Best ADP Competitors

Who should use it:

Small businesses needing help running payroll at a good value will find Gusto beneficial. The software handles payroll processing, tax compliance, and benefits administration on one platform, reducing manual work and potential errors. With employee self-service features and scalability to grow with businesses, Gusto is ideal for companies seeking effective payroll management without breaking the bank.

Why we like it:

We like Gusto because of its modern, intuitive interface. It offers features beyond basic payroll like time tracking, onboarding tools, and performance reviews. We also like its transparent pricing model with no hidden fees, which budget-conscious companies will appreciate. Its ability to handle contractor payments alongside employee payroll is a significant advantage for businesses with diverse workforce structures.

• Simple: $49 per month + $6 per person per month
• Plus: $80 per month + $12 per employee monthly
• Premium: Custom-priced
• Contractor-only payroll plan: $35 per month + $6 per contractor monthly

Add-ons

• State payroll tax registration: Pricing varies per state
• Priority support : $30 base fee + $3 per employee monthly
• HR resources : $50 base fee + $5 per employee monthly

• You can use its online tools without any training required—provided you have a good background on how payroll works.
• It has how-to guides and unlimited phone, email, and chat support.
• It handles contractor payments in more than 120 countries.
• It has HR tools from onboarding to employee benefits, such as health insurance, worker’s comp, HSA, FSA, and even commuter benefits.

Who should use it:

QuickBooks Workforce is best for small businesses that need a straightforward payroll solution and have limited HR needs. It efficiently handles essential tasks, such as calculating wages, managing tax withholdings, and generating paychecks. QuickBooks Workforce is also particularly ideal for companies already using QuickBooks for accounting as the integration provides seamless financial management.

Why we like it:

While QuickBooks Workforce may not have the same extensive features as more comprehensive payroll systems, its streamlined approach is a significant advantage for small business owners because it only focuses on essential payroll functions. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of errors that can occur in more complicated systems. Additionally, we like its tax penalty protection program that protects businesses from mistakes regardless of who made them.

• Core: $50 per month + $6.50 per employee monthly
• Premium: $88 per month + $10 per employee monthly
• Elite: $134 per month + $12 per employee monthly
• Contractor payments: $15 per month for up to 20 workers; plus $2 for each additional contractor

• It has intuitive controls that allow you to set up and run payroll in a few easy steps.
• QuickBooks Workforce is the only software in this article that provides next-day direct deposits in its basic plan.
• Its native integration with QuickBooks Accounting seamlessly transfers data between Intuit QuickBooks products, allowing your payroll information to flow directly to the general journal and use wage-related information for analytics and other reports using QuickBooks.
• Higher plans have an expert to help set up your payroll system.

Who should use it:

TriNet HR Platform is an ideal HR solution for SMBs that face complex industry-specific compliance requirements and those that want to outsource their day-to-day human resource tasks. The company offers comprehensive HR services tailored to various sectors, including payroll processing, benefits administration, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

Why we like it:

We like TriNet’s comprehensive suite of services, including payroll management, benefits administration, and compliance assistance, all through a user-friendly platform. This allows companies to offload complex HR tasks, reduce administrative burdens, and access high-quality benefits.

• Essentials: $10 per employee monthly
• Growth: $20 per employee monthly
• Zen: $27 per employee monthly

Add-on tools and services

• Payroll: $6 per employee monthly
• Advisory services: $10 per employee monthly
• Benefits administration using own broker: $5 per employee monthly
• Recruiting: Starts at $62 monthly

• TriNet’s benefits administration service helps businesses manage healthcare and insurance enrollments, including employee claims and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) filings.
• TriNet offers compensation benchmark reports (via Salary.com), such as an analysis of whether your salary offerings are ahead, below, or at par with the market.
• TriNet has a team of expert consultants that can provide advice about labor regulations, employee relations concerns, and compliance issues to mitigate employer-related risks.

Who should use it:

Paychex is a full-featured payroll system that provides different packages for small to enterprise-level businesses, including solopreneurs and the self-employed—an option none of the other solutions on this list offer. If you want a single point of contact for your employee pay processing and payroll tax requirements, sign up for one of Paychex’s premium plans to get a dedicated payroll specialist.

Why we like it:

We’ve reviewed and compared hundreds of HR and payroll solutions, and Paychex Flex is one of our most highly-rated software—it even earned a spot on our list of top payroll services for small businesses. It offers solutions for onboarding new hires, paying employees and contractors, administering benefits, and managing online training programs to help boost employee development. Paychex even provides professional employer organization (PEO) services for companies that need expert assistance handling day-to-day HR processes.

• Paychex Flex Select: Custom-priced
• Paychex Flex Pro: Custom-priced
• Paychex Enterprise: Custom-priced

Paychex Plan for Solopreneurs and the Self-employed

Paychex Solo: Custom-priced Includes incorporation services, payroll, and access to 401(k) plans

NOTE: Paychex has removed its Essentials plan, but its payroll packages still start at $39 per month + $5 per employee

• Paychex allows you to review, edit, and submit payroll from desktop computers and mobile devices (for iOS and Android).
• It has efficient pay processing tools and robust HR solutions, regardless of whether you have 10 employees or more than 500.
• It can manage federal, state, and local payroll taxes.
• Paychex offers online learning courses for employee upskilling.

