ADP Payroll Review

Pros

• Strong payroll features
• Scalable payroll and HR packages
• Broad HR, hiring, and employee management tools
• Large integration marketplace
• 24/7 support available

Cons

• Pricing is not published online
• Add-on costs can make pricing harder to compare
• May be more expensive than basic payroll software

What Is ADP Payroll?

ADP Payroll is a payroll and HR platform with customizable packages for small, midsize, and larger businesses. ADP’s payroll features may include payroll processing, direct deposit, payroll tax support, employee self-service, reporting, new hire onboarding, benefits options, and HR tools, depending on the package selected.

ADP is best known for its scalability. Small businesses can use RUN Powered by ADP, while larger businesses can use ADP Workforce Now for broader payroll, HR, benefits, time tracking, and workforce management needs.

ADP is a strong option for businesses that want payroll software with room to grow, but it’s not the cheapest or most transparent option. Because ADP doesn’t publish standard pricing online, small businesses focused mainly on affordability may want to compare ADP with more transparent payroll providers such as Gusto, Square Payroll, or QuickBooks Workforce.

How Much Does ADP Cost?

ADP does not publish standard pricing online, which makes it harder to compare against payroll providers with transparent plan pricing. Businesses need to request a custom quote based on their company size, selected package, payroll needs, and add-on services.

Because pricing is quote-based, businesses should ask ADP for a full cost breakdown before signing up. Confirm the base fee, per-employee fees, payroll-run fees, year-end form fees, setup fees, contract terms, discounts, and add-on costs for services such as time tracking, benefits, workers’ compensation, retirement plans, or advanced HR support.

ADP does offer a self-guided demo for RUN Powered by ADP.

ADP Pricing Breakdown

ADP’s payroll packages are generally split by business size:

• RUN Powered by ADP: For small businesses, with four package options
• ADP Workforce Now: For midsize and larger businesses, with three package options

Because ADP does not publish standard pricing online, businesses should request a quote and confirm setup fees, payroll-run fees, year-end form fees, add-on costs, discounts, contract terms, and cancellation terms before signing up.

RUN Powered By ADP Essential Payroll

RUN Powered by ADP Essential Payroll is ADP’s core small business payroll package. It’s designed for businesses that need payroll, tax filing, direct deposit, basic reporting, employee access, and new hire onboarding.

Essential Payroll may include:

• Payroll by computer, mobile app, or phone
• Direct deposit
• Payroll tax filing
• New hire reporting
• W-2 and 1099 forms
• General ledger interface
• Employee access
• New hire onboarding
• Multi-jurisdiction payroll
• Reporting
• Wisely Direct payment option

RUN Powered By ADP Enhanced Payroll

RUN Powered by ADP Enhanced Payroll includes the core payroll features in Essential, plus additional tools for hiring, compliance, and payroll administration.

Other features include:

• Background checks
• ZipRecruiter job postings
• State unemployment insurance support
• Garnishment payment service
• Labor law poster compliance tools
• Check signing and stuffing options
• Job costing

RUN Powered By ADP Complete Payroll & HR Plus

RUN Powered by ADP Complete Payroll & HR Plus includes Enhanced features plus more HR support and compliance tools.

Other features include:

• Live HR support
• HR HelpDesk
• HR forms and documents
• Employee handbook tools
• Salary benchmarks
• HR training and toolkits
• Employee discounts

RUN Powered By ADP HR Pro Payroll & HR

RUN Powered by ADP HR Pro Payroll & HR is the most advanced RUN package for small businesses. It includes Complete features plus more HR support, training, and legal assistance.

