Gusto Payroll UK 2026: Pricing, Features & HR Automation Review Quick answer
Gusto is a major payroll and HR platform, but its core payroll product is designed primarily for US employers rather than businesses looking for standard UK PAYE payroll.
If you are a UK employer looking for payroll that handles:
PAYE
HMRC RTI submissions
National Insurance
UK workplace pensions
P45s and P60s
UK statutory pay
you should compare dedicated UK payroll software, managed payroll or outsourced payroll providers rather than assuming Gusto provides the same service.
Gusto’s core payroll currently focuses on US employees and includes US federal, state and local tax filing, but it can still be relevant where a business has:
US employees
US payroll requirements
international contractors
US operations alongside overseas workers
For new customers needing employees hired outside the US through an Employer of Record, Gusto now routes those requirements through Remote.
Your requirement Is Gusto a good fit?
Standard UK PAYE payroll
Compare UK payroll providers instead
HMRC RTI
Not Gusto’s core US payroll proposition
US employee payroll
Strong fit
US payroll + HR
Strong fit
Global contractors
Available subject to eligibility
Overseas employees/EOR
Handled through partner arrangements
UK managed payroll
Compare specialist UK providers
If you originally found Gusto while looking for an easier UK payroll solution, you can compare providers that are built specifically around UK payroll rules.
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This quote service is best for UK businesses that want to compare outsourced payroll, managed payroll, payroll software, payslips, pension support, CIS payroll or payroll services for growing teams.
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Payroll Cost Calculator UK Use our payroll calculator below to estimate the type and cost of payroll service your UK business may actually need – t he calculator considers:
number of employees
pay frequency
software vs managed vs outsourced payroll
pensions
CIS
starters and leavers
variable pay
HR support
reporting
migration
Compare UK Payroll Providers
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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
Estimated monthly cost
£0
Cost per employee/month
£0
Potential monthly saving
£0
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.
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Authored by: Ally Cox (Business Technology & B2B Services Specialist 10+ Years’ Experience)
Reviewed by: James Ward (Telecoms Specialist, 12+ Years Experience)
Last Updated: October 2026
Key Takeaways
Gusto’s core payroll service is primarily a US payroll platform.
Its current payroll plans are priced in US dollars rather than UK pounds.
Core Gusto payroll handles US federal, state and local payroll taxes.
Gusto should not be presented as a standard UK PAYE/RTI payroll solution.
UK employers needing HMRC payroll should compare UK-specific providers.
Gusto can pay international contractors in more than 120 countries, subject to its account eligibility requirements.
New customers needing non-US employees through an EOR are now directed to Remote.
Gusto is particularly strong for US small businesses wanting payroll, HR, benefits and time tracking together.
Its current Simple, Plus and Premium plans use a monthly base fee plus a per-person charge.
If your requirement is UK payroll, the useful buying decision is usually software vs managed payroll vs fully outsourced payroll.
Is Gusto Payroll Available in the UK? Not as a conventional UK PAYE payroll system in the same way as UK-focused payroll providers.
Gusto’s core payroll documentation is built around US employment, and this refers to:
W-2 employees
1099 contractors
federal payroll taxes
state payroll taxes
local payroll taxes
US state registrations
These are US payroll concepts rather than UK PAYE processes -so if your company employs staff in Britain and needs ordinary UK payroll, do not assume that Gusto will submit your PAYE information to HMRC.
Does Gusto Handle HMRC PAYE and RTI? Gusto’s current core payroll product is not positioned as a UK HMRC PAYE and RTI payroll service.
A UK payroll provider will normally need to support tasks such as:
PAYE calculations
National Insurance
Full Payment Submissions
Employer Payment Summaries where required
P45s
P60s
statutory pay
workplace pension deductions
These should form part of your provider comparison if you employ UK staff – Compare UK Payroll Providers
Why Are UK Businesses Searching for Gusto? Gusto has become a well-known payroll brand because it combines several functions in one platform, and their US proposition includes:
payroll
HR
hiring and onboarding
time tracking
employee benefits
reporting
contractor payments
This can make Gusto appear attractive to UK businesses looking for the same kind of all-in-one payroll experience – However, the underlying payroll rules are different.
The better UK comparison is therefore not simply:
“Is Gusto good?”
but:
“Which UK payroll provider offers the type of experience I like about Gusto?”
