Gusto - Detailed Review
Business Tools
Gusto - Detailed Review Contents
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Gusto - Product Overview
Gusto Overview
Gusto is a prominent player in the business tools and HR software sector, offering a comprehensive suite of services designed to streamline payroll, benefits, and human resource management for businesses.Primary Function
Gusto’s primary function is to provide an all-in-one HR platform that enables businesses to manage their payroll, benefits, and human resources efficiently. The platform handles payments to employees and contractors, automates tax filings, and ensures compliance with tax, labor, and immigration laws.Target Audience
Gusto’s target audience is primarily small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) based in the United States. However, as of June 2023, Gusto has also begun to support businesses in hiring international employees, particularly in regions like Canada, with plans to expand to over 75 markets.Key Features
Full-Service Payroll
Gusto’s payroll service allows businesses to pay employees and contractors with ease, automatically filing taxes and helping with compliance. It also identifies tax credits that businesses may be eligible for, potentially saving them significant amounts of money.Employee Benefits
Gusto offers a range of health and financial benefits, including medical, dental, life, and vision insurance. Additionally, it provides tools for 401(k) retirement savings, workers’ compensation, and financial planning tools like Gusto Wallet.Time and Attendance
The platform includes automated time tracking tools that sync with payroll, calculating hours, PTO, holidays, and more. It also integrates with various time tracking software to ensure compliance.Hiring and Onboarding
Gusto facilitates the hiring and onboarding process, making it easier for businesses to attract, hire, and retain talent. The platform supports businesses from the initial hiring stage to long-term employee management.Talent Management
Gusto offers performance tools, including performance reviews, trainings, and developmental tools, to help keep employees engaged and support their growth within the company.Insights and Reporting
The platform provides actionable data and insights through competitive compensation tools, employee feedback surveys, and workforce costing reports, helping businesses make informed decisions.Integrations
Gusto integrates with various software applications, ensuring that all business systems work seamlessly together. This includes integrations with popular software to streamline operations.Conclusion
In summary, Gusto is a versatile HR platform that simplifies payroll, benefits, and HR management for SMBs, offering a wide array of features to support businesses in managing their workforce efficiently. Gusto - User Interface and Experience
User Interface Overview
The user interface of Gusto, a prominent payroll and HR management software, is notable for its simplicity, intuitiveness, and engaging design.Ease of Use
Gusto’s interface is extremely intuitive, making it easy for users, even those without prior experience with payroll software, to navigate and use the platform effectively. The software is entirely browser-based, eliminating the need for a desktop application, and allows users to get started immediately after creating an account and purchasing a plan.Dashboard and Organization
The main dashboard of Gusto is clean and minimalistic, with a pastel color palette that adds a touch of friendliness. All menu items are neatly organized into a sidebar on the left, with clear labels and dropdown menus that further narrow down user choices. This organization ensures that all everyday payroll actions are accessible within two clicks or less from the main dashboard.Key Features and Accessibility
The dashboard is well-structured, displaying key information such as payment status, upcoming payroll details, and links to important resources like tax benefits eligibility. Users can easily access their pay stubs, view tax documents, and manage benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. The platform also integrates seamlessly with other accounting and business software, making it a comprehensive solution for small to medium-sized businesses.Visual and Interactive Elements
Gusto’s UI includes fun and engaging elements, such as colorful illustrations and animations. For example, when users log in, they are greeted by a short animation of a masked piggy bank, which makes the loading process more delightful.Employee Self-Service
The platform offers an employee self-service portal where employees can view their pay stubs, tax documents, and benefits information. This feature encourages employee self-service and makes it easy for employees to manage their own HR-related tasks through the mobile app.Feedback and Engagement
Gusto engages users through various means, such as notifications about new features and incentives for referrals. When users sign out, they are presented with a modal offering a cash reward for referring the platform to others, which encourages user engagement and advocacy.Limitations
While Gusto’s interface is highly user-friendly, there are some limitations. For instance, there is no master search bar, which can make finding specific menu items or settings slightly more challenging. Additionally, Gusto lacks advanced security features like biometric login for its web application and does not offer a free plan.Conclusion
In summary, Gusto’s user interface is praised for its simplicity, ease of use, and engaging design. It simplifies complex payroll and HR tasks, making it an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an intuitive and user-friendly solution. Gusto - Key Features and Functionality
Gusto Overview
