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Gusto Pricing 2026

Plans, hidden costs, and cheaper alternatives compared

Is Gusto worth the price?

75/10

Gusto's pricing is generally fair, especially for small to medium-sized businesses.

The 'Simple' tier at $49/month + $6/person is competitive for basic payroll, while the 'Plus' tier at $89/month + $13/person offers good value for growing businesses needing time tracking and multi-state payroll. The 'Premium' tier at $199/month + $24/person is expensive but justified for larger companies requiring dedicated support and HR expertise.

Pricing Plans

Simple

$49/month + $6/person

  • Single-state payroll
  • W-2s and 1099s
  • Basic hiring and onboarding
  • Employee self-service

Plus

$89/month + $13/person

  • Multi-state payroll
  • Time tracking
  • Onboarding tools
  • Custom reports

Premium

$199/month + $24/person

  • All Plus features
  • Dedicated success manager
  • Priority support
  • Certified HR experts

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Per-person fees add up quickly

Higher tiers have significantly higher per-person costs

No free trial to test features

Potential for additional HR add-ons

Which Plan Do You Need?

Small businesses needing basic payroll

Growing companies with multi-state employees

Larger businesses requiring dedicated HR support

How Gusto Compares to Competitors

Compared to ADP Run, Gusto's 'Simple' tier is more affordable than ADP's basic plans which often start higher. However, for larger enterprises, ADP and Paychex offer more robust, albeit pricier, solutions. Gusto generally provides better value for SMBs than traditional payroll giants.

Gusto Pricing FAQ

How much does Gusto cost?

Gusto starts at $49/month on the Simple plan. It offers 3 paid tiers ranging from $49/month up to $199/month.

Does Gusto have a free plan?

Gusto does not offer a permanent free plan. Paid plans are required from day one.

What is the cheapest Gusto paid plan?

The cheapest paid plan for Gusto is "Simple" at $49/month. Key features include: Single-state payroll, W-2s and 1099s, Basic hiring and onboarding.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Gusto?

Yes. Popular alternatives to Gusto include Rippling, Paylocity, Paychex, Central. Compare them side-by-side on Toolradar.

Cheaper alternatives to Gusto

Direct competitors with similar features. Many offer free tiers or lower per-seat pricing.