ADP Payroll alternatives

01Why people leave ADP Payroll

02The alternatives, ranked by fit

1. Small teams, one state

   GustoGusto

   Gusto is a fit if you want payroll and HR tools together for a small team in one state, with time tracking as an option. Its listing starts at $49, giving you a published starting point to compare with ADP’s $39 listing, although neither figure guarantees your actual quote. Consider it when the goal is a small-business-oriented alternative, not simply the lowest headline price.

   Trade-off: Per-person pricing and reported support complaints can complicate the value calculation.

   Gusto review
   6.3/10

   from
   $49/mo
2. QuickBooks users

   QuickBooks Online PayrollQuickBooks Online Payroll

   If your business already uses QuickBooks accounting, QuickBooks Online Payroll keeps payroll and accounting in the same product family. The listing starts at $25 and includes payroll tax filing; contractor-only payroll is listed for up to 20 contractors. That makes it a practical alternative to assess when accounting fit matters more than replacing ADP with another broad HR suite.

   Trade-off: Per-employee pricing and reported issues are reasons to check the full cost and service terms.

   QuickBooks Online Payroll review
   5.8/10

   from
   $25/mo
3. Straightforward payroll

   SurePayrollSurePayroll

   SurePayroll targets small businesses with straightforward payroll and automatic tax filing, and also covers households paying one in-home employee. Its listing starts at $20, below the listed ADP starting price, but that is not a like-for-like quote. It is worth comparing if you need core payroll rather than a broader HR bundle.

   Trade-off: Verify the actual price and plan details before moving.

   SurePayroll review
   6.2/10

   from
   $20/mo
4. HR and payroll workflows

   PaycomPaycom

   Paycom is aimed at organizations consolidating HR and payroll, with employee self-service and automated payroll workflows in its listed fit. Consider it if you want to evaluate another system around those combined workflows rather than choose on starting price alone. Pricing is not published on the vendor's site, so request a quote before deciding whether it beats your ADP offer.

   Trade-off: You need a quote to judge value; no starting price is listed.

   Paycom review
   6.5/10

   from
   Custom
5. Payroll and benefits

   JustworksJustworks

   Justworks is listed for small US teams that need payroll and HR, businesses bundling benefits administration, and companies hiring internationally. Its listing starts at $8, but that figure alone does not establish your total payroll or benefits cost. Compare it with ADP if you want to assess a payroll-and-HR bundle that also includes benefits administration.

   Trade-off: Budget for possible benefits cost increases.

   Justworks review
   7.2/10

   from
   $8/mo
6. HR advisory and PEO

   PaychexPaychex

   Paychex is an option if you want payroll and HR together and are considering HR advisory services or PEO services. That broader bundle may suit a different buying brief than a payroll-only replacement. The listing does not publish a starting price, so ask for a detailed quote and compare the included services with your ADP plan before treating it as an alternative on cost.

   Trade-off: Pricing is opaque, and Reddit feedback is a caution rather than a product verdict.

   Paychex review
   6.2/10

   from
   Custom
7. Broader HR workflows

   PaylocityPaylocity

   Paylocity is listed for employers consolidating HR and payroll workflows, including organizations that want finance and IT alongside HR. Consider it if your search is for a broader operating system, not just a new way to run payroll. Its pricing is not published on the vendor's site, so request a detailed quote and make service commitments part of the comparison.

   Trade-off: Custom pricing makes upfront cost comparison difficult.

   Paylocity review
   5.9/10

   from
   Custom

03Side by side

Tool	Score	From	Free plan	Best for
ADP Payroll ADP Payroll (current)	5.2	$39/mo	No	Businesses needing payroll and HR
Gusto Gusto	6.3	$49/mo	No	Small teams running payroll in one state
QuickBooks Online Payroll QuickBooks Online Payroll	5.8	$25/mo	No	Businesses already using QuickBooks accounting
SurePayroll SurePayroll	6.2	$20/mo	No	Small businesses with straightforward payroll
Paycom Paycom	6.5	Custom	No	Organizations consolidating HR and payroll
Justworks Justworks	7.2	$8/mo	No	Small US teams needing payroll and HR
Paychex Paychex	6.2	Custom	No	Businesses wanting payroll and HR together
Paylocity Paylocity	5.9	Custom	No	Employers consolidating HR and payroll workflows

Prices from each vendor's pricing page, checked Nov 6, 2026.