ADP vs SurePayroll

ADP vs. QuickBooks Payroll

Small businesses need flexible payroll options. See how ADP compares as an alternative to QuickBooks Payroll as you make your decision.

Get these features with ADP, but not with QuickBooks Payroll

Payroll    
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
Award-winning (Golden Bridge Award, Stevie Award) portal that connects your accountant to your payroll offered not offered
G2 rating peer review 4.5 (of 5) stars or higher offered not offered
Over 75 years of payroll experience offered not offered
HR & Business    
Employee handbook wizard, pre-populated for your state/jurisdiction offered not offered
Online courses (and completion tracking) on sexual harassment and abusive conduct, HR compliance, and much more offered not offered
Printed labor law posters at no additional fee (QuickBooks charges extra) offered not offered
Employee assistance, including counseling, dependent care options, financial referrals, etc. offered not offered
Employee discount program for brand-name products and daily essentials. offered not offered
Job postings via ZipRecruiter® offered not offered
Salary benchmarks data (to help you make competitive job offers and that can help you comply with pay transparency laws) 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
Google Ads marketing campaign simple setup and management offered not offered
Access to free and discounted legal services (provided by third party) offered not offered

Why choose ADP over QuickBooks Payroll

G2

User satisfaction ratings

See how customers rated ADP vs. QuickBooks Payroll on G2, a leading business software review platform, in the categories that matter most.2

92%

Ease of use

vs. QuickBooks Payroll 87%

89%

Quality of support

vs. QuickBooks Payroll 78%

94%

Performance and reliability

vs. QuickBooks Payroll 87%

92%

Ease of Admin

vs. QuickBooks Payroll 87%

Ratings include incentivized reviews.

See the full report

Why clients choose ADP over QuickBooks Payroll

Over 800,000 small businesses trust ADP® to deliver a better payroll experience. Our small business expertise and easy-to-use tools help you stay focused on what matters most – your business.

9 out of 10

customers who switched from QuickBooks Payroll say ADP is easier to use.

22 minutes

ADP customers who switched from QuickBooks Payroll saved an average of 22 minutes per payroll.

4 out of 5

customers who switched from QuickBooks Payroll have more confidence in ADP to do payroll right.

Internal survey of 100 RUN Powered by ADP® customers in 2022

$8,000/yr added value on additional services included only with RUN Powered by ADP.

Get valuable HR tools included only with RUN Powered by ADP®

With RUN's premium HR package option, you will receive features that go above and beyond what you get with other providers. Customers get an average of $8k per year in added value with HR services that help them keep their businesses growing, hire new staff, train their teams, and much more.

  • Access to ZipRecruiter® hiring platform and ADP salary benchmarks
  • Employee assistance program and perks
  • Employee HR training
  • Business and marketing tools
  • Legal assistance from Upnetic Legal Services3

Why ADP is more robust compared to QuickBooks Payroll

Pricing

More value

ADP has a variety of flexible options designed specifically for small businesses. Taking into consideration the added value of HR tools that are included with RUN Powered by ADP, it’s clear that our payroll solutions offer more value than other providers. Compare our payroll packages to see which plan is right for you.

QuickBooks Payroll offers three payroll plans for small businesses with pricing based on total number of employees.

Payroll

Get payroll done in minutes

ADP payroll software is user-friendly and customizable. Our simple, automated solution makes it easy to process payroll and taxes in minutes from any device, anywhere. And we offer dedicated new client onboarding support for small businesses of all sizes.

QuickBooks Payroll does not offer dedicated new client onboarding support for all client sizes.

Benefits

Robust benefits offering

Automatic Data Processing Insurance Agency, Inc. (ADPIA®)*, an ADP® affiliate provides easy access to impactful insurance and benefits solutions. Let ADPIA help you explore, secure and manage the right workers’ compensation, business and group health insurance based on your unique needs. In addition, by becoming an ADP payroll client, you may be able to integrate and simplify your insurance and benefits administration.

