Gusto Demo: How to Try Before You Buy (And What You'll Actually See)

Looking for a Gusto demo? Good news: you don't need to sit through a sales pitch or wait for a callback. Gusto offers multiple ways to explore their payroll platform before committing a dime.

Here's exactly how to access a Gusto demo, what you'll see inside, and whether the platform is worth your time.

How to Access the Gusto Demo

Gusto offers two main options for trying out their platform:

Option 1: Instant Demo (No Sign-Up Required)

Gusto has an instant demo available at gusto.com/instant-demo. This lets you explore the payroll interface and see how the platform works without creating an account. It's a quick walkthrough that shows you the basics of running payroll.

The interactive demo allows you to click through the actual interface, browse features like payroll processing, benefits administration, and time tracking without entering any real company data. You can explore every aspect of the system and test important functions without any commitment.

Option 2: Free Account Setup (The Better Option)

Here's what most people don't realize: Gusto lets you create a full account for free. You can set up your account, explore all the features, onboard employees, and test everything out-without paying anything.

You only start paying when you actually run payroll. No credit card required upfront. No contracts. Cancel anytime.

This means you can spend a week (or a month) getting comfortable with the platform before deciding if it's right for you. That's a much better test than any canned demo could provide.

Try Gusto Free →

Option 3: Video Tutorials and Training Materials

If you prefer learning by watching, Gusto provides comprehensive video tutorials for both employers and employees. These videos cover everything from hiring employees in new states to setting up time tracking, managing benefits during open enrollment, and processing performance reviews.

The video library includes step-by-step guidance on navigating your Gusto account and using different features. You can access these tutorials through the Gusto Help Center without even creating an account. For businesses partnering with accountants, Gusto also offers a full Academy with certification programs and CPE credits.

What You'll See in the Gusto Demo

Whether you use the instant demo or set up a free account, here's what Gusto's platform includes:

Payroll Processing

The core of Gusto is payroll, and it's genuinely easy to use. You can run payroll in just a few clicks, and the platform handles all the tax calculations automatically. They file federal, state, and local payroll taxes on your behalf-including W-2s, 1099s, Form 940, and Form 941.

All plans include unlimited payroll runs, so you won't get hit with extra fees for off-cycle payments or bonus runs. The interface shows you exactly what employees will be paid, what taxes will be withheld, and when funds will be debited from your account.

Employee Self-Service

New hires enter their own information through a paperless onboarding flow. They can complete tax forms, set up direct deposit, access company policies, and sign documents before their first day. After that, employees can view paystubs and W-2s anytime through the self-service portal.

The onboarding process is particularly streamlined. When you add a new employee, you just enter basic info like their name, salary, and email, then choose the documents you want them to fill out. Gusto sends them an email so they can e-sign their new hire paperwork, including W-4s and I-9s. All signed forms are safely stored in Gusto and organized for easy reference.

Benefits Administration

Gusto offers health insurance, 401(k), HSAs, FSAs, commuter benefits, and workers' comp. The demo shows how employees can self-enroll, compare options, and manage their benefits while you track enrollment and automate deductions.

Recent updates have made benefits selection even easier, allowing employees to compare plans side-by-side, download plan details, and see employer contributions upfront. With Gusto as your broker, health insurance administration comes at no extra cost-you'll only pay the cost of the insurance premium.

Time Tracking

Built-in time tracking with geolocation is available on Plus and Premium plans (or as an add-on for Simple). Hours sync directly with payroll, so you don't have to manually enter anything.

The time tracking feature now includes drag-and-drop shift scheduling, allowing you to build schedules based on employee availability. You can also print PDF schedules for offline visibility. The system integrates with time-off requests, making it easy to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Integrations

Gusto integrates with over 180 apps including QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, Expensify, Slack, and more. The demo shows how payroll data automatically syncs with your accounting software.

You can also connect applicant tracking systems to import new hires directly into payroll. Gusto even offers software provisioning, allowing you to create or remove accounts for tools like Google Workspace and Slack in just a few clicks when employees join or leave.

How Long Does Setup Actually Take?

One of Gusto's major selling points is how quickly you can get started. Most users can complete the initial setup in 10-30 minutes. Here's what the process involves:

First, you'll enter your company information, including your FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number), company type, and legal entity name. Next, you'll add your business addresses-mailing, filing, and work locations. Then you'll connect your bank account for payroll debits, either through instant verification with your banking login or via two small test deposits.

After that, you'll set up your payroll schedule. Gusto recommends biweekly pay for mixed teams with hourly and salaried employees, or twice monthly for salaried-only teams. You can customize the schedule to pay after the pay period ends, which is useful for calculating overtime.

Finally, you'll add employees and invite them to self-onboard. The entire employer-side setup genuinely takes less than 30 minutes. Gusto's internal review process then takes up to two business days before you're approved to run your first payroll.

Gusto Pricing: What You'll Pay After the Demo

Once you're done exploring, here's what Gusto will cost. For a deeper dive, check out our Gusto pricing breakdown.

Quick math: A 10-person team on the Simple plan pays $109/month ($49 + $60). On the Plus plan, that jumps to $200/month ($80 + $120).

Note that Gusto only charges for active employees and contractors you actually pay each month. If your headcount changes, your pricing adjusts automatically. You can change plans once per month, with upgrades taking effect immediately and downgrades starting at the beginning of the next billing period.

What Real Users Say About Gusto

Gusto maintains strong ratings across review platforms. The platform holds a 4.6 out of 5 rating from over 4,000 users, and has been ranked as G2's #1 payroll solution for Fall.

Users consistently praise the intuitive interface, automated tax filing, and direct deposit functionality. One reviewer noted that "the customer support is prompt and very helpful, typically resolving my issues very quickly." Many appreciate that they can run their small business payroll themselves without hiring dedicated HR staff.

