ADP vs. Gusto: Discover the difference
When it comes to payroll & HR, there are so many reasons why small businesses choose ADP1:
- Real payroll support available 24/7
- Compliance expertise to help avoid errors and stress
- Pricing tailored to your business needs
- All the essential HR tools, all in one place
- Built to scale with every stage of your business
- Compare Providers:
- ADP vs. Gusto
- ADP vs. Paychex
- ADP vs. QuickBooks
- ADP vs. SurePayroll
So, why do small businesses choose ADP over Gusto?
Gusto may get you started, but it can’t always take you further. ADP delivers the service, expertise and all-in-one value that support your business from its first hire to a full team.
Support
24/7 payroll help that never clocks out
Running a business doesn’t stop at 5 p.m., and neither do your payroll questions. With ADP, you get live access to payroll professionals day and night, plus guided onboarding that gets you set up right from the start. That kind of support gives small business owners the confidence to solve problems quickly and keep payroll moving without disruption.
Compliance
Protection you can’t afford to miss
Staying compliant is one of the biggest challenges for small businesses, and the risks of mistakes are real. ADP combines automatic regulatory updates with in-house expertise to help prevent costly errors before they happen. From advanced SUI management to automated filings, proactive alerts, training and tax registration across all 50 states, our solution helps you protect your business so you can focus on growth.
Pricing
Flexible pricing without hidden fees
No two small businesses are alike, and your payroll solution shouldn’t treat them that way. ADP builds pricing bundles around your size, needs and goals, so you only pay for what matters most to you. As your business grows, your plan grows with you, without the hidden fees or surprise add-ons that can make costs spiral.
Complete HR
HR tools built in, not pieced together
Small businesses need more than payroll to manage their people. With ADP, you can get all the essential HR capabilities you need in a single platform. That means recruiting with ZipRecruiter®4, handbook creation, employee analytics (hiring, turnover, and tenure) and more are all available. By having these tools built in and working together, you save time, cut manual tasks and avoid juggling disconnected apps.
Scalability
Grow without outgrowing your provider
Your business will change: new employees, new locations, new compliance needs. ADP is designed to handle those changes seamlessly, from multi-state payroll to more complex staff structures. That means you can keep building your business without worrying about hitting a ceiling or going through the headache of switching providers later on.
Why choose limits with Gusto when ADP offers more?
ADP goes beyond the basics with features built for every stage of business. Compare below to see how ADP stacks up against Gusto (and why more small businesses choose ADP).
 ADP |
Gusto5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll | ||
| 24/7 live support (Gusto offers only 5am-5pm PT, Mon.-Fri.) |  Offered |
not offered |
| Advanced State Unemployment Insurance management tools (claim responses, benefit payments review, best practices consulting) | Offered |
not offered |
| Dedicated new client onboarding support for small businesses of all sizes | Offered |
not offered |
| Same day ACH (at no additional cost) | Offered |
not offered |
| Multi-state payroll, across all bundles | Offered |
not offered |
| Pay employees who work in multiple states or local jurisdictions within a single pay period | Offered |
not offered |
| Two-day processing cycles for all clients (without assigned direct deposit limits) | Offered |
not offered |
| Register with tax agencies in all 50 states (does not require third-party partner) | Offered |
not offered |
| Partner app connectors to over 30 leading Point of Sale (POS) solutions | Offered |
not offered |
| Single invoice billing that combines ADP payroll and complementary partner services | Offered |
not offered |
| Over 75 years of payroll experience | Offered |
not offered |
| Rated #1 small business software by G2 in 2025 | Offered |
not offered |
| HR & Business | ||
| Built-in employee handbook wizard, pre-populated for your state and jurisdiction (no third-party partner required) | Offered |
not offered |
| Hiring via ZipRecruiter®4 | Offered |
not offered |
| Employee discount program for brand-name products and daily essentials | Offered |
not offered |
| Applicant tracking system to help manage the end-to-end hiring process | Offered |
not offered |
| Background checks for prospective hires | Offered |
not offered |
| Access to free and discounted legal services (provided by third party)6 | Offered |
not offered |
| Option to outsource to a full-service PEO (Professional Employer Organization) | Offered |
not offered |
See RUN Powered by ADP® in action
Click through our self-led demo to see how easy payroll and HR can be.
Hear from former Gusto clients
What small businesses say
We were with Gusto for less than a year before switching. Everything with ADP is just easier… Anytime I have a problem, I can upload a document and say, 'Take care of this, please,' and it gets handled.
Erica Dodds Chief Operating Officer, The Foundation for Climate Restoration
What small businesses say
The difference between Gusto’s customer service experience and ADP’s is night and day… All I wanted to know was the best practices, and Gusto was zero help.
Will Stewart Operations and Information Technology Manager, WCAPS
What small businesses say
Gusto micro-managed everything… So, within a few months, I was looking for a change.
Bartley Gooden Founder, A Plus Protection Security Services
What small businesses say
Gusto’s lack of flexibility caused a problem pretty quickly. When it came to paying contractors, the fastest option Gusto gave me was three to five days.