ADP offers a range of retirement plans** for your workforce to help your employees become retirement ready and prepare for life's financial challenges. We leverage innovative technology to transform time-consuming administrative tasks and provide mobile-enabled solutions that give you and your workforce plan access – virtually anywhere.

QuickBooks Payroll partners with 3rd party providers to offer health insurance, workers’ compensation, and retirement plans.

HR Tools

Modern, intuitive solutions

ADP’s suite of user-friendly tools include advanced state unemployment insurance management tools and in-product COVID-19 "return to the workplace" tools. Our free mobile app puts the data you need at your fingertips.

QuickBooks Payroll does not offer a full suite of advanced state unemployment insurance management tools.

Customer Service

Unmatched expertise

With 24/7 live support anytime you need it and a long history of payroll compliance expertise, ADP is an industry leader when it comes to customer service. When you choose ADP, you also get dedicated onboarding support.

ADP has led the payroll industry for over 75 years.

Integration

Connect and share data

ADP makes it easy to integrate payroll with hundreds of popular business software applications including ERPs, accounting solutions, time-tracking tools, point of sale (POS) systems, productivity platforms and more. See the full list here. And with ADP’s Pay-by-Pay® premium payment program, companies can streamline workers’ compensation premium payments to improve cash flow.4

Top FAQs about ADP vs. QuickBooks Payroll

Why should I choose ADP?

ADP stays on top of changing rules and legislation to help you comply with the latest payroll tax rules and regulations. We offer direct deposit and mobile payroll solutions that integrate with time and attendance tracking. We also automatically calculate deductions for taxes and retirement contributions, and provide expert support to help you stay compliant with regulations.

How long does it take to get set up and start running ADP payroll?

As soon as you have a federal employer identification number (EIN), employee tax documents and a business bank account, with ADP, you can set up your payroll process. Simply log in from any device into your ADP account and begin entering your payroll information. To save time, you can also have employees enter their own information. Once you’ve confirmed your employee hours, you can then make any necessary adjustments, such as overtime, bonuses earned or contractor payments. View the demo for RUN Powered by ADP to see how quick and easy payroll can be.

What services are included in pricing?

ADP offers several affordable options depending on a company’s size as well as on its payroll and HR requirements, so you only pay for what you require. Compare packages for your business needs to decide which payroll plan fits best.

How easy is it to switch payroll platforms?

Switching to ADP is easy because we transfer your employee data for you. We also provide helpful training to ensure a smooth and rapid transition. You don’t even have to wait for the start of a new quarter or a new year — ADP can support your switch anytime. See our guidebook, Switching Payroll Providers Made Easy, for step-by-step resources for switching payroll.

What type of customer support is offered?

Accessing help from ADP’s certified, friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives is easy. We offer 24/7 live support and clients can also email questions to the Payroll Center at any time. Whether you need help with implementation or payroll issues, we’ve got your back.

Looking for a new payroll provider?

Switch to RUN Powered by ADP for easy payroll and 24/7 service.

800-225-5237

Are you a current ADP client?

Your privacy is assured.

1. Information based on ADP internal research and is accurate as of November 7, 2023 and is subject to change.

2. G2 user review data from March 28, 2024.

3. Legal services are provided by Upnetic Legal Services powered by Legal Club® (of America), a third-party provider.

*Insurance products will be offered and sold only through ADPIA, its licensed agents or its licensed insurance partners; 1 ADP Blvd. Roseland, NJ 07068. CA license #0D04044. Licensed in 50 states. All services may not be available in all states.

**Only registered representatives of ADP Broker-Dealer, Inc. (Member FINRA), an affiliate of ADP, Inc, One ADP Blvd, Roseland, NJ, may offer and sell ADP retirement products or speak to retirement plan features and/or investment options available in any ADP retirement product.

ADP, Inc. and its affiliates do not offer investment, tax or legal advice to individuals. Nothing contained in this communication (or website) is intended to be, nor should be construed as, particularized advice or a recommendation or suggestion that you take or not take a particular action. ADP, Inc. and its affiliates are not affiliated with Gusto, Paychex, QuickBooks Payroll or SurePayroll.

ADPIA is a registered trademark of ADP, Inc.