Quick Answer
Last verified:

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: No free tier available
  • Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
  • Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
Last verified: February 2026 | Sources: 5 pricing pages and reviews
+40-60% above list price

Hidden Costs Breakdown

1

State tax filing fees: Additional fees for multi-state payroll beyond Plus plan

2

Year-end tax forms: Included but errors may incur refiling costs

3

R&D tax credit service: Premium add-on for claiming credits

4

Contractor payments: $6/month per contractor on Simple plan

5

Benefits add-ons: Time tracking and other tools may add $10-30/employee/month

6

International payments: Additional fees for international contractor payments

Example: True Cost for 25 Users

License (25 × $64.5 × 12) $19,350/yr
Implementation (one-time) +$15,000–$50,000
Premium Support (20%) +$3,870/yr
Training (25 × $500) +$12,500
Admin (part-time) +$15,000–$25,000/yr
Year 1 Total $54,025–$90,960
That's 1.8–2.5× the advertised license price.

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What hidden costs should I budget for with Gusto?

Beyond the license fee, budget for implementation ($5K-$100K+), training ($500-$2K per user), premium support (15-20% of license), and admin costs. Most companies see 40-60% higher total cost than the listed price.

02 Does Gusto charge for implementation?

Gusto doesn't include implementation in the license cost. Implementation is typically done by partners and costs range from $5,000 for basic setup to $100,000+ for enterprise deployments with customization.

03 How much does Gusto support cost?

Basic support is included, but premium support (faster response times, 24/7 availability) typically adds 15-20% to your annual contract. This can be thousands of dollars per year for larger deployments.

04 Are there storage costs with Gusto?

Most Gusto plans include limited storage. Once you exceed the included amount, you'll pay overage fees which can range from $50-$500+ per month depending on data volume.

05 What add-ons cost extra with Gusto?

Many features marketed as part of Gusto are actually add-ons: advanced reporting, API access, integrations, and specialized modules. Each can add $10-$100+ per user per month.

Get a complete Gusto cost breakdown

We'll send you a detailed analysis including all hidden costs and negotiation tips.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.