Who should use it:

Square Payroll is an ideal option for restaurant and retail business owners because of its seamless integration with Square POS, making it easy for you to capture, track, and process tip and commission payments. If you use Square POS to capture employee clock-ins and outs, then you can import time data into Square Payroll with just one click.

Apart from restaurants and retail shops, Square Payroll is great for small businesses that mostly hire contract workers, mainly because of its low-cost contractor-only plan—lower than QuickBooks Workforce and Gusto.

Why we like it:

We like how Square Payroll simplifies payroll management with its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. It has automatic tax calculations, time-saving tools like automated time cards, and direct deposits. Square also has the flexibility to handle both employees and contractors. Additionally, its mobile app allows business owners to manage their payroll on the go.

• Pay employee and contractors: $35 per month + $6 per employee monthly
• Pay contractors only: $6 per person monthly

• Square’s “Instant Payment” feature enables you to offer next-day and even instant payments through its “Cash App”—provided you have a Square Payments account.
• Square Payroll comes with free online time cards that you can use to track employee attendance either through Square POS or the Square Team app.
• Square Payroll’s partnership with insurance carriers enables it to offer employee benefits like health insurance (via SimplyInsured), retirement plans (through Guideline), and pay-as-you-go workers’ comp (via Next Insurance).

Who should use it:

Paycor is best suited for SMBs with complex payment processing needs for several reasons. It has a wide range of customization options, allowing businesses to tailor the system to their specific payroll requirements. Paycor can also handle multiple pay rates, shift differentials, complex bonus structures, and various pay frequencies. The platform supports both standard and nonstandard deductions, making it adaptable to diverse compensation models.

Why we like it:

Paycor offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies complex HR and payroll tools, making it easier for HR professionals and employees to use. It has strong compliance support, which helps businesses stay up-to-date with changing labor laws and regulations across different jurisdictions. Additionally, the software’s reporting and analytics tools provide valuable insights for data-driven decision-making, allowing businesses to better understand their workforce and labor costs.

Small business plans (those with up to 49 employees)

• Basic: Custom pricing
• Essential: Custom pricing
• Core: Custom pricing
• Complete: Custom pricing

Mid-market plans (businesses with 50 or more employees): Custom-priced

• Paycor has an intuitive employee self-service portal for accessing pay stubs and personal information.
• It has a robust time and attendance tracking integrated with payroll.
• Paycor also has a talent management suite including recruitment, onboarding, and performance management.
• Paycor’s flexible benefits administration and enrollment system streamline the often complex process of benefits selection and management for both employers and employees.

Who should use it:

Justworks is ideal for companies needing local hiring tools. Its robust features simplify the process of hiring and managing employees across different locations. Its platform provides location-specific compliance support, ensuring that businesses adhere to local labor laws, tax regulations, and employment requirements.

Why we like it:

Justworks offers transparent, all-inclusive pricing that scales with your business. We also like its diverse array of benefits options going beyond the standard health, dental, and vision insurance packages. This is very helpful for businesses looking to attract and retain top talent.

• Payroll: $50 base fee + $8 per employee monthly
• PEO Basic: $79 per employee monthly
• PEO Plus: $109 per employee monthly

Add-on solution

• Justworks Time Tracking: $8 per employee monthly
• International Contractor Payments: $39 per paid contractor monthly
• Payroll + Health Insurance: $8 per eligible employee monthly
• Employer of Record: $599 per employee monthly

• Justworks has a team of HR professionals that can provide free expert advice.
• Justworks has a wide range of nonstandard benefits options like health advocacy services, wellness perks, and fitness memberships.
• You can include expense reimbursement in the Justworks platform.
• Justworks offers an EOR product that partners with local experts in 100-plus countries to process payroll and hire local workers.

Who should use it:

Rippling is the only provider in this guide with IT solutions for managing company-issued computers and apps. It even integrates with more than 500 apps. This makes it ideal for companies that want to automate their computer provisioning and deprovisioning processes while streamlining essential HR and payroll tasks.

Why we like it:

We like Rippling because it combines HR, IT, and payroll into a single platform, streamlining operations and reducing administrative overhead. This integration allows for seamless onboarding and offboarding processes, automating tasks like setting up employee accounts across various software systems. Rippling’s strong emphasis on automation and customization caters to the dynamic needs of tech companies, enabling them to scale efficiently.

HR payroll plan: $8 per employee monthly, which includes access to Rippling’s core workforce management platform plus full-service payroll and time tracking solutions

Rippling PEO services: Call for a quote

Additional solutions*

IT tools (such as device, app, and computer inventory management): $8 per employee monthly

Benefits administration costs extra; pricing is based on your insurance broker.

*Pricing is based on a quote we received

• You get a full HR suite with robust employee management, benefits administration, time and attendance, and applicant tracking. It also has onboarding/offboarding automation and IT management tools.
• It also provides your staff easy access to online pay stubs and tax forms through its mobile apps (for iOS and Android devices).
• You don’t have to worry about payroll taxes because it automatically calculates and files federal, state, and local taxes for you.
• It has a PEO service that you can turn on or off any time.