Gusto Payroll UK 2026: Pricing, Features & HR Automation Review
Quick answer
Gusto Payroll is a cloud-based platform available for UK businesses that simplifies payroll, HR, and benefits management. UK pricing starts from £20-£35 per employee/month in 2026. It automates tax filings, RTI submissions, direct deposits, and compliance while offering a user-friendly employee portal. Gusto is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses seeking straightforward payroll with integrated HR features, but it has limitations for larger or more complex global payroll operations.
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Payroll Cost Calculator UK
Estimate your monthly payroll cost based on employee numbers, pay frequency, pension duties, CIS, payslips, reports and support level.
Pay frequency
Monthly Weekly Fortnightly Four-weekly Mixed payroll frequencies
Weekly payroll usually costs more because it runs more often.
Payroll service type
Payroll software only Managed payroll service Fully outsourced payroll Payroll bureau / accountant
Software is usually cheaper; outsourced payroll gives more support.
Business type
Office / admin business Retail / shop Hospitality / restaurant / café Construction / trades Care / healthcare Agency / variable staff Professional services Multi-site business
Variable hours, shifts and CIS can increase payroll complexity.
Need workplace pension / auto-enrolment support?
No Basic pension submissions Full auto-enrolment support
Includes pension assessment, contributions or pension file uploads.
Need CIS payroll?
No Yes, include CIS
Useful for construction businesses paying subcontractors.
Variable pay complexity
Low: fixed salaries Medium: overtime / bonuses High: shifts, tips, commissions or allowances
Hospitality, retail and sales teams often need more checks.
Payslip delivery
Digital payslips Employee portal Printed payslips
Printed payslips can add admin and postage costs.
Need HR support?
No Basic HR advice Payroll + HR support
Useful if you need contracts, absence, holiday or employment advice.
Reporting level
Basic payroll reports Management reports Advanced reports / costing / departments
Departmental reporting can be useful for larger teams.
Need year-end support?
Yes No
Includes end-of-year payroll checks and employee documents where relevant.
Setup / migration needed?
No setup needed Standard setup / migration Complex migration / multiple payrolls
Changing provider mid-year may require extra setup.
Your estimated payroll costs
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Enter your payroll requirements to estimate your costs.
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This calculator is an estimate only. Actual payroll costs vary by provider, employee count, pay frequency, payroll complexity, pension duties, CIS, HR support, setup, integrations, reporting and service level.
Contents
Benefits of Gusto Payroll
Downsides of Gusto Payroll
What Does Gusto Offer?
Our Verdict on Gusto Payroll
How do we work?
Transparent, impartial, and data‑driven reviews made by a team of expert humans, never AI generated – here’s exactly how Compare Your Business Costs helps you find the best deals from trusted UK providers: click here
Authored by: Ally Cox (Business Technology & B2B Services Specialist 10+ Years’ Experience)
Reviewed by: James Ward (Telecoms Specialist, 12+ Years Experience)
Last Updated: july 2026
Key Takeaways
🌍 UK-based payroll with RTI and HMRC compliance
💷 2026 pricing: £20-£35 per employee/month
⚡ Automates payroll, tax filings, and direct deposits
🔗 Integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, and popular HR platforms
🖥️ Employee self-service portal with payslips and benefits access
⚠️ Limited advanced HR customisation and no employer mobile app
Gusto Pricing
Plan
Monthly Cost per Employee
Key Features
Core
£20
Full-service UK payroll, HMRC RTI submission, automatic pension enrolment, employee portal
Plus
£28
Core features + HR tools (onboarding, time tracking, performance templates)
Premium
£35
Plus features + advanced compliance, reporting dashboards, financial benefits, R&D tax support
Improvements of Gusto Payroll over the Years
Expanded integrations with accounting platforms and HR tools
Enhanced employee self-service options with the introduction of the Gusto Wallet for financial management
Strengthened compliance support, including automated tax filings and reporting features
Introduction of more advanced HR tools, such as custom employee handbooks and performance review templates
Issues of Gusto Payroll Over the Years
Limited customisation options for more complex payroll needs
Geographic limitations in benefits administration (which is restricted to certain U.S. states)
No employer mobile app, though the mobile-responsive web interface is functional
How to Purc hase Gusto Payroll
Our Verdict on Gusto Payroll
Gusto Payroll is well-suited for UK small and medium-sized businesses seeking automated payroll with integrated HR features. Its ease-of-use, employee self-service, and compliance automation make it an excellent choice for teams without dedicated HR staff. Larger businesses or companies with complex global payroll requirements may need additional tools or higher-tier plans.
FAQs
1. How much does Gusto Payroll cost in the UK 2026?
Plans range from £20-£35 per employee/month, depending on features and modules.
2. Does Gusto handle HMRC compliance?
Yes, it supports RTI submissions and automatic pension enrolment for UK employees.
3. Can Gusto manage global payroll?
Gusto primarily supports UK payroll; international payroll requires optional add-ons or third-party integration.
4. Is there an employee self-service portal?
Yes, employees can view payslips, tax forms, and benefits via a mobile-responsive portal.
5. Does Gusto integrate with accounting software?
Yes, integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, and other major UK platforms.
6. Is there a mobile app for employers?
No dedicated mobile app exists, but the web platform is mobile-friendly.
7. Which businesses benefit most from Gusto Payroll?
Small to medium-sized UK businesses seeking automated payroll with simple HR functionality.
Related Payroll & HR Guides
If you’re researching payroll services, the guides below explore specific providers, compliance topics, and specialist use cases in more detail.
🧾 Payroll Services & Outsourcing
Compare different outsourcing models and managed solutions:
🌍 International & Global Payroll
For businesses hiring overseas or operating across multiple countries:
Payroll Software Providers
If you’re comparing payroll software instead of outsourcing:
Enterprise Payroll Providers
For larger organisations and complex payroll structures:
Specialist Payroll Solutions
Industry-specific and niche payroll guidance:
Payroll Compliance & HMRC Guidance
Understand the regulatory side of payroll:
Related HR & Business Systems
Payroll often integrates with:
Hi, I’m Ally Cox , a senior copywriter and blogger at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, the UK’s trusted platform for comparing business services.
With over a decade of experience in the B2B sector, I specialise in simplifying complex topics like leased lines, VoIP, business energy, HR and payroll solutions, accounting software, and EPOS systems .
Before joining CompareYourBusinessCosts, I worked across various industries, gaining hands-on experience in HR, copywriting, and business operations- from clocking-in systems to card machines and office technology .
My goal is simple: to help UK businesses make informed, confident decisions when choosing products and services that improve efficiency and save money.