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Paid plans start at $49/mo.
Gusto starts at $49 per month plus $6 per person for Simple, its one-state payroll plan. Plus is $80/month plus $12 per person; Premium is $180/month plus $22 per person. The pricing page lists month-to-month billing and says plans can be cancelled anytime, but it does not publish annual rates. Budget separately for add-ons such as benefits, faster pay and compliance services; some are included only on higher plans.
01Every plan, line by line
| Plan | Billed annually | Billed monthly | Built for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | — | $49 | Basic payroll in one state |
| Plus | — | $80 | Mixed workforces expanding into states |
| Premium | — | $180 | Growing teams needing HR guidance |
| Gusto Solo | — | Quote | S corp owners paying themselves |
Add-ons and overages
- Global contractor payments: $5 per payment to US-based bank accounts; no monthly per-contractor fee for global contractors
- State tax registration: price varies by state
- R&D tax credits: 15% of identified credits; Premium discounts available
- Next-Day pay: $15/month + $3/person/month; included with Plus and Premium
- Instant pay: $100 per payroll; included with Premium
- Same-day pay: $90 per payroll; included with Premium
- Time & Attendance Plus: free trial, then $6/person/month
- Gusto Business Compliance: $85/month per state on an annual contract; included with Premium
- Remote I-9: $20/submission; included with Premium
- E-Verify: $5/submission, plus Remote I-9; included with Premium
- Priority Support: $30/month + $3/person/month
- Gusto HR Partners: price not published; for eligible Plus and Premium customers
- Health insurance: premiums only; no Gusto administration fee
- Health insurance broker integration: $6/month per eligible employee
- 401(k): price varies by plan
- Life and disability: employee premiums only; no administration fee
- HSA: $2.50/month per participant; no minimum
- FSA, dependent care FSA, and commuter benefits: $4/month per participant; $20/month minimum each
- Tax-advantaged accounts: $200 annual service charge covers HSA, FSA, dependent care FSA, and commuter benefits
- Workers’ compensation: premiums plus up to $5/month for pay-as-you-go
- General liability, professional liability, BOP, and commercial property: premiums only
- Gusto Money Plus: $19/month
- U.S. contractors are billed at the plan’s per-person rate in months they are paid
What a team pays per month
| Plan | 1 seat | 5 seats | 10 seats | 25 seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | $49 | $245 | $490 | $1,225 |
| Plus | $80 | $400 | $800 | $2,000 |
| Premium | $180 | $900 | $1,800 | $4,500 |
02What the plan grid doesn't tell you
Per-person fees add up
Simple, Plus and Premium each charge a monthly base fee plus a per-person rate. U.S. contractors are billed at that rate in months they are paid.
Faster pay costs extra
Next-day pay is $15/month plus $3/person unless you have Plus or Premium. Instant pay is $100 per payroll and same-day pay is $90; both are included with Premium.
Compliance may be extra
Gusto Business Compliance is $85/month per state on an annual contract. It is included with Premium; state tax registration pricing varies by state.
Benefits have separate charges
Health insurance has premiums but no Gusto administration fee. Other listed fees include $6/month per eligible employee for broker integration and $2.50/month per HSA participant.
03Which plan should you buy?
| If you are… | Get | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Basic payroll in one state | Simple | At $49/month plus $6 per person, it includes unlimited payrolls, tax filings and payments, and basic PTO and holiday pay. |
| Multi-state teams needing time tools | Plus | It costs $80/month plus $12 per person and adds multi-state payroll, time tracking, scheduling and unlimited next-day pay. |
| Growing teams needing HR guidance | Premium | At $180/month plus $22 per person, it includes HR guidance, premium support, Business Compliance and unlimited same-day and instant pay. |
04Is Gusto worth the money?
Gusto covers payroll and HR well, but the headline price is only part of the bill: each paid person adds a monthly charge, and benefits or extra services can add more. Simple is the clearest fit for basic, one-state payroll; Plus and Premium bundle more tools and pay options. Our review verdict is tempered by support complaints, so weigh the included support against the higher Premium price before switching. Gusto Solo pricing is not published.
Gusto pricing FAQ
Is Gusto free?
No free plan is listed. Simple starts at $49/month plus $6 per person, and the pricing page shows monthly prices rather than annual rates. A free trial is not listed for the payroll plans; Time & Attendance Plus is separately listed with a free trial.
How do I cancel my Gusto spending account?
The pricing information we checked does not explain how to close a Gusto spending account. It says subscription plans are month-to-month and cancellable anytime, but that does not establish the steps for closing a financial account. Check Gusto’s current account support materials for instructions.
What bank is Gusto affiliated with?
The pricing information we checked does not identify the bank behind a Gusto spending account. It lists Gusto Money Plus at $19/month, but does not name a banking partner. Check the account disclosures or current Gusto terms for the institution details.
Is Gusto a good payroll service?
It may suit businesses that want payroll, tax filings, HR tools and benefits in one product. Gusto also offers time tracking, hiring and contractor management. Our review verdict is positive on payroll and HR coverage, but support complaints temper the case; compare the per-person cost and included support with your needs.