ADP and Gusto are two famous names in the world of payroll software. But they target different demographics with different complexities and price points.
ADP is a household name thanks to its massively powerful platform. Nearly every administrative need is solved. However, pricing is not transparent, so you may need a more generous budget, even for its small-business offering, RUN Powered by ADP. It also involves a steep learning curve.
On the other hand, Gusto is a simple, beginner-friendly payroll software designed for small businesses. Its beautiful interface caters to more straightforward operations. This lightweight approach is a double-edged sword, though, as it makes it a challenge to grow with this title.
| ADP | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom quote | $40/mo. + $6/employee |
| International payroll | Yes | EOR services only |
| Full-service tax filing | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced analytics | Yes | No |
| Best for | More complex, growing businesses | Smaller, straightforward businesses |
| Visit ADP | Visit Gusto |
ADP tailors solutions to various business sizes. However, solving dynamic and complicated needs means the platform’s costs are rather varied, and there is no public pricing information. You’ll have to work with a sales agent to get an accurate quote.
Because of this, it may not be a great fit for smaller businesses, as its small-business product — RUN Powered by ADP — is said to be pricier and more complex than other solutions in the space. But for larger businesses, ADP’s offerings could be just the thing you need, especially if you’re leaning into rapid growth.
In contrast to ADP, Gusto offers transparent pricing and is more affordable for small to midsize businesses. Packages start at $40 plus $6 per worker, monthly, and higher-level plans with benefits management and added services cost at least twice as much. This price is in line with other small-business-focused competitors, like Patriot Software.
But unlike ADP, Gusto is limited in functionality. It can solve basic payroll and human resource needs for smaller businesses. It won’t deliver top-tier perks like international growth or high-octane analytics, though.
Winner: Gusto
Gusto is known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive services for small to midsize businesses. It boasts features like automated payroll runs, health benefits administration, compliance help and a suite of tools for employee management.
ADP also offers these tools and more. But only Gusto serves it up in a beautiful, point-and-click style that requires no technical background. Simply put, it’s perfect if you crave something easy to use and headache-free.
Winner: ADP
ADP leads in third-party integration capabilities thanks to its massive array of connections. You can link to everything from Square to HR Avatar and more. And don’t worry if your favorite software isn’t supported out of the box. The title’s Marketplace platform lets you download add-ons to sync up with nearly any enterprise title imaginable.
Sure, Gusto also includes some third-party connections. But ADP’s is unmatched in quantity and quality. So, if you love your existing workflow, this world-famous title blends in seamlessly.
Winner: Gusto
If you have a long roster of current and former staffers, then Gusto can save you headaches. It dishes out lifetime access to its employee self-service portal, allowing former workers to view pay stubs, old W-2s and more.
In comparison, ADP provides a similar tool but limits the viewing of past W-2s or 1099s to three years. It also isn’t as pretty or straightforward of an interface as Gusto.
Winner: ADP
ADP is highly scalable, offering features that grow with your business. It includes tax compliance alerts, State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) management, an applicant tracking system and access to dedicated HR advisors through the HR HelpDesk. It’s designed to serve businesses of all sizes, from small to large enterprises, and is particularly strong in areas like employee management, payroll features, customer support and HR capabilities.
Plus, it supports international workforces more flexibly, while Gusto offers only employer of record services.
Winner: Tie
Both Gusto and ADP offer high-quality customer support, making them equally reliable for businesses that need payroll and HR assistance.
Gusto provides phone support from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time. You can also utilize live chat, email support and automated bots for after-hours inquiries.
Similarly, ADP’s customer service for U.S. clients is available from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, along with live chat, email support and automated assistance.
Both platforms feature extensive knowledge bases and educational materials, enabling users to find answers and solutions independently.
So, if you love excellent customer service, either option is sure to delight.
If you’re still unsure which way to go, take a look at our tips for choosing the right payroll software for your business.
We considered factors such as pricing transparency, ease of use, feature set, scalability and customer service. We also analyzed customer feedback, overall value for money, technical documentation, international capabilities, tax filing functions and more.
