About Gusto
Gusto is a cloud-based HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance platform designed for small businesses. The platform offers a suite of features and services to help small businesses manage their employee payroll, benefits, and compliance needs.
Gusto provides automated payroll management, which includes calculating employee wages, taxes, and other deductions. It also offers online payroll processing, direct deposit, and tax filings. In addition, the platform offers benefits administration, such as health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers’ compensation insurance.
Gusto also provides HR tools, including time tracking, time off requests, and employee onboarding. The platform also helps small businesses stay compliant with federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations.
Gusto is known for its user-friendly interface, robust customer support, and affordable pricing. It is used by over 100,000 small businesses and has received numerous awards for its HR and payroll services.
Gusto: The Good and The Bad
Gusto has several advantages and disadvantages that are worth considering for small businesses looking for HR and payroll software. Here are some of the pros and cons of using Gusto:
The Good:
- Gusto’s platform is easy to use and navigate, making it accessible for small business owners and employees with little to no HR or payroll experience.
- Gusto offers a full suite of HR, payroll, and benefits services, making it a one-stop-shop for small businesses looking to manage their employee needs.
- Gusto’s pricing is competitive and affordable, with pricing plans based on the number of employees a business has.
- Gusto provides exceptional customer support, with a team of dedicated customer support representatives available to help users with any issues or questions.
- Gusto stays up-to-date with federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations, helping small businesses stay compliant.
The Bad:
- Some users have reported that Gusto’s platform is not as customizable as they would like, with limited options to customize features and reports.
- Gusto’s platform integrates with some third-party applications, but some users have reported that the integrations are limited, making it difficult to connect with other business software.
- Although Gusto’s customer support is generally excellent, some users have reported long wait times to speak with a representative during peak support hours.
- Gusto’s services are primarily focused on businesses in the United States, meaning that it may not be the best choice for businesses with international operations or employees.
Gusto Pricing and Options
Gusto offers a range of pricing plans to suit different business sizes and needs. Here are the pricing options for Gusto:
Core Plan
This is Gusto’s basic plan and is priced at $39 per month plus $6 per employee per month. It includes full-service payroll, employee self-service, health benefits administration, workers’ compensation administration, and compliance support.
Complete Plan
This plan is priced at $39 per month plus $12 per employee per month. It includes all the features of the Core plan, plus additional HR tools such as employee onboarding and document management.
Concierge Plan
This plan is priced at $149 per month plus $12 per employee per month. It includes all the features of the Complete plan, plus access to HR advisors for personalized HR support and guidance.
Contractor Plan
This plan is priced at $6 per month per contractor. It includes basic payroll services for independent contractors, such as 1099 forms and direct deposit.
Gusto also offers additional services and add-ons, such as employee benefits packages and 401(k) plans, which are priced separately.
How does Gusto work
Gusto is a cloud-based HR and payroll platform that streamlines payroll and HR processes for small businesses. Here’s how Gusto works:
Setting up your account: To get started with Gusto, you’ll need to create an account and provide some basic information about your company, including your company name, industry, and location.
Adding employees: Once you’ve set up your account, you can add your employees’ information to the platform, including their name, contact details, tax information, and pay rate.
Running payroll: Gusto calculates payroll automatically based on the information you’ve provided, including hours worked, overtime, and any deductions such as taxes and benefits. You can review and approve payroll before processing, and Gusto can handle direct deposit and tax filings for you.
Managing benefits: Gusto offers a range of benefits options for your employees, such as health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers’ compensation. You can choose from pre-selected packages or create a custom plan for your employees.
Compliance support: Gusto helps you stay compliant with federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations. The platform automatically calculates and withholds taxes and generates forms like W-2s and 1099s.
HR tools: Gusto offers a range of HR tools to help you manage your employees, including time tracking, time off requests, and employee onboarding.
Customer support: Gusto provides excellent customer support, with a team of dedicated support representatives available to help you with any issues or questions you have.
Gusto for Accountants
Gusto offers a program specifically designed for accountants called “Gusto for Partners.” This program is designed to help accountants and bookkeepers streamline their clients’ HR and payroll processes and offer additional value-added services.
Here’s how Gusto for Partners works:
Partner dashboard: Accountants have access to a partner dashboard where they can manage all their clients’ payroll and HR needs in one place. This includes the ability to add clients, run payroll, and manage employee information.
Client management: Gusto for Partners allows accountants to manage multiple clients’ payroll and HR needs from a single dashboard. This streamlines the process of managing payroll and benefits across multiple clients.
Accountant tools: Gusto for Partners offers additional tools and resources for accountants, including access to client reports, HR compliance resources, and customizable email templates.
Revenue sharing: Accountants who use Gusto for Partners are eligible for revenue sharing when they refer their clients to Gusto. This provides an additional revenue stream for accountants and helps to offset the cost of the platform.
White-labeling: Gusto for Partners offers the ability to white-label the platform, allowing accountants to brand the platform with their own logo and provide a seamless experience for their clients.
Benefits
Gusto offers a range of benefits for small businesses and their employees. Here are some of the key benefits of using Gusto:
Automated payroll: Gusto automates the payroll process, saving businesses time and reducing the risk of errors. It calculates employee wages, taxes, and other deductions, and handles direct deposit and tax filings.
Comprehensive benefits administration: Gusto offers a range of employee benefits, including health insurance, 401(k) plans, workers’ compensation, and commuter benefits. This makes it easier for small businesses to offer competitive benefits packages to their employees.
