# Gusto Pricing: A Comprehensive Guide | Capterra > Check out the Gusto pricing guide to understand the cost of different pricing plans, features, and insights on how to choose the right plan. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/pricing --- Gusto Pricing Guide 2025 Last updated on July 24, 2025 Written by [Emilie Audubert](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/emilie-audubert/) Writer Edited by [Lindsay Page](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/lindsay-page/) Editor Pricing for Gusto [4.6 (4191)](#reviews) User rating:[ 4.6 ](#reviews) Based on (4,191) reviews ## Overview of Gusto pricing Gusto is an HR system that helps small to midsize businesses and organizations working with independent contractors manage their payroll, benefits administration, and HR services. It's used across diverse industries, from technology and healthcare to restaurants and nonprofits, enabling HR professionals, business owners, and finance managers to oversee their employee finance and human resources needs. Gusto's HR platform offers users a tiered pricing structure: Simple, Plus, and Premium, each with a base monthly fee plus an additional per-person monthly charge. The Simple plan costs $49 per month plus $6 per user, while the Plus plan is $80 per month plus $6 per employee. The Premium plan offers custom pricing, encompassing all Plus features along with a dedicated service advisor and advanced analytics. Additionally, Gusto provides a Contractor-only plan priced at $35 per month plus $6 per contractor. Pricing may vary depending on added services such as priority support or international contractor payments. 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 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 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 Contractor $35.00 Other,Per Month * * * It Includes - Unlimited contractor payments across all 50 states - 4-day direct deposit - 1099-NECs at the end of the year - Global contractor payments - Reporting - New hire reporting (if required in your state) * * * ## Gusto pricing at a glance - **Gusto offers four main pricing plans:** Contractor Only, Simple, Plus, and Premium, designed to serve businesses ranging from those employing only contractors to scaling enterprises. - **While a free trial is not available**, discounts or promotional prices may be offered periodically for certain plans. Additionally, interested businesses can also request a demo of the platform. - The Premium plan stands out by offering **dedicated service advisors, access to certified HR experts, and advanced compliance support**, making it ideal for scaling businesses with complex HR needs. - **Gusto scores an above average 4.3/5 for value for money.** This is based on verified reviews on Capterra from the last two years. Users value Gusto for its comprehensive features (including payroll, benefits, and tax management) that save time and reduce errors. However, some highlight inconsistent limited customization options as concerns. * * * ## Feature differentiation between Gusto pricing plans Here is a breakdown of feature differentiation by plan[\[1\]](#footnotes):  **Feature** **Contractor Only** **Simple** **Plus** **Premium** Employee self-service and app Included Included Included Included Employee directory Not included Included Included Included Performance and compensation management Not included \*Add-on Included Included New hire reporting Included Included Included Included Time tracking Not included \*Add-on Included Included Unlimited payroll All 50 states Single-state All 50 states All 50 states Direct deposit 4 days 2-4 days Next day Next day Automated payroll “Autopilot” Not included Included Included Included \*Indicates an additional fee for this feature. ## Detailed breakdown of Gusto pricing plans ### Contractor Only Plan **Pricing:** $35 per month billed monthly, with $6 extra per month per contractor **Ideal for:** SMBs that primarily work with independent contractors (1099 contractors) and do not have W-2 employees. **What to know about this plan:** The Contractor Only plan provides a core HR and compliance system for HR professionals relying on independent contractors. It offers digital onboarding for contractors and automates 1099-NEC tax filings. Businesses can manage unlimited payments via direct deposit, with data connectable to major accounting and time-tracking platforms. **Contractor Only plan features**[**\[2\]**](#footnotes): - **Digital contractor onboarding:** Streamline the setup process for new contractors with online forms and agreements. - **4-days direct deposit payments:** Allows to pay 1099 contractors directly to their bank accounts using ACH transfers within four business days. - **1099-NEC filing:** Automatically generate and file 1099-NEC forms for all contractors at year-end. - **Contractor self-service portal:** Contractors can log in to view their pay history and download tax forms without