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Is Gusto Worth It in 2026? Our Honest Verdict
Best Payroll for SMB
Gusto: The best payroll experience for small US businesses, period.
Rating★ 4.4/5
Starting price$40/mo + $6/person
Best forSmall businesses under 100 employees nee
CategoryHR & Recruiting
Who Gusto Is Worth It For
- ✓Small businesses under 100 employees needing payroll
- ✓Painless automated payroll
- ✓Excellent tax compliance
- ✓Clean simple interface
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- ✕Not ideal for international companies with global payroll needs
- ✕US-only payroll
- ✕Gets expensive as you grow
- ✕HR features are basic compared to BambooHR
Is Gusto Pricing Fair?
| Tier | Price |
|---|---|
| Starter | $40/mo + $6/person |
| Pro | $80/mo + $12/person |
| Enterprise | Custom |
Pricing verified March 2026.
How Gusto Compares
| Gusto | BambooHR | Lattice | Greenhouse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $40/mo + $6/person | $6/employee/mo | $11/person/mo | Custom |
| Rating | ★ 4.4 | ★ 4.5 | ★ 4.4 | ★ 4.4 |
| Verdict | Best SMB HR Platform | Best Performance Management | Best Enterprise ATS | |
| Free Tier | ✕ |
AICores Verdict on Gusto
The best payroll experience for small US businesses, period. Auto-tax filing saves hours monthly. Falls apart for international or complex comp structures.
AICores Editorial Review
Reviewed by AICores Editorial Team
Last updated: May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gusto worth the money?▼
The best payroll experience for small US businesses, period. Auto-tax filing saves hours monthly. Falls apart for international or complex comp structures.
Is there a free version of Gusto?▼
No, Gusto does not have a free version. The lowest plan starts at $40/mo + $6/person. Some alternatives in this category offer free tiers.
What are the best alternatives to Gusto?▼
BambooHR, Lattice, Greenhouse are the top alternatives. BambooHR is best for smbs with 25-500 employees wanting unified hr and has a 4.5 star rating.
Who should NOT use Gusto?▼
Gusto is not ideal for international companies with global payroll needs. Common drawbacks include: US-only payroll. Gets expensive as you grow.