Are you a small business owner struggling to keep up with payroll and employee benefits?
Gusto Payroll might be the solution you’ve been looking for.
This all-in-one payroll software not only simplifies your payroll process.
However, it also streamlines benefits management, including health insurance and 401(k)s.
In this review, we’ll dive deep into Gusto’s features and pricing to help you decide if it’s the right payroll services provider for your business in 2024.
Ready to simplify payroll? Over 100,000 businesses trust Gusto’s top-rated payroll software. Streamline payroll and benefits today!
What is Gusto Payroll?
Gusto Payroll is like a super-helpful assistant for your business. It takes care of all the tricky stuff that comes with paying your employees.
With a Gusto account, you can:
- Run payroll: This means calculating everyone’s paychecks, taking out the right taxes, and making sure everyone gets paid on time.
- Handle tax filings: Gusto does the paperwork for you, sending tax payments to the government so you don’t have to worry about it.
- Much more: Gusto also helps you manage employee benefits like health insurance and retirement plans.
It’s like having your payroll expert but without the big price tag.
Who Created Gusto?
Gusto was the brainchild of three friends – Joshua Reeves, Edward Kim, and Tomer London – back in 2012.
They wanted to make payroll and HR less of a headache for small businesses.
Their vision was simple: create a platform that’s easy to use and handles everything from local payroll taxes and tax filing to contractor payments.
Tax payments and actually make running a business a bit more enjoyable.
Top benefits of Gusto Payroll
- Effortless Payroll Processing: Say goodbye to manual payroll processing and spreadsheets. Gusto automates everything, saving you tons of time and effort so you can focus on growing your business.
- Crystal-Clear Payroll Reports: Always stay on top of things with detailed payroll reports that are easy to access and understand.
- Fast & Secure Direct Deposit: Pay your employees with ease using Gusto’s direct deposit feature, ensuring your team gets their money fast and securely.
- Employee Self-Service: Empower your employees with self-service access to their pay stubs, payroll history, and tax forms, reducing the burden on HR and payroll management.
- Comprehensive Benefits Management: Offer competitive health benefits and retirement plans to attract and retain top talent. Gusto simplifies health insurance enrollment and 401(k) management for your team.
- Stress-Free Tax Filings: No more scrambling for tax forms or worrying about deadlines. Gusto handles all the tax forms and filings for you, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Best Features of Gusto Payroll
Gusto isn’t just about payroll; it’s a full-service HR platform designed to make your life easier.
Here’s a look at some standout features that go beyond basic process payroll:
Hiring and Applicant Tracking
Streamline your hiring process with Gusto’s powerful tools.
From posting job openings to managing applications and scheduling interviews, Gusto helps you find the right people for your team.
Please keep track of every candidate, their resumes, and their progress in the hiring process with the built-in Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
Insights and Analytics
Gusto provides you with valuable insights into your payroll data, empowering you to make informed decisions about your business.
With customizable reports, you can track labor costs, employee demographics, and other key metrics.
Giving you a clear picture of your workforce and financial health.
Time Tracking
Gusto’s time-tracking features make it easy for your employees to record their hours worked accurately.
This data is then seamlessly integrated with payroll, eliminating manual entry and reducing errors.
With Gusto, you can ensure that everyone is paid fairly and accurately.
Performance Management
Gusto’s performance management tools help you set goals for your employees, track their progress, and provide feedback.
You can also use Gusto to gather valuable feedback from your team through built-in employee surveys.
Expense Management
Gusto simplifies expense tracking by allowing employees to submit and track expenses directly within the platform.
Managers can easily review and approve costs, streamlining the process and ensuring timely reimbursements.
Pricing
| Plan Name | Monthly Base Price | Per Person Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | $40 | $6 | Full-service payroll, employee self-service, basic HR tools |
| Plus | $60 | $9 | Hiring and onboarding tools, PTO management |
| Premium | $135 | $16.50 | Priority support + Dedicated Customer Success Manager |
Pros and Cons
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of any product helps you make an informed decision. Let’s weigh the good and the not-so-good of Gusto Payroll.
Pros
Cons
Alternatives of Gusto
While Gusto is a fantastic option for many small businesses, it’s always a good idea to explore alternatives to ensure you’re choosing the best fit for your unique needs. Here are a few popular options:
- QuickBooks Payroll: A well-known name in accounting software, QuickBooks also offers payroll solutions integrated with its accounting platform.
- ADP: A long-standing player in the payroll industry, ADP offers a wide range of payroll and HR solutions for businesses of all sizes.
- Paychex: Another established provider, Paychex, offers a variety of payroll and HR services that are particularly suited for mid-sized and larger businesses.
- Square Payroll: A great choice for businesses that already use Square for point-of-sale, Square Payroll is a simple and affordable option for small businesses.
- OnPay: Known for its user-friendly interface, OnPay is a popular choice for small businesses looking for a straightforward payroll solution.
Each of these alternatives has its strengths and weaknesses, so be sure to do your research and compare features, pricing, and customer support before making your final decision.
Personal Experience with Gusto
My team and I decided to give Gusto a try when we were tired of spending hours each month on payroll.
We wanted something that would make our lives easier, and Gusto delivered.
Here are some of the things we loved about it:
- Automated Payroll: Gusto took the stress out of payday. We just input the hours, and Gusto did the rest – calculating paychecks, taking out taxes, and even sending direct deposits.
- Automated Tax Filing: We used to dread tax season, but Gusto made it a breeze. They handled all the tax filings for us, so we didn’t have to worry about making mistakes or missing deadlines.
- Easy to Use: Even though we’re not payroll experts, we found Gusto really easy to use. The interface is simple and intuitive, and there are plenty of helpful resources if you get stuck.
- Time Saver: Gusto freed up so much of our time. We could finally focus on growing our business instead of getting bogged down in payroll admin.
Overall, Gusto was a game-changer for us.
It made payroll simple, stress-free, and even enjoyable.
If you’re a small business owner looking for a better way to manage payroll, I highly recommend giving Gusto a try.
Final Thoughts
Gusto is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a full-service payroll solution that goes beyond just paying your salaried employees.
It streamlines everything from payroll processing and benefits administration to tax filing and HR tasks.
While it might not have every integration under the sun.
There’s a slight learning curve, but the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
If you’re ready to simplify payroll and HR for your small business, give Gusto a try – you won’t regret it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Gusto handle payroll for both salaried employees and hourly workers?
Absolutely! Gusto is designed to handle payroll for all types of employees, whether they’re salaried, hourly, or even contractors.
How does Gusto ensure the security of my employees’ sensitive information?
Gusto takes data security very seriously. They use bank-level encryption and multiple layers of security to protect your employees’ personal and financial information.
Is it easy to switch to Gusto from my current payroll provider?
Yes, Gusto offers a full-service payroll migration process to make the switch as smooth as possible. They’ll help you transfer your data and set up your account so you can start processing payroll with Gusto in no time.
Can I manage my employees’ health insurance and other benefits through Gusto?
Yes, Gusto offers comprehensive benefits administration, allowing you to manage health insurance easily, 401(k) plans, and other employee benefits all in one place.
Does Gusto handle all the tax filings and payments for me?
Yes, Gusto’s automatic tax filing feature takes care of all your federal, state, and local tax filings and payments, saving you time and ensuring compliance.
