Honest reviews of the software small businesses actually run.
Written by a small business operator who has set this stuff up for real. Currently focused on hosting, AI, productivity, and security. But I'm also responsible for payroll for my team.
Start here
Gusto Referral Code: $100 or $200 Bonus
The bonus mechanics, the honest review, the 2026 pricing math, and the referral link.
Long reviewGusto Payroll Review (2026)
Three years running Gusto for my MSP. Verdict, who it's for, who should skip it.
How-toGusto Setup Guide
Step-by-step first-payroll setup with realistic time estimates and the gotchas most guides skip.
I'm Curtis. I run an MSP in Williamsport, PA. The software stack a small business runs is the difference between a Sunday spent on a 941 form and a Sunday spent on something else, and most of the reviews on the internet are written by people who haven't set the products up. This site is written by someone who has.
The first vertical is payroll, anchored on Gusto. Other software verticals are coming as I find products worth recommending honestly.
All payroll guides
The full Gusto cluster, plus comparisons against the providers people most often ask about.
Curtis S., founder of Xtego Creative (Williamsport, PA). I've been running an MSP since 2009 and Gusto Payroll for my own team since 2023. I built this publication because the affiliate-review side of the internet is full of writers who have never set up the products they recommend, and that bothered me.
I run r/gustoreferral. Affiliate disclosure and editorial standards are on the disclosure page.
Affiliate disclosure: I earn a commission if you sign up through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend Gusto because I run it for my own business. Read the full disclosure →