Other features include:

• Enhanced HR support
• Employer and employee training
• Sexual harassment prevention training
• Legal assistance through Upnetic Legal Services
• Applicant tracking system powered by CareerPlug
• Learning management tools
• Enhanced employee handbook support

ADP Payroll Workforce Now Packages

ADP Workforce Now is ADP’s HCM platform for midsize and larger businesses. ADP currently lists three Workforce Now packages:

• Select: Payroll and HR
• Plus: Payroll and HR plus benefits administration
• Premium: Payroll, HR, benefits administration, and time and attendance

Workforce Now is designed for businesses that need a broader HR, payroll, benefits, and workforce management platform than RUN Powered by ADP. Exact pricing and included features vary, so businesses should request a quote and confirm which tools are included before signing up.

Extra ADP Payroll Costs & Fees

Because ADP uses quote-based pricing, your total cost may include more than the base payroll package. Add-ons, service fees, payroll frequency, benefits, time tracking, HR support, and year-end forms can all affect what your business pays.

Common ADP costs or add-ons may include:

• Time and attendance tools
• Benefits administration
• Workers’ compensation
• Retirement plan services
• Garnishment payment services
• Check signing, stuffing, or delivery
• Background checks
• Recruiting tools
• Advanced HR support
• Advanced reporting
• Year-end W-2 and 1099 services

For RUN Powered by ADP users, some features are included only on higher-tier packages or available as add-ons. Workforce Now users may also pay more for advanced features such as benefits administration, time and attendance, or workforce management, depending on the selected package.

Before signing up, ask ADP for a detailed quote that separates required costs from optional add-ons.

Is ADP Payroll Easy To Use?

ADP is cloud-based, so there are no local downloads or installations required. Employers can access ADP online, and ADP also offers mobile payroll tools for running payroll and managing payroll tasks on the go.

ADP’s ease of use is one of its strongest points, especially considering how many payroll, HR, reporting, and employee management features it offers. The interface is generally organized, and the guided setup process can help new users get started.

That said, ease of use may vary depending on which ADP package you choose, which add-ons you use, and how complex your payroll setup is. Businesses with multistate payroll, benefits, time tracking, contractors, or more advanced HR needs may have a steeper setup process than businesses running basic payroll.

For a more in-depth look at how easy it is to use the software, check out our step-by-step guide on how to run ADP payroll.

ADP Payroll Features

ADP offers a strong mix of payroll, HR, employee management, reporting, benefits, and compliance features. Feature availability depends on whether your business uses RUN Powered by ADP or ADP Workforce Now, as well as which package and add-ons you choose.

ADP’s core payroll tools are strong, but some advanced features may require a higher-tier package or add-on.

ADP Payroll Customer Service

ADP offers a broad range of customer support options, including phone support, online resources, and support through the ADP platform.

ADP’s support reputation is mixed. Some users praise ADP’s responsiveness, payroll expertise, and available support channels, while others report long wait times, difficulty reaching the right specialist, or delays resolving complex payroll, tax, benefits, or account issues.

ADP Payroll Integrations

ADP offers a large integration marketplace with pre-built apps, plug-ins, and partner solutions for payroll, HR, accounting, time tracking, benefits, recruiting, productivity, and business operations. Integration availability depends on which ADP product your business uses, such as RUN Powered by ADP or ADP Workforce Now. ADP also offers developer APIs for supported products.

ADP Payroll Reviews

ADP Payroll customer reviews are mixed. Some users praise ADP’s ease of use, payroll tools, mobile app, integrations, and tax filing support. Others report issues with customer service wait times, billing, cancellation, benefits administration, or difficulty getting complex problems resolved.

Customer feedback can also vary depending on which ADP product a business uses, such as RUN Powered by ADP, ADP Workforce Now, or another ADP service. Because ADP offers multiple payroll, HR, benefits, and workforce management products, not every review reflects the same user experience.

Negative ADP Payroll Reviews

• Long customer service wait times
• Difficulty resolving complex payroll, tax, or benefits issues
• Billing or cancellation complaints
• 401(k) or benefits administration concerns
• Confusion around add-on costs or contract terms

Positive ADP Payroll Reviews

• Easy-to-use payroll tools
• Helpful payroll automation
• Strong mobile app
• Many integrations
• Payroll tax filing support
• Fast employee payment options

Is ADP Payroll Secure?