Gusto is a comprehensive payroll and human resource management platform that offers a range of features and functionalities, particularly enhanced through integrations with AI technologies. Here are the main features and how they work:Employee Management
Gusto allows you to organize and manage your employees efficiently. You can add team members, view a company org chart, and manage hiring, onboarding, and background checks through the Gusto Recruiting integration. The platform also enables you to review and manage employee expenses, including uploading receipts and automatic reimbursement during payroll runs.Payroll
Gusto simplifies payroll processing by automatically calculating taxes, including federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax. It withholds the proper amounts from employees’ paychecks, updates relevant tax filings, and even pays the IRS directly. You can specify payment deposit speeds (4-day, 2-day, or next-day direct deposits) and customize the bank descriptor on employees’ bank statements. Additionally, Gusto supports irregular pay items like bonuses, commissions, and tip credits, and allows for paper checks if needed.Time Tracking
While Gusto itself has limited built-in time tracking features, it integrates with 21 third-party time tracking services. This allows employees to track their hours worked through various channels, and the data can be synced with Gusto for payroll processing.Integrations
Gusto integrates seamlessly with a wide range of accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, FreshBooks, Xero), general business apps (e.g., Shopify, Slack), and HR tools (e.g., BreezyHR, Asana). These integrations enable automatic synchronization of data, making it easier to manage payroll, expenses, and other HR tasks.Benefits Administration
Gusto helps you set up and manage employee benefits, including health benefits, 401(k) retirement plans, commuter benefits, and charity matching. For more complex benefits, you can integrate with partners like Human Interest, Guideline, and Vestwell directly from the Gusto dashboard.AI Integrations
Integrating Gusto with AI technologies can significantly enhance its functionalities:Automate Routine HR Tasks
AI can automate tasks such as processing payroll, managing employee benefits, and tracking attendance, reducing manual effort.AI-Powered Analytics
AI analytics tools can monitor workforce performance, analyze payroll data for insights, and track employee engagement, aiding in better decision-making.Natural Language Processing (NLP)
AI integrations enable more advanced commands using NLP, allowing HR teams to interact with the platform in a conversational manner.Enhanced Employee Onboarding
AI-driven tools can streamline onboarding processes with personalized experiences, automated document handling, and intelligent task assignments.Automated Responses and Reports
AI can generate automatic responses to common employee queries and draft reports, performance reviews, or summaries, speeding up documentation processes.Real-time Language Translation and Sentiment Analysis
AI can translate communications into multiple languages and analyze employee feedback to gauge sentiment and improve workplace dynamics. These AI integrations, such as those with Botpress and Beam AI, enable HR teams to automate routine tasks, generate insightful reports, and enhance employee engagement, making HR operations more efficient and data-driven. Gusto - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating Gusto’s Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating the performance and accuracy of Gusto in the business tools AI-driven product category involves looking at several key aspects of its functionality and user experience.
Automation and Efficiency
Gusto excels in automating payroll processes, which significantly enhances efficiency and accuracy. The platform automatically calculates, files, and pays federal, state, and local taxes, along with benefits deductions, workers’ comp, and PTO.
Additionally, Gusto’s AI-powered tools are being developed to streamline payroll data imports, automatically mapping data from various formats and sources. This feature aims to save hours of manual data preparation, reducing the time spent on adjusting and inputting data, which is a major time-consuming aspect of payroll processing.
Compliance Management
Gusto’s compliance management tools are highly accurate and help businesses stay updated with labor laws and regulations. The platform ensures timely submission of federal, state, and local payroll taxes, reducing the risk of errors and compliance issues.
Time and Productivity Management
Gusto offers a range of time and productivity tools that are accurate and user-friendly. Employees can easily request PTO and check their balances, while managers can review and approve timesheets and time off requests efficiently. The platform also provides AI-powered reporting options to help optimize labor costs and distribute team time effectively.
Performance Reviews and Employee Engagement
Gusto’s performance review tools, including 1-on-1 and self-evaluations, are well-structured and easy to use. The platform also includes features for employee happiness surveys and integrated learning and professional development options, which help keep teams engaged and on track.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While Gusto is highly effective, there are a few areas where it could improve:
Integration with Shift Scheduling Tools
Although Gusto integrates seamlessly with popular shift scheduling tools, it does not offer native shift scheduling. This might require additional setup for some users.
Manual Data Entry
While AI-powered tools are being developed to reduce manual data entry, some users still report having to manually log hours and rely on their accountants to clean the data and move it into Gusto. However, Gusto is actively working to automate this process.
