ADP Review: Features, pros and cons, and more

ADP (Automatic Data Processing) is one of the world’s most popular, best-known payroll and HR technology companies. As a provider of both in-house payroll software and outsourced PEO solutions, ADP has a plan and product for nearly any type and size of business in any industry.

Below, we’ll explain more about what ADP is and quickly review its most popular payroll products. Keep reading to find out which ADP payroll, HR, PEO or HCM solution is the best fit for your business.

ADP products: Feature comparison table

What is ADP?

ADP sells payroll and HR technology that helps businesses hire, manage, and pay workers. Its portfolio ranges from a chat-based payroll app to enterprise HCM and multicountry payroll. ADP is not one uniform product, so a feature included with one product may not come standard with other solutions.

Depending on the product and package, ADP payroll features can include:

• Automated payroll processing and federal, state, and local payroll tax withholding, remittance, and filing.
• Employee self-service and mobile access to pay statements, tax forms, and HR information.
• Multi-jurisdiction payroll and support for employees and contractors.
• Payroll, HR, talent, benefits, and workforce reports, including custom reporting in some products.
• Accounting, point-of-sale, benefits, and HR integrations, including QuickBooks Online, through ADP Marketplace and API Central.
• Benefits administration, retirement, workers’ compensation, time tracking, and other services as included features or paid add-ons.

If you are comparing ADP pricing, I’d ask sales to itemize implementation, data migration, year-end forms, tax setup, time tracking, benefits administration, off-cycle payroll, support level, and cancellation terms. A custom quote can look competitive until required add-ons are included.

ADP products, pricing, and features

Below is a quick overview of some of the most popular ADP payroll software and PEO products.

Roll by ADP

Starting price: $39 per month + $5 per employee

Roll by ADP is the only ADP product made specifically for microbusinesses. As an AI-based app with browser access, Roll is less comprehensive than most other ADP products. However, along with enabling easy payroll runs with fast direct deposit, the Roll app assists small-business owners with a variety of other payroll and HR tasks:

• Multi-state payroll runs.
• Tipped wage support for cash and charged tips.
• Direct deposit and paper check payment options.
• Same-day and next-day direct deposit options.
• GenAI chat assistance and AI-driven error checks.
• Wage garnishments and automatic new-hire reporting.
• Basic time tracking, payroll reports, and QuickBooks Online integration.

To run payroll with Roll, business owners type a chat command like “run payroll,” and the app takes care of the rest. The process is simple and straightforward, but it may be confusing for business owners who are new to AI chatbot functionality.

To learn more, read our Roll by ADP review.

RUN Powered by ADP

Starting price: Custom quotes only

While ADP RUN was made mainly for small and midsize businesses, its higher-tier plans can support bigger businesses that want to blend fully automated payroll with a fairly comprehensive HR product suite.

RUN Powered by ADP is primarily a payroll software service, but depending on which of the four RUN plans you choose, you’ll secure HR tools like the following:

• Background checks.
• Self-guided onboarding tools for new hires.
• Salary benchmark data and insights.
• HR toolkits, trainings, documents and forms to maintain legal compliance.

The most advanced ADP RUN plan, HR Pro, also includes access to a learning management system and a sexual harassment training course.

ADP RUN is a solid choice for smaller businesses that want HCM-level tools without paying for a fully fledged HCM or HRIS program. However, while RUN Powered by ADP costs less than HCM software for enterprises, it’s definitely pricier than more straightforward payroll services like Gusto or SurePayroll by Paychex.

Plus, some of RUN’s payroll services are only available as add-ons that cost an extra fee, including time and attendance.

To learn more, read our ADP RUN review.

ADP TotalSource

Starting price: Custom quotes only

ADP TotalSource is ADP’s PEO for small and midsize businesses. Under a co-employment agreement, ADP assumes most of the HR and payroll responsibilities, such as payroll administration, payroll taxes, benefits administration, compliance support, and HR guidance. You retain day-to-day control over employees and business operations.