ADP publishes detailed data security and privacy resources and describes a broad security program for protecting client and employee data. ADP  uses physical, technical, and organizational safeguards, along with internal and external assurance activities, audits, and security controls.

ADP’s external assurance includes SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports, ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications, Sarbanes-Oxley controls, and PCI DSS.

• SOC 1 and SOC 2 reporting
• ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications
• ISO/IEC 27701 privacy certification
• PCI DSS compliance
• Internal and external audits
• Security training
• Fraud prevention resources
• Client security resources

How Does ADP Compare With Other Payroll Software?

With advanced tax support, excellent employee management features, and great HR tools, ADP can easily handle the payroll needs of most businesses. Are you looking for a payroll software solution and wondering how ADP compares to Gusto, QuickBooks, or Paychex? Check out our ADP payroll software comparisons below.

ADP VS Gusto

ADP and Gusto both offer full-service payroll, tax filing, direct deposit, HR tools, benefits administration options, integrations, and employee self-service. The biggest difference is that Gusto is usually simpler and more transparent, while ADP is more customizable and better suited for businesses that need broader payroll and HR service options.

Gusto is generally the better fit for small businesses that want published pricing, unlimited payroll runs, a contractor-only plan, and an easier payroll and HR platform. ADP is generally the better fit for growing businesses that need more customizable payroll packages, recruiting tools, background checks, advanced reporting, HR support, and broader workforce management options.

If you want to learn more about the differences between Gusto and ADP, including a pricing and feature breakdown, check out our in-depth Gusto vs. ADP comparison.

ADP VS QuickBooks Workforce

ADP and QuickBooks Workforce both support full-service payroll, tax filing, direct deposit, time tracking, HR tools, benefits options, and employee self-service. The better choice depends on whether you want ADP’s customization or QuickBooks’ accounting-first ecosystem.

ADP is stronger for businesses that need more HR support, recruiting tools, background checks, reporting, add-ons, and larger workforce management options. QuickBooks Workforce is stronger for businesses already using QuickBooks Online that want payroll, accounting, time tracking, employee records, and reporting connected in the same ecosystem.

Our ADP vs. QuickBooks Workforce comparison takes a deeper dive into the differences between Quickbooks and ADP, including a detailed look into which businesses each option would best serve.

ADP VS Paychex

ADP and Paychex are both full-service payroll and HR providers with strong employee management tools, benefits options, and service-heavy packages. Both are more customizable than many self-serve payroll platforms, but both also rely heavily on custom pricing.

ADP is generally stronger for businesses that want broader integrations, advanced reporting, recruiting tools, background checks, and scalable HR packages. Paychex is generally stronger for businesses that want hands-on payroll support, assigned specialist options, benefits administration, business insurance, retirement services, and HR services from one provider.

Check out our ADP vs. Paychex comparison for an in-depth exploration of the differences between the two payroll software options.

The Final Verdict: Is ADP Payroll Worth It?

ADP Payroll is worth considering for businesses that want scalable payroll software with strong HR tools, hiring features, reporting, integrations, and support options. It’s especially appealing for growing businesses that need more than basic payroll and want access to broader workforce management tools over time.

That said, ADP may be more than some small businesses need. Its quote-based pricing, add-ons, and package complexity can make it harder to compare against payroll providers with published pricing. Businesses that only need simple payroll may find a more affordable, transparent option elsewhere.

ADP’s biggest strengths are its payroll features, HR tools, integrations, mobile payroll options, and room to scale. Its biggest drawback is pricing transparency. Before signing up, request a detailed quote and confirm payroll-run fees, year-end form fees, setup costs, contract terms, support options, and any add-ons.

If your business wants a powerful payroll and HR platform with room to grow, ADP is a strong option. If price transparency and low cost matter most, compare ADP with cheaper payroll software before committing.