Gusto vs ADP

Setup and monthly fees

At Gusto, it's easy to get started and you won't pay any fees until you run your first payroll. Monthly fees are straightforward, starting at a base fee of $49 per month, plus an additional $6 per employee per month. Learn more about our product plans and current promotions.

ADP Run often requires a setup fee, and the monthly cost fluctuates depending on features added and number of employees.

Running payroll

Gusto takes the time-consuming task of running payroll and turns it into a simple, few-click process. Our online software simplifies this complicated task, freeing up your time to focus on your team while we do the heavy lifting, no matter which state your employees live in, how they're taxed, or what their pay rate may be. You can even set up Gusto to run payroll automatically each pay period.

ADP Run is also a cloud-based system that can be accessed anywhere. This software comes with many features for reporting and can also be set up to issue payroll automatically.

Processing payroll

You can run unlimited payrolls with Gusto at no extra cost. ADP Run charges per payroll.

Tax filings

Gusto automatically calculates and files payroll taxes every time you run payroll at no extra charge. Both W-2 forms for your employees and 1099 forms for your contractors are calculated and filed to the appropriate tax agencies right from the platform. Plus, we file end-of-year taxes. ADP Run charges extra fees to file W-2 forms and 1099 forms.

Run payroll in multiple states

We go wherever you go. Gusto can be used compliantly anywhere in the United States. Multiple locations across several states are seamlessly managed through our platform. ADP Run requires extra fees to use in more than one state.

Employee benefits

With more than 3,500 health insurance plans, Gusto's licensed advisors can help you find the right coverage for your team and your budget. Once you select insurance plans for your team, you can administer all medical, dental, and vision plans through our platform for free.

There are other benefits options you can offer your team through Gusto. Our options include 401(k) programs, commuter benefits, life and disability insurance, and Gusto Cashout™, a free benefit for employees to access funds between paydays.

ADP offers workers' compensation, retirement options via 401(k), and health and business insurance.

Signup costs

With Gusto, there are no administration fees to enroll in workers' comp or health benefits – you'll only pay the premiums. Also, there are no set up fees for 401(k) retirement plans. Learn more about pricing for benefits. ADP Run often charges premiums plus fees.

The Cashout Program is issued by Sunrise Banks, N.A., Member FDIC. The Sunrise Banks, N.A. Privacy Policy can be found here.

Offer letters and onboarding

We can't wait for your new hires to get started. That's why our Plus and Premium plans help you to create and issue offer letters and streamline the employee onboarding process so that you can start your relationship on the right foot. ADP Run supports offer letter generation, but additional fees may apply.

Employee self-service

With Gusto, your employees can self-onboard, which means sensitive information is kept strictly confidential. Moreover, our platform offers lifetime access for every employee. That means employees can access their W-2s and other important benefit information even after they leave your company, without you needing to step in. ADP Run also offers a self-enrollment system for employees to submit their own information.

Time tracking

Gusto's Plus and Premium plans include access to time tracking tools that automatically sync your team's hours and time-off with payroll. We also integrate with other popular time tracking tools like Homebase, TSheets, and more. ADP Run Complete & HR plans charge extra fees to track hours and requests for time off.

Support team

All of Gusto's products come with access to customer support via phone, email, and chat Monday through Friday. Our FAQ and Help Center are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ADP products are supported by an online FAQ and chat, in addition to phone support.

Integration capabilities

Gusto integrates with dozens of the most popular accounting, time tracking, point of sale (POS), business operations, and expense management softwares, including FreshBooks, Expensify, Intuit QuickBooks, Homebase, and Accelo. You can see a full list here.

Run Powered By ADP also offers integrations with ERPs, accounting solutions, timesheets, recruiting, benefits, and productivity platforms, including iCIMS, Slack, Oracle, and Xero.

Still deciding? Check out these 7 alternatives to ADP for more options.

Which is easier to set up?

ADP RUN is built around a sales-led onboarding process: a consultative call, a custom quote, and an implementation specialist who configures your account for you. Gusto is built for a business owner to set up alone, without a call.

The core difference: ADP requires a sales call and custom quote before you can even see pricing, and onboarding commonly takes one to three weeks depending on how many states and modules you're setting up. Gusto shows its pricing publicly, lets you start for free, and gets you running payroll the same day you sign up, no call required.

Consider ADP if you prefer hands-on support for a more complex or multi-entity setup. Consider Gusto if you value a streamlined, self-guided setup and want the flexibility to get payroll running quickly. 

*Reported by third-party sources, not published directly by ADP; treat as an approximate range, not a guarantee. 

Which is easier to use?

ADP RUN offers extensive reporting, compliance tools, and dedicated support—useful for businesses with more complex payroll needs. Gusto is built to make everyday payroll faster and easier for business owners.

The key difference is the experience: ADP’s flexibility can mean more configuration and a steeper learning curve. Gusto keeps the workflow simple, so you can run payroll confidently without needing deep payroll expertise or extra training.

Choose ADP if you need advanced reporting and have time to manage a more complex system. Choose Gusto if you want payroll to stay straightforward every time you run it.

*Survey of 538 Gusto customers, September 2024. Individual results vary based on business size, prior provider, and payroll complexity.