contacting the employer. - **Lifetime paystub access:** Contractors retain access to their paystubs and payment records even after their contract ends. ### Simple Plan  **Price:** $49 per month billed monthly, with $6 per employee per month **Ideal for:** New businesses and startups with employees in a single state, requiring foundational HR support encompassing payroll, benefits administration, and basic hiring. **What to know about this plan:** The Simple plan lays the groundwork for managing the workforce's core HR needs. It automates critical administrative tasks such as new hire reporting and tax filings. It also provides basic hiring and onboarding tools and facilitates health benefits administration, laying a crucial HR foundation for early-stage businesses. **Simple plan features**[**\[2\]**](#footnotes): - **Automated new hire reporting to state agencies:** Gusto automatically handles the required reporting of new W-2 employees to the relevant state agencies, helping businesses to remain compliant with employment laws. - **Basic hiring and onboarding tools:** Simple plan users can access fundamental tools to facilitate new employee setup, including essential online forms. - **Basic health benefits administration:** Facilitate the setup and administration of essential health insurance plans for W-2 employees. - **Single-state payroll for W-2 employees:** Manage W-2 and 1099 payroll, including automated calculations and filings for a single state. - **Automated tax filings and payments:** Gusto automatically calculates, files, and pays all federal, state, and local payroll taxes. ### Plus Plan **Price:** $80 per month billed monthly, with $12 extra per month per employee  **Ideal for:** Growing businesses with multi-state employees or larger organizations needing more advanced payroll, HR, and time-tracking functionalities. **What to know about this plan:** The Plus Plan introduces built-in time tracking with geofencing and custom time-off policy, alongside advanced hiring features such as job posting and applicant tracking. While it also offers next-day direct deposit, its core value for growing SMBs lies in these expanded HR and team management functionalities. **Plus plan features**[**\[2\]**](#footnotes): - **Integrated time tracking with geofencing:** Employees can clock in/out via web browser, mobile app, or Time Kiosk, with location verification. - **Comprehensive PTO management:** Create and manage various paid time off policies (sick, vacation, bereavement, custom) with automatic accruals. - **Advanced hiring and onboarding tools:** Access to job posting, applicant tracking, and e-signature for offer letters and other employment documents. - **Next-day direct deposit:** Expedite employee payments, with funds arriving the day after payroll is run, instead of the standard 2-day or 4-day processing. - **Multi-state payroll:** Manage payroll for employees across multiple states. ### Premium plan **Price:** $180 per month billed monthly, with $22 extra per month employee  **Ideal for:** Scaling businesses and larger SMBs with complex HR needs, requiring dedicated support, expert guidance, and advanced compliance tools. **What to know about this plan:** The Premium plan offers a specialized level of service, including a dedicated service advisor and direct access to certified HR experts. This tier is designed for businesses that need proactive guidance on complex HR issues and strategic support, often acting as an extension of an internal HR department. Pricing is customized to fit the specific scale and sophisticated requirements of larger organizations. **Premium plan features**[**\[2\]**](#footnotes): - **Dedicated customer success manager**: Premium plan users gain a single point of contact who offers personalized support for all HR and payroll inquiries. - **Live access to certified HR experts**: This feature provides unlimited phone and secure messaging access, allowing users to consult HR professionals for advice on policies, employee relations, and best practices. - **Compliance updates and law alerts**: Gusto’s Premium plan delivers notifications about changes in federal and state labor laws, coupled with guidance on how to maintain compliance. - **Full-service payroll migration and account setup:** Gusto provides an extended assistance in transferring existing payroll data and configuring new accounts. - **Advanced analytics and custom reporting:** Generate detailed insights into workforce  ## What users say about Gusto pricing Our team analyzed 420 reviews from verified users of Gusto on our website in the last two years to understand their views about the software’s pricing. Anthony H.I.T. Systems AdministratorInformation Technology and Services1-2 years Managing paystubs and requesting time off was very easy and enjoyable. December 3, 2024 Gustavo M.ManagerRetail1-2 years I've been able to take full advantage of this platform's automated functionalities, such as automatic salary calculation, tax