Gusto
Best all‑in‑one ADP alternative
Overview
It also offers a range of benefits, including no-cost, low-cost, and premium options to suit a variety of budgets. It’s easy to use, affordable, and includes features like automated tax filing, new hire reporting, and benefits enrollment, which ADP often charges extra for.
While it’s not ideal for global payroll, Gusto hits the mark for U.S.-based teams looking to manage people without juggling separate tools.
Key Features
Employee self-service features
Benefits administration included
Time tracking and PTO tools
Integrated hiring and onboarding
300+ app integrations with reporting tools
Pros and Cons
Pros
Intuitive, user‑friendly experience
Transparent, all-in pricingAutomated compliance and filings
Full lifecycle HR support
Lifetime employee portal
Support for international contractors in 120+ countries
Cons
Multi‑state payroll and advanced HR start at Plus
Mobile app lacks full admin capabilities
Benefits only in 38 states + DC
Pricing
Simple: $49/month + $6/person/month — payroll + basic HR
Plus: $80/month + $12/person/month — adds multi-state, next‑day pay, time tracking
Premium: Custom pricing; contact for a quote
Trial: Free until your first payroll
Bottom Line
Gusto delivers a level of simplicity and transparency that small-business owners crave—doing much of what ADP can, but without the complexity or extra fees.
See how Gusto stacks up to ADP to find the perfect fit for your payroll needs. Explore now.
Transform your payroll processes with Gusto, a platform that’s already the choice of over 500,000 businesses.
OnPay
Best simple, flat-fee payroll alternative
Overview
OnPay keeps things straightforward. One monthly fee covers payroll, tax filings, onboarding, PTO, and even benefits setup—no surprise add-ons. It works in all 50 states and integrates with popular accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero.
It’s a strong fit for small teams who want full-service payroll at a clear price, but it doesn’t scale quite as well for companies with more complex needs.
Key Features
Flat-fee pricing with tax filing included
Unlimited payroll runs and multi-state support
W-2/1099 mix in one run
Self-onboarding for employees
Integrated benefits setup and support
Pros and Cons
Pros
No surprises—clear pricing
Unlimited runs and multi-state support
Live phone, chat & email support
W-2/1099 filings included
Affordable benefits integration
Cons
No native time tracking
Limited integrations for complex workflows
No mobile app (mobile-friendly)
Doesn’t auto-run payroll for salaried employees
May fall short for larger businesses
Pricing
Flat plan: $49/month + $6/employee
Add-ons: Printed W‑2/1099 mailing ($9.99/forms); optional benefits vary
Trial: 1 month free + no onboarding/migration fees
Bottom Line
OnPay delivers a no-nonsense payroll experience with transparent pricing, stellar support, and all the essentials. Ideal for small to mid-sized businesses looking to escape ADP’s complexity and cost.
Learn more about OnPay
Remote
Best global payroll & EOR alternative
Overview
Remote makes it easy to hire and pay employees or contractors in over 200 countries. It handles global payroll, compliance, and taxes—tasks that ADP often requires multiple tools or partners to manage.
It’s more expensive than U.S.-only tools, but if you’re expanding internationally or managing a distributed team, Remote is one of the simplest ways to stay compliant.
Key Features
Global contractor and EOR support
Employer tax compliance in 80+ countries
Localized benefits and contract compliance
Unified dashboard for global teams
Built-in self-service portal
Pros and Cons
Pros
Easy to hire/pay globally—from one dashboard
Excellent UX and compliance guidance
Strong support tied to country-based teams
Full coverage of employer tax and filings
Cons
Higher cost for full EOR services
Month-to-month EOR billed at $699/employee
No free tier for payroll
Best for global hires—overkill for U.S.-only teams
Pricing
Contractor payroll: $29/mo per contractor
EOR: $599/mo per employee (annual); $699 month-to-month
Global payroll (own entity): $50/mo per employee
Free trial: 30 days for contractor services
Bottom Line
Remote is your best bet for small- to mid-size teams going global. With in-house country entities, strong compliance features, and top-rated UX, it outshines ADP’s global offerings, which are often cumbersome and costly for smaller businesses.
