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Gusto Overview

Gusto is a cloud-based payroll, benefits, and HR management platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It simplifies complex HR processes, automates payroll, and provides comprehensive employee benefits management, helping companies streamline their workforce operations and compliance.

Key Features of Gusto

  • Automated Payroll: Run payroll quickly and accurately with automatic tax calculations and filings.
  • Employee Benefits Management: Offer and manage health insurance, 401(k) plans, and other benefits directly through the platform.
  • Time Tracking: Track employee hours, approve time off, and seamlessly integrate with payroll.
  • HR Tools: Access hiring, onboarding, and employee management features to streamline HR processes.
  • Compliance Support: Stay up-to-date with changing labor laws and tax regulations across multiple states.

What Makes Gusto Unique

  • AutoPilot: Set up payroll to run automatically, reducing manual work and potential errors.
  • Gusto Wallet: Provide employees with a financial wellness app, including early access to wages.
  • Flexible Pay Schedules: Offer multiple pay schedules to different employee groups within the same company.
  • Integrated Time Off Tracking: Manage PTO requests and accruals directly within the payroll system.
  • Cash Flow Management: Tools to help businesses manage and forecast cash flow related to payroll and benefits.

Is Gusto Right for Me?

Gusto is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an all-in-one solution to manage payroll, benefits, and HR processes. It's particularly suited for companies with limited HR resources who want to automate and streamline their workforce management operations.

Signs You Need Gusto

You're spending too much time on payroll and HR tasks
  • Manual payroll process takes several hours each cycle
  • Difficulty keeping track of employee information and documents
  • Challenges in managing multiple state tax filings

When Gusto Isn’t the Right Fit

You're a large enterprise with complex HR needs
  • 500+ employees
  • Multiple international locations
  • Need for extensive customization in HR processes

Customizing Gusto

  • Custom Fields: Add custom fields to employee profiles to track company-specific information.
  • Report Builder: Create custom reports to gain insights into specific aspects of your workforce.
  • API Access: Integrate Gusto with other business tools and systems using their API.
  • User Permissions: Set up custom user roles and permissions to control access to sensitive information.
  • Benefits Customization: Tailor benefit offerings to meet the specific needs of your workforce.

Is Gusto Worth It?

Gusto is worth it for small to medium-sized businesses seeking comprehensive payroll, HR, and benefits management in a user-friendly platform. Its automation features, compliance support, and integrated tools can save time and reduce errors, making it especially valuable for companies without dedicated HR staff. For larger enterprises with complex payroll needs or those requiring extensive customization, Gusto's limitations might make it less suitable, and more robust enterprise-level solutions could be a better fit.

How Much Does Gusto Cost?

Pricing is one of the most important evaluation factors when buying software. We have pricing insights contributed by current and former customers of Gusto to help you make the best purchasing decision for your use case.

Competitors to Gusto

Vendor Reasons to Consider Best For
UKG Offers more advanced workforce management features and is suitable for larger organizations Mid-size to large companies with complex scheduling and time-tracking needs
Personio Provides a more comprehensive HR suite with applicant tracking and performance management European companies looking for an all-in-one HR solution
Paylocity Offers more robust talent management and employee engagement features Mid-size companies focusing on employee development and engagement
Rippling Provides broader IT management capabilities alongside HR and payroll functions Tech-forward companies looking to manage both HR and IT systems in one platform
ADP Offers more scalable solutions and caters to businesses of all sizes Companies expecting rapid growth or needing multinational payroll capabilities
Paychex Provides more extensive HR consulting services and caters to larger businesses Companies needing hands-on HR support and consulting alongside software

Open Source Alternatives to Gusto

Projects Reasons to Consider Best For
OrangeHRM Comprehensive HR management system with modules for various HR functions Small to medium-sized businesses looking for a customizable HR solution without ongoing subscription costs
TimeTrex Focuses on time and attendance tracking with some payroll capabilities Companies primarily needing robust time tracking and basic payroll functions