Payroll software comparisons
If you've narrowed your payroll choice down to two providers, these head-to-head comparisons help you make the call. Each one is written by a CPA, with custom verdicts on pricing, ease of use, compliance, HR, integrations, and long-term fit.
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Gusto is usually the better fit for small businesses that want easy, transparent, self-serve payroll with built-in benefits. ADP RUN is usually the better fit for businesses that want a long-established provider with deeper compliance infrastructure and more guided support.
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Gusto is usually the better fit for small businesses that want a payroll-first platform with strong benefits, HR basics, and a clean employee experience. QuickBooks Payroll is usually the better fit for businesses already running their books in QuickBooks Online and prioritizing one tightly-integrated system.
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Gusto is usually the better fit for small businesses that want benefits, HR basics, and a polished employee experience baked into payroll. OnPay is usually the better fit for price-sensitive employers — especially those running payroll across multiple states — who want straightforward full-service payroll at a flat, predictable price.
All comparisons
vsGusto is usually the better fit for small businesses that want easy, transparent, self-serve payroll with built-in benefits. ADP RUN is usually the better fit for businesses that want a long-established provider with deeper compliance infrastructure and more guided support.
vsGusto is usually the better fit for small businesses that want a payroll-first platform with strong benefits, HR basics, and a clean employee experience. QuickBooks Payroll is usually the better fit for businesses already running their books in QuickBooks Online and prioritizing one tightly-integrated system.
vsGusto is usually the better fit for small businesses that want benefits, HR basics, and a polished employee experience baked into payroll. OnPay is usually the better fit for price-sensitive employers — especially those running payroll across multiple states — who want straightforward full-service payroll at a flat, predictable price.
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Gusto is usually the better fit for small businesses that want easy, transparent, self-serve payroll. Paychex is usually the better fit for businesses that want a long-established provider with hands-on service, a dedicated payroll specialist, and a clear runway into PEO and HR advisory.
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Gusto is usually the better fit for small businesses that want payroll, benefits, and HR basics in one clean platform. Rippling is usually the better fit for tech-forward businesses that want payroll deeply connected with HR, IT, device management, and app provisioning across a growing workforce.
vsADP and Paychex are the two largest service-led payroll providers in the U.S. ADP is often the better fit for businesses that want brand-name scale and a clearer mid-market runway. Paychex is often the better fit for businesses that want a more accessible, relationship-driven service model — especially below the mid-market line.
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OnPay and Patriot are both low-cost, transparent-pricing payroll providers. OnPay is usually the better fit for multi-state employers and businesses that want a more polished, feature-complete platform. Patriot is usually the better fit for very small, single-state businesses that want the lowest published price.
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Browse all reviewsFor solo S-corp owners, our Green Light pick is Gusto Solo. Comparisons help if you want to double-check against an alternative.
Why Gusto Solo winsComing soon
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