Learn more about Remote
Paychex Flex
Best for growing small-to-midsize businesses
Overview
Paychex Flex offers a solid middle ground between the simplicity of small businesses and enterprise-grade features. It’s more customizable than most alternatives, with options for retirement plans, benefits, and HR support baked in.
Setup can take a little longer, and pricing isn’t as clear as Gusto or OnPay—but if your business is growing and you want long-term support, Paychex Flex can scale with you.
Key Features
Payroll and tax filing with HR support options
Onboarding and new-hire reporting
Flexible upgrade paths
Time tracking tools available
24/7 support and dedicated specialists
Pros and Cons
Pros
Quick implementation (2 days–2 weeks)
Personalized service and small-business focus
Flexible upgrade path as you grow
Excellent reporting and tools in higher tiers
Cons
Limited integrations unless upgraded
Core features only in Essentials; add-ons cost more
Custom pricing means comparison is less transparent
Interface feels dated compared to newer platforms
Pricing
Essentials: $39/month + $5/employee (includes payroll, onboarding, basic analytics)
Select: $47/month + $3/employee (adds learning management, more HR features)
Pro: $95/month + $3/employee (includes screening, general ledger, handbook builder)
Add-ons: Time Clock, Benefits Admin, Performance, Analytics (quoted separately)
No free trial, but onboarding and implementation are included
Bottom Line
If you're scaling rapidly and need a modular, fast, small-business-focused payroll solution, Paychex Flex is a top-tier ADP alternative. It combines speed, personalized service, and scalable features—just be prepared to pay more as you add capabilities.
Learn more about Paychex Flex
Justworks
Best PEO alternative
Overview
Justworks bundles payroll, benefits, and compliance into a PEO model—ideal for teams that want someone else to handle HR complexity. You get access to large-group health insurance rates, automated payroll, and a helpful team to manage compliance.
You’ll give up some control and pay a bit more, but for fast-growing companies that need full HR support without building it in-house, Justworks works.
Key Features
PEO model with benefits and compliance
Group insurance access
Automated payroll and onboarding
Built-in risk mitigation
Global EOR support
Pros and Cons
Pros
Exceptionally user-friendly platform
Around-the-clock, responsive support
Simplified, predictable pricing
Built-in compliance and global hiring options
Cons
Higher price than standalone payroll tools
Benefits depth varies vs ADP’s scale
Less robust enterprise-grade features
Not suited for ultra-large enterprises
Pricing
Basic PEO plan: $59/employee/mo (up to 50 employees); scales slightly lower at higher headcount.
Plus plan: $99/employee/mo with added benefits and HR tools.
Free trial: Available upon request.
Bottom Line
Justworks is a stand-out for small to mid-sized teams ready to delegate HR and compliance without losing visibility or control. It delivers a refreshing, modern experience that brings PEO benefits into a clear, predictable package, unlike the dated, complex approach many small businesses face with ADP.
Learn more about Justworks PEO
Rippling
Best for tech-forward, automated teams
Overview
Rippling combines payroll, IT, and HR into one highly automated platform. It’s ideal for startups and fast-moving teams that want to automate onboarding, manage devices, and integrate with hundreds of apps—without bouncing between tools.
It’s powerful, but pricing is modular and can add up quickly. If you’re tech-forward and ready to scale, Rippling offers capabilities most ADP alternatives can’t match.
Key Features
Automated payroll and HR tools
Modular platform with IT/device management
Global payroll and contractor support
Rich reporting and custom workflows
Mobile app with self-service
Pros and Cons
Pros
Exceptional UX, rated 9.5 vs ADP’s 8.3 on G2
Truly unified HR + IT + payroll stack
Industry-leading workflow automation
Global payroll and multi-currency support
Cons
Pricing isn’t clear—must quote per module
Reports of support delays or implementation issues
Best for mid-sized and tech-centric teams
Can feel overkill for smaller organizations
Pricing
Base: ~$8/employee/month (Unity HR & payroll) + $8 for Core HR/Payroll
Add-ons: Global payroll & contractor services ($20/employee), EOR ($599/employee)
Free trial: Available
Warning: Bundling multiple modules adds up quickly.
