Payroll Comparison 2026
Gusto vs. ADP
ADP is the enterprise heavyweight. It scales to thousands of employees and offers deep HR modules, but pricing is quote-only, add-ons stack up fast, and the interface carries a steeper learning curve than Gusto. For most small businesses, Gusto delivers the same core payroll with transparent pricing and benefits built in.
| Feature | Gusto | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | $40/mo | Custom quote (~$79/mo) |
| Per employee | $6/employee/mo | ~$4/employee/mo |
| Contractor payroll | $35/mo + $6/contractor | Custom quote |
| Payroll tax filing | Automatic, all 50 states — included | Included on most plans |
| Benefits administration | Health, dental, vision, 401(k), HRA | Add-on, sold separately |
| Time tracking | Built in (Plus & Premium) | Add-on module |
| Intro offer | First month free + $300 offer | Up to 3 months promo (varies) |
| Support | Phone, email, chat | 24/7 phone |
| Best for | Small businesses that want payroll + HR + benefits in one place | Large or fast-scaling companies with complex needs |
Pricing as of 2026 from each provider's public pricing pages. Confirm current rates before purchasing.
Where Gusto wins
- Transparent, published pricing — no sales call required
- Benefits administration included, not bolted on
- Modern interface small teams can run without training
Where ADP wins
- Better fit for enterprises with 1,000+ employees
- Global payroll and PEO options under one roof
The bottom line
For most small and mid-sized businesses, Gusto offers the best balance of transparent pricing, built-in benefits, and automatic tax filing — and new customers can earn a $300 Visa card for running payroll. Choose ADP if large or fast-scaling companies with complex needs.