Gusto

by Gusto

Gusto runs full-service payroll for US businesses, handling paychecks, tax filing, and direct deposit, plus benefits, onboarding, and contractor payments. It automates federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance.

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How it helps you

For a first-time employer, Gusto simplifies payroll tax administration by calculating, filing, and paying payroll taxes automatically, which can reduce the risk of IRS penalties. Its friendly interface handles W-2 employees and 1099 contractors without requiring an accountant.

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Facts & pricing

Simple plan is $49/mo base plus $6 per employee (base raised from $40 in March 2026)
Plus plan is $80/mo plus $12 per employee
Premium plan is $180/mo plus $22 per employee
Contractor-only plan starts at $35/mo plus $6 per contractor
Automatically files federal, state, and local payroll taxes

Pricing: From $49/mo + $6 per employee (no free plan)

Caveats

Costs climb with headcount and add-ons, and Gusto's core payroll service is focused on US businesses. International contractor support is available separately.

Bottom line

Pick Gusto when you're hiring your first US employees or contractors and want payroll and tax filing handled for you.

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