Bottom Line
Rippling redefines what a workforce management platform can do—melding HR, IT, and payroll in a cohesive, highly automated package. It's the ADP alternative for modern, tech-savvy teams—just be ready to stomach the modular pricing and robust onboarding needed to unlock its full power.
Free plan? No. Learn more about Rippling
Square Payroll
Best for POS-integrated small businesses
Overview
Square Payroll is perfect if you already use Square for payments or scheduling. It pulls timecards straight from your POS, handles tip reporting, and keeps pricing flat with no hidden fees.
It’s not built for complex HR needs or fast deposits, but for small restaurants or retail shops, Square Payroll delivers a smooth, affordable experience.
Key Features
Syncs POS with payroll and tips
Handles direct deposit and tax filings
Supports contractors and multistate payroll
Mobile access and time-off tools
Flat-rate pricing
Pros and Cons
Pros
Simple and intuitive UI for employees and admins
Affordable: $35/mo + $6/employee and $5/contractor
No hidden fees; transparent pricing keeps costs predictable
Strong time-off accrual management (9.4/10 on G2)
Cons
Four-day standard direct deposit (slower than ADP’s 2-day)
Limited HR tools and reporting; no dedicated payroll rep
Occasional hiccups reported around tax remittances
Support only on weekdays, some users note slow response
Pricing
Base fee: $35/month plus $6 per employee; contractors $5/mo each.
Multistate and unlimited runs included in the base plan.
Instant pay option via Square app.
Bottom Line
Best for POS-driven small businesses, Square Payroll offers painless integration and solid payroll basics at a low and transparent price. It's intuitive and straightforward—perfect for restaurants and shops. But if you need advanced HR modules, deeper analytics, or 2-day deposits, there’s better built-for-scale options out there.
Learn more about Square Payroll
Payroll4Free
Best free alternative for ultra-small teams
Overview
Payroll4Free isn’t fancy, but for teams with fewer than 10 employees and tight budgets, it gets the job done. It handles basic payroll tasks like running paychecks, calculating taxes, generating year-end forms, and supporting direct deposit (if you use your bank).
You’ll have to file and pay taxes yourself unless you pay extra for that service, and the software only runs on Windows. The interface is dated and ad-supported, and there’s no hiring or benefits help. But you do get PTO tracking, basic reports, and an employee portal. For a free platform, it covers the essentials.
Key Features
Free payroll for ≤10 employees
Direct deposit and paper checks
Basic reporting and PTO tracking
Tax form generation included
QuickBooks integration
Pros and Cons
Pros
Completely free for up to 10 employees
Core features like pay runs, reports, and the employee portal are included
High-performing tax engine; optional full-service support
Cons
Windows-only desktop software; no mobile/cloud access
Clunky, dated interface; contains embedded ads
Limited customization; unreliable customer support by some reports
Pricing
Free plan: $0/month for ≤10 employees
Batch payroll: $10–$35 per run if paying over 10 employees
Tax filing & direct deposits (via Payroll4Free’s bank): ~$35/month or $350/year
Though it’s free to use the platform, expect extra fees if you want autopay or tax services.
Bottom Line
If your team is super small and budgets are tight, Payroll4Free offers a surprisingly capable payroll solution—just don’t expect polished design, mobile access, or sophisticated HR features. It's a perfect stopgap until you're ready to upgrade, as long as you're comfortable with its Windows-only setup and DIY vibe.