Unique User Issues
As with any software, individual experiences may vary, and some users might face unique issues depending on their specific circumstances. However, Gusto’s support team is available to address these issues.
Conclusion
Overall, Gusto’s performance and accuracy in the business tools AI-driven product category are strong. The platform’s automation, compliance management, and time and productivity tools make it a reliable choice for small to medium-sized businesses. While there are some areas for improvement, Gusto is continually enhancing its features to better serve its users.
Gusto - Pricing and Plans
Gusto Payroll and HR Plans
Gusto offers a range of payroll and HR plans designed to meet the varying needs of businesses, each with its own set of features and pricing. Here’s a breakdown of the different plans:
Gusto Simple Plan
Cost
$40 per month plus $6 per person per month.
Key Features
- Full-service payroll with automated tax calculations and filings.
- Employee self-service portal for accessing pay and tax documents.
- Basic support with 24/7 access to the Help Center and business hours support via call or chat.
- Benefits integration for health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits.
- Hiring and onboarding tools, including e-signable documents and onboarding checklists.
- PTO policies and holiday pay automation.
- Custom admin permissions.
- Optional add-ons like time and attendance tracking and next-day direct deposit.
Gusto Plus Plan
Cost
$80 per month plus $12 per person per month. However, there is currently a discount available, reducing the cost to $60 per month plus $9 per person per month.
Key Features
- All features from the Simple plan.
- Full-service multi-state payroll with unlimited payroll runs.
- Advanced hiring and onboarding tools, including job posts and applicant tracking.
- PTO management with time-off requests and approvals.
- Time and project tracking with geolocation and employee project tracking.
- Scheduling tools for creating and sharing team schedules.
- Expense submission and approval.
- Team management tools, including a directory and team organization charts.
- Optional add-ons like priority support and certified HR resources.
Gusto Premium Plan
Cost
Custom pricing, which varies on a case-by-case basis.
Key Features
- All features from the Plus plan.
- Dedicated customer success manager for strategic alignment and regular business reviews.
- HR Resource Center with best practices for recruitment, employee performance assessments, job description templates, and compliance alerts.
- Full-service payroll migration and account setup.
- Health insurance integration with existing plans.
Gusto Contractor-Only Plan
Cost
$35 per month plus $6 per contractor per month. New users can enjoy the first 6 months for free.
Key Features
- Unlimited contractor payments across all 50 states.
- Automated 1099 filing.
- Secure contractor self-onboarding.
- Four-day direct deposit.
- New hire reporting if required by the state.
- Optional add-on for global contractor payments.
Free Options
Gusto offers a free setup for its payroll software, allowing businesses to create an account, explore features, and set up their system without any initial cost. You only start paying when you run your first payroll. This includes free payroll tax filing, onboarding, and compliance with every plan.
Gusto - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with Accounting and Payroll Software
Gusto integrates with popular accounting and payroll software such as QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks. These integrations allow for automatic syncing of payroll and expense data, eliminating the need for manual entry and reducing the risk of errors.
Time Tracking and Employee Scheduling
Gusto connects with time tracking and employee scheduling tools like Homebase and JobTread. These integrations enable the syncing of employee hours, time off, and overtime directly into Gusto, making payroll processing more accurate and efficient.
Point of Sale (POS) Systems
For businesses with both online and in-person sales, Gusto integrates with POS systems like Shopify. This integration allows for the seamless syncing of user data from the POS system to Gusto, simplifying payroll management.
Business Insights and Analytics
Gusto also integrates with tools like Peoplelogic.ai, which provides insights and analytical data on employee performance. This integration helps managers make better decisions by ensuring all employee information is up-to-date and synchronized.
Performance Management
Performance management tools like 15five are also compatible with Gusto. These integrations facilitate the syncing of employee information, performance reviews, and OKRs, helping to develop more effective managers and improve employee performance.
Extensive Integration Options
Gusto offers integrations with over 160 small business tools, including Asana, HubSpot, and BreezyHR. This extensive range of integrations makes it an attractive choice for businesses with various software needs.
AI-Driven Tools
Gusto is also leveraging AI to enhance its integrations. For example, AI-powered tools are being developed to automate payroll data imports, prevent and resolve tax notices, and generate customized reports. These tools can automatically map data from spreadsheets into Gusto, even when the data is unstructured or messy.
Compatibility Across Devices
While specific details on device compatibility are not extensively outlined, Gusto’s cloud-based nature ensures that it can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. This includes desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, making it highly versatile and accessible.