Who Is Gusto Actually Best For?
Business Gusto suitability
US small business
Strong fit
US company needing payroll + HR
Strong fit
US employer with several states
Plus/Premium worth comparing
US business paying global contractors
Relevant
UK-only company employing UK staff
Compare UK payroll instead
UK company needing PAYE/RTI
Compare UK payroll instead
UK company employing US workers
Potentially relevant depending on structure
Gusto Pricing 2026 Gusto’s current pricing is in US dollars, not £20-£35 per UK employee/month.
Gusto plan Current pricing Best for
Simple
$49/month + $6/person
Smaller US businesses needing straightforward payroll
Plus
$80/month + $12/person
Businesses needing multi-state payroll, HR and time tracking
Premium
$180/month + $22/person
Growing businesses wanting advanced support and HR
Promotions can change, so live pricing should always be checked before purchasing.
Gusto Simple Simple is aimed at smaller US businesses and includes features such as:
single-state payroll
unlimited payroll runs
tax filings and payments
basic paid-time-off policies
employee payroll tools
Gusto Plus Plus adds more advanced functionality including:
multi-state payroll
time tracking
more HR functionality
workforce reporting
Gusto Premium Premium is aimed at scaling businesses that want a more complete service, and these features include:
dedicated service support
HR expertise
performance and compensation tools
custom reporting
priority support
payroll migration and account setup
Does Gusto Have an Employer Mobile App? Yes.
Current Gusto plan information includes both an employee app and an employer mobile app – so keep in mind that older information stating that Gusto does not offer an employer app is no longer accurate.
Can Gusto Pay UK Contractors? Gusto supports international contractor payments across more than 120 countries.
However, there is an important eligibility point – to use Gusto to pay non-US contractors, the account generally needs an eligible US-based employee or contractor first, which means it should not be viewed simply as a standalone UK contractor-payment platform for any UK business.
Gusto Global Contractor Payments For eligible businesses, international contractor features can include:
contractor onboarding
international payments
local-currency payments
recurring payment schedules
international reporting
Gusto currently supports contractors across more than 120 countries.
Can Gusto Employ UK Staff? Gusto has offered international employee hiring through Employer of Record arrangements.
For new Gusto customers joining from May 2026 onwards, non-US employee EOR requests are now referred to Remote- which is different from Gusto directly operating UK PAYE payroll for a UK employer.
Gusto Payroll vs UK Payroll Software
Gusto core payroll UK payroll provider
Primary payroll market
United States
United Kingdom
US federal/state taxes
Yes
Usually no
PAYE
Not core proposition
Yes
HMRC RTI
Not core proposition
Yes
National Insurance
Not UK payroll
Yes
UK pensions
Not core payroll proposition
Available from relevant providers
International contractors
Yes, subject to eligibility
Provider dependent
What Should UK Businesses Use Instead of Gusto? The answer depends on what attracted you to Gusto in the first place.
You want… UK service to compare
Simple low-cost payroll
Payroll software
Payroll + expert support
Managed payroll
Payroll taken off your plate
Outsourced payroll
Payroll + HR
Integrated HR/payroll platform
Construction payroll
CIS payroll specialist
International employees
Global payroll/EOR provider
Large or complex payroll
Enterprise payroll provider
Best Gusto Alternatives for UK Businesses Rather than comparing every payroll brand with Gusto on features alone, start with the type of service you actually need:
For Simple Payroll Software Compare UK payroll software if you:
run payroll internally
have straightforward employee pay
want a lower monthly cost
are comfortable handling payroll administration
For Managed Payroll Compare managed payroll if you want:
specialist payroll support
less internal admin
PAYE and RTI support
pension processing
payroll reporting
See our Managed Payroll Services guide .
For Fully Outsourced Payroll Outsourcing is worth comparing if your goal is to hand most operational payroll work to an external provider.
See our Outsourced Payroll Services guide .
For Growing and Complex Businesses Businesses looking for the all-in-one HR and payroll capability associated with Gusto should compare larger payroll and workforce platforms.
