Gusto pricing in 2026: every plan, what it costs and who it suits
Wondering what you'll actually pay for Gusto? Start here. Gusto is a payroll & hr tool offering paid plans only; its paid tiers are summarised below from public plans current at the time of writing.
The favorite full-service payroll for small US startups, with unlimited runs and a clean UX. Gusto keeps things paid-only, so budget for a subscription from day one. Friendly full-service US payroll with benefits, onboarding and contractor payments; favorite of small startups.
Plans & pricing tiers
| Plan | Price (approx.) | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor Only | ~$35/mo + $6/contractor | 1099-only businesses |
| Simple | ~$49/mo + $6/employee | Single-state full-service payroll |
| Plus | ~$80/mo + $12/employee | Multi-state payroll, next-day deposit, HR tools |
| Premium | ~$180/mo + $22/employee | Dedicated CSM, HR experts, priority support |
Figures are compiled from public plans and independent reviews; treat them as a guide and verify live pricing with the vendor.
Prices verified 2026-06-28 from public vendor pricing. Plans and prices change — always confirm on the vendor's own site. No price here is guaranteed.
What you're paying for
Here is what your subscription actually buys with Gusto across its plans:
- Full-service payroll with unlimited payroll runs
- Automatic federal, state and local tax filing
- Benefits administration (health, financial benefits)
- Hiring/onboarding tools and contractor payments
- Multi-state payroll, time tracking and project costing on higher tiers
Which capabilities land on which plan depends on the tier, so use the table above to match features to budget.
Which plan to pick
Gusto is built for uS startups and small businesses (typically under 50 employees) wanting easy full-service payroll. For that profile the Contractor Only plan (~$35/mo + $6/contractor) is the sensible entry, and you climb tiers only once full-service payroll demands it.
Is Gusto worth it?
Paid access starts at roughly $49 per month. If us startups under 50 is your goal, start low: the cheapest paid tier covers it for most users, and full-service payroll is what eventually pushes you up a level. Budget-conscious buyers should price the entry tier against competitors before deciding.
Pricing watch-outs
- Per-employee fees add up as headcount grows.
- Every plan includes unlimited payroll runs with no off-cycle charges.
Drawn from independent reviews and the vendor's own plan details (see sources below).
Gusto keeps pricing relatively flat per tier, so the main decision is which plan's features you need rather than how heavily you'll use it.
Pricing FAQ
Does Gusto have a free plan?
Gusto is a paid tool without a standing free plan; check its site for any current trial or money-back window.
How much does Gusto cost?
Its cheapest paid plan, Contractor Only, lists at ~$35/mo + $6/contractor. Paid access starts at roughly $49 per month. The exact bill depends on billing cycle and how many seats or how much usage you need.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Gusto?
There are cheaper payroll & hr options that cover the core job; the Gusto alternatives page lines up their entry costs for you.
Is Gusto worth the price for us startups under 50?
For us startups under 50 it generally earns its cost at the entry tier; if that's only a side need, weigh it against a cheaper specialist first.
Which Gusto plan should I choose?
If you fit that profile, begin on the Contractor Only plan (~$35/mo + $6/contractor) and upgrade later, when full-service payroll becomes a real constraint.
Sources
We pulled the Gusto pricing and feature details here from these primary and third-party sources: