ADP VS QuickBooks Workforce
Make deciding between ADP and QuickBooks Workforce easier with our full comparison of pricing, features, integrations, and more.
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WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY
Editor & Senior Staff Writer
Last updated onUpdated
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REVIEWED BY
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Both ADP and QuickBooks Workforce offer full-service payroll, tax filing, direct deposit, employee self-service, and HR tools or add-ons.
But despite the similarities between QuickBooks Workforce and ADP, the two payroll software options differ in pricing, payroll limits, add-on services, and much more. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which is best for your business.
Table of Contents
- ADP VS QuickBooks Workforce: At A Glance Comparison
- Where ADP Wins
- Where ADP Falls Short
- Where QuickBooks Workforce Wins
- Where QuickBooks Workforce Falls Short
- ADP VS QuickBooks Workforce Pricing Comparison
- ADP VS QuickBooks Workforce Features Comparison
- Which Is Better For My Business: ADP Or QuickBooks Workforce?
ADP VS QuickBooks Workforce: At A Glance Comparison
| ADP | QuickBooks Workforce | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Custom pricing | Starts at $50/month + $6.50 per employee |
| Number Of States Supported | 50 | 50 |
| Key Features |
|
|
The biggest difference between ADP and QuickBooks Workforce is flexibility versus simplicity. ADP offers more customizable payroll and HR packages, with options for recruiting, background checks, HR support, benefits, and PEO services.
QuickBooks Workforce is more straightforward, with transparent pricing, unlimited payroll runs, fast direct deposit options, and native QuickBooks accounting integration. QuickBooks Workforce offers fast direct deposit options, a direct connection to QuickBooks accounting, and unlimited payroll runs, which can make it a more predictable option for businesses that run payroll frequently.
QuickBooks has a weaker customer support reputation in some user reviews, while ADP’s biggest drawback is its quote-based pricing and potential add-on costs. That being said, both software options earn a spot on our list of the best small business payroll software.
Some of these specifics might help, so let’s dive into how the biggest pros and cons of both ADP and QuickBooks Workforce compare.
Where ADP Wins
ADP wins for businesses that want a more customizable payroll and HR setup.
ADP’s RUN packages include features such as ZipRecruiter, background checks, HR HelpDesk, handbook tools, salary benchmarks, HR forms, and training resources on eligible packages, while ADP TotalSource is ADP’s PEO offering.
Compared with QuickBooks Workforce, ADP stands out for:
- More HR support options on higher-tier packages
- Federal, state, and local payroll tax support
- ZipRecruiter integration
- Background check services
- Legal services available on HR Pro through Upnetic.
- PEO solutions
- More customizable reporting and HR package options than QuickBooks Workforce
Where ADP Falls Short
The biggest area where ADP falls short is the lack of transparent pricing. Customer complaints mention frustration with add-on costs or unclear total pricing, so businesses should review their quote carefully before committing.
All in all, ADP’s main drawbacks include:
- Pricing is not disclosed online
- Potential add-on fees can make total cost harder to predict
- A contract-based pricing model
- Fewer integrations than QuickBooks
Where QuickBooks Workforce Wins
QuickBooks Workforce is strongest for businesses already using QuickBooks Online. Payroll can connect with QuickBooks accounting, time tracking, employee records, and reporting, which helps keep payroll and bookkeeping in the same ecosystem.
QuickBooks Workforce has a more transparent pricing model than ADP. Businesses can compare plan pricing online instead of requesting a custom quote. and can terminate their service at any time. Businesses should still review plan terms, add-ons, and promotional pricing before signing up.
The main areas where QuickBooks wins over ADP include:
- More straightforward pricing than ADP
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Same-day direct deposit on eligible plans
- Time tracking and project/job-costing tools
- Free trial or promotional pricing may be available
- No contracts
- Native QuickBooks accounting integration
- Access to the QuickBooks app ecosystem through QuickBooks Online
Where QuickBooks Workforce Falls Short
One of QuickBooks Workforce’s biggest drawbacks is its customer support reputation. While support has improved in some areas, some users still report inconsistent support experiences.
Other downsides of QuickBooks include:
- Advanced HR features and expert support may require higher-tier plans or add-ons
- Less customizable payroll and HR setup than ADP
ADP VS QuickBooks Workforce Pricing Comparison
| Vendor | Price |
|---|---|
| QuickBooks Workforce | Starts at $50/month + $6.50 per employee |
| ADP | Custom pricing |
QuickBooks Workforce’s transparent pricing makes it easier for small businesses to compare payroll plan costs upfront, which range from $50/month + $6.50/per person - $203/month + $10/per person.
QuickBooks Workforce’s monthly base fee plus per-employee pricing structure can make budgeting more predictable. ADP does not disclose its pricing information; you have to contact ADP’s sales team to get a custom quote for your business.
The bottom line is that ADP does not make it easy to compare pricing. Both ADP and QuickBooks offer multiple pricing tiers for different business sizes and needs, but QuickBooks Workforce is more transparent, and its costs and fees are easier to plan for. However, many businesses are happy customers of ADP, so it may be worth contacting ADP to get a quote.
ADP VS QuickBooks Workforce Features Comparison
| Features | QuickBooks Workforce | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll Processing | ||
| Tax Filing | ||
| Direct Deposit | ||
| Employee Portal | ||
| Time Tracking | ||
| Benefits Administration | Partner-supported benefits options | Available through eligible packages/add-ons |
| New Hire Reporting | ||
| Reports | 20+ | 17+ |
| Employee Management |
QuickBooks Workforce and ADP both cover modern payroll essentials, but ADP offers more customizable payroll and HR packages, while QuickBooks Workforce is strongest for businesses already using QuickBooks accounting. Let’s look closer at the features with the most significant disparities.
Only ADP Features
- More customizable payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance packages
- More employee perks and HR add-ons on eligible packages
- ZipRecruiter integration with background check capabilities
Only QuickBooks Workforce Features
- Unlimited payroll runs for contractors and employees
- Enhanced setup or expert support options on higher-tier plans
- Native QuickBooks accounting integration
Which Is Better For My Business: ADP Or QuickBooks Workforce?
Both ADP and QuickBooks Workforce can be good options for small businesses, so here are the use cases that work best with each option.
ADP is better suited for growing businesses that want customizable payroll, HR support, recruiting tools, background checks, benefits options, compliance resources, or access to a PEO.
QuickBooks Workforce has stronger native QuickBooks accounting integration than ADP, plus transparent pricing, unlimited payroll runs, and fast direct deposit options. This can make QuickBooks Workforce easier to budget for, especially for businesses that run payroll frequently.
Choose ADP If…
- You have a growing business that needs more payroll and HR customization
- You want a customizable payroll and HR package with recruiting, background checks, compliance, benefits, and PEO options
- You want access to HR support, HR tools, or advisory services on eligible packages
Choose QuickBooks Workforce If…
- You already use QuickBooks Online or want payroll tied closely to accounting
- You already use QuickBooks Online and want payroll, accounting, time tracking, and reporting connected in one ecosystem
- You want unlimited payroll runs and fast direct deposit options.
You can get started with QuickBooks Workforce with a free trial and no contracts.
If you need ADP’s more customizable payroll and HR packages, recruiting tools, background checks, HR support, or PEO option, request a quote from ADP and compare the total cost against QuickBooks Workforce.
Erica Seppala
Editor & Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick
Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
View Erica Seppala's professional experience on LinkedIn.
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