filing and payment, and employee benefits management, which has saved me a lot of time and minimized errors. October 3, 2024 Sergio S.Ports Operations ManagerTransportation/Trucking/Railroad2+ years It would be nice if the tool also allowed regular feedback discussions to be recorded directly in the tool and not just uploaded as a single document to the employee. July 3, 2025 [Read more Gusto reviews here](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/reviews/). ## Total cost of ownership When evaluating the cost of an HR platform such as Gusto, it’s important to look beyond just the advertised monthly per-person fee for their chosen plan. The total cost of ownership (TCO) includes not only the base subscription but also potential additional charges for optional services or add-ons. Understanding these potential extra expenses upfront is essential for accurate budgeting and avoiding surprises. Here's a breakdown to help you understand all potential expenses: ### Example of a small business utilizing the Simple plan Consider a small business with 25 employees that opts for Gusto's Simple plan. This plan has a base cost of $49 per month, plus an additional $6 per employee. For these 25 employees, the initial monthly cost for the Simple plan would be $199 ($49 for the base fee and $6 × 25 employees). Beyond these base and per-employee fees, the monthly cost remains predictable, as there are typically no additional variable charges based on factors such as the number of payroll runs, transaction volume, or data usage within the chosen plan. ### Additional costs to consider  Beyond the subscription plans for Gusto, here are some additional costs that buyers may want to consider before making a purchase[\[1\]](#footnotes). **Cost category** **Description** **Details** Priority support and HR resources Provides enhanced customer support and access to HR professionals. $8/month per user per month Time and attendance Plus add-on Delivers extra features for time tracking, time off requests, special policies, time kiosk, and scheduling. $6/month per user per month Benefits premiums The actual cost of health, dental, vision, and other employee benefits (e.g., insurance premiums). Varies significantly based on selected plans, providers, and employee demographics. Third-party integration costs Any subscription or usage fees for external software platforms that are integrated with Gusto (e.g., specialized accounting or time tracking). Varies depending on the specific third-party software chosen and its own pricing structure; these are costs incurred outside of Gusto's direct fees. ## Choosing the right Gusto pricing plan To select the ideal Gusto plan, you should consider key factors such as your business's size, the specific HR and payroll functionalities your operations require, and your allocated budget. The following information offers guidance for your decision-making: _Key considerations while choosing the right Gusto plan_ **Define your core HR and payroll needs:**  - **Workforce size:** Assess your current workforce size and anticipated growth to determine the appropriate plan tier. - **Essential features:** Identify essential features such as payroll processing frequency, benefits administration requirements, time tracking, and advanced HR tools. - **Compliance considerations:** Consider specific compliance needs, such as multi-state payroll or advanced HR support for regulatory adherence. **Estimate the potential monthly costs for your selected plan:**  - **Base and per-person costs:** Calculate the combined cost of the plan's base fee and the per-person rate for your employee count. - **Add-on expenses:** Factor in any additional costs for desired add-ons, such as specific time and attendance tools or health savings accounts. - **Other potential costs:** Account for other potential expenses such as workers' compensation premiums or 401(k) administration fees. **Plan for scalability and future add-on needs:**  - **Employee growth:** Evaluate if the chosen plan can easily accommodate an increase in employee count without significant disruptions. - **Feature upgrades:** Consider which features are included in higher-tier plans that you might need in the future, assessing upgrade paths. - **Add-on adaptability:** Determine if Gusto's add-ons can meet evolving needs, such as expanded benefits or advanced HR advisory services, without requiring a complete platform change. **Leverage Gusto’s support resources to explore plan details and get personalized help if needed.** - **Support channels:** Utilize Gusto's customer support channels to clarify plan specifics, feature availability, and pricing nuances. - **Tailored guidance:** Seek guidance on which plan best aligns with your unique business structure and HR challenges. - **Implementation assistance:** Inquire about migration assistance or onboarding support for a smooth transition to Gusto. ## Is Gusto worth it? Determining if Gusto is the right HR system for your business hinges on your specific requirements and budget. This section provides a breakdown to help you assess its suitability for your operational needs. ### Value for money Our analysis of verified user reviews of Gusto in the last two years shows a **value-for-money rating of 4.3/5**. Below, you can find a selection of review excerpts from verified Gusto users that helped us assess the platform’s cost-to-value.