Gusto Reviews 2025
Gusto
Table of Contents
In the world of business management, payroll and HR platforms are crucial for efficiency and employee satisfaction. Gusto has emerged as a leading solution in this space, catering to small and midsized businesses with payroll, HR, and benefits services. In this comprehensive review for 2025, we’ll examine Gusto’s features, benefits, and potential drawbacks, helping you decide if it’s the right fit for your business.
We’ll answer popular questions, including “Is Gusto a good brand?”, “How does Gusto pay you?”, “Is Gusto time tracking good?”, and more. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of what Gusto offers, from pricing to key features.
Table of Contents
- Is Gusto a Good Brand?
- How Does Gusto Pay You?
- Gusto Time Tracking: Efficient and Accurate?
- Exploring Gusto Payroll Features
- Gusto Pros and Cons
- Working with Gusto Accountants
- Gusto Pricing: What You Need to Know
- Comparing Gusto with Competitors
- Gusto Customer Support and Resources
- Final Verdict: Is Gusto Right for Your Business?
1. Is Gusto a Good Brand?
Gusto has established itself as a reputable brand in the world of payroll and HR management since its founding in 2011. Known for its user-friendly interface and dedication to small and medium-sized businesses, Gusto has built a loyal customer base. But what makes Gusto stand out as a brand?
Brand Reputation and Trustworthiness
Gusto has built its reputation through reliable payroll services and a commitment to simplifying HR tasks. It consistently ranks among the top payroll software options for small businesses, and reviews from customers emphasize the ease of use and exceptional customer support.
Customer Satisfaction and Reviews
Customers generally praise Gusto for its intuitive design, transparency in pricing, and responsive support team. The software’s dashboard and features are designed with small business owners in mind, allowing even those with minimal payroll experience to manage tasks efficiently.
Industry Recognition
Gusto has received multiple awards for excellence in payroll and HR technology. Its integrations with popular accounting software and its ability to manage benefits and compliance have positioned Gusto as a leader in the industry.
2. How Does Gusto Pay You?
Gusto simplifies the payroll process by automating payments for both employees and contractors. Here’s how Gusto’s payment process works:
Payroll Processing
Gusto processes payroll by calculating employee wages, deducting taxes, and distributing payments according to the employer’s pay schedule. Employers can select from multiple payment options, including direct deposit and paper checks, making it convenient for various business types.
Direct Deposit Options
Gusto supports two-day and four-day direct deposit options. This flexibility allows businesses to choose a processing time that aligns with their cash flow needs. For companies that prefer faster processing, Gusto also offers next-day payroll, depending on the subscription plan.
Contractor Payments
Gusto’s contractor payment feature is seamless, enabling businesses to pay freelancers and contractors directly through the platform. This is ideal for companies with a mix of employees and independent contractors, as Gusto keeps everything organized and compliant with tax reporting.
3. Gusto Time Tracking: Efficient and Accurate?
Time tracking is a crucial aspect of payroll and workforce management, and Gusto integrates this functionality directly into its platform. Let’s explore how effective Gusto’s time tracking system is.
Built-In Time Tracking
Gusto includes built-in time tracking that allows employees to clock in and out through the platform, making it easier to track work hours accurately. This feature is particularly useful for businesses with hourly employees.
Mobile App Accessibility
Gusto’s time tracking can be accessed via its mobile app, allowing employees to log hours from any location. This is beneficial for businesses with remote workers or those with employees who work at multiple sites.
Integration with Payroll
Gusto’s time tracking seamlessly integrates with its payroll system, automatically syncing hours worked with payroll processing. This reduces the risk of errors and ensures employees are paid accurately based on their logged hours.
4. Exploring Gusto Payroll Features
Gusto’s payroll features are designed to simplify and automate every step of the payroll process. Here’s a breakdown of the key payroll functions that Gusto offers:
Automated Payroll
Gusto’s payroll automation handles wage calculations, tax withholdings, and benefit deductions, saving businesses time and reducing the chance of errors.
