Gusto Pricing Changes: A Complete History
Gusto raised the Simple plan 23% in March 2026. Here is the full timeline of every plan change, price increase, and rebrand since 2022 to help you understand where Gusto pricing has been and where it is heading.
The March 2026 Summary
Full Pricing Timeline
Gusto renamed its plans from Core ($39/mo + $6/person), Complete ($39/mo + $12/person), and Concierge ($149/mo + $12/person) to reflect its evolving product. This was primarily a naming change with some feature reorganization.
Gusto introduced a standalone Contractor Only plan at $35/month base plus $6 per contractor per month. This was a new entry point for businesses with no W-2 employees.
Gusto removed published pricing from its Premium (formerly Concierge) plan, requiring interested companies to contact sales for a custom quote. This is a common enterprise pricing move that obscures the true cost.
Gusto rebranded Core to Simple, Complete to Plus, and Concierge to Premium. Pricing remained largely the same for Simple ($40/mo + $6/person) and Plus ($80/mo + $12/person).
Gusto raised the Simple plan base fee from $40 to $49 per month, a 23% increase. This affected all existing Simple plan customers on their next billing cycle. The per-person fee ($6/person) was unchanged.
Gusto's Employer of Record service increased from $599 to $699 per person per month. A promotional rate of $599 may still be available for new signups through the end of 2026.
After years of custom-only quoting, Gusto published official Premium plan pricing at $180/month base plus $22 per employee per month. This gives large companies a baseline for comparison and negotiation.
Price Trend Analysis
Gusto has followed a pattern of raising base fees every 2 to 3 years while keeping per-person fees more stable. The Simple plan base fee has increased from approximately $39 (as Core) to $49 over roughly four years, a total of about 26%.
The Plus plan base fee saw the most dramatic change: from roughly $39/month (as Complete) to $80/month in 2023 to 2024 as features were added and the plan was repositioned. The per-person fee stayed at $12/month throughout.
Based on the historical pattern, the next Simple plan base fee increase could come in 2028 or 2029. Companies that want pricing stability may benefit from evaluating competitors like OnPay that have been more price-stable.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Gusto raise prices in 2026?
Gusto raised the Simple plan base fee from $40 to $49 per month on March 15, 2026, a 23% increase. The EOR (Employer of Record) service also increased from $599 to $699 per person per month on the same date. Existing customers were given advance notice and the changes took effect on their next billing cycle after the announcement.
Has Gusto raised prices before 2026?
Yes. The Plus plan saw a significant base fee increase when Gusto transitioned from Complete to Plus, moving from approximately $39/month to $80/month (though this also included feature additions). The per-person fees for Plus went from $12 to $12 (unchanged) but the base fee roughly doubled over several years of iterations. The March 2026 Simple increase is notable for its size and speed.
What did Gusto Simple cost before the 2026 increase?
Before March 2026, Gusto Simple cost $40/month base plus $6 per employee per month. This rate had been stable since the 2024 rebrand from Core to Simple. The March 2026 increase to $49/month was the first Simple plan base fee increase since that rebrand.
Will Gusto raise prices again?
Based on historical patterns, Gusto has raised base fees roughly every 2 to 3 years, with each increase running 10 to 25%. If this trend continues, the next Simple plan increase could come in 2028 or 2029, potentially pushing the base fee toward $55 to $60 per month. Per-person fees have been more stable. This is speculation based on historical trends, not official guidance.
Are customers locked into old pricing after a Gusto price increase?
No. Gusto's terms of service allow it to update pricing with advance notice (typically 30 days). Existing customers are not locked into their original pricing permanently. When Gusto raised prices in March 2026, all Simple plan customers saw their billing update on their next cycle after the notice period. There is no long-term contract that locks in a rate.