It’s desktop payroll software, done right.

Put the joy back in running your business with desktop payroll software that’s easy to use and seriously smart. Gusto’s got the features you need to do less and get more, all while taking care of the people at the heart of your business.

Get started

We’re thrilled to be ranked G2’s #1 best software for small business of 2024!

Powerful tools, seamlessly synced

Gusto is your one-stop shop for payroll, time tracking, HR, hiring, benefits, and more. Save time, save money, and get back to doing what you love.

Peace of mind? Piece of cake

With built-in compliance and automatic federal, state, and local taxes, you can rest easy knowing your business is covered and payroll is done right.

Fast, friendly, and intuitive

It’s everything you need to run your business in one oh-so-easy-to-use platform. And it’s all backed up by our best-in-class customer service.

Gusto is incredibly easy to use, the interface is great, and the cost is lower than any other provider.

Owner, Corwin Company LLC

Payroll. Period. We have multiple employees and contractors, all at differing rates, salaried and hourly, and it’s a breeze to run it. Enter hours and amounts and click.

Owner, The Studio

Fully automated

Payroll for desktop has never been easier.

Save hours each month when payroll is out the door in just a few clicks. Or set it and forget it with Payroll on AutoPilot®. With Gusto’s powerful cloud-based platform, you can run payroll in seconds from anywhere in the world—whether desktop or poolside. Hours, meal times, breaks, and PTO sync up automatically, and unlimited payroll runs, pay schedules, and two-day direct deposit are included at no extra cost.

Easy compliance

Let us handle the tough stuff.

Running payroll doesn’t have to be a headache. With Gusto, all federal, state, and local taxes are calculated, filed, and paid every time you pay your team. Benefits deductions are automatic, and complex compliance is built right in—including state tax registration in all 50 states. Got questions? Our team of certified HR experts is always on hand to help.

Fully integrated

We’re so much more than payroll.

With built in benefits, time tracking, compliance, recruiting, hiring, onboarding, workers’ comp, performance management, and more, Gusto truly is a one-stop solution for all your people needs. And if you’ve got an HR, time, or benefits solution you already love, we’ve got an integration for that.

What is desktop payroll software?

Payroll desktop software is a program that helps streamline and automate how your business pays its employees and contractors. Payroll software typically keeps track of each person’s hours and wages, automates their payroll deductions, and makes it easy to pay them via direct deposit. Many products also calculate and file payroll taxes for you, so you don’t miss due dates or risk a miscalculation.

What’s the difference between cloud-based and desktop payroll software?

While payroll solutions in the past were often installable desktop programs that you could only use from a single computer, cloud-based solutions like Gusto give you the power to run payroll from any internet-connected device. You can easily access all of Gusto’s features from your desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone, and there is no expensive software to install.

How to choose desktop payroll software?

When choosing desktop payroll software, it’s important to think about what features are included as well as what your business needs. Many payroll providers charge extra for things like unlimited payroll runs or two-day direct deposit. These are included with all of Gusto’s plans at no extra cost. If you need more powerful tools like time tracking, multi-state tax filing, or next-day direct deposit, our Plus plan has it all along with a robust suite of HR tools to manage your growing team.

What are all the things I can do with Gusto payroll?

AbsIt’s a lot, including automated payroll, taxes, and filings, time tracking, employee management, and more. See our full features list here.

Does Gusto have a mobile app?

While Gusto does have a mobile app, running payroll on the go is done via our mobile-optimized site. The Gusto Wallet mobile app gives your employees access to powerful financial planning tools like savings goals, paycheck splitter, pay insights, and tax help. Employees can also use the app to clock in and out, request PTO, and view benefits documentation. And of course, our entire site is mobile optimized, meaning you can easily access anything you need from anywhere you are.