payroll software for small business free download

I speak to Gusto's support team a few times a month. I have also had to clean up multiple enrollments and COBRA errors. During two separate years, I sent 4+ requests to discuss new providers and never received a response. I never participated in the initial setup, but I managed 4 or 5 open enrollments through Gusto, and each was an unmitigated disaster. Gusto's benefits department is its weakest link. Although Gusto did resolve them eventually without penalty, it was concerning that they didn't keep us in the loop. Around 2021 I started receiving notices that some of our state tax forms weren't being filed on time. The Docs section and reporting features turned out to be a helpful resource for all kinds of administrative tasks. Gusto's quarterly tax filings and reminders about compliance checks/updates were incredibly useful to us. Gusto's automated payroll is solid and I never had an issue with the main payroll functions, although we had a few issues due to confusing UI with the custom earnings and dismissal payroll workflows. Lastly, compliance alerts and broker integration are terrific features, but the platform requires you to either opt for its Premium plan or pay extra to use them.ĭay-to-day I used Gusto to manage payroll, benefits, and tax forms. To access these features, thus, you, again, will have to integrate third-party tools with Gusto - more money spent. While the Simple plan is cost-friendly, it lacks essential features like native time tracking and e-sign. It’s because it isn’t available in Gusto’s current offerings.Īnother feature Gusto lacks is built-in accounting, meaning you must use third-party integrations for complete financial management. The payroll software does not require long-term contracts or setup fees, allowing SMBs to manage their payroll efficiently without any unexpected costs.īut you may notice we didn’t mention payroll for global employees earlier. Transparency is a key aspect of Gusto's pricing. The software offers an automatic deductions feature, varied payroll schedules, and unlimited pay runs so businesses can ensure employees receive their salaries and benefits promptly. Our editors (and accountants) also love that Gusto provides e-signature collecting and automated tax filing because of its ease of use and usefulness in simplifying essential administrative tasks.įlexibility is another strength of Gusto. This flexibility makes it a versatile solution for businesses with diverse staffing needs. Gusto supports payroll for U.S.-based W-2 employees and domestic and international contractors. Let’s begin with its full-service payroll capabilities. Gusto is an excellent choice for startups and SMBs seeking a reliable payroll solution. To learn more about our process for evaluating software companies, read this blog on how we select the best HR tech. This ranges from tools that are good for solopreneurs paying contractors to premium plans designed for larger headcounts but that still won’t break the bank. We picked tools that would adapt to all kinds of budgets and situations. Pricing: Lastly, we know that price is a significant consideration for most small businesses.The companies we chose all do an excellent job when it comes to helping small business owners adhere to all regulations regarding payroll. You want to know that the system helps you remain compliant and avoid fines. Compliance: Then there’s the question of peace of mind.We prioritized the tools with the most advanced features here, which translates to saving more hours each payroll cycle. Payroll Automation: One of the primary considerations for any small business looking for payroll software is reliably automating tasks.Once we had a shortlist, we cherry-picked the best of the best based on various considerations, chief among which are: automation capabilities, compliance features, and price. Knowing which payroll tools are making their lives easier was crucial. For this buyer guide, we focused on small business owners. Of course, we also complement this research by talking to our community of HR experts. Many of them we’ve followed from their earliest days, getting updates and re-doing demos as they evolve. We’ve been writing about payroll for years, building a lot of familiarity with these tools. We’ve come to this list of the best SMB payroll software companies by evaluating literally dozens of them.

Payroll software for small business free download