Payroll and HR software built for small and mid-size businesses.
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Gusto vs ADP
Comparing Gusto and ADP to help you pick the right Payroll Software for your needs.
| Feature | Gusto | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Paid |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Launched | 2011 | 1949 |
| Starting price | $40/month + $6/person | Custom |
| Community votes | 198 | 167 |
Gusto Pros & Cons
- Noticeably simpler setup and interface than legacy payroll providers like ADP
- Handles full-service payroll, tax filing, and benefits in one platform
- Employee self-service portal reduces admin overhead
- Transparent, predictable per-employee pricing
- Less suited to very large enterprises with complex multi-state or international payroll needs
- Some advanced HR features require the higher-priced Plus tier
- Customer support response times have drawn mixed feedback during peak periods
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: Gusto vs ADP
Gusto and ADP both serve the Payroll Software category well, but suit different priorities. Based on community engagement, Gusto is currently the more widely adopted choice (198 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is cheaper, Gusto or ADP?
- Gusto 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 Gusto or ADP rated higher?
- Gusto 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 Gusto and ADP support?
- Gusto 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 Gusto to ADP (or vice versa)?
- Most payroll software tools, including Gusto 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 Gusto or ADP?
- Gusto and ADP both serve the Payroll Software category well, but suit different priorities. Based on community engagement, Gusto is currently the more widely adopted choice (198 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.