ADP vs. Paychex: Learn how our PEO checks all the boxes

ADP TotalSource® powers your business with leading-edge technology, unmatched service, best-in-class benefits, and a legal defense benefit that gives you peace of mind.

  • Proprietary technology that supports seamless growth
  • Strategic guidance & workforce consulting that stands apart from the pack
  • Customizable benefits offering with administration handled for you
  • Actionable data & insights from ADP’s U.S. client base with 39 million+ employees
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ADP TotalSource Client quote from Connect Insurance saying, “The expertise of our HR Business Partner is invaluable. She has been a wealth of knowledge."

Get proactive, strategic guidance and difference-making data with ADP

With our PEO, ADP HR professionals offer the support and guidance that help your business achieve its unique goals — along with benefits packages that set your business apart from the rest and a dataset that drives confident business decision-making.

End-to-end proprietary Technology

Grow confidently and efficiently

Our proprietary technology is developed with you in mind and our technology is built for stable, seamless growth with enterprise-grade security at its core. And we make it easy to try, buy and activate solutions that integrate with ADP, connecting you to hundreds of apps through ADP Marketplace, so you can simplify the way you work. We take pride in making significant investments in innovation, so you can accomplish more.

Video still showing 3 ways with ADP TotalSource, you can easily view your company data 24/7: reports, online dashboards, and benchmarks.

Superior workforce insights from ADP

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Strategic HR Support

Real people — and real expertise — always in your corner

Partnering with ADP TotalSource gives you a dedicated HRBP (Human Resources Business Partner) with extensive HR experience and key certifications, including PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, MHRM and CHRS. While this HR expert becomes your point of contact for HR and compliance questions, they also provide guidance to help you achieve your business’s HR objectives.

On top of that, ADP’s award-winning MyLife Advisors are a day-to-day HR support resource for your employees, handling their questions, helping to meet their HR needs and saving you valuable time.

The Stevies Awards logo with support copy reading: ADP MyLife Advisors, Award-winning employee support.

Powerful Benefits

Personalized benefits, powered by data

With ADP TotalSource, you get the buying power that lets you offer the same leading benefits as the country’s largest companies. On top of that, a data-driven benefits strategy, composed of personalized insights and up-to-date benchmarking, help you meet the ever-changing needs and demands of today’s employees — while getting better return on your benefits investment.

Actionable Data & Insights

Harness data to sharpen your business strategy

Gain the competitive edge you’ve been looking for by utilizing insights from the industry’s largest dataset to guide your decision-making. You’ll have 24/7 access to reports and dashboards, and can quickly compare your workforce's compensation, turnover and retention rates against market averages — drawn from our U.S. client base of 1,000,000+ employers and over 39 million employees.

Achieve your talent management goals with ADP’s all-in-one talent solution

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See how ADP TotalSource is a better PEO option

Our full-service, all-in-one PEO helps small and midsized businesses save time, grow with confidence, and manage costs.

Capabilities ADP PAYCHEX1
Technology built from the ground up to simplify the way you work offered not offered
Award-winning ADP team provides answers and support for your employees in English and Spanish, plus 200 languages through LanguageLine Solutions offered not offered
401(k) Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) for greater buying power and tax advantages offered not offered
Benchmarks based on aggregated and anonymized HR and pay data from ADP’s U.S. client base of over 39 million employees offered not offered
Integrate with hundreds of third-party solutions to securely share data between your HR systems offered not offered
24/7 access to 300+ pre-built reports, an easy-to-use custom report-builder, and advanced analytics so you can find what you need, when you need it offered not offered
Legal defense benefit (LDB) to help clients mitigate the potential costs of defending employee lawsuits and claims2 offered not offered
FY 2025 research & development investment exceeding $1 billion to continually improve clients’ day-to-day work offered not offered
PEO model that supports HR, payroll, tax, employment-related compliance and benefits offered offered
IRS-certified PEO and ESAC-accredited PEO, proof of high financial, regulatory and business standards offered offered
New clients onboard quickly with assistance and support offered offered

FAQs about ADP vs. Paychex

Why should my business choose ADP’s PEO over Paychex?

When comparing ADP and Paychex, both offer a PEO model that meets small business’ HR needs. Selecting ADP means partnering with a provider that integrates advanced proprietary technology, in-depth data insights, and HR expertise, all aimed at helping your business grow confidently.

ADP’s comprehensive proprietary platform with enterprise-grade security seamlessly connects payroll, HR, benefits, compliance, and more and is compatibile with hundreds of third-party solutions. This functionality provides small businesses with confidence, efficiency, and connectivity, all within a single, streamlined system.

In addition to state-of-the-art technology, ADP leverages its data and expertise to enhance client relationships. Our data-driven benefits strategy utilizes real-time benchmarking and personalized insights, empowering you to offer attractive benefits from multiple insurance carriers that help you retain top talent. With access to ADP benchmarks based on aggregated and anonymized HR and pay data from our U.S. client base of over 39 million employees, you can compare compensation, turnover, and retention rates against market averages, enabling more informed business decisions.

Furthermore, you will have a dedicated, certified HR professional who will provide daily support and strategic guidance tailored to your specific business needs. On top of that, ADP’s award-winning MyLife Advisors are a day-to-day HR support resource for your employees, handling their questions, helping to meet their HR needs and saving you valuable time.

Is it easy to switch to ADP from my current provider?

We can support your switch at any time, so you don't have to wait for quarter- or year-end to access the benefits of ADP. If you're already processing payroll, having your employee data and required documents ready will help ensure a smooth and efficient transition. To learn more, check out our helpful guidebook: Switching Payroll Providers Made Easy.

How does ADP TotalSource assist me with employment-related claims, and how does it compare to Paychex?

While both PEOs include Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI), ADP TotalSource also offers an additional incentive, the legal defense benefit, which may help reduce financial penalties associated with employee lawsuits and claims2.

How much does ADP TotalSource cost?

Meeting with an ADP representative is crucial for understanding your business needs and providing a personalized quote. To ensure transparency in our pricing and to give you an accurate estimate, we need to gather information about your HR, benefits and workers' compensation requirements.

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  1. As of November 15, 2025 and is subject to change.
  2. Terms and conditions for LDB eligibility are noted in the Client Services Agreement.