ADP's pricing opacity, mandatory sales calls, and complex contract terms push many small and mid-sized businesses to evaluate alternatives. Here's a complete comparison matrix with pricing, verdict, and decision framework by company size.
| Provider | Starting Price | Transparent? | Best For | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADP Roll | $39 + $5/ee | ✓ (this plan) | 1-10 employees | ADP brand + affordable entry |
| ADP RUN | $79 + $4-8/ee | Essential only | 10-49 employees | Compliance track record |
| ADP Workforce Now | $23-50 PEPM | ✗ Quote | 50-999 employees | Full HR suite |
| Gusto Simple | $49 + $6/ee | ✓ All plans | 1-49 employees | Transparent, modern, cheaper |
| OnPay | $40 + $6/ee | ✓ One plan | 1-49 employees | Cheapest full-service |
| Rippling | ~$8+/ee + platform | ✗ Quote | 50-500 employees | Unified HR+IT platform |
| Paychex Flex | ~$39 + $5/ee | Select only | 1-200 employees | Strong PEO option |
| Paylocity | ~$22-27 PEPM | ✗ Quote | 50-500 employees | Modern WFN alternative |
| BambooHR | ~$5-8/ee (HR) | Partial | 50-500 employees | HR-first with payroll add-on |
For small businesses (1-49 employees): Gusto is the best ADP alternative with transparent pricing ($49/mo + $6/ee), strong UX, and good benefits integration. For micro-businesses: OnPay ($40/mo + $6/ee) is the most affordable. For mid-market: Rippling offers a more modern platform at comparable PEPM pricing. For enterprises: Paylocity is a strong Workforce Now competitor at $22-27 PEPM.
Yes, Gusto Simple ($49/mo + $6/ee) is cheaper than ADP RUN Essential ($79/mo + $4-8/ee) at most headcounts. At 10 employees: Gusto costs $109/mo vs ADP at ~$139-159/mo. The gap closes as employee count grows, but Gusto remains cheaper through approximately 30-35 employees.
Rippling offers a more modern, unified platform (HR, IT, Finance) compared to ADP's payroll-centric model. Rippling is generally better for tech companies and modern businesses that want one platform for everything. ADP is better for companies that need deep payroll expertise, multi-country payroll, or come from traditional enterprise environments. Pricing is comparable in the mid-market.