ADP Payroll Services vs Square Payroll Comparison
ADP Payroll Services
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
ADP Payroll Services offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to help businesses of all sizes comply with payroll, taxes, and other HR regulations. The latest tools from ADP provide access to a live HR support team…
Square Payroll
Starting at $34 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Square Payroll is payroll software for small businesses and sole proprietors, particularly those already running payments or point-of-sale through Square's ecosystem. It automates pay runs, tax filings, and direct deposi…
Square Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 15 reviews.
ADP Payroll Services vs Square Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | ADP Payroll Services | Square Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Reviews | 207 | 15 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $34 /User/Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Integrations | 8+ apps | — |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | Online | Business Hours |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | Global | US |
Key differences between ADP Payroll Services and Square Payroll
- Pricing: Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month. ADP Payroll Services pricing is not publicly listed.
- User satisfaction: Square Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: ADP Payroll Services supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Square Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
ADP Payroll Services vs Square Payroll — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Payroll Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
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ADP Payroll Services vs Square Payroll: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Best for small to medium service businesses needing simple payroll and time tracking.
- You run a small to medium business with hourly or tipped employees.
- You want effortless integration with Square POS and existing payroll providers.
- You need a simple, user-friendly payroll system with built-in time tracking.
- You require advanced payroll reporting, customization, or analytics.
- You manage complex pay structures, multiple locations, or international staff.
ADP Payroll Services typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Square Payroll tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | ADP Payroll Services offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to help businesses of all sizes comply with payroll, taxes, and other HR regulations. The latest tools from ADP provide ... Read More about ADP Payroll Services | Square Payroll is payroll software for small businesses and sole proprietors, particularly those already running payments or point-of-sale through Square's ecosystem. It automates pay runs, ... Read More about Square Payroll |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | ||
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 7.6/10 | 8.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 50–10,000+ employees | 1-100 employeesMedium Business |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
- Global Reach and Enterprise Expertise: ADP supports payroll and HR operations across multiple countries, currencies, and regulatory environments. This makes it a strong option for organizations with international teams or future global expansion plans. Beyond software, ADP provides expertise through compliance guidance, reporting tools, and advisory services. Companies gain a platform with deep experience in workforce management at scale.
- Strong Data Security and Risk Management: ADP invests heavily in data security, privacy controls, and system reliability. With sensitive payroll and employee data involved, organizations benefit from enterprise-grade security standards, role-based access controls, and continuous monitoring. ADP’s infrastructure is designed to protect against data breaches, unauthorized access, and downtime. This level of security is particularly important for businesses handling large workforces or operating in industries with strict data protection requirements.
- Integrated Benefits and Retirement Administration: ADP connects payroll with health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee benefits. Deductions, employer contributions, and eligibility updates flow automatically between systems, reducing manual work and errors. This integration maintains accurate benefits administration while giving employees clear visibility into their compensation and benefits. For employers, it improves compliance and simplifies open enrollment, reporting, and ongoing benefits maintenance.
- Seamless Integration with Square POS: Syncs easily with Square’s point-of-sale system, making it ideal for hourly or tipped workers in service industries.
- Contractor & Employee Support: Easily pay W-2 employees and 1099 contractors with direct deposit and generate tax forms from a single dashboard.
Best fit
- 50–10,000+ employees
- Retail, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Financial Services, Education, Technology, Construction
- HR Manager, Payroll Manager, HR Director, Finance Manager, Operations Manager, Compliance Manager, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, food service, salons, hospitality, and other service-based small businesses
- Business Owners, Payroll Managers, Accountants, Restaurant Managers, and HR Assistants
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Requires certified partners or middleware for many integrations — teams typically add separate tools for HR, accounting, and scheduling instead of using native connectors
- Ecosystem lock-in limits flexibility — open API platforms and plug-and-play connectors appeal to teams needing faster customization and modern SaaS compatibility
- Interface rated less intuitive than newer competitors — buyers report steeper learning curves for dashboards, workflows, and employee self-service features
- Businesses already using Square for POS may seek deeper payroll integrations or industry-specific HR features.
- Employers needing more advanced reporting, analytics, or benefits management might explore broader HR platforms.
- Companies managing multi-state or international employees could require tools with expanded compliance capabilities.
Software Demo
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How do ADP Payroll Services and Square Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 7 Features | 13 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare ADP Payroll Services and Square Payroll on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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ADP Payroll Services vs Square Payroll: Other Details
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Platforms Supported |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
ADP Payroll Services vs Square Payroll Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | — | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🇺🇸 US |
ADP Payroll Services User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 226 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users appreciate Square Payroll's ease of use, integration capabilities, and time-saving automation, though some desire more advanced features for larger or more complex businesses. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. |
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ADP Payroll Services and Square Payroll Customers
Customers |  Walmart  Toyota  McDonald's | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  1 Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to ADP Payroll Services and Square Payroll in 2026
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, ADP Payroll Services or Square Payroll?
- Square Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do ADP Payroll Services and Square Payroll offer a free trial?
- Yes, both ADP Payroll Services and Square Payroll offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of ADP Payroll Services vs Square Payroll?
- ADP Payroll Services starts at Contact for pricing. Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to ADP Payroll Services?
- Top alternatives to ADP Payroll Services include WavePayroll, OnPay, CheckWriters, EPAY HCM, PrimePay.
- What are the top alternatives to Square Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Square Payroll include OnPay, APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, Justworks.