Relevant considerations include:
HR functionality
time and attendance
employee self-service
reporting
integrations
international payroll
Gusto Pros and Cons for UK Businesses
Pros Limitations for UK businesses
Well-established payroll and HR platform
Core payroll is US-focused
Payroll + HR + time tools
Not a standard UK PAYE/RTI payroll solution
Clear US pricing
Pricing is in dollars
Strong small-business proposition
Many features reference US employment rules
International contractor payments
Eligibility conditions apply
Employer and employee mobile apps
UK employers still need a suitable UK payroll provider
Is Gusto Good for a UK Company With US Employees? If a UK-headquartered business has a US entity and employs workers in the United States, Gusto’s US payroll functionality could be relevant.
You should consider:
which legal entity employs the workers
which countries employees work in
US state registrations
whether you also need UK payroll
whether one global provider or multiple local systems is preferable
Should You Choose One Global Payroll Platform? Businesses employing staff in several countries may prefer a global payroll solution rather than separate systems.
This can make it easier to manage:
multi-country reporting
employee data
payroll calendars
international expansion
See our International Payroll Providers guide if your workforce spans several countries.
What Should UK Employers Compare? Before choosing any payroll service, compare:
UK PAYE support.
HMRC RTI submissions.
National Insurance.
workplace pensions.
pay frequency.
statutory pay.
P45/P60 processing.
employee self-service.
HR features.
time and attendance.
integrations.
support level.
migration.
monthly cost.
contract terms.
Our Verdict: Should UK Businesses Use Gusto? Gusto is an impressive payroll and HR platform, but a UK-only employer looking for standard PAYE payroll should usually compare UK-specific payroll providers instead.
Gusto is most relevant where:
you employ people in the US
you operate a US entity
you want US payroll plus HR
you already use Gusto and need to pay eligible international contractors
It is less suitable as the answer to:
“I employ people in the UK and need someone to run my PAYE payroll.”
For that requirement, compare UK payroll software, managed payroll and outsourced payroll based on your employee numbers and complexity.
If you like the simplicity of Gusto but need UK payroll, use that as your buying criteria rather than trying to force a US payroll platform into a UK payroll process.
Compare UK Payroll Services
Free quotes • No obligation • Compare UK payroll providers
Frequently Asked Questions Can you use Gusto Payroll in the UK?
Gusto’s core payroll platform is primarily designed for US employers. UK companies needing standard PAYE and HMRC RTI payroll should generally compare UK-specific payroll services.
Does Gusto support UK PAYE?
Gusto’s current core payroll proposition focuses on US payroll taxes rather than UK PAYE.
Does Gusto submit RTI to HMRC?
Gusto should not be treated as a standard UK RTI payroll provider. UK employers should choose payroll software or services specifically supporting HMRC submissions.
How much does Gusto cost?
Gusto’s current US Simple plan starts at $49 per month plus $6 per person. Plus and Premium have higher base and per-person charges.
Can Gusto pay UK contractors?
Eligible Gusto customers can use its international contractor-payment service across more than 120 countries, but account requirements apply.
Can Gusto employ people in the UK?
For new customers requiring non-US employees through an Employer of Record, Gusto now directs EOR requirements through Remote.
Does Gusto have a mobile app?
Yes. Current Gusto plans include both employee and employer mobile apps.
Is Gusto good for a UK company with US employees?
Potentially. Gusto is much more relevant where a UK-owned business has a US entity or US employees requiring US payroll.
What is the best Gusto alternative in the UK?
There is no single best alternative. Compare UK payroll software for simple in-house payroll, managed payroll for more support, outsourced payroll for minimal internal administration and global payroll providers for multinational teams.
What should I use instead of Gusto for UK payroll?
Choose a UK payroll provider that supports PAYE, HMRC RTI, National Insurance, pensions and the level of payroll support your business requires.
Related Payroll Guides
How Do We Work? Our comparisons are researched and reviewed by the Compare Your Business Costs editorial team using provider information, pricing data and UK business buying criteria. See how Compare Your Business Costs works .
Authored by: Ally Cox – Business Technology & B2B Services Specialist, 10+ years’ experience.
Reviewed by: James Ward .
Last Updated: September 2026
Hi, I’m Ally Cox , a senior copywriter and blogger at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, the UK’s trusted platform for comparing business services.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 .HR, copywriting, and business operations- from clocking-in systems to card machines and office technology .informed, confident decisions when choosing products and services that improve efficiency and save money.
