Gusto Pricing 2026
Complete pricing guide with plans, hidden costs, and negotiation tips
Gusto pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $0 to $180 per month in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.
Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.
- Free tier: Yes
- Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
- Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
Gusto offers 4 pricing tiers: Simple, Plus, Premium, Contractor Only. Standard paid plans include Simple at $49/month, Plus at $80/month, Premium at $180/month. The Plus plan is businesses needing advanced features.
Compared to other hr/hris software, Gusto is positioned at the mid-market price point.
Gusto is an all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR platform designed for small businesses. Launched in 2011 as ZenPayroll, Gusto now serves over 300,000 businesses across the United States, offering a modern, intuitive approach to payroll processing and HR management.
Gusto pricing in 2026 starts at $49/month plus $6/employee for the Simple plan (increased from $40 in early 2025). The Plus plan costs $80/month plus $12/employee for multi-state payroll and advanced tools, while Premium runs $180/month plus $22/employee with dedicated support. Unlike standalone HR platforms, Gusto combines full-service payroll with benefits administration and HR tools in one integrated system.
All Gusto Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple perPerson: 6 | $49 /month | Custom | Small businesses |
| Plus perPerson: 12 | $80 /month | Custom | Businesses needing advanced features |
| Premium perPerson: 22 | $180 /month | Custom | Scaling businesses |
| Contractor Only perPerson: 6 | Free | Custom 0 | Contractor-only businesses |
View all features by plan
Simple
- Single-state payroll
- Unlimited payrolls/month
- Tax filings and payments
- Basic PTO policies
Plus
- Multi-state payroll
- Next-day pay
- Time Tracking
Premium
- Dedicated Service Advisor
- HR experts access
- Performance & compensation
- Custom reports
- Priority support
Contractor Only
- Limited time offer
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Frequently Asked Questions
01 How much does Gusto cost?
Gusto costs $49/month + $6/employee for Simple, $80/month + $12/employee for Plus, and $180/month + $22/employee for Premium. Contractor Only is $35/month + $6/contractor. For a 10-person team, expect to pay $109-400/month depending on the plan.
02 How much does Gusto cost per employee in 2026?
In 2026, Gusto per-employee pricing is: Simple $6/employee/month, Plus $12/employee/month, Premium $22/employee/month. Add the base fee ($49-180/month) to get total cost. For a 10-person team on Simple: $49 + (10 x $6) = $109/month.
03 Does Gusto have a free plan?
No, Gusto does not offer a free plan. They provide a 30-day free trial and often run promotions offering 3 months free for new customers. The Contractor Only plan at $35/month + $6/contractor is the most affordable option.
04 What hidden costs should I expect with Gusto?
Hidden costs include additional fees for multi-state payroll on Simple plan, benefits administration add-ons ($10-30/employee/month), international contractor payments, and R&D tax credit services. Year-end forms are included but errors may incur refiling costs.
05 Can I negotiate Gusto pricing?
Gusto's Simple and Plus pricing is generally fixed. Premium pricing is custom and negotiable based on company size, typically offering 10-15% discounts for annual prepayment or companies with 50+ employees. Contact sales for enterprise deals.
06 Is annual billing cheaper with Gusto?
Gusto offers annual prepayment discounts of 10-20% off monthly pricing for some plans. Contact sales for current annual discount rates. Most customers stay on monthly billing for flexibility.
07 Gusto vs BambooHR: Which is cheaper?
Gusto includes payroll ($49+ base fee) while BambooHR is HR-only at $10-22/employee/month. For a 10-person team, Gusto Simple costs ~$109/month with payroll included. BambooHR costs ~$100/month but requires separate payroll software adding $30-50/month. For payroll+HR, Gusto offers better value.
08 What's included in Gusto Premium?
Gusto Premium ($180/month + $22/employee) includes a dedicated customer success manager, HR resource center, certified HR expert assistance, compliance alerts, payroll migration, priority support, and custom reporting. Best for companies needing hands-on HR guidance and compliance help.
09 Does Gusto offer startup discounts?
Yes, Gusto offers startup discounts through various accelerator partnerships and frequently runs promotions for new businesses. Discounts typically range from 3-6 months free. Check for current promotions or ask about partnership deals.