However, customer support remains a pain point for some users. Support is only available Monday-Friday, 6am-6pm MST, and priority support costs extra unless you're on the Premium plan. Some reviews mention difficulties reaching knowledgeable support staff when complex issues arise, particularly around tax corrections or mid-year transitions from other providers.

The platform scores especially well for ease of use, with users highlighting the simple payroll processing, employee self-service capabilities, and integration with accounting software. The automated tax compliance features receive particular praise for helping businesses avoid penalties and maintain accurate filings.

What's Good About Gusto

• Actually easy to use: The interface is clean and intuitive. Most users can set up payroll in under 30 minutes, even without prior experience.
• Automatic tax filing: Gusto calculates, withholds, and files payroll taxes in all 50 states. This alone saves hours of headaches.
• No contracts: Month-to-month billing. Cancel anytime with no penalties.
• Unlimited payroll runs: No extra charges for off-cycle payments, which is huge if you have bonuses or corrections.
• Solid integrations: Works with most accounting software without manual data entry.
• Paperless onboarding: New hires can complete all documentation electronically before their first day, saving time for everyone.
• Transparent pricing: You know exactly what you'll pay each month based on your employee count.

What's Not So Great

• Customer support limitations: Phone and chat support is available Monday-Friday, 6am-6pm MST. That's it. Priority support costs extra ($30/month + $3 per person) unless you're on Premium.
• No same-day deposits: Even on higher tiers, you're looking at next-day direct deposit at best. Some competitors offer same-day. Gusto does offer Instant Pay and Same-Day Pay as add-ons, but these come with additional fees.
• Multi-state gets expensive: Multi-state payroll is only available on Plus and Premium. If you have employees in multiple states, the Simple plan won't work.
• Add-on costs add up: Benefits like 401(k), workers' comp, and FSAs are all paid add-ons. The base price doesn't include everything.
• Limited performance management: If you need robust performance review tools or advanced HR features, Gusto's built-in options are fairly basic compared to dedicated HR platforms.

Common Questions About the Demo

Can I test the demo without talking to sales?

Yes. Both the instant demo and the free account setup require zero interaction with a sales team. You can explore everything on your own timeline.

Do I need a credit card to try Gusto?

No. You can create a full Gusto account without entering payment information. You'll only need to add payment details when you're ready to run your first actual payroll.

How long can I use the free account?

There's no time limit on exploring Gusto's interface. You can set up your company, add employees, and configure everything without paying. Billing only starts when you process your first payroll run.

Can I import data from my current payroll provider?

Yes. If you're switching from another payroll provider mid-year, Gusto can import historical payroll data to ensure accurate year-to-date tax filings and provide employees with a single W-2. This process is handled during onboarding.

Gusto vs. the Competition

If you're evaluating Gusto against other payroll providers, here's how it stacks up:

Gusto vs. ADP: Gusto is significantly cheaper and easier to use for small businesses under 50 employees. ADP makes more sense for larger companies with complex needs. See our full Gusto vs ADP comparison.

Gusto vs. Paychex: Paychex bundles more benefits into their plans, but pricing is less transparent. Gusto wins on ease of use and pricing clarity. Read our Gusto vs Paychex comparison.

Gusto vs. QuickBooks Payroll: If you're already using QuickBooks for accounting, QuickBooks Payroll might integrate more seamlessly. But Gusto offers better HR tools and employee experience. Check out Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll.

Who Should Use Gusto?

Gusto is ideal for:

• Small to mid-sized businesses (2-100 employees)
• Companies that want payroll + basic HR in one platform
• Businesses without dedicated HR staff
• Teams that value a modern, clean user experience
• Companies hiring W-2 employees and/or 1099 contractors
• Startups focused on simplifying administrative tasks
• Businesses operating in multiple states that need multi-state payroll support

Gusto probably isn't the right fit if:

• You need same-day direct deposit as a standard feature
• You have 100+ employees (look at more enterprise solutions)
• You need extensive customization or complex payroll configurations
• You're on a very tight budget and only need basic payroll (check out other payroll options)
• You require 24/7 customer support availability
• You need advanced performance management and employee development tools

How to Get Started

Skip the demo video-just sign up for a free account and poke around yourself. You'll get a much better sense of whether Gusto works for your business by actually using it.

Set up takes about 10 minutes. Add your company info, invite an employee or two, and explore the payroll flow. You won't be charged until you actually run your first payroll.

During onboarding, you'll receive clear guidance on each required step. Gusto's interface uses a checklist format that shows your progress and highlights what needs to be completed before you can process payroll. The system walks you through federal tax setup, state tax registration, bank account verification, and pay schedule configuration.

If you get stuck, Gusto's Help Center includes detailed articles, screenshots, and video tutorials covering every aspect of setup. You can also access support through the help icon in the top-right corner of your account.

Start Your Free Gusto Account →

Bottom Line

Gusto's demo approach is actually better than most: instead of watching a sales video, you can use the real product for free until you're ready to run payroll. That's a more honest trial than most competitors offer.

The platform delivers on its promise of easy payroll with built-in HR tools. It's not the cheapest option and it's not the most feature-rich, but for most small businesses, it hits the sweet spot between simplicity and capability.

The combination of unlimited payroll runs, automatic tax filing, paperless onboarding, and a genuinely intuitive interface makes Gusto a strong choice for businesses that want to handle payroll in-house without becoming payroll experts. The ability to fully explore the platform before paying is a major advantage that lets you verify it meets your needs before committing.

For more details on what you'll actually pay, read our complete Gusto cost breakdown or Gusto reviews from real users.