobile devices

Access the system via a mobile application

Pay employees in multiple countries using correct currencies and correct tax deduction amounts

Pay employees in multiple states with correct tax deduction amounts in each

Closing out contracts by reviewing contract/project completion, finalizing payments, and ensuring terms and compliance as been achieved

Process of familiarizing new clients, stakeholders or employees with the company, a new location, or a service

Select benefits and provide information needed to participate in a benefit via an online portal

Track employee and task times using internet connection

Create orientation programs for new employees or students

Gusto offers a streamlined payroll management experience, letting you automate, customize, and update payroll easily. Reviewers appreciate the intuitive interface, automation options, timely payments, and seamless integration with timekeeping, making payroll less stressful and more efficient.

It helps you generate, customize, and download payroll reports in various formats. Reviewers indicate Gusto’s payroll reporting is easy to use, integrates with QuickBooks, provides timely and accurate data, and supports both internal and external reporting needs.

Organize and manage the accomplishments and development of employees or performance of applications or systems

Create, fill out, and send performance reviews to individual employees

Integrates with QuickBooks

Tools to find, assess, and hire suitable candidates for a job within an organization

Manage compensation for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by an employee, client or another party

Timed notification for any upcoming task, deadline, appointment, or activity

Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns

View and track pertinent metrics to find patterns and gain insights from data

Set up and manage retirement benefits for your employees

Set & manage permission levels based on user roles and restrict access to only authorized individuals

Online portal through which end users can access the system, manage tasks, or obtain information

Track and manage sick leave time

Integrate with Talent Managment software to better track learners progress and training sessions

Create, manage and track all task activities and progression

Calculate tax and make deductions on gross income from sources like wages, investments or self-employment

This aspect helps you stay current with payroll tax laws and filings. Some reviewers find Gusto’s tax compliance valuable for automating tax payments, handling multi-state requirements, and providing reminders, though a few mention occasional errors or delayed support in resolving tax issues.

The completion of documentation that calculates earned income and the taxes to be paid, also called a tax return

Declaration of income made to tax authorities

Implementation of various strategies to manage tax obligations via planning and maintaining compliance

Set up connections to third-party platforms to improve business processes

Track and manage employee's work hours to improve payroll accuracy

Track and manage employee time-off, vacation, and sick leave requests

Tools that allow employees to request/schedule time off

Measure and track time including hours worked and paid time off (PTO)

Track the amount of time spent on a job or task

Track employee/learner's progression through training programs

Request, track, and manage time off requests and vacation time

With this capability, you can access, download, and distribute W-2s quickly and accurately. Reviewers appreciate how Gusto automates W-2 creation, notifies employees, enables easy online access, and saves significant time during tax season.

Automatically subtract garnishments from wages

SaaS, web-based, online deployment

Create, design and manage workflows for repetitive tasks

Get Advice

We can help you find the software with the features you need.

Features

4.5 (4,193)

4.5

Based on 4,193 reviews

## Pricing

Value for money

4.5 (3070)

Free Trial

[View pricing plan details](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/pricing/)

Solo

$49.00

Other,Per Month

Simple

$49.00

Other,Per Month

It includes:

-   Payroll
-   Unlimited payrolls per month
-   Tax Filings & Payments
-   Health Benefits Administration
-   Online Benefits Enrollment
-   2-day and 4-day direct deposit
-   Third-Party Integrations
-   Employee Mobile App
-   Multiple Pay Rates & Schedules
-   PTO Policy Tracking
-   State & Federal Unemployment Insurance
-   Worker's Compensation Administration
-   Calendar Reminders
-   Paystubs
-   Payday Emails
-   ACA Compliant
-   HIPPA Compliant
-   ERISA Compliant
-   Garnishments
-   Employee Profiles & Self-Service
-   Holiday Pay
-   Lifetime Access
-   Tip Credits
-   Document Storage
-   W-2s and 1099s
-   Digital pay stubs with lifetime access
-   Onboarding checklist
-   Background checks

Plus

$80.00

Other,Per Month

It includes:

-   Everything in Simple Plan
-   Full-Service Multi-State Payroll Including W-2s and 1099s
-   Next-day Direct Deposit
-   Advanced Hiring & Onboarding Tools
-   PTO Management & Policies
-   Time Tracking & Project Tracking
-   Time Kiosk
-   Expenses & Reimbursements
-   Workforce Costing & Custom Reports
-   Time off requests and approvals
-   Scheduling
-   Custom onboarding checklist
-   Custom document e-signing
-   Software provisioning and deprovisioning
-   Job postings
-   Applicant tracking system

Premium

$180.00

Other,Per Month

It includes:

-   Everything in Simple and Plus plans
-   Priority Support
-   Dedicated Customer Success Manager
-   Full-service Payroll Migration
-   Federal and state compliance alerts
-   Health Insurance Broker Integration
-   HR Resource Center
-   Access To Certified HR Experts
-   R&D Tax Credit Discount

