Gusto's online service makes it simple to keep track of your employees, both full and part-time, as well as any contractors you have on your payroll.
Completing a payroll run takes just a few minutes with Gusto. 
The Gusto dashboard provides an overview of items that need your attention, other reminders and quick links to other parts of the platform.Gusto Payroll Software offers everything small businesses need in an online payroll provider. Most importantly, it runs payroll for full and part-time employees, as well as contractors, in a few simple steps and handles all payroll and year-end tax obligations.
Pricing and Terms
Gusto offers three service plans – Core, Complete and Concierge – that differ in the included services and prices. The Core plan, which is strictly payroll and payroll tax services, is $39 per month, plus $6 per employee or contractor. The Complete plan, which also includes some HR services, such as employee onboarding and paid time off management, is $39 per month, plus $12 per employee or contractor. The Concierge plan, which includes an entire suite of HR services, is $149 per month, plus $12 per employee or contractor.
Gusto Payroll Software
Best Online Payroll ServicesThe Verdict
Because Gusto allows you to pay regular employees and freelancers and contractors the exact same way, it's our favorite online payroll system for S corporations and sole proprietors.
There are no contracts with Gusto. All plans include a one-month free trial.
Service Plans
Each of Gusto's service plans handles all payroll processing and payroll tax responsibilities. They also all include unlimited payroll runs each month and the ability to pay employees with printed checks and direct deposit. Here is how the plans differ:
- Core: In addition to the payroll services, this plan includes employee self-service, health benefits administration and workers' compensation administration.
- Complete: In addition to everything in the core plan, this plan includes employee offers and onboarding services, paid time off management and employee directories and surveys.
- Concierge: Besides everything in the complete plan, the concierge plan includes a range of HR services and access to a live HR professional who can help with employee handbooks, job description templates, HR guides, policy templates and harassment prevention training.
Features
Gusto's cloud-based system includes a host of features that businesses of all sizes will find valuable.
- Running a payroll can be completed in just a handful of minutes. After logging in to the online system, you click on the Run Payroll tab and fill in the number of hours each employee worked, vacation or sick days taken, bonuses or commissions earned, and expense reimbursements. After clicking the Submit Payroll link, you receive a confirmation letting you know that the money is being sent via direct deposit or that you can print checks for those who need it.
- If you don't have much variation to your payroll each pay period, you can set the system to run on autopilot. With this, your payroll automatically runs each pay period without any additional input.
- Gusto automatically calculates, pays, and files local, state, and federal payroll taxes. Further, it sends all employees and contractors their W-2 and 1099 forms at the end of the year.
- Employees and contractors can log in from any internet-connected device in order to review their digital pay stubs and get their year-end tax forms. Employees have lifetime accounts, which give them access to their personal information even if they stop working for your company.
- The service integrates with a wide range of accounting, time and attendance, expense management, and human resources programs, such as QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, TSheets and Deputy.
Additional Considerations
Here are two other points to keep in mind with Gusto Payroll Software:
- In addition to its payroll service, Gusto offers health care plans that include medical, dental and vision insurance. These plans are only available in 19 states. It also offers college savings plans, retirement savings plans and commuter benefits.
- We were impressed with Gusto's customer support. We contacted the company numerous times posing as a small business owner interested in their services. Each time we called, the representatives we spoke to were extremely friendly and helpful. They answered all of our questions thoroughly and left us with a clear understanding of how the system worked.
Drawbacks
One drawback with Gusto Payroll Software is that the company has raised prices several times over the past few years. In all, costs have risen by more than 50 percent over the past four years. While there is no indication of another price increase, it is something to keep your eye on.
Another negative is that Gusto is not an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, and it has a D- rating. Despite the low rating, however, there have only been eight complaints filed against the company with the BBB over the past three years.
Gusto Payroll Software
Best Online Payroll ServicesThe Verdict
Because Gusto allows you to pay regular employees and freelancers and contractors the exact same way, it's our favorite online payroll system for S corporations and sole proprietors.
Ready to choose your Best Online Payroll Services? Here's a breakdown of our complete coverage:
Chad Brooks
Chad Brooks is a Chicago-based writer and editor with nearly 20 years in media. A 1998 journalism graduate of Indiana University, Chad began his career with Business News Daily in 2011 as a freelance writer. In 2014, he joined the staff full time as a senior writer. Before Business News Daily, Chad spent nearly a decade as a staff reporter for the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago, covering a wide array of topics including local and state government, crime, the legal system and education. Chad has also worked on the other side of the media industry, promoting small businesses throughout the United States for two years in a public relations role. His first book, How to Start a Home-Based App Development Business, was published in 2014. He lives with his wife and daughter in the Chicago suburbs.
Gusto Payroll Software
Best Online Payroll ServicesThe Verdict
Because Gusto allows you to pay regular employees and freelancers and contractors the exact same way, it's our favorite online payroll system for S corporations and sole proprietors.
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