Home / Payroll & EOR / Gusto cost (2026)
Pricing teardown · covers cost, fees and plans
Gusto cost (2026): plans, fees & your real monthly bill
The short version
Gusto's published price is honest — the surprises live in add-ons. A 3-person team pays about $67/mo, an 8-person team $97–176/mo, and the jump usually comes from benefits and state filings, not the seat price. Note: Gusto raised Simple from $40 to $49 in March 2026 — older reviews quote stale numbers.
Plans, decoded
| Plan | Base | Per person | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | $49/mo | $6 | Single-state payroll |
| Plus | $80/mo | $12 | Multi-state, time tools |
| Premium | $180/mo | $22 | HR support included |
The fees people call 'hidden'
- Contractor-only plan: $35/mo base + $6/contractor — the cheapest way in (promos sometimes waive the base).
- State tax registration: handled via a partner; the fee varies by state and is shown in-account before you buy — budget it per new state.
- Benefits brokerage: free to add, priced inside premiums; bringing your own broker costs $6/employee/mo.
Three real bills
| Team | What's on | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 3 people, 1 state | Simple + contractors | $67/mo |
| 8 people, 2 states | Plus + benefits | $176/mo |
| 15 people, 3 states | Premium + time kits | $510/mo |
Put your own numbers into the payroll cost calculator, or see how this compares in Gusto vs Rippling.
Gusto is the wrong buy if…
- you need IT/device management in the same tool — that's Rippling's case;
- your team is mostly international employees — see the EOR comparison.
Where this page can send you
Gusto — try it on the plan the math points to.Start with Gusto
Direct links — no affiliate relationships today; see how this site makes money.
FAQ
Does Gusto charge for contractors only?
Yes — $35/mo base + $6 per contractor paid, no employee seats required.
Are there setup fees?
No setup fee on self-serve signup — verified on the public checkout; you pay from the first month.
Does the price rise after year one?
Not as a renewal policy — but list prices move: Simple went $40 → $49 in March 2026.