Long-established payroll and HR outsourcing provider with a broad service network across the US.
▲ 12
Visit →
Paychex vs ADP
Comparing Paychex and ADP to help you pick the right Payroll Software for your needs.
| Feature | Paychex | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Paid |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Editorial rating | ★ 3.8 / 5 | ★ 3.8 / 5 |
| Starting price | Contact sales | Custom |
| Community votes | 12 | 167 |
Paychex Pros & Cons
- Long track record and broad physical service network across the US, with local representatives in many regions for hands-on support
- Wide range of HR add-on services (benefits administration, workers' compensation insurance, retirement plans) extending well beyond payroll alone
- Established reliability handling complex, multi-state payroll tax compliance for businesses operating across different jurisdictions
- Dedicated payroll specialists available for businesses wanting more hands-on, human support than a purely self-service platform
- Scales well from small businesses up through larger mid-sized companies with more complex payroll and HR needs
- Pricing isn't published and typically requires a sales call, making upfront cost comparison harder than transparent competitors
- Interface and user experience are often described as less modern and polished than Gusto's more contemporary design
- Onboarding and setup can feel more traditional and less self-service-oriented than newer, more streamlined competitors
- Some smaller businesses report feeling like a lower priority relative to Paychex's larger enterprise clients
ADP Pros & Cons
- Decades of experience handling complex, multi-state, and international payroll
- Strong compliance tools that scale with regulatory complexity as a business grows
- Wide range of HR services beyond payroll, useful for larger organizations
- Established reputation and reliability for mission-critical payroll processing
- Pricing is quote-based and not transparent, requiring sales contact for an estimate
- Setup and interface feel more dated and enterprise-oriented than newer competitors like Gusto
- Often considered overkill (and costlier) for very small businesses
Verdict: Paychex vs ADP
Paychex and ADP both serve the Payroll Software category well, but suit different priorities. Based on community engagement, ADP is currently the more widely adopted choice (167 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is cheaper, Paychex or ADP?
- Paychex and ADP use a similar pricing model (both paid), so the cheaper choice depends on which specific plan tier and feature set you need rather than the base pricing model.
- Is Paychex or ADP rated higher?
- Paychex and ADP currently hold comparable editorial ratings, so neither has a clear edge — the right pick depends more on which specific features and pricing fit your use case.
- Which platforms do Paychex and ADP support?
- Paychex is available on Web, iOS, Android. ADP is available on Web, iOS, Android. Both tools cover a similar range of platforms.
- Can I switch from Paychex to ADP (or vice versa)?
- Most payroll software tools, including Paychex and ADP, support data export in standard formats, making migration possible though rarely fully automatic. Expect to manually verify that custom configurations, integrations, and historical data transfer correctly, and budget time for the team to adjust to workflow differences between the two products.
- Should I choose Paychex or ADP?
- Paychex and ADP both serve the Payroll Software category well, but suit different priorities. Based on community engagement, ADP is currently the more widely adopted choice (167 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.