Gusto Review: Pros, Cons, Features & Pricing
Gusto is a Church Payroll Software that manages payroll, benefits, and compliance for churches of all sizes. It best serves church administrators and financial teams who need streamlined payroll processes, like handling employee benefits and tax filings. Gusto offers value by simplifying complex payroll tasks, allowing you to focus more on your ministry and less on administrative hassles.
In this article, you’ll find insights into Gusto's features, pros and cons, best and worst use cases, and pricing. We aim to help you align your church's financial management with your mission and goals.
Gusto Evaluation Summary

- From $40/month + $6/user/month
- Free demo available
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
Gusto Overview
In my opinion, Gusto is a strong contender in the Church Payroll Software space. It excels in ease of use and value for money, making it a top choice for church administrators who need reliable payroll management without the complexity.
Compared to other software, Gusto outperforms in user interface design and customer support, though it may not offer the depth of customization found in more specialized tools. It's best suited for churches that prioritize straightforward payroll processing and appreciate a platform that integrates well with existing tools.
pros
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Gusto's onboarding process is smooth, making it easy for your team to get started without hassle.
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It provides excellent customer support, helping you resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
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Gusto offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies payroll management for church teams.
cons
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Some users find Gusto's reporting features less flexible than those of other platforms.
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The mobile app's functionality is limited compared to the desktop version.
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Gusto may lack advanced customization options that some churches might need.
How We Test & Score Tools
We’ve spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection and what makes a tool effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.
Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring works across seven criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.
Core Functionality (25% of final scoring)
The starting point of our evaluation is always the core functionality of the tool. Does it have the basic features and functions that a user would expect to see? Are any of those core features locked to higher-tiered pricing plans? At its core, we expect a tool to stand up against the baseline capabilities of its competitors.
Standout Features (25% of final scoring)
Next, we evaluate uncommon standout features that go above and beyond the core functionality typically found in tools of its kind. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.
We also evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. Tools offering plentiful native integrations, 3rd party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.
Ease of Use (10% of final scoring)
We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the tool. High scoring software is well designed, intuitive to use, offers mobile apps, provides templates, and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.
Onboarding (10% of final scoring)
We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use a tool with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the tool with no experience. High scoring solutions indicate little or no support is required.
Customer Support (10% of final scoring)
We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. Tools and companies that provide real-time support score best, while chatbots score worst.
Customer Reviews (10% of final scoring)
Beyond our own testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the tool again for the core functionality. A high scoring software reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.
Value for Money (10% of final scoring)
Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry level plans against the core features and consider the value of the other evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more, for less, will score higher.
Core Features
Payroll Management:
Gusto automates payroll processing, ensuring your team gets paid accurately and on time. This feature saves you from manual calculations and reduces errors.
Tax Filing:
Gusto handles federal, state, and local tax filings for you. This feature helps you stay compliant and avoid penalties.
Time Tracking:
Gusto offers built-in time tracking, letting you easily monitor hours worked. This feature integrates seamlessly with payroll to ensure accurate paychecks.
Employee Self-Service:
Your staff can access their pay stubs, benefits, and personal information through Gusto's portal. This empowers employees and reduces administrative tasks for your team.
Compliance Management:
Gusto keeps you up-to-date with labor laws and compliance requirements. This feature ensures you're meeting all legal obligations without the hassle.

Ease of Use
Gusto stands out for its user-friendly design, making payroll tasks simple for your team. The intuitive interface requires minimal training, so even non-tech-savvy users can navigate it easily. With features like employee self-service and automated tax filing, you spend less time on administrative duties. User reviews consistently highlight how Gusto's straightforward setup and operation save time and reduce errors, making it an excellent choice for churches seeking efficient payroll management.

Gusto Specs
- API
- Application Tracking
- Approval Workflows
- Attendance Tracking
- Budgeting
- Calendar Management
- Compliance Tracking
- Employee Database
- Employee Incentive Management
- Employee Onboarding
- Expense Tracking
- External Integrations
- Feedback Management
- Forecasting
- Payroll
- Time Management
- Timesheets
- Vacation & Absence Calendar
Gusto FAQs
How does Gusto handle data security and compliance?
Can I process payroll for multiple locations with Gusto?
Is it easy to switch to Gusto from another payroll provider?
How does Gusto support non-profit organizations?
Can I customize payroll schedules in Gusto?
Does Gusto offer employee self-service options?
How does Gusto assist with tax filing?
What kind of customer support does Gusto provide?
What's Next?
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