Derrick Fisher CEO, YSL Technologies
What small businesses say
With Gusto, I was worried about losing employees because they couldn’t pay their bills. Why am I working so hard to get payroll done on Tuesdays if they’re not even going to get paid until Friday night?
Latifah Bolds Founder, Wrapped N Love Home Care
Over 900,000 small businesses count on ADP
ADP gives small businesses the tools and support to run easier today and grow stronger tomorrow.
9/10
Customers say switching to ADP is easy2
$1,500
Average savings per year on payroll and HR admin costs after switching7
3/4
customers spend 15 minutes or less running payroll through ADP2
FAQs about ADP vs. Gusto
Why should my business choose ADP over Gusto?
ADP is built for small businesses that want more than just basic payroll. Our tools make it easy to manage payroll and HR accurately in just a few clicks, with taxes and deductions handled automatically. Unlike Gusto’s limited model, ADP brings payroll, HR and benefits together in a single platform, backed by 75+ years of expertise and 24/7 support.
Is it easy to switch to ADP from Gusto?
Yes. You don’t have to wait until quarter-end or year-end to make the move. ADP supports switching any time of year, and our experts guide you step by step so you can keep running payroll without disruption. If you’re already processing payroll, having your employee data and documents ready will make the transition even smoother.
How does ADP pricing work?
We take a flexible, consultative approach to pricing, learning about your business so we can tailor a plan that fits your exact needs. With ADP, you get HR and compliance tools included in your package — features that often come as paid add-ons elsewhere. Many small businesses find that ADP delivers more long-term value than Gusto, whose low entry price can increase quickly as you add employees or need more advanced features.
How fast can I get started with ADP?
Once you have your EIN, tax documents and bank account, you can begin running payroll right away. Our automated solution is designed for simplicity, so you can process payroll in just minutes from any device. Dedicated onboarding specialists are available to guide you through setup.
Is ADP easy for small businesses to use?
Absolutely. ADP is built to be user-friendly, even if you’re not an HR or payroll expert. The dashboard is simple and intuitive, so you can run payroll in just a few clicks. Clear prompts guide you through tasks like adding employees or handling deductions and employees get their own easy-to-use self-service tools.
What kinds of benefits⁸ can I offer through ADP?
ADP, through Automatic Data Processing Insurance Agency, Inc. (ADPIA®), gives you access to health, business and workers’ compensation insurance tailored to your team. We also offer integrated retirement9 plans that make it easy for employees to prepare for the future. These benefits connect seamlessly with payroll to reduce administrative work.
What HR tools are included?
With ADP, HR tools come built in, not pieced together with fragmented third-party apps. You’ll have access to recruiting with ZipRecruiter4, training, handbook creation, legal resources6, salary benchmarks and employee discounts, along with intuitive mobile access. These tools save time, reduce manual work and help you manage your team with confidence.
Does ADP integrate with other business software?
Yes. Through the ADP Marketplace, you can connect payroll with hundreds of leading applications across accounting, time tracking, POS, ERPs, productivity tools and more. This gives you flexibility to keep using the tools you love while running payroll on a proven platform.
What kind of support will I get with ADP?
Unlike providers with limited hours, ADP gives you direct access to certified payroll professionals 24/7. You’ll also have access to an exclusive client community with resources, best practices and peer advice to help your business run better.
If you decide to choose ADP’s IRS-certified PEO, you get access to dedicated, day-to-day support and ongoing strategic guidance provided by an experienced, certified HR expert who is dedicated to your business. Plus, your employees get access to ADP MyLife Advisors, an award-winning service team available to answer HR-related employee questions and needs.
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- Unless otherwise noted, the information on this page pertains to RUN Powered by ADP®.
- All insurance products will be offered and sold only through the licensed entity, Automatic Data Processing insurance Agency, Inc., (ADPIA), or its licensed insurance partners, 1 ADP Blvd., Roseland, NJ 07068. Licensed in 50 States and DC. CA License #0D04044. Not all products or services are available in all states.
- Only licensed representatives of ADP Broker-Dealer, Inc. (ADPBD), Member FINRA, an affiliate of ADP, Inc, One ADP Blvd, Roseland, NJ 07068 may offer and sell retirement products and services or speak to retirement plan features and/or investment options available in any ADP retirement product. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with a client, ADP, Inc. and its affiliates (ADP) do not endorse or recommend specific investment companies or products, financial advisors or service providers; engage or compensate any financial advisor or firm for the provision of advice; offer financial, investment, tax or legal advice or management services; or serve in a fiduciary capacity with respect to retirement plans.
- ZipRecruiter is a registered trademark of ZipRecruiter, Inc.
- Internal survey of 3,099 RUN Powered by ADP® customers in 2025
- Information based on ADP internal research and is accurate as of October 7, 2025 and is subject to change.
- Legal services are provided by Upnetic Legal Services, a third-party provider.