Value for money

4.5 (3,070)

4.5

Based on 3,070 reviews

## Integrations

[

Slack](https://www.capterra.com/p/135003/Slack/)[

Trello](https://www.capterra.com/p/211559/Trello/)[

Dropbox](https://www.capterra.com/p/143068/Dropbox-Business/)[

QuickBooks Enterprise](https://www.capterra.com/p/174984/QuickBooks-Enterprise/)[

Google Workspace](https://www.capterra.com/p/247901/Google-Workspace/)[

Asana](https://www.capterra.com/p/184581/Asana-PM/)[

QuickBooks Online](https://www.capterra.com/p/190778/QuickBooks-Online/)[

Webex Suite](https://www.capterra.com/p/237272/Webex/)

Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation

Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs.

## Support, customer service and training options

Customer Service

4.4 (3167)

Support

-   Email/Help Desk
-   FAQs/Forum
-   Knowledge Base
-   Phone Support
-   24/7 (Live rep)
-   Chat

Training

-   In Person
-   Live Online
-   Webinars
-   Documentation
-   Videos

Deployment

-   Web
-   Android
-   iPhone/iPad

Typical users

-   Freelancers
-   Small businesses
-   Mid size businesses
-   Enterprises

Customer Service

4.4 (3,167)

4.4

Based on 3,167 reviews

## User reviews

Overall rating

4.6

Based on 4,230 reviews

Filter by rating

5(3053)

4(898)

3(164)

2(46)

1(69)

Mentioned topic

Sorted by most recent

NS

Niketan S.

Chief Technology Officer

Computer Software

### "Well, it really does work better than I thought"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

4.0

4.0

Likelihood to Recommend

9/10

October 8, 2026

At least it makes sense to me. Since taxes will now file automatically, I do not have to freak out about filing quarterly tax forms.

Pros

I'm typing this quickly on my computer, trying to hold onto what little life remains in the battery and amazingly enough the employees are able to log in and approve their own time cards as they should be. It also did not seem like it was going to blow up completely when we first went live.

Cons

Their help center is a bunch of pdf documents that look nothing like the "how-to" style videos that most companies use today; you cannot easily stop or rewind if you need clarification. I want to create simple custom reports but that involves clicking through way too many useless pages that do not even provide a download option.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

JL

Jamie L.

Office Manager

Medical Practice

### "Great HR platform"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

4.0

4.0

Customer Service

5.0

5.0

Likelihood to Recommend

8/10

October 1, 2026

I use Gusto to manage my own time and to manage my employees time and pay. It's easy to onboard new members and very easy to use.

Pros

Gusto is easy for my employees to use, easy to set up and manage your paycheck and spending card. We love the option of using the app or computer!

Cons

Sometimes validating if you aren't near your phone can be an issue. We have to use other methods (post its) and have me enter their time later.

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

Shyam Kishor P.

Operations Lead

Information Technology and Services

### "Makes payroll painless, but state tax setup and support can lag."

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

4.0

4.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

4.0

4.0

Likelihood to Recommend

8/10

September 30, 2026

It has taken the headache out of regular paydays and end-of-year tax forms for our crew. Aside from the occasional slow reply from support when an edge-case tax question comes up, it’s one of the few pieces of HR software that just stays out of the way and does what it’s supposed to do.

Pros

Running regular payroll takes literally two minutes once direct deposit is wired up. The self-onboarding flow for new hires is a lifesaver contractors and employees just fill out their own W-9s or direct deposit details directly, so I don't have to chase down documents. For small teams, it takes nearly all the dread out of quarterly payroll filings.

Cons

If you have a remote worker move to a new state, getting the local tax registration sorted out through Gusto can take surprisingly long. Live phone support is tough to reach quickly during peak tax season, and the base monthly fee jumps up fast as soon as you add more seats or want custom benefits tracking.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

Stephanie M.

Human Resources Specialist

Architecture & Planning

### "Simple Payroll Managment and user friendly platform"

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

4.0

4.0

Features

4.0

4.0

Customer Service

4.0

4.0

Likelihood to Recommend

8/10

September 30, 2026

Pros

Gusto is an user friendly platform and straightforward payroll process, and helpful customer support. It makes managing payroll, employee information, and onboarding easier and more organized.

Cons

Some features and processes could be more flexible, particularly when managing contractors, handling more complex payroll requirements, and working with international teams.

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

OM

Omar M.

Risk Management Consultant

Management Consulting

### "Payroll closed just twenty minutes before the client presentation."

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

4.0

4.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

4.0

4.0

Likelihood to Recommend

9/10

September 28, 2026

Gusto freed up hours I used to spend on payroll stuff so I can focus on actual client work. For a small consultancy where every billable hour counts, that change really matters. The platform handles tax compliance reliably, so it’s one less operational risk on my plate. Honestly, I'd recommend it to any firm with under ten people.

