Gusto
Modern payroll and HR platform designed for small businesses with excellent employee experience
What I Like
- Excellent payroll experience
- Great for small businesses
- Strong benefits administration
- Employee-friendly interface
- Reasonable pricing
What Could Be Better
- Limited HR features vs dedicated HRIS
- Primarily US focused
- Scaling limitations
- Less customizable
Why Small Businesses Love Gusto
Gusto made payroll not suck. For small business owners who dreaded payroll before, Gusto transforms it into a quick, painless process.
My Experience
I recommend Gusto to startups and small businesses consistently. The payroll experience is excellent, and the pricing makes sense for smaller teams.
What Makes Gusto Stand Out
-
Payroll Done Right - Run payroll in minutes. Taxes filed automatically. Employees paid on time. It’s what payroll should be.
-
Employee Experience - Employees love the interface. Benefits enrollment, paystubs, and tax documents are easy to access and understand.
-
Benefits Access - Small businesses get access to benefits packages typically reserved for larger companies. Health, dental, 401k—competitively priced.
-
Compliance Peace of Mind - Tax filings, W-2s, and compliance handled automatically. Gusto worries about the details so you don’t have to.
Where Gusto Falls Short
HR features are basic compared to dedicated HRIS. Primarily US-focused. Larger companies will outgrow it. Customization is limited.
Who Should Use Gusto
- Small businesses under 100 employees
- Startups needing simple payroll
- First-time employers wanting easy setup
- Companies prioritizing employee experience
Gusto vs ADP
| Factor | Gusto | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Superior | Complex |
| Pricing | Transparent | Opaque |
| Enterprise Features | Limited | Extensive |
| Support | Better for SMB | Variable |
| Best For | Small business | Enterprise |
The Bottom Line
Gusto is the right choice for small businesses who want payroll that works without complexity. You’ll eventually outgrow it—and that’s fine.
Related Tools
BambooHR
All-in-one HR software for small to mid-sized businesses covering hiring, onboarding, and employee management
QuickBooks
Small business accounting software for invoicing, expenses, payroll, and financial management
Rippling
Unified workforce platform combining HR, IT, and Finance with powerful automation