PEOs are almost always more expensive than in-house payroll software. However, since ADP doesn’t list prices for any product besides Roll by ADP online, it’s unclear how much more expensive ADP TotalSource is than a product like ADP RUN. Still, it’s worth noting that a PEO frees up time business owners would otherwise spend on complicated HR tasks and employment law compliance.

To learn more, read our review of the best PEO companies

ADP Workforce Now

Starting price: Custom quotes only

ADP Workforce Now is ADP’s HCM platform for midsize and enterprise businesses. Along with RUN by ADP’s powerful payroll tools, ADP Workforce Now includes the following key features:

• New hire onboarding, employee data management, and core HR tools.
• Employee engagement, including surveys with comprehensive reporting and data analysis.
• Benefits administration (not available with cheapest Workforce Now plan).

Customers can also add services like recruiting, performance management, compensation management and a learning management system for an extra fee.

To learn more, read our ADP Workforce Now review.

ADP Lyric HCM

Starting price: Custom quotes only

ADP Lyric HCM is ADP’s enterprise platform for large multinational organizations with complex operating models. It combines HR, payroll, talent, benefits, workforce management, analytics, and employee self-service in a flexible global HCM environment.

ADP Lyric supports payroll in more than 140 countries, localized systems of record in over 100 countries, and 14 languages and dialects. It also provides configurable workflows, global reporting, benchmarking, integrations, and dedicated implementation support.

The strongest fit for this product is an employer that already has legal entities and needs consistent payroll governance across countries. If you also need a third party to hire workers where you lack an entity, compare ADP’s EOR services with global employment platforms rather than assuming multicountry payroll includes EOR coverage.

To learn more, read our review of the top international payroll services.

ALSO SEE: Preparing to Evaluate HCM Solutions

ADP Global Payroll

Starting price: Custom quotes only

ADP Global Payroll is a cloud platform for employers that need to manage payroll across multiple countries. Its key capabilities include:

• A standardized operating model for multicountry payroll.
• Automated controls and payroll accuracy workflows.
• Consolidated reporting, analytics, and local compliance support.
• Country-specific self-service through a unified portal available in 35 languages.
• Scalable country onboarding.

To learn more, read our review of the top international payroll software.

ADP pros and cons

No matter which ADP product you ultimately settle on, you can expect to experience a similar set of software benefits:

Pros

• Multiple products that can support a business from its first hires through enterprise and global expansion.
• Strong core payroll software features, tax filing, compliance, and employee self-service capabilities.
• 24/7 live customer service (with some plans and products only).
• Exceptionally well-reviewed mobile payroll apps, including an app for employers to run payroll on the go.
• Extensive HR, benefits, talent, analytics, PEO, and global payroll options.
• A large integration marketplace plus APIs and custom connectivity for larger platforms.

Cons

Like any software solution, ADP has its downsides:

• Software may have a steep learning curve, especially for first-time employers unfamiliar with business software.
• Reports can be confusing, cumbersome or clunky.
• Customer service complaints of slow response times or confusing phone trees.
• Limited pricing transparency.
• Add-on fees for services some other payroll providers include in their base prices (e.g., time and attendance tracking).

More payroll coverage

Top ADP alternatives

Gusto: Best ADP alternative for small businesses

Starting price: $49 per month + $6 per employee

Gusto’s small-business payroll solution is a solid ADP alternative, especially for companies considering ADP RUN.

Gusto and RUN by ADP have comparable payroll features — but Gusto is available at a lower starting price. It also includes more pay functionalities with its base price rather than requiring customers to add them for an extra fee.

Gusto’s starting price is also above Roll by ADP, but its conventional interface and broader HR and benefits ecosystem may suit a growing business better. And while RUN offers deeper optional HR and compliance services, Gusto is easier to use and compare on price.

Learn more about Gusto by reading our Gusto review, including our ADP vs Gusto article.

Papaya Global: Best global payroll alternative

Starting price: $29 per employee monthly for global payroll

If you need a global payroll service, not an international HRIS or HCM solution, Papaya Global is an affordable ADP alternative.

As an employer of record (EOR) service, Papaya Global helps businesses hire and pay workers in 180+ countries and in local currencies. On-the-ground compliance experts also help companies stay up to date on current, ever-changing employment laws around the world.

