Gusto

Gusto uses transparent pricing: a monthly base fee plus a per-employee fee of $6/emp/mo on the entry Simple plan, with no quote required. The Plus plan adds next-day direct deposit, time tracking, and deeper HR for a higher base and per-employee fee, and the Premium plan moves to quote-based pricing. There is also a contractor-only plan for businesses that pay 1099s but have no W-2 employees. The comparison table on this page shows the current base and per-employee fees, and the calculator above estimates your monthly cost on your own headcount.

Yes. Gusto is full-service on every plan, which means it calculates, files, and pays your federal, state, and local payroll taxes automatically each pay run, and handles year-end W-2s and 1099s. It also files new-hire reports to the state. You are not left to file anything yourself, which is the main difference between full-service payroll and a calculate-only tool.

Yes. Gusto supports multi-state payroll, handling withholding, registration prompts, and reciprocity for employees who live or work in different states. This is included rather than an add-on, which makes Gusto a practical choice for remote teams with people spread across the country. You are responsible for registering with each state's agencies, and Gusto guides you through what is needed.

Yes. Gusto includes benefits administration (health insurance and 401(k)) through its broker partners, and pay-as-you-go workers compensation that bases premiums on actual payroll rather than an annual estimate. Health insurance is available in most states, and benefits sit in the same platform as payroll so deductions flow through automatically.

Yes. Gusto integrates natively with QuickBooks Online, Xero, and FreshBooks, syncing payroll journals into your accounting so your books stay current without manual entry. This is why Xero users in particular often pair Xero accounting with Gusto for payroll, since Xero does not run US payroll itself.

Gusto includes a native AI assistant that answers payroll and HR questions and helps surface tasks, alongside automation that flags issues before a pay run. For connecting external AI agents, Gusto does not publish an official Model Context Protocol (MCP) server; integration with AI tools is via third-party automation platforms such as Zapier or its public API.

Gusto charges a monthly base fee plus a per-employee fee. The entry Simple plan starts at $6/emp/mo on top of its base fee, and the Plus and Premium tiers raise both the base and the per-employee rate while adding time tracking, performance, and more. The calculator above estimates your monthly cost on your own headcount, and the comparison table shows each tier in US dollars.

Yes. Gusto includes native full-service payroll across all 50 states, filing federal, state, and local payroll taxes, plus W-2s and 1099s, automatically. Unlimited payroll runs are included, and contractor-only businesses can use a cheaper contractor plan. This native payroll is the core of Gusto, not an add-on, which is the main reason small US businesses pick it over HR-only tools.

Yes. Gusto administers health, dental, and vision insurance through licensed brokers in most states, and offers 401(k) via Guideline, plus HSA, FSA, and commuter benefits. Deductions sync automatically to payroll. Workers' compensation is available pay-as-you-go through a broker partner. For a small business that wants payroll and benefits in one place, Gusto is one of the most complete options.

Yes. Gusto includes digital Form I-9 collection during onboarding, with E-Verify available on higher tiers, and generates ACA forms (1095-C / 1094-C) for applicable employers. It also helps with multi-state tax registration when you hire across state lines. This compliance coverage is built into the platform rather than sold separately.

Gusto includes a native AI assistant for answering HR and payroll questions and surfacing guidance, though it is lighter than the agent tooling in Rippling or Deel. It does not currently publish an official MCP server; AI agents and automation connect through third-party tools such as Zapier. A public API is available for custom integrations.

Yes. Gusto is built for US small businesses from one employee upward, pairing an approachable interface with full-service payroll, benefits, and compliance. It is best for companies that want payroll at the center of their HR stack rather than a deep HRIS with a separate payroll add-on. Larger or IT-heavy teams may prefer Rippling, and companies hiring internationally may prefer Deel.