HR tools: Gusto provides a range of HR tools, including time tracking, time off requests, and employee onboarding. These tools help small businesses manage their employees more effectively and streamline HR processes.
Compliance support: Gusto helps small businesses stay compliant with federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations. It calculates and withholds taxes, generates forms like W-2s and 1099s, and provides HR compliance resources.
Affordable pricing: Gusto’s pricing is competitive and affordable, with plans that cater to businesses of different sizes and needs. This makes it accessible for small businesses with limited budgets.
Excellent customer support: Gusto provides exceptional customer support, with a team of dedicated customer support representatives available to help users with any issues or questions.
Drawbacks
While Gusto has many advantages for small businesses, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:
Limited customizability: Some users have reported that Gusto’s platform is not as customizable as they would like, with limited options to customize features and reports.
Limited integrations: Gusto’s platform integrates with some third-party applications, but some users have reported that the integrations are limited, making it difficult to connect with other business software.
Customer service wait times: Although Gusto’s customer support is generally excellent, some users have reported long wait times to speak with a representative during peak support hours.
Limited international support: Gusto’s services are primarily focused on businesses in the United States, meaning that it may not be the best choice for businesses with international operations or employees.
Cost for additional services: While Gusto’s pricing for basic plans is competitive, some of the additional services and benefits, such as health insurance and 401(k) plans, are priced separately and may be more expensive than other options.
Alternatives to Gusto
If you’re considering alternatives to Gusto for managing your small business HR and payroll needs, here are some options to consider:
ADP: ADP is a popular HR and payroll software that offers comprehensive payroll and HR services, including benefits administration, time and attendance tracking, and compliance support.
Paychex: Paychex is another popular HR and payroll software that offers payroll processing, tax compliance, benefits administration, and employee self-service tools.
Zenefits: Zenefits is a cloud-based HR platform that offers a range of HR tools, including payroll, benefits administration, and compliance support.
BambooHR: BambooHR is an HR software that focuses on HR management, offering tools for recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and employee records management.
Rippling: Rippling is a comprehensive HR and IT platform that includes payroll, benefits administration, compliance support, and IT management tools.
When considering alternatives to Gusto, it’s important to look for a platform that meets your specific needs and budget. You’ll want to consider factors such as the size of your business, your budget, the features and tools you need, and the level of customer support offered. By evaluating these factors and researching different options, you can find the HR and payroll solution that’s right for your business.
How Gusto Ranks
Gusto is a highly regarded HR and payroll software platform and is often ranked highly by industry experts and users. Here are a few examples of how Gusto ranks:
G2: Gusto is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on G2, a leading software review site. The platform is highly rated for its ease of use, customer support, and payroll and benefits features.
TrustRadius: Gusto is rated 8.8 out of 10 on TrustRadius, another software review site. Users praise Gusto for its comprehensive features, user-friendly interface, and affordable pricing.
PCMag: Gusto is rated as one of the top HR software platforms by PCMag, a leading technology review site. The platform is praised for its easy-to-use interface, comprehensive features, and excellent customer support.
Capterra: Gusto is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Capterra, a software review site. Users give Gusto high marks for its automated payroll, compliance support, and HR tools.
Gusto ranks highly across a range of review sites and is well-regarded by industry experts and users alike. The platform is known for its ease of use, comprehensive features, and affordable pricing, making it a popular choice for small businesses looking for HR and payroll software.
Final Thoughts
In summary, Gusto is a cloud-based HR and payroll software platform designed for small businesses. It offers a range of features and services, including automated payroll, benefits administration, HR tools, and compliance support. Gusto is known for its user-friendly interface, affordable pricing, and excellent customer support.
While Gusto may not be the best fit for every small business, it’s a solid choice for businesses looking for an all-in-one HR and payroll solution. The platform’s comprehensive features and competitive pricing make it accessible for small businesses with limited budgets, while its excellent customer support and compliance expertise make it a reliable choice for managing payroll and HR needs.
As with any software platform, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your business and evaluate different options before making a decision. By doing your research and choosing the platform that best fits your business needs, you can streamline HR and payroll processes, save time, and focus on growing your business.
FAQ
Sure, I’d be happy to help with some frequently asked questions about Gusto:
What types of businesses is Gusto best suited for?
Gusto is best suited for small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. The platform offers a range of HR and payroll services that cater to the needs of small businesses, including automated payroll processing, benefits administration, and compliance support.
Is Gusto affordable?
Yes, Gusto is known for its affordable pricing. The platform offers a range of pricing plans based on the number of employees a business has, with pricing starting at $39 per month plus $6 per employee per month.
Can Gusto help with compliance?
Yes, Gusto helps small businesses stay compliant with federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations. The platform automatically calculates and withholds taxes, generates forms like W-2s and 1099s, and provides HR compliance resources.
What types of benefits does Gusto offer?
Gusto offers a range of employee benefits, including health insurance, 401(k) plans, workers’ compensation, and commuter benefits. These benefits can be customized to fit the needs of a specific business.
Does Gusto offer customer support?
Yes, Gusto provides exceptional customer support, with a team of dedicated support representatives available to help users with any issues or questions. Support can be reached by phone, email, or chat.
Is Gusto a cloud-based platform?
Yes, Gusto is a cloud-based platform, which means it can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This makes it easy to manage payroll and HR tasks from any location.
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