Running payroll and HR shouldn’t be the bottleneck to business growth. In 2026, Gusto positions itself as the go-to SaaS for SMBs who want compliance, employee self-service, and fast payroll—all managed from a single, powerful platform.
From Launch to 2026: Gusto Timeline
- 2012: Gusto launches (originally as ZenPayroll) with simple payroll for small business.
- 2014–2018: Expands with benefits, contractor support, and HR tools. Rebrands as Gusto.
- 2019–2022: Adds automated tax filing, integration ecosystem, employee finance wellness perks.
- 2023–2024: Launches Gusto Embedded for SaaS partners; robust advisor tools for accountants; enhanced onboarding automations.
- 2026: Deep AI-driven compliance, multi-state payroll, upgraded analytics dashboard, new benefits options for remote/hybrid companies.
Key Features & Capabilities
- Automated payroll—run in minutes, including multi-state & contractor support
- Fully integrated benefits—health, dental, vision, and more with guided selection
- HR management—onboarding, e-sign, document storage, policy templates
- Compliance—automatic tax calculations, filings, W-2s/1099s, and new-hire reporting
- Employee & manager self-service—profile updates, pay stubs, benefits enrollment
- Gusto Wallet app—employee financial wellness tools and faster payouts
- Robust integrations—accounting (QuickBooks, Xero), time tracking, SaaS apps
- Advisors Platform—portal for accountants/bookkeepers to manage multiple clients
Workflow & User Experience
- New customer onboarding is guided step-by-step, reducing time-to-first payroll
- Clean, intuitive dashboard—payroll runs, tax tasks, and benefits all in one panel
- Employee invites allow self-onboarding and document upload, lightening HR workload
- Smart reminders for compliance deadlines and expiring documents
- Role-based access to keep management and team permissions clean
- Mobile-optimized for owners and employees on the go
Gusto Pricing
| Plan | Best For | Key Features | Pricing (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | Small teams, payroll only | Full-service payroll, basic hiring & onboarding, employee profiles | From $40/mo base + $6 per person |
| Plus | Growing SMBs | Everything in Simple, plus PTO, performance, next-day direct deposit, time tracking, team management | From $80/mo base + $12 per person |
| Premium | Larger orgs, advanced HR | Everything in Plus, plus HR resource center, compliance alerts, dedicated support | Custom/Quote |
| Contractor Only | 1099-only teams | Pay contractors, year-end filings, multi-state support | $35/mo base + $6 per contractor |
Gusto vs. Competitors
| Feature | Gusto | ADP Run | Paychex Flex | Rippling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automated Payroll | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integrated Benefits | Yes (built-in brokering) | Partial | Partial | Yes (add-on) |
| Full HR Suite | Yes (Plus+) | Limited | Partial | Yes |
| Contractor Payroll | Native, unlimited states | Add-on | Add-on | Yes |
| Employee Financial Tools | Wallet app, advances, faster pay | Extra | No | Extra |
| Pricing Transparency | Yes | No (quote only) | No (quote only) | No (minimums) |
| Accountant Portal | Yes | Limited | Partial | No |
| Integrations | Deep | Basic | Basic | Extensive |
Pro Tip: Use Gusto’s free trial or current promo codes to see how automated payroll and integrated benefits can reduce admin work in your first month—risk free.
Integrations
- Accounting: QuickBooks Online, Xero, FreshBooks
- Time & Attendance: Homebase, TSheets, When I Work
- Benefits & Insurance: Health, dental, vision providers
- Productivity & HR: BambooHR, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace
- Partner & Embedded APIs for vertical SaaS platforms
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Final Thoughts
Gusto remains a top payroll & HR platform for US-based small and midsize businesses heading into 2026. Its constant evolution, deep accountant support, and all-in-one approach make it an ideal fit for companies outgrowing spreadsheets or legacy payroll—and for SaaS partners embedding financial workflows.
Gusto FAQ
Yes, it meets GDPR standards and supports HIPAA via a signed BAA on eligible plans.
Yes, white-label portals support your domain, favicon, and brand visuals.
Ideal for consultants, service firms, and SMBs needing streamlined collaboration.
No—integrates with both. Stripe powers payments; QuickBooks handles accounting.
All plans include chat/email; premium tiers add onboarding and 1:1 setup help.
This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn commissions. Learn more in our disclosure.