Learn more about Payroll4free
Compare All
| Pricing | Free Trial | Free Plan | Best Use Case | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Simple $49/mo + $6/user/mo; Plus $80/mo + $12/user/mo; Premium custom pricing | All-in-one payroll & HR for small businesses | ||
 | $49/mo + $6/employee | (1 month) | Simple, flat-fee payroll for small-mid teams | |
 | $29/mo contractors; $599/mo EOR | (30 days) | (contractors) | Global payroll & EOR for distributed teams |
 | $39/mo + $5/employee; higher tiers are custom-priced. | Growing small-to-midsize businesses needing payroll + HR | ||
 | $59–$99/employee/mo | (on request) | PEO payroll + benefits + compliance support | |
 | ~$8/user/mo + base fee 35-$40/month + add‑ons | (varies by product) | Tech-forward teams needing automated HR + payroll | |
 | $35/mo + $6/employee | POS-integrated small businesses | ||
 | Free core; add‑ons $10–$35 | Ultra-small teams on a tight budget |
| Pricing | Free Trial | |
|---|---|---|
| Simple $49/mo + $6/user/mo; Plus $80/mo + $12/user/mo; Premium custom pricing | |
| $49/mo + $6/employee | (1 month) |
| $29/mo contractors; $599/mo EOR | (30 days) |
| $39/mo + $5/employee; higher tiers are custom-priced. | |
| $59–$99/employee/mo | (on request) |
| ~$8/user/mo + base fee 35-$40/month + add‑ons | (varies by product) |
| $35/mo + $6/employee | |
| Free core; add‑ons $10–$35 |
Methodology: How we chose this list
We reviewed the payroll and HR software market to identify the tools that genuinely work for small businesses — not just enterprise platforms with a small business landing page. Our team evaluated each product's publicly available features and pricing, then cross-referenced hundreds of verified customer reviews on G2 and Capterra to understand how these tools perform in practice.
We assessed each platform based on:
Pricing transparency: Clear, all-in pricing without hidden fees for setup, tax filings, or compliance — the most common complaint small business owners have about ADP.
Ease of use: How quickly a non-HR professional can run payroll, onboard an employee, or handle a compliance task without calling support.
Payroll and tax accuracy: Automated federal, state, and local tax filings with built-in compliance — not features that cost extra.
HR and benefits depth: Whether core HR tools like onboarding, PTO, and benefits administration are included or gated behind higher tiers.
Integration ecosystem: Native connections with accounting, time tracking, and productivity tools small businesses already use.
Support quality: Responsiveness and availability, especially during tax season and onboarding — when it matters most.
Customer satisfaction: Verified reviews from real small business owners, not enterprise buyers with dedicated HR teams.
Some platforms didn't make this list because their pricing was opaque, their small business features required expensive upgrades, or customer reviews consistently flagged poor support. The eight tools here are the ones that address the real reasons small businesses leave ADP.
Gusto's editorial standard: Gusto is included on this list because it meets the criteria above — and we note where it falls short, just as we do for every other platform. Our content is reviewed for accuracy and updated when pricing or features change.
FAQ
1. Why do small businesses switch away from ADP?
Many small businesses find ADP to be too expensive, overly complex, or overly packed with upsells. Alternatives often offer more straightforward pricing, faster setup, and tools designed specifically for small teams. When switching payroll systems, it helps to follow a payroll set-up checklist to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
2. What should I look for in an ADP alternative?
Look for transparent pricing, automation, easy onboarding, and solid tax handling. If you manage contractors or remote employees, global payroll and compliance tools may matter too. Check out our small business payroll provider research guide to help clarify your needs before choosing a platform.
3. Is Gusto better than ADP?
For most small businesses, yes—Gusto is easier to use, more affordable, and built with small teams in mind. ADP may be a better fit for enterprise-level needs or highly customized HR setups.
4. What’s the cheapest ADP alternative?
Payroll4Free is the cheapest if you have 10 or fewer employees—it’s totally free unless you want tax filing. Square Payroll and OnPay also offer affordable flat-rate plans.
5. What’s the best alternative for global teams?
Remote and Rippling are the top picks for international hiring. They offer global payroll, EOR services, and compliance tools, unlike most small-business platforms.
6. Does ADP offer better integrations than its competitors?
ADP integrates with many systems, but competitors like Rippling, Gusto, and Justworks now offer deeper or more modern integrations with popular tools like Slack, QuickBooks, and Xero.
7. Can I switch payroll providers mid-year?
Yes, many platforms—including Gusto, OnPay, and Paychex—make it easy to switch mid-year by importing your payroll history. Most offer white-glove onboarding or migration support to help you avoid costly but common payroll mistakes.