[\[3\]](#footnotes) Yatunyi B.Full Stack DeveloperInformation Technology and Services1-2 years Its like having a full HR team at your fingertips but literally for a fraction of cost. August 21, 2024 Felix R.CEO, CMO and Co-FounderComputer Software2+ years Managing goals, training and objectives has become quite effortless. May 28, 2024 Kim J.HR ManagementUtilities1-2 years Not a huge fan of their al-a-cart pricing. It is quite a bit extra per month for HR services. May 10, 2025 [Read more Gusto reviews here](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/reviews/). ### Ease of use and its impact on value Gusto scores a high **4.4/5 for its functionality** among verified reviewers on Capterra, based on reviews gathered in the last two years. It can help businesses do the following: - **Streamline onboarding:** New employees can quickly complete digital new hire forms and e-sign documents, reducing administrative burden and accelerating productivity. - **Simplify payroll runs:** The intuitive interface allows for efficient processing of unlimited payroll runs, automated tax filings, and direct deposits, minimizing errors and saving HR teams time. - **Improve HR efficiency:** Clear navigation and automated workflows reduce the complexity of managing benefits administration, time off requests, and compliance tasks, leading to greater HR efficiency. ### Customer support options Understanding if Gusto's customer support offers value for the price you pay depends on the level of support your business requires. Gusto provides a tiered support structure, with foundational resources available to all plans and enhanced, dedicated support offered in higher-tier plans or as an add-on. This allows businesses to align their support needs with their chosen subscription level. Here’s a breakdown of the support options available with each Gusto plan: - **Contractors only** - Access to Gusto's online Help Center. - You must contact the Gusto sales team to discuss specific details on phone or chat support availability directly associated with this plan. - **All Plans (Simple, Plus, Premium):** - Access to Gusto's 24/7 online Help Center. - Ability to call or chat with the support team during business hours. - Hiring and onboarding features, including offer letters, checklists, software setup, employee self-onboarding, and digital I-9s and W-4s. - **Simple and Plus Plans (with add-on option):** - "Priority support" is available as an add-on. This provides prioritized positioning for faster response times via phone and chat. - **Premium Plan (included):** - "Priority support" is automatically included, offering faster response times via phone and chat. - Uniquely offers a "Dedicated Service Advisor" for personalized support. ### Alternatives to Gusto Gusto holds an overall rating of 4.4/5, derived from verified user reviews over the past two years. This raises the question of its comparative standing among competing HR and payroll platforms. For value-for-money, the platform receives a high 4.3/5 from user reviews over the last two years. Yet many competitors also receive strong scores in this area: **Alternative** **Starting price** **Value-for-money rating** [Deel](https://www.capterra.com/p/205015/Deel/) $49/per user, per month 4.7/5 [Rippling](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/) Not provided by vendor 4.7/5 [Onpay](https://www.capterra.com/p/167109/OnPay/) Not provided by vendor 4.7/5 [TriNet HR Plus](https://www.capterra.com/p/133019/Zenefits/) Not provided by vendor 4.4 [Paycor](https://www.capterra.com/p/133745/Paycor-Perform/) Not provided by vendor 4.1 ### Cost comparison: Gusto vs. popular alternatives [4.6 (4191)](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/#reviews) * * * Starting Price $49.00 Other , Per Month * * * [4.9 (4263)](https://www.capterra.com/p/205015/Deel/#reviews) * * * Starting Price $5.00 Per User , Per Month * * * [4.9 (4603)](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/#reviews) * * * Starting Price $8.00 Per User , Per Month * * * [4.3 (3033)](https://www.capterra.com/p/133745/Paycor-Perform/#reviews) * * * Starting Price Contact vendor * * * ### Making the final decision Based on verified user reviews on Capterra in the last two years, Gusto has received the following scores: - **Overall rating:** 4.4/5 - **Ease-of-use rating:** 4.4/5 - **Value-for-money rating:** 4.3/5 Choosing the right plan from Gusto depends on your business size and needs. Below is a breakdown of which plan may suit you best. - **Small businesses**, particularly