ADP vs. SurePayroll: Discover the difference
ADP helps small businesses simplify payroll and HR with powerful tools, reliable compliance and support that never stops.
- 24/7 live payroll support from real people
- Compliance expertise to help avoid costly mistakes
- Comprehensive HR and benefits tools all in one place
- A scalable platform that grows as you do
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- ADP vs. SurePayroll
Why do small businesses choose ADP over SurePayroll
SurePayroll stops short. ADP fills the gaps with more robust tools and peace of mind small businesses can count on every time they run payroll.
24/7 Support
Support that’s there when you need it
With ADP, you can reach real payroll specialists anytime, day or night, so help is always within reach if questions come up. Plus, our dedicated onboarding team helps make setup quick and stress-free from day one. SurePayroll support ends with business hours, leaving many small businesses waiting for help. ADP support stays available on your schedule for peace of mind around the clock.
Reliable compliance
Accuracy that helps protect your business
ADP’s payroll platform is designed to keep payroll quick and reliable, even for small teams. AI-powered error detection, along with State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) management tools and regulatory updates, help you manage compliance challenges so you can avoid common mistakes. On the other hand, SurePayroll’s more limited platform may fall behind as your business changes.
Complete HR
Tools to take care of your people
Whether you have two employees or twenty, ADP gives you simple, connected tools to hire, onboard and manage your team with confidence. Compliance, benefits3 and HR work together to help save you time and reduce guesswork. SurePayroll’s DIY HR tools cover only the basics, which can mean more manual steps just to keep up. With ADP, payroll and people management stay in sync so you can focus on your team, not process.
Scalability
A platform that grows with your business
ADP makes it easy to start small and add what you need when you need it. The same platform supports you through every stage with simple reporting, easy integrations and fast onboarding for new employees. SurePayroll’s basic tools can make it harder to adapt as your business evolves. But ADP gives you the same simplicity with more flexibility, so you don’t have to switch platforms – even if your team or business grows.
Compare ADP and SurePayroll side by side
From capabilities to support, ADP outperforms where it matters most. See how it compares to SurePayroll across key features.
 1ADP |
SurePayroll5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll | ||
| 24/7 live support across all bundles |  Offered |
not offered |
| Native suite of time tracking tools with scheduling and physical time clocks | Offered |
not offered |
| Accounting software integration at no additional fee | Offered |
not offered |
| Advanced SUI management tools (claim responses, benefit payments review, best practices consulting) | Offered |
not offered |
| Multi-state tax filings at no additional fee | Offered |
not offered |
| Robust suite of pre-built reports (SurePayroll only offers nine pre-built reports) | 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 |
| Robust portal for employees to manage pay information, federal tax withholding, and time tracking | Offered |
not offered |
| Rated #1 small business software by G2 in 2026, two years running | Offered |
not offered |
| Local tax filing (at no additional fee) | Offered |
not offered |
| HR & Business | ||
| Hiring via ZipRecruiter®5 | 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 |
| One-stop partner marketplace to search, compare, activate, and pay for apps (time, HR, accounting, and more) | Offered |
not offered |
| Employee discount program for brand-name products and daily essentials | Offered |
not offered |
See the RUN Powered by ADP® platform in action
Click through our self-led demo to see how easy payroll and HR can be.
Clients who made the switch to ADP
What small businesses say
RUN gives me exactly what I need. I can get payroll done and move on to my other duties without worrying that there’s more to do or that I missed something.
Tina Pope Controller, Systems Design International, Inc.
What small businesses say
Saving time is the big thing for me. Being the person who runs everything about this business other than manufacturing, time is a pretty valuable commodity. RUN Powered by ADP is incredibly quick, easy and efficient.
Tony Piombo Co-founder, Forno Piombo
What small businesses say
If you’re always in your office banging your head on the wall, you’re losing sight of the stuff that’s going to make you successful. ADP lets me focus 100 percent of my time on growing the business.
Chris Batten Founder and Owner, Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods
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 out of 10
customers say switching to ADP is easy2
4 out of 5
customers who switched are more likely to recommend ADP7
3 out of 4
customers spend 15 minutes or less running payroll through ADP2
FAQs about ADP vs. SurePayroll
What kind of small business support does ADP offer?
ADP provides 24/7 access to real payroll specialists by phone, chat or email, as well as resources to help small businesses get started as simply as possible. Our teams can support you with payroll and compliance questions as they come up. Meanwhile, SurePayroll’s support is limited to standard business hours.
Why should my business choose ADP over SurePayroll?
