Gusto has been the default small business payroll recommendation for five years. Here is what 2026 looks like after recent changes.
Full analysis: Gusto review.
Current pricing
- Simple: $40/month + $6/employee — basic payroll, W-2s, direct deposit
- Plus: $80/month + $12/employee — time tracking, PTO policies, HR tools, next-day direct deposit
- Premium: $180/month + $22/employee — dedicated support, HR advisory
Where Gusto wins
Setup in under two hours. Federal and state tax filing automated. W-2s filed electronically. Benefits (health, dental, 401k) administered without a separate broker in most states. Best employee app in the category.
Where Gusto falls short
Support scores have declined since 2024 — 30–45 minute chat waits during payroll deadlines are common. Multi-state remote employees can create tax registration complexity that the Simple plan does not flag proactively. Contractor-heavy businesses should compare against OnPay's contractor handling.
The main alternatives
- OnPay ($40 + $6/emp): Same price, stronger on tipped wages, multiple pay rates, garnishments
- ADP Run: Better for 50+ employees or fast growth. Named payroll rep available.
- Rippling (~$25–35/user/month all-in): Right for multi-state remote teams needing payroll + HR + IT
Full comparison: best payroll software for small business.
Verdict
Best starting point for under 50 employees with standard payroll. Complex pay rules: OnPay. Distributed remote teams: Rippling.
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