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Gusto pricing in 2026, explained
Gusto charges a monthly base fee plus a fee for each person you pay. Your headcount decides the bill more than the plan does.
The three main plans
| Plan | Base fee | Per person | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | $49/mo | $6/mo | Single-state payroll, unlimited runs, tax filings |
| Plus | $80/mo | $12/mo | Multi-state payroll, next-day pay, time tracking |
| Premium | $180/mo | $22/mo | HR guidance and dedicated support |
Gusto raised the Simple base fee from $40 to $49 in March 2026. Older reviews quoting $40 are out of date.
What you'd pay at common team sizes
| People paid | Simple | Plus | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $55 | $92 | $202 |
| 5 | $79 | $140 | $290 |
| 10 | $109 | $200 | $400 |
| 25 | $199 | $380 | $730 |
Monthly, before add-ons. Contractors you pay through Gusto count as people.
Which plan most small businesses need
Start on Simple if everyone works in one state and you just need payroll and taxes handled. Move to Plus when you hire in a second state or want time tracking built in. Premium makes sense when you want HR guidance on call, usually at a larger headcount.
Costs to watch
- Priority support is an add-on on Simple and Plus, at $30 a month plus $3 per person.
- Hiring in another state pushes you from Simple to Plus, roughly doubling the per-person fee.
- Benefits and workers' comp are priced separately from payroll.
Is Gusto worth it?
For teams under about 50 people, Gusto's published pricing and self-serve setup are hard to beat. Above that, it's worth getting a quote from a provider built for larger teams, such as Paylocity, before deciding. See the full comparison.