If you are a business owner or HR manager, you know how complicated managing payroll and human resources can be. From calculating taxes to ensuring employees get paid on time, it can quickly become overwhelming. This is where Gusto comes in. This Gusto review will examine its features, pricing, and what makes it stand out as a payroll and HR software.
I have used Gusto for my small business, and the experience has been mostly positive. Let’s discuss this comprehensive review to see if Gusto could work for your business too!
Table of Contents
What is Gusto?
Gusto is an all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR platform designed to make running a business easier. It simplifies many administrative tasks that used to take hours, such as payroll processing, tax filings, and employee management.
Gusto serves small businesses and startups, helping them manage payroll and HR processes more efficiently. Whether you have 1 employee or 100 employees, Gusto promises to take the stress out of HR.
Gusto Key Features
Before sharing my experience, let’s take a look at the key features Gusto provides:
| Feature | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll Processing | Automated payroll, including taxes and deductions | Saves time and reduces errors in payroll processing |
| Tax Filing | Automatic federal, state, and local tax filing | Avoids penalties and ensures compliance |
| Employee Benefits | Health insurance, 401(k), and other benefits | Attract and retain talent with competitive benefits |
| Time Tracking | Integrated time tracking for employees | Helps track hours and simplifies payroll processing |
| Hiring and Onboarding | Streamlined hiring and onboarding process | Make new hires feel welcome and save time |
| HR Tools | Employee self-service portal, document management | Centralized platform for all HR needs |
Gusto Pricing
Gusto offers several pricing plans based on the size of your business and the features you need. The plans include:
- Core Plan – This plan starts at $39/month + $6 per employee. It includes payroll, basic benefits, and employee self-service.
- Complete Plan – Starting at $39/month + $12 per employee, this plan adds performance management, time tracking, and advanced HR tools.
- Concierge Plan – Starting at $149/month + $12 per employee, this plan offers full-service HR support, including dedicated HR professionals and compliance assistance.
Gusto Pros And Cons
I have used Gusto for the last two years to manage payroll and employee benefits for my small business. Here are my honest thoughts:
Pros:
- Easy to Use: Gusto’s interface is very simple, even for someone who is not tech-savvy. I didn’t need to be a payroll expert to use it.
- Customer Support: Gusto’s customer service is excellent. They have live chat, email, and phone support. Whenever I ran into a problem, they were quick to help.
- Time-Saving: I can run payroll in just a few clicks. Gusto automatically calculates payroll taxes and deductions, so I don’t have to worry about making mistakes.
- Affordable: For small businesses like mine, Gusto’s pricing is very reasonable. It helps me stay compliant with federal and state laws without hiring an expensive accountant.
Cons:
- Limited Integrations: While Gusto integrates with many popular apps like QuickBooks and Xero, it lacks some other integrations that larger businesses might need.
- Payroll Errors Can Happen: While rare, I’ve had a few instances where payroll wasn’t processed correctly. However, Gusto’s customer service team fixed it quickly.
Why Gusto is Essential for Small Business Owners?
If you are a small business owner, you’ll know how much time it takes to manage employee payroll, taxes, and benefits. Gusto makes this process super simple.
For example, a friend of mine who owns a small bakery was struggling to keep up with payroll and tax filings. After switching to Gusto, she was able to focus on growing her business instead of worrying about making payroll mistakes. Plus, Gusto’s tax filing service ensures that all taxes are filed on time, which helps her avoid penalties.
If you’re running a small business, and at the end of each month, you need to process payroll, calculate taxes, and ensure that all benefits are correct. If you’ve ever tried doing this manually, you know it can be a nightmare. Gusto automates these tasks and ensures they are done right, every time.
Does Gusto Help with Compliance?
One of the biggest challenges of running a business is staying compliant with constantly changing laws, especially regarding payroll and taxes. Gusto handles this by automatically updating tax rates and filings based on local, state, and federal laws. This gives business owners peace of mind knowing that they are complying with the law.
In fact, according to a survey conducted by Gusto, over 80% of their users report fewer payroll-related issues after switching to Gusto. This is because Gusto’s system automatically adjusts to changes in tax law, ensuring that businesses are always in compliance.
Gusto for Employees: A Great Employee Experience
If you’re a business owner, you might be wondering how Gusto benefits your employees. The answer is simple: it makes their lives easier too!
When I asked my employees about their experience with Gusto, they shared that they appreciate how easy it is to access their pay stubs, tax forms, and benefits details. The Gusto platform has a self-service portal where employees can log in to update their information, request time off, and view their pay history. This reduces the number of HR-related questions that I need to answer, saving time for both me and my employees.
How Gusto Stands Out from Competitors
There are several payroll platforms on the market, such as QuickBooks Payroll, ADP, and Paychex. However, Gusto stands out in several key areas:
- Affordability: Gusto is much more affordable compared to other HR platforms, especially for small businesses.
- User-Friendliness: Gusto is known for its clean, easy-to-navigate interface, which is perfect for non-technical business owners.
- Customer Support: Gusto’s support team is known for being friendly and responsive, which is a huge plus if you run into problems.
- Employee Benefits: Unlike many competitors, Gusto provides a wide range of benefits like health insurance and retirement plans, even for small businesses.
Who Should Use Gusto?
Gusto is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses (under 100 employees) that need a simple and affordable solution for payroll, HR, and benefits. It’s especially helpful if:
- You are a business owner who wants to save time on payroll and taxes.
- You want an easy-to-use system for managing employee benefits.
- You need a reliable way to ensure compliance with tax laws.
- You have employees who need easy access to their pay stubs and tax forms.
FAQs About Gusto
Is Gusto suitable for startups?
Yes, Gusto is perfect for startups! It’s simple to use, affordable, and provides all the tools you need to get your business up and running.
How does Gusto handle taxes?
Gusto automatically calculates, files, and pays federal, state, and local taxes for you. This can save you a lot of time and reduce the risk of errors.
Can Gusto handle employee benefits?
Yes! Gusto offers health insurance, 401(k) plans, and other employee benefits, making it easier for you to provide competitive packages for your team.
Can Gusto integrate with other software?
Yes, Gusto integrates with popular accounting tools like QuickBooks, Xero, and others. However, if you need a specific integration, it’s best to check Gusto’s list of supported apps first.
What if I need help using Gusto?
Gusto offers great customer support. You can reach them by phone, email, or live chat for assistance with any issues you face.
Final Word
If you are a small business owner, Gusto is an excellent tool for simplifying payroll and HR tasks. Based on my own experience and feedback from other users, I believe it can save you time, reduce errors, and help ensure your business stays compliant with tax laws.
Sure, it has a few drawbacks, like limited integrations with certain apps. But overall, Gusto is a top-notch payroll and HR service that can make a big difference for your business.
So, would I recommend Gusto? Absolutely! If you are looking for an easy, affordable way to manage payroll and employee benefits, Gusto is worth every penny. Have you thought about using a payroll service like Gusto for your business? How do you think it would help you?
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