Gusto
Payroll, benefits, and HR for small businesses
accountingSetup: moderate
9
Visit Gusto →AppAdvize
Score / 10
Overview
Gusto is the leading payroll and HR platform for US small businesses, handling full-service payroll (direct deposit, tax filings, W-2s, and 1099s), employee benefits (health insurance, 401k), and basic HR tools (offer letters, onboarding checklists, PTO tracking). It automates federal, state, and local payroll tax filings — one of the most time-consuming compliance tasks for small business owners. Gusto is contractor-friendly, making it popular with agencies and studios that mix employees and freelancers.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- ✓Automated payroll tax filings — federal, state, and local handled automatically
- ✓1099 contractor payments and management alongside employee payroll
- ✓Employee benefits (health, dental, 401k) integrated in one system
- ✓Excellent UX — one of the easiest payroll tools to operate
Watch out for
- ✕US-only — not suitable for international payroll (use Deel)
- ✕Per-person pricing adds up as headcount grows
- ✕No free plan
Best for
- US-based agencies and studios with a mix of W-2 employees and 1099 contractors
- Small businesses that want payroll, HR, and benefits in one place
Not ideal for
- International teams needing global payroll (use Deel or Remote)
- Solo freelancers with no employees (an accountant + FreshBooks is simpler)
Alternatives
AppAdvize Scores
Ease of Use8.5/10
Value for Money8.5/10
Support Quality8.5/10
Integrations8.5/10
Scalability8.5/10
Overall9/10
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 2011
- Users
- 300,000+ businesses
- Setup time
- ~90 min
- Complexity
- moderate
- Maturity
- established
Last verified: 2026-03-01