Gusto Payroll Breakdown (2025): Features, Free Trials & Value Tips

What Is Gusto Payroll?

Gusto Payroll is one of the most talked-about platforms in the world of small business HR, and for good reason. With a modern interface and plenty of automation to lighten your workload, it’s a solid contender in the payroll software space.

But just like any popular tool, opinions can be mixed. Some users love it, others raise concerns about unexpected fees or slower customer support during peak times.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know: Gusto’s pricing, setup process, potential hidden costs, and how to tell if it’s the right fit for your team.

Let’s dive in.

Gusto Payroll Features (What You Actually Get)

Here’s a condensed list of all the key features Gusto offers as a payroll tool:

• Payroll automation: Run unlimited payrolls each month, schedule payments in advance (with Gusto’s AutoPilot), and set up direct deposit for faster transactions. Please note that faster transactions require additional payment, regardless of your chosen plan.
• Tax filing: Automatically calculates and files your local, state, and federal payroll taxes. Note that handling taxes in multiple states requires extra payment!
• Benefits management: Built-in tools for health insurance, workers’ comp, and 401(k) retirement plan. Payroll deductions and contributions are handled automatically.
• Employee self-service: Employees get their accounts via the Gusto Wallet, Gusto’s payroll app that lets them view pay stubs, tax forms, and more.
• HR tools: Hiring documents, e-signatures, compliance alerts, and onboarding checklists are offered as default. Time tracking and PTO tools are available as add-ons.

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Is Gusto a Good Fit for Your Business?

Gusto is the best payroll software for small businesses. By “small”, we mean a company with 2 to 100 employees, preferably based in the U.S., so you can take full advantage of automatic tax filing.

If your company has over 100 employees or operates across multiple states, Gusto may not offer the level of depth you need. While it’s a great fit for small to mid-sized businesses, larger organizations with unionized teams, complex internal structures, or advanced needs, like in-depth reporting or granular time tracking, might find more specialized solutions a better match.

Gusto Payroll Pricing: 2025 Plans & Hidden Fees 

Now, the big question: How much is Gusto Payroll?

Gusto offers a tiered pricing system. So, how much Gusto is depends on what kind of company you are and how many employees you have.

But don’t worry, we’ve got you. Here’s all you need to know about Gusto Payroll’s pricing:

Like most tiered price plans, each plan builds on the one below it with Gusto as well. But, unlike most tiered price plans, with Gusto, base tier pricing doesn’t always tell the full story.

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Gusto’s Hidden Fees to Watch Out For

Some features aren’t included in Gusto’s standard pricing tiers, and that’s not always obvious upfront. It’s easy to assume certain tools are part of your plan, only to find out later they come with an extra fee.

To help you avoid surprises, here’s a list of features that may incur additional costs:

• Next-day direct deposit surcharge: This feature allows you to pay your employees the very next day instead of waiting 2-4 business days. But it will cost you $15/month + $3/employee if you are using the simple or plus plan.
• Time tracking add-on: This lets employees clock in and out, track hours worked, and log time off inside the Gusto app. But it costs $6/month per person if you are using the simple plan.
• State registration support fees: This is separate from filing taxes. If you are hiring in multiple states, this feature will register you with each state’s tax agency separately. For this convenience, Gusto will charge you around $200 per state, billed once per setup.

Tips to Save Money with Gusto 

Gusto can get expensive fast. Here are some tips that might help you hold the reins on costs:

1. Start with a free trial: Gusto offers the first three months free. Take advantage of that. Even if you are sure you want to purchase Gusto.
2. Skip the premium features: Unless you’re managing a large or complex team, you probably don’t need the Premium plan’s dedicated support and compliance extras.
3. Use integrations instead of paid add-ons: Instead of paying for Gusto’s paid add-ons, integrate it with tools like QuickBooks Time or TSheets. You’ll get a similar functionality without paying for it.
4. Encourage employees to use Gusto Wallet: Gusto Wallet is free, and it helps employees manage their pay. So it reduces admin back-and-forth for your team.

Real User Reviews: Pros, Cons & Common Complaints

Gusto payroll reviews are divided, and the sentiment changes from overwhelmingly positive to flat-out hated. To save your sanity, we went through all Gusto user reviews and summarized what people absolutely love and dislike about Gusto:

What people love about Gusto…

1. User-friendly interface: Gusto’s dashboard is a winner. We will give it that. Even users with zero payroll experience say it’s easy to set up and navigate. It’s often praised for being modern, clean, and “almost fun to use.”
2. Automated tax filing: Even though it’s a sensitive topic (due to hidden fees), Gusto’s ability to file federal, state, and local payroll taxes automatically, is one of its most loved features.
3. Software integrations: Finally, Gusto’s ability to easily integrate with tools like QuickBooks, Xero, and Expensify is another loved feature. It makes Gusto especially great for those already using accounting software for small business needs.

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…And some downsides

1. Hidden fees: Some things, like certain tax filings or benefits services, may come with additional fees. This can make the final cost higher than expected.
2. Annoying customer support: Some say that Gusto’s customer support can be hit or miss, especially during busy times like tax season. Some users say it’s hard to get quick help, with long wait times or slow responses.
3. Not built for international or complex teams: Gusto can feel a bit limited for big or global teams. There are reports of international contractors getting paid late due to “system glitches,” and some users say it can’t handle state-specific benefits.

The Bottom Line on Gusto Payroll

Look, Gusto isn’t perfect. No software is. But for small business bookkeeping, to avoid wasting hours on spreadsheets, tax filings, and employee chaos, Gusto is the tool for you.

Yes, its surprise fees are annoying, but now you know where these costs hide, and how you can avoid them. You now know exactly what to expect. No surprises. No gotchas. Just a smart way to pay your team, stay compliant, and focus on running your business.

So go ahead! Sign up for Gusto and make payroll one less thing to worry about.