Pros

Running payroll used to eat up my Friday mornings when I really needed to be prepping client deliverables. Now, I handle everything for the team in under half an hour. Tax filings just happen automatically, and I'm finally done double-checking those compliance spreadsheets. Honestly, it's a huge relief. The direct deposit confirmations give me exactly what I need for our internal records without any manual reconciliation.

Cons

The reporting dashboard is a bit of a pain because I can’t export custom date ranges for quarterly risk assessments without clicking through a bunch of different screens. It would also be great to have more granular permission settings. We rotate project leads pretty often, and they really only need limited payroll visibility just for tracking their budgets.

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

TH

Tara H.

Finance and Administrative Officer

Non-Profit Organization Management

### "Gusto - Great HR software at a great price!"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

5.0

5.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

September 10, 2026

My overall experience with Gusto has been extremely positive. It's a robust system at a low cost. They have great guides and their staff is very knowledgeable and helpful for any questions you may have. It's a great resource for smaller organizations!

Pros

Gusto is a great resource for HR and employee management needs. The cost is extremely low, especially compared to alternative options, making it much more cost effective for nonprofits looking for resources for small business management. It is easy to use and customize for your own organization's specific needs, even for novice computer users. The customer support has been extremely helpful, and they're always willing to look into any bugs or issues you may experience.

Cons

Gusto has built up quite a bit since I first started using it, so many of the things that were "wishes" for the software have been worked out or added. I think the only thing I would suggest is allowing another type of user for payroll processing without admin authority.

Alternatives considered

[QuickBooks Payroll](https://www.capterra.com/p/174981/QuickBooks/)

Reasons for choosing Gusto

Gusto was much cheaper than Quickbooks Payroll, and much easier to learn and use.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

KK

Keith K.

Field Operations Manager

Facilities Services

### "Handles payroll without all the usual headaches."

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

4.0

4.0

Customer Service

5.0

5.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

August 28, 2026

For a company our size it does what we need. Payroll runs clean, taxes get filed, and my field guys can access their stuff from their phones between jobs. It's not fancy but it keeps us compliant and saves me from spending all day on administrative work. Worth the monthly cost just for the time it gives back.

Pros

Running payroll for field crews used to eat up half my Friday. Now it's maybe 20 minutes. The tax filing happens automatically which is huge since we operate across three states. Time-off tracking actually works for our techs who are always on different job sites. New hire paperwork gets handled digitally so I'm not chasing down forms from guys in the field.

Cons

The benefits setup was confusing at first, took me a couple tries to get it right. Reporting options are pretty basic - I have to export to Excel when I need to analyze labor costs by project. Would be nice if it integrated with our field service software instead of being its own island.

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

Ravi V.

QA

Construction

### "Manage Payroll and HR with ease"

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

4.0

4.0

Features

4.0

4.0

Customer Service

3.0

3.0

Likelihood to Recommend

7/10

August 28, 2026

Overall It is a reliable tool for wage management and HR things and make things like tax filing and compliance easy for your team.

Pros

Gusto is a great hr and finance tool which helps small business to run these functions smoothly. The UI is clean and user friendly.

Cons

Though it is for small to mid level business, the pricing model is designed to charge you more if your business grows and spike in price is quite high too.

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

HB

Hayden B.

Accountant

Construction

### "Surprisingly good results"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

5.0

5.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

August 25, 2026

We used to do our time sheeting with papers and those were awful to manage. Taxes are handled through Gusto so I don’t have to worry too much about that either.

Pros

Onboarding worked as well as could be hoped for. When we added a bunch of new hires at once the onboarding process did not fall apart.

Cons

The Pay Group Setting is buried behind some obscure Yes/No toggle. This took me TWO HOURS TO FIND ON TUESDAY before I clicked the wrong Menu and inadvertently found it. Creating customized reports are nearly impossible.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

CM

Cody M.

Roofer

Construction

### "Simple and Reliable Payroll Management"

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

4.0

4.0

Customer Service

4.0

4.0

Likelihood to Recommend

3/10

August 20, 2026

My overall experience with Gusto was very positive. The platform made payroll and employee management simple, organized, and much less time-consuming. I liked the user-friendly interface, automation, and convenience of having important HR and payroll tasks in one place. While there are a few areas that could be improved, Gusto was reliable and easy to use overall. I would recommend it to businesses looking for a straightforward payroll and HR solution.

Pros

What I liked most about Gusto was how easy it made managing payroll and employee information. The platform is simple to navigate, saves time, and keeps important payroll tasks organized in one place. I also appreciated the automated features, which helped reduce manual work and made it easier to stay on top of payroll deadlines and employee records. Overall, Gusto provided a convenient and user-friendly experience.

Cons

What I liked least about Gusto was that some of the more advanced features and options could be difficult to find or understand at first. Pricing can also become a concern as your business grows and you need additional features. While the platform is generally easy to use, a few areas could benefit from more customization and clearer guidance.

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

[View all Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/reviews/)

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