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 enormously powerful platform. Almost all administrative needs are resolved. However, pricing isn't 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 allows for easier operations. However, this lightweight approach is a double-edged sword, as it makes growing with this title a challenge.
quick books
Employees by company size
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1000-4999), Business (5000+)
Micro (0-49 employees), small (50-249 employees), medium (250-999 employees), large (1000-4999 employees)
Micro, Small, Medium, Large
Characteristics
24/7 Customer Support, API
ADP vs Gusto: Comparison Table
| ADP | Enthusiasm | |
|---|---|---|
| starting price | Custom quote | $40/month + $6/employee |
| international payroll | Yeah | EOR services only |
| Full Service Tax Return | Yeah | Yeah |
| Advanced analysis | Yeah | No |
| Better for | More complex and growing businesses | Smaller and simpler companies |
| Visit ADP | Visit Taste |
ADP vs Gusto: Pricing
ADP
ADP adapts solutions to different sizes of companies. However, solving dynamic and complicated needs means that platform costs are quite varied and there is no public pricing information. You will need to work with a sales agent to get an accurate quote.
Because of this, it may not be a good option for smaller businesses, as its small business product, RUN Powered by ADP, is said to be more expensive and complex than other solutions in the space. But for larger companies, ADP's offerings could be just what they need, especially if they're leaning toward rapid growth.
Enthusiasm
Unlike ADP, Gusto offers transparent pricing and is more affordable for small and medium-sized businesses. Packages start at $40 plus $6 per worker, monthly, and higher-level plans with benefits management and additional services cost at least double that. This pricing is in line with other small business-focused competitors, such as Patriot Software.
But unlike ADP, Gusto has limited functionality. It can solve basic payroll and human resources needs for smaller businesses. However, it won't offer top-tier benefits like international growth or high-octane analytics.
ADP vs. Taste: Feature Comparison
Friendly interface
Winner: Enthusiasm
Gusto is known for its easy-to-use interface and comprehensive services for small and medium-sized businesses. It has features such as automated payroll execution, health benefits administration, compliance help, and a suite of employee management tools.
ADP also offers these tools and more. But only Gusto offers it in a beautiful point-and-click style that requires no technical knowledge. Simply put, it's perfect if you crave something easy to use and headache-free.
Integrations
Winner: ADP
ADP leads third-party integration capabilities with its huge range of connections. You can link 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 allows you to download add-ons to sync with almost any enterprise title imaginable.
Of course, Gusto also includes some third-party connections. But ADP's has no comparison in quantity and quality. So if you love your current workflow, this world-famous title fits right in.
Employee self-service
Winner: Enthusiasm
If you have a long list of current and former employees, Gusto can save you some headaches. It offers lifetime access to its employee self-service portal, allowing former workers to view pay stubs, old W-2 forms, and more.
In comparison, ADP provides a similar tool but limits the viewing of W-2 or 1099 forms older than three years. It's also not as pretty or simple an interface as Gusto.
Scalable plans
Winner: ADP
ADP is highly scalable and offers 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 Help Desk. It is designed to serve businesses of all sizes, from small to large, and is particularly strong in areas such as employee management, payroll functions, customer service, and human resources capabilities.
Additionally, it supports international workforces more flexibly, while Gusto offers registration services for employers only.
Customer service
Winner: Tie
Both Gusto and ADP offer high-quality customer support, making them equally reliable for businesses needing assistance with payroll and human resources.
Gusto provides phone support from 5 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. You can also use live chat, email support, and automated bots for after-hours queries.
Similarly, ADP customer support for US customers is available from 7:30 am to 10 pm Eastern Time, along with live chat, email support, and automated assistance.
Both platforms have extensive knowledge bases and educational materials, allowing users to find answers and solutions independently.
So if you love great customer service, you'll surely love either option.
Pros and cons of ADP
Advantages of ADP
- Scalable solutions.
- Comprehensive feature set, including advanced HR tools, benefits administration, compliance support and tax filing.
- Access to dedicated human resources advisors.
- Global payroll capabilities.
- Strong reputation with reliability.
Disadvantages of ADP
- Complex plan and pricing structure.
- Possibility of additional charges.
- It may be too complex for small businesses.
- Payroll execution charges.
- No free trial.
Taste pros and cons
Advantages of taste
- Friendly interface.
- Competitive price.
- Adapted to small businesses.
- Wide range of payroll features, such as automatic tax filing, direct deposit, and benefits management.
- Excellent customer service.
Cons of taste
- Limited scalability.
- It may be too simple for some companies.
Should your organization use ADP or Gusto?
Choose ADP yes. . .
- Your organization requires a highly scalable solution that grows with your business.
- You need a complete set of HR and payroll functions.
- Values having access to dedicated human resources advisors and extensive customer service.
Choose Taste yes. . .
- You are a small or medium-sized business looking for an affordable payroll solution with transparent pricing.
- Prioritize ease of use and easy setup for your organization.
- You don't need extensive human resources services beyond basic payroll and benefits administration.
If you're still unsure which way to go, check out our tips for choosing the right payroll software for your business.
Methodology
We consider factors such as price transparency, ease of use, feature set, scalability, and customer service. We also look at customer feedback, overall value for money, technical documentation, international capabilities, tax filing features, and more.