SurePayroll handles payroll at a surface level, but it’s limited and narrow-focused. ADP delivers the same essentials, plus a platform designed to help with payroll, compliance and reporting. As your business grows, ADP offers more flexibility, deeper insight and support that scales with you. And when you’re ready to take on more, whether that’s new employees, benefits3 or more advanced reporting, ADP grows right alongside you..
Is it easy to switch to ADP?
Yes. Switching to ADP is quick and straightforward, and you don’t have to wait for a new quarter or year to get started. Once you share your employee and tax details, ADP helps you transfer your data and get set up and walks you through your first payroll run step by step.
How does ADP pricing work?
ADP builds pricing around your business size, needs, and goals, so you only pay for the services that matter most as your business grows.
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 makes ADP’s technology different?
ADP gives you modern, intuitive tools for both desktop and mobile, so you can run payroll, manage HR and access your data anytime, anywhere. The RUN Powered by ADP platform integrates with accounting, time tracking, POS and HR systems to keep everything connected and up to date.
SurePayroll’s limited system has fewer integrations and limited reporting options. ADP gives you the flexibility to connect your favorite tools and manage your business your way.
How fast can I get started with ADP?
Once you have your EIN, tax documents, and bank account, you can begin running payroll shortly after setup. ADP’s automated onboarding is designed for simplicity, with specialists available to help guide you through the process.
How does ADP help me keep my business compliant?
ADP helps monitor payroll taxes, tracks changing state and federal rules and alerts you to potential issues before they arise, helping reduce common payroll errors. Plus, built-in reporting and detailed records help support your ongoing compliance efforts.
Does ADP include HR tools?
Yes, depending on your bundle. ADP offers connected HR features like onboarding, handbook templates, compliance alerts and recruiting through ZipRecruiter®5, along with access to retirement8, plus benefits3 and workers’ comp through ADPIA®. Everything works together in one platform.
SurePayroll includes only basic HR templates and forms, leaving more manual work to manage people and support your compliance efforts. ADP keeps HR and payroll connected, so even small teams can operate like pros.
What benefits³ can ADP help me offer?
ADP helps you attract and retain employees with built-in access to retirement plans8 from ADP® Retirement Services, employee discounts and insurance options through ADPIA®. Everything integrates directly into your payroll.
SurePayroll offers limited benefits that require separate setup. ADP keeps benefits and payroll in sync, making it easier to support your team.
Is ADP right for small businesses?
Yes. ADP supports more than 900,000 small businesses, from single-person shops to growing teams. Compared to SurePayroll, ADP offers the same ease of use with stronger tools, broader support and room to grow as your needs evolve.
Looking for a new payroll provider?
Switch to RUN Powered by ADP for easy payroll and 24/7 service.
Your privacy is assured.
- Unless otherwise noted, the information on this page pertains to RUN Powered by ADP.
- Internal survey of 3,099 RUN Powered by ADP® customers in 2025
- Automatic Data Processing Insurance Agency, Inc. (ADPIA) is an affiliate of ADP, Inc. All insurance products will be offered and sold only through Automatic Data Processing Insurance Agency, Inc., its licensed agents or its licensed insurance partners, 1 ADP Blvd., Roseland, NJ 07068. CA license #0D04044. Licensed in 50 states. Certain services may not be available in all states.
- ADP Internal Research 2025
- As of February 6, 2026 and is subject to change.
- ZipRecruiter is a registered trademark of ZipRecruiter, Inc.
- Internal survey of 2,099 RUN Powered by ADP® customers in 2025 who previously processed payroll with another provider.
- Unless otherwise disclosed or agreed to 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. Investment options are available through the applicable entity(ies) for each retirement product. Investment options in the “ADP Direct Products” are available through either ADP Broker-Dealer, Inc. (Member FINRA), an affiliate of ADP, Inc., One ADP Blvd, Roseland, NJ (ADP BD) or (in the case of certain investments) ADP, Inc. Only licensed representatives of ADP BD or, in the case of certain products, of a broker-dealer firm that has executed a marketing agreement with ADP, Inc. may offer and sell ADP retirement products or speak to retirement plan features and/or investment options available in any ADP retirement product and only associated persons of ADP Strategic Plan Services, LLC (SPS) may speak to any investment management or advisory services provided by SPS or any third party in connection with such ADP retirement products. SPS is a SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or services. Nothing in these materials is intended to be, nor should be construed as, advice or a recommendation for a particular situation or plan. Registered representatives of ADP Broker-Dealer, Inc. do not offer investment, tax or legal advice to individuals. Please consult with your own advisors for such advice.