Gusto - Modern HR & Payroll for Small Business

Gusto simplifies payroll, benefits, and HR for small businesses with automated tax filing, comprehensive benefits marketplace, and employee self-service tools. Perfect for startups and growing companies seeking affordable, user-friendly HR automation.

What is Gusto and how does it simplify HR and payroll for small businesses?

Gusto provides modern HR and payroll software specifically designed for small businesses, automating payroll, benefits, and HR tasks with user-friendly tools that ensure compliance and efficiency.

Why Gusto is Essential for Small Business Success

Gusto has transformed how small businesses approach HR and payroll by providing enterprise-grade capabilities in an intuitive, affordable platform designed specifically for companies with 1-500 employees. As the most user-friendly and comprehensive HR platform for small businesses, Gusto eliminates the complexity and cost barriers that traditionally prevented small companies from offering competitive benefits and professional HR experiences. Businesses using Gusto report 85% reduction in payroll processing time, 70% improvement in benefits enrollment satisfaction, and 60% decrease in HR administrative burden. The platform's strength lies in its ability to automate complex processes while maintaining the flexibility and personal service that small businesses require. Gusto's impact extends beyond simple payroll processing—it enables small businesses to compete for talent, maintain compliance, and build engaging workplace cultures through modern HR technology. The platform's continuous innovation and commitment to small business success ensure companies always have access to cutting-edge HR tools that drive growth and employee satisfaction.

Gusto has transformed how small businesses approach HR and payroll by providing enterprise-grade capabilities in an intuitive, affordable platform designed specifically for companies with 1-500 employees. As the most user-friendly and comprehensive HR platform for small businesses, Gusto eliminates the complexity and cost barriers that traditionally prevented small companies from offering competitive benefits and professional HR experiences. Businesses using Gusto report 85% reduction in payroll processing time, 70% improvement in benefits enrollment satisfaction, and 60% decrease in HR administrative burden. The platform's strength lies in its ability to automate complex processes while maintaining the flexibility and personal service that small businesses require. Gusto's impact extends beyond simple payroll processing—it enables small businesses to compete for talent, maintain compliance, and build engaging workplace cultures through modern HR technology. The platform's continuous innovation and commitment to small business success ensure companies always have access to cutting-edge HR tools that drive growth and employee satisfaction.

Key Benefits of Gusto

Reduce payroll processing time by 85% through automated calculations, tax filing, and employee self-service
Improve benefits enrollment satisfaction by 70% with guided enrollment and decision support tools
Decrease HR administrative burden by 60% through automation and streamlined workflows
Save 10-15 hours monthly on payroll and HR tasks with intelligent automation
Increase employee satisfaction by 75% with modern self-service tools and transparent communication
Improve compliance by 90% with automatic tax updates and regulatory guidance
Reduce payroll errors by 95% through automated calculations and validation processes
Enhance benefits competitiveness by 65% with access to health insurance and retirement plans
Accelerate onboarding by 50% with digital forms and automated new hire setup
Improve team productivity by 55% through integrated time tracking and project management
Increase data accuracy by 80% through single data entry and integrated systems
Enhance employer brand by 60% through professional payroll and benefits experiences
Reduce accounting workload by 70% with automated reporting and integration capabilities
Improve employee retention by 40% through competitive benefits and positive HR experiences
Scale HR operations by 200% without proportional increases in administrative costs

Gusto Key Features

Full-Service Payroll - Complete payroll processing with automatic tax filing and compliance management
Benefits Administration - Health insurance, dental, vision, and retirement plan management with enrollment support
Time Tracking - Integrated time and attendance tracking with project management and overtime calculations
Employee Self-Service - Modern portal for accessing pay stubs, benefits, and personal information updates
HR Tools - Employee directory, document storage, policy management, and workflow automation
Workers Compensation - Integrated workers compensation insurance with claims management and safety programs
Compliance Management - Automatic tax updates, new hire reporting, and regulatory compliance support
Mobile Applications - Full-featured mobile apps for employees and managers with real-time access
Integration Ecosystem - Connections with 100+ business applications including accounting and productivity tools
Onboarding Platform - Digital onboarding with e-signatures, task management, and new hire experiences
Performance Management - Goal setting, feedback tools, and performance review capabilities
Reporting & Analytics - Comprehensive reporting with payroll, benefits, and workforce analytics
Team Management - Org charts, team directories, and communication tools for better collaboration
PTO Management - Paid time off tracking with approval workflows and accrual calculations
Direct Deposit - Same-day payroll processing with multiple direct deposit options
Contractor Payments - 1099 contractor management with payment processing and tax reporting
State Registration - Automatic state tax registration and setup for multi-state operations
Customer Support - Award-winning customer service with dedicated support specialists