those managing only independent contractors or fewer W-2 employees in a single state, align with the offerings of the Contractor Only or Simple plans. The Contractor Only plan supports payments and 1099 filings for contractors, while the Simple plan provides essential payroll and basic HR tools for a single-state workforce. - **Midsize businesses with expanding teams**, potentially operating across multiple states, can find the Plus plan's capabilities beneficial. This plan includes features such as multi-state payroll, built-in time tracking, and advanced hiring and onboarding tools, designed to support a growing workforce with more complex needs. - **Larger enterprises or scaling businesses** with intricate HR demands are likely to benefit from Gusto's most comprehensive tiers. The Premium plan is designed to provide organizations with dedicated expert HR support, proactive compliance guidance, full-service payroll migration, and advanced analytics for strategic decision-making. ## FAQs Is Gusto free to use? No, Gusto operates on a paid subscription model. While free to set up and explore features, you only pay monthly once you run your first payroll. Cost varies by plan and employee count. How much is Gusto per month? Gusto’s Simple plan starts at $49/month plus $6/user. For broader support, the Plus plan is $80/month plus $12/user, which includes advanced HR features such as time tracking and team insights. The Premium plan, at $180/month plus $22/user, is designed for businesses seeking full-service support and personalized setup. Additionally, a specialized Contractor Only plan is available at $35 per contractor per month. Does Gusto have hidden fees? Additional costs may apply for certain add-on services, such as workers’ compensation insurance, health benefits, or other optional HR services beyond core payroll. Is Gusto only for payroll? While Gusto is popular for its payroll services, it also offers HR tools that support the entire employee lifecycle. In addition to payroll processing, Gusto provides employee benefits management, compliance assistance, and tools for onboarding, time tracking, and talent management. Does Gusto have time tracking? Gusto includes time tracking features. This feature is available in Plus and Premium plans, or as an add-on for the Simple plan. It allows employees to log hours directly, streamlining payroll and ensuring accurate payment. Time tracking integrates with Gusto’s payroll, automating wage calculation and minimizing errors. #### Methodology 1. This product information came from Gusto's own online content in July 2025, including the product's website and its social media channels. 2. Our research team identified these features from the vendor website (as of July 9th, 2025) based on their analysis of what users find valuable or expect from customer engagement software. This list is not exhaustive. For additional features, refer to the vendor’s website. 3. Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts are evaluated for positive or negative sentiment and receive a sentiment score. Excerpts represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by Capterra or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar. [Emilie Audubert](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/emilie-audubert/) Emilie is a content analyst at Capterra. Always on the lookout for the latest technological and strategic trends for small and midsize businesses, she specializes in human resources topics. Emilie’s research and analysis is informed by more than 250,000 authentic user reviews on Capterra and over 20,000 interactions between Capterra software advisors and HR software buyers. Emilie also regularly analyzes market sentiment by conducting surveys of HR leaders and practitioners so she can provide... [Lindsay Page](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/lindsay-page/) Lindsay Page is an editor at Capterra. She specializes in editing data-driven research and tech trends reports for small to midsize businesses. She has more than a decade of experience writing and editing for a variety of industries, with particular expertise in cybersecurity, corporate and securities regulation, and finance. When not editing, Lindsay can be found reading a mystery novel, spending time with her family, and playing competitive tennis. Lots and lots of tennis. Related reading Table of Contents - [Overview of Gusto pricing](#overview-of-gusto-pricing) - [Gusto pricing at a glance](#gusto-pricing-at-a-glance) - [Feature differentiation between Gusto pricing plans](#feature-differentiation-between-gusto-pricing-plans) - [Detailed breakdown of Gusto pricing plans](#detailed-breakdown-of-gusto-pricing-plans) - [What users say about Gusto pricing](#what-users-say-about-gusto-pricing) - [Total cost of ownership](#total-cost-of-ownership) - [Choosing the right Gusto pricing plan](#choosing-the-right-gusto-pricing-plan) - [Is Gusto worth it?](#is-gusto-worth-it) - [FAQs](#faqs)