Customer Support and Setup
Gusto is known for its user-friendly interface and straightforward setup process. The platform provides detailed self-service resources and offers phone, email, and live chat support during business hours. This makes integrating Gusto with other tools relatively easy and hassle-free.
Conclusion
In summary, Gusto’s integration capabilities are comprehensive and designed to simplify business operations by automating data syncing, reducing manual entry, and enhancing overall efficiency across various platforms and tools.
Gusto - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
Gusto offers a variety of customer support options and additional resources to help users manage their payroll, benefits, and HR needs efficiently.Contact Methods
- Phone Support: Gusto provides multiple phone numbers for customer support. The most popular numbers are (855) 993-5485, (855) 546-1818, and (800) 936-0383. Calling these numbers is the quickest way to get immediate help with your account, billing, or services. Be prepared to provide your email, phone number, or first and last name to verify your identity.
- Email Support: You can contact Gusto via email at support@gusto.com. While email responses may take longer than phone support, it is a good option for less urgent queries. Including detailed information about your issue can help ensure a faster and more accurate response.
- Live Chat: Gusto also offers live chat support, which is available during their operating hours. This method is 87% faster and resolves problems 9 times quicker than email.
- Callback Request: You can request a callback from the Gusto support team through your Gusto account, which is a convenient option if you prefer to be contacted at a specific time.
Operating Hours
Gusto’s customer support team is available from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Mountain Time, Monday through Friday. They are not available on observed holidays.Additional Resources
- Help Center: Gusto has a comprehensive Help Center where you can find answers to common questions and access support articles. You can search for keywords using the CMD F (or CTRL F) function to quickly find relevant information.
- Support Ticket Status: If you have submitted a support ticket, you can check its status by logging into your Gusto account. Tickets are categorized into “Open” and “Closed” tabs, allowing you to track the progress of your inquiry.
- AI Assistant (Gus): Gusto is introducing an AI-powered assistant called Gus, which will help small business owners with frequently asked questions, compliance requirements, and personalized insights. Gus can also assist in executing tasks such as approving paid time off requests or changing an employee’s salary, all while requiring final approval from the business owner.
Security and Verification
When contacting Gusto, you may be asked for a 6-digit security code to verify your identity. This code can be found by visiting gusto.com/code and signing into your account. By utilizing these support options and resources, Gusto aims to provide efficient and effective assistance to its users, helping them manage their business operations smoothly. Gusto - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Comprehensive Payroll and HR Solutions
User-Friendly Interface
Expansive Integrations
AI-Powered Assistant
Global and Multi-State Compliance
Employee Self-Service
Promotions and Support
Disadvantages
Pricing
Limited HR Tools in Lower Plans
Customer Service Complaints
Health Insurance Limitations
Mobile App Limitation
Resolution Time for Tax Notices
Suitability for Large Businesses
Limited Reporting Capabilities
Gusto - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of Gusto
Gusto is renowned for its all-in-one HR and payroll platform, which is particularly appealing to small and midsize businesses. Here are some of its unique features:- AI-Powered Assistant: Gusto is introducing an AI assistant called Gus, which will provide quick answers to frequently asked questions, offer personalized insights, and help execute tasks such as approving paid time off requests or changing employee salaries.
- Automated Payroll and Tax Filing: Gusto automates payroll processing and tax filing, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws. It also handles benefits administration, including customizable employee benefits packages.
- Recruitment and Onboarding Tools: Gusto’s AI-powered Applicant Tracking System (ATS) helps with job posting, application screening, and onboarding. It also automates offer letters and compliance checks.
- User-Friendly Interface: Gusto is known for its easy-to-use interface, making it a favorite among new employers who want a simple tool to manage their workforce.
Competitors and Alternatives
Rippling
Rippling is often highlighted as a strong alternative to Gusto, especially for growing businesses with complex payroll needs.- Comprehensive Platform: Rippling unifies HR, IT, and finance systems into one platform, offering advanced automation across all HR modules and over 600 integrations.
- Advanced Reporting: Rippling provides more comprehensive reporting capabilities compared to Gusto, allowing users to pull data from various systems and visualize it within the platform.
- Global Payroll Management: Rippling is better suited for businesses looking to scale globally due to its advanced features and configurability.
ADP
ADP offers several products that compete with Gusto:- ADP Workforce Now: This is a cloud-based platform for mid- to large-sized businesses, featuring automated payroll processing, time and attendance tracking, benefits management, and an employee self-service portal.