Papaya offers multiple global payroll solutions:

• Payroll Plus: Starts from $29 per employee monthly
• EOR: Starts from $499 per employee monthly
• Contractor of record: Starts from $199 per contractor monthly
• Contractor solution: Starts from $5 per contractor monthly

Learn more about Papaya Global by reading our Papaya Global review.

Paycor: Best HCM alternative

Starting price: Custom quotes only

Paycor’s enterprise-level HCM system helps U.S.-based companies hire, onboard and pay employees. Like ADP Workforce Now and Lyric HCM, Paycor includes time tracking tools, comprehensive workforce management, employee engagement surveys and thorough personnel data and analytics.

However, unlike ADP, Paycor doesn’t provide benefits options through its own brokerage. Instead, it integrates with your business’s existing benefits partners to provide seamless benefits administration.

Learn more about Paycor by reading our Paycor review or our ADP vs Paycor article.

Our methodology

To review payroll software, including ADP’s payroll processing systems, we do our best to either set up free trial accounts or schedule demos to get personal experience with the products we review. Our payroll software review methodology page explains more about how we choose, rate and review products.

Which ADP product is right for your small business?

Choosing payroll software for your business is a challenging process, but it can pay huge dividends in terms of the time, effort and anxiety it saves. If you’re still not sure which ADP payroll product will work best for your unique organization, our quick rundown can point you in the right direction:

• Roll by ADP is best for tiny businesses with basic payroll needs.
• RUN Powered by ADP is best for small businesses that want a combined HR and payroll solution on the same platform.
• ADP TotalSource is best for businesses that need outsourced payroll support through a PEO.
• ADP Workforce Now is best for midsize to large businesses that want thorough HCM tools without paying enterprise-level prices.
• ADP Lyric HCM is optimal for a large or enterprise multinational employer with complex structures, workflows, and global HR requirements.
• ADP Global Payroll is great if you already operate across countries and need standardized multicountry payroll governance and reporting.

If you aren’t thrilled with ADP’s payroll processing service, take a look at our list of ADP’s top competitors to find a suitable alternative.

Looking for something else? Check out our guide to the best payroll software and services. And if you’re wondering whether or not to get a payroll service, our why does my business need a payroll service article can help.

Frequently asked questions

Is ADP a good payroll company?

Yes, ADP is generally considered a good payroll company. In fact, ADP is one of the oldest, most popular payroll companies in the United States. It has decades of experience, a solid reputation, and extensive payroll processing expertise.

How much does ADP payroll processing cost?

ADP doesn’t list prices for any of its key payroll products online. Interested customers should contact ADP directly to request a quote and schedule a free trial, which can run as long as three to four months.

Is ADP better than Paychex?

ADP and Paychex are two top providers of in-house payroll software and outsourced PEO services for small and midsize businesses. Both companies offer fully automated payroll, HR library access, top-notch benefits options, thorough customer service and multiple products that scale to accommodate growth.

Since both ADP and Paychex are so similar, it’s hard to say for sure which one is better than the other. However, one might be better for your business than the other depending on which features you need, which user interface you prefer and how much you can afford to spend on payroll.

Read our in-depth comparison of ADP and Paychex to learn more about which product will suit your needs better.

What are the benefits of ADP payroll?

The main benefit of using ADP or any other outsourced payroll solution is the time, hassle and stress it can save business owners who worry about payroll.

Running payroll by hand is a time consuming process with plenty of opportunities for error, including incorrect paycheck calculations or missed payroll tax deadlines. In contrast, payroll software companies like ADP let you process payroll automatically, which can include automatically deducting and submitting payroll taxes.

ADP’s other perks include the software’s ease of use, customizations, third-party integrations, lengthy free trial and 24/7 customer service.

Does ADP integrate with other apps?

Yes, ADP integrates with hundreds of third-party business apps, including a good amount of popular accounting, human resource, HCM, finance, personnel management and expense management services. For a comprehensive list of ADP’s integrations, check out the ADP app marketplace.

Read next: How to Do Payroll: A Step-by-Step Guide