Tax Filing and Compliance
One of Gusto’s standout features is its automatic tax filing service. Gusto files local, state, and federal taxes on behalf of businesses, ensuring they remain compliant. Gusto also generates W-2s and 1099s for employees and contractors at year-end.
Customizable Payroll Schedules
Gusto offers flexibility in payroll schedules, allowing businesses to run payroll weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly. This customization is valuable for businesses with varied payroll needs.
5. Gusto Pros and Cons
As with any software, Gusto has its strengths and areas for improvement. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of using Gusto:
Pros | Cons |
Easy to use for small businesses | Limited features for large enterprises |
Integrated payroll and benefits | Not the cheapest option |
Automated tax filing | Limited international support |
Employee self-service portal | Additional cost for some features |
Pros of Gusto
- Ease of Use: Gusto’s interface is intuitive, even for those new to payroll and HR software.
- Integrated Services: Payroll, benefits, and time tracking are all in one place.
- Automated Tax Filing: Gusto takes care of tax filings, reducing administrative burden.
- Self-Service Portal: Employees can access their own pay stubs and tax documents.
Cons of Gusto
- Cost: Gusto may be pricier than other options for small businesses on a tight budget.
- International Limitations: Gusto is primarily focused on the U.S. market, making it less ideal for businesses with international employees.
6. Working with Gusto Accountants
For businesses seeking extra guidance, Gusto offers tools for accountants to streamline payroll and tax processes for clients.
Accountant Collaboration
Gusto’s platform allows accountants to access and manage payroll on behalf of clients. This feature includes customizable roles and permissions, making it easier for accountants to handle payroll tasks while keeping client information secure.
Accountant Directory
Gusto provides a directory of certified accountants familiar with its platform. This feature is particularly helpful for businesses looking for an accountant who understands the Gusto ecosystem.
7. Gusto Pricing: What You Need to Know
Pricing is a significant consideration for any business, especially small businesses looking to optimize costs. Gusto offers tiered pricing plans to accommodate various needs and budgets.
Gusto Pricing Plans
Gusto’s pricing structure is divided into three main tiers:
- Simple Plan: Ideal for businesses with straightforward payroll needs.
- Plus Plan: Includes added features like next-day direct deposit and time tracking.
- Premium Plan: Advanced features for businesses with complex HR requirements.
Plan | Monthly Cost (starting at) | Features |
Simple | $40 + $6/employee | Basic payroll and benefits |
Plus | $60 + $9/employee | Next-day payroll, time tracking, integrations |
Premium | Custom Pricing | Dedicated support, advanced features |
8. Comparing Gusto with Competitors
While Gusto is a powerful platform, there are other payroll solutions that offer unique features and pricing. Here’s how Gusto compares with popular competitors:
- ADP: Offers extensive customization and scalability but comes at a higher price.
- QuickBooks Payroll: Integrates well with QuickBooks but may lack Gusto’s HR and benefit features.
- Paychex: Robust features for larger businesses, though it can be overwhelming for smaller companies.
9. Gusto Customer Support and Resources
Gusto is known for its responsive customer support, offering resources such as:
- Phone and Email Support: Available to help with any technical or payroll questions.
- Resource Center: Guides, articles, and tutorials on payroll and HR topics.
- Gusto Community: A forum where users can share insights and ask questions.
10. Final Verdict: Is Gusto Right for Your Business?
Gusto remains a top choice for small to mid-sized businesses in 2025 due to its comprehensive payroll and HR features, ease of use, and robust customer support. However, it’s essential to weigh the costs and evaluate whether the features align with your business’s specific needs.
In conclusion, Gusto is a well-rounded and efficient solution for businesses seeking streamlined payroll and HR management. Its features, from automated payroll to tax filing, make it a valuable tool for any growing company. Whether you’re looking to improve time tracking, simplify payments, or access accountant collaboration tools, Gusto is worth considering in 2025.