- Roll by ADP: A simple, chat-based payroll app designed for micro-businesses, offering fast and affordable payroll management.
Paychex
Paychex Flex is another alternative that offers a more comprehensive HR solution.- Employee Management Tools: Paychex includes tools like a learning management system, which Gusto lacks but can integrate with through third-party services.
- Comprehensive HR Features: Paychex Flex provides a broader range of HR features, making it a better fit for businesses needing more than just payroll management.
Other Alternatives
Other notable alternatives include:- SurePayroll by Paychex: Known for being the most affordable option, it is a good choice for small businesses on a tight budget.
- Papaya Global: Ideal for multinational companies due to its international payroll services.
- Justworks: A PEO solution that offers a more comprehensive HR and payroll package.
Key Differences
- Scaling: Gusto is generally better suited for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. For businesses planning to grow or already larger, alternatives like Rippling or ADP Workforce Now might be more appropriate due to their scalability and advanced features.
- HR Features: While Gusto offers a range of HR tools, it may lack the depth and breadth of features provided by competitors like Paychex Flex or ADP Workforce Now. Gusto, however, integrates well with third-party HR tools.
- Automation and Reporting: Rippling stands out for its extensive automation capabilities and advanced reporting features, which are more comprehensive than what Gusto offers.
Gusto - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Gusto
What is Gusto and what services does it offer?
Gusto is an all-in-one HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers a range of services including payroll processing, payroll taxes, year-end tax forms, employee classifications, paid time off (PTO), new hires, and integrations with accounting and time-tracking systems.How does Gusto use AI in its platform?
Gusto is integrating AI technology to enhance its services. For example, the upcoming AI assistant called Gus will provide quick answers to frequently asked questions, offer personalized insights specific to the business, and help execute tasks such as approving paid time off requests or changing an employee’s salary. Additionally, Gusto’s AI-powered Applicant Tracking System (ATS) helps with recruiting, onboarding, and talent management by generating job descriptions, screening job applications, and automating offer letters and onboarding checklists.What can the AI assistant Gus do for business owners?
Gus, the AI assistant, can provide business owners with quick answers to their questions, such as compliance requirements or tax filing procedures. It can also give personalized insights based on the business’s data on the Gusto platform. Gus can help execute tasks like approving paid time off requests or changing an employee’s salary, always requiring the business owner’s final approval before completing any actions.How does Gusto’s AI help with recruiting and hiring?
Gusto’s AI tools, particularly the job post generator, help create high-quality, customized job descriptions based on the business’s industry, model, and job position. The AI-powered ATS integrates with job boards to distribute job posts, screens and sorts job applications, and flags the most promising candidates. It also automates offer letters, onboarding checklists, and compliance tasks.What are the different plans offered by Gusto, and what do they include?
Gusto offers several plans, with the Core plan being the most common. The Core plan starts at $39/month plus $6/employee and includes full-service payroll, two-day direct deposit, self-service employee portal, worker’s compensation administration, health insurance administration, PTO policies, employee onboarding, and integrations for accounting and time-tracking. There is also a Plus plan that costs $60/month plus $9/employee, which includes additional features.How does Gusto handle payroll processing and tax compliance?
Gusto simplifies payroll processing by allowing business owners to enter necessary information for each employee and automate payroll for those with unchanging data. It also handles payroll taxes by automatically calculating, filing, and paying federal, state, and local payroll taxes. This ensures accurate payroll processing and tax compliance.What kind of integrations does Gusto offer?
Gusto integrates with various accounting and time-tracking systems, making it easier to manage payroll and other HR tasks. These integrations help streamline the process and reduce manual intervention.How does Gusto’s employee self-service portal work?
The employee self-service portal allows employees to access their pay stubs, update personal information, and manage their benefits securely. This portal is part of Gusto’s comprehensive HR and payroll solution, ensuring that employees have easy access to their relevant information.What kind of support does Gusto offer to its users?
Gusto provides excellent customer support to help business owners get the most out of their investment. Users can sign up for a free trial to explore the platform’s features firsthand and then choose a pricing plan based on their business needs. The support ensures that users can effectively use all the features and tools available on the platform.Can I use Gusto for managing employee benefits?
Yes, Gusto offers integrated benefits management, allowing business owners to manage health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee benefits with ease. This includes administration of these benefits and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.How secure is the data on Gusto?
Gusto utilizes advanced security measures to protect sensitive business and employee data. This ensures that all information entered into the platform is secure and compliant with data protection standards.