Gusto Pricing and Plans

Core Plan - $40/month + $6/employee: Essential payroll and benefits with basic HR tools
Complete Plan - $80/month + $12/employee: Full HR suite with time tracking, performance tools, and advanced features
Concierge Plan - $150/month + $18/employee: White-glove setup and ongoing HR support with dedicated specialists
Contractor Only - $6/contractor/month: Simple contractor payments and 1099 management

Getting Started with Gusto

1
Sign up for Gusto account and complete business verification and setup process
2
Import employee data or set up new employee profiles with compensation and benefits information
3
Configure payroll settings including pay schedules, tax requirements, and direct deposit options
4
Set up benefits enrollment with health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee benefits
5
Integrate with existing accounting software and business applications for seamless data flow
6
Train team members and managers on platform features and self-service capabilities
7
Run first payroll with Gusto support to ensure accuracy and smooth processing
8
Launch employee self-service portal with training and support for team adoption
9
Configure reporting and analytics dashboards to track payroll and HR metrics
10
Establish ongoing processes and optimization with Gusto customer success support

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Gusto cost?

Gusto pricing starts at $40/month + $6/employee for Core, $80/month + $12/employee for Complete, and $150/month + $18/employee for Concierge plans. Contractor-only plans cost $6/contractor/month.

What size businesses is Gusto best for?

Gusto is designed for small to medium businesses with 1-500 employees, though it's most popular with companies having 10-100 employees seeking modern HR and payroll solutions.

Does Gusto handle tax filing automatically?

Yes, Gusto automatically calculates, files, and pays federal, state, and local payroll taxes, plus handles W-2s, 1099s, and other required tax documentation.

Can employees access their information through Gusto?

Yes, Gusto provides a comprehensive employee self-service portal where staff can view pay stubs, update personal information, manage benefits, and request time off.

What benefits can we offer through Gusto?

Gusto offers health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, HSAs, FSAs, and other voluntary benefits through their benefits marketplace.

How does Gusto compare to other payroll providers?

Gusto stands out with its modern user interface, comprehensive HR tools, transparent pricing, excellent customer service, and focus on small business needs compared to traditional payroll companies.

Can Gusto handle multiple state operations?

Yes, Gusto automatically handles multi-state payroll including state registrations, tax calculations, and compliance requirements for businesses with employees in multiple states.

Does Gusto integrate with accounting software?

Yes, Gusto integrates with popular accounting platforms including QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, and others, plus offers API access for custom integrations.

What kind of support does Gusto provide?

Gusto offers award-winning customer support through phone, email, and chat, with dedicated support specialists, extensive resources, and setup assistance for new customers.

Can we run payroll on different schedules?

Yes, Gusto supports weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly payroll schedules, and can handle different schedules for different employee groups within the same company.

Does Gusto offer time tracking?

Yes, Gusto includes integrated time tracking with project management, overtime calculations, and approval workflows as part of their Complete and Concierge plans.

How quickly can we set up Gusto?

Most businesses can set up Gusto within 1-2 weeks, with simple setups possible in just a few days. Gusto provides guided setup assistance and migration support from existing providers.

Is Gusto compliant with labor laws?

Yes, Gusto maintains compliance with federal and state labor laws, automatically updates for regulatory changes, and provides guidance on compliance requirements.

Can we pay contractors through Gusto?

Yes, Gusto offers contractor payment services with 1099 management, tax reporting, and simplified payment processing for independent contractors.

What mobile features does Gusto offer?

Gusto provides full-featured mobile apps for iOS and Android where employees can clock in/out, view pay stubs, manage benefits, request time off, and access company information.

Does Gusto offer workers compensation insurance?

Yes, Gusto partners with insurance providers to offer workers compensation insurance with integrated claims management and safety program support.

Can we customize Gusto for our company needs?

Yes, Gusto offers customization options including custom fields, approval workflows, company policies, branded communications, and flexible benefits configurations.

How secure is our data with Gusto?

Gusto provides bank-level security with data encryption, SOC 2 compliance, multi-factor authentication, and comprehensive data protection measures.

What reports does Gusto provide?

Gusto offers comprehensive reporting including payroll summaries, tax reports, benefits analytics, workforce insights, and custom reporting capabilities for business analysis.

Can we migrate from our current payroll provider?

Yes, Gusto provides migration support including data transfer assistance, setup guidance, and coordination with your previous provider to ensure smooth transitions.

Does Gusto help with HR compliance?

Yes, Gusto includes HR compliance tools including required posting notifications, I-9 management, COBRA administration, and guidance on employment law requirements.

What training does Gusto provide?

Gusto offers comprehensive training including setup assistance, live training sessions, extensive help documentation, video tutorials, and ongoing customer education resources.