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Collective vs RUN Powered by ADP Comparison

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Collective

4.4(340 reviews)

Starting at $299 paid

  • Small Business

Collective is an all-in-one back-office platform for self-employed professionals and solopreneurs, combining S-corp formation, bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation, and financial planning into a single annual subscripti…

RUN Powered by ADP

4.9(703 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Small Business

RUN Powered by ADP is a payroll and HR platform for small businesses that need reliable multi-state payroll processing, automatic tax filings, and compliance support backed by ADP's regulatory infrastructure. It syncs wi…

RUN Powered by ADP leads on user satisfaction with a 4.9-star rating across 703 reviews.

Collective vs RUN Powered by ADP — at a glance

FeatureCollectiveRUN Powered by ADP
Rating4.4 / 54.9 / 5
Reviews340703
Starting price$299 paidContact for pricing
Free trial No No
Free version No No
Best forSmall BusinessSmall Business
CategoryPayroll Software
PlatformsCloud, Mobile - iOS, Mobile - AndroidSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
APIAvailable
Support modesEmail Support, Phone Support, Dedicated Accountant, Help CenterOnline, Business Hours
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPR
Data residencyUS

Key differences between Collective and RUN Powered by ADP

  • Pricing: Collective starts at $299 paid. RUN Powered by ADP pricing is not publicly listed.
  • User satisfaction: RUN Powered by ADP scores higher with a 4.9-star average.
  • Deployment: Collective supports Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Mobile - Android; RUN Powered by ADP supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

Collective vs RUN Powered by ADP — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most 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.

Collective logo
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RUN Powered by ADP - Payroll Software
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Collective vs RUN Powered by ADP: Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Collective

Best for

Small Business

RUN Powered by ADP

Best for small businesses needing simple, reliable payroll with strong support.

Choose if
  • You run a small business or franchise with up to 50 employees.
  • You want an easy-to-use payroll system without complex HR features.
  • You value responsive customer support and reliable multi-jurisdiction tax automation.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your business requires advanced HR functionalities beyond payroll.
  • You have a tight budget and need the lowest-cost payroll solution.

Collective typically suits Small Business. RUN Powered by ADP tends to fit Small Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Collective is an all-in-one back-office platform for self-employed professionals and solopreneurs, combining S-corp formation, bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation, and financial planning ... Read More about Collective

RUN Powered by ADP is a payroll and HR platform for small businesses that need reliable multi-state payroll processing, automatic tax filings, and compliance support backed by ADP's ... Read More about RUN Powered by ADP

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $299 , /month (billed annually)
  • Not Available

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

8.8/10

8.6/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

1-50 employeesSmall franchises
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.

Strengths

Key strengths

Collective

  • S-Corp Tax Savings Automated: Collective handles the S-corp formation, payroll, and compliance that let self-employed professionals save $5,000-$20,000+ annually in self-employment taxes.
  • Zero Back-Office Overhead: Bookkeeping, payroll runs, quarterly estimates, and annual filings happen automatically — self-employed professionals spend zero time on financial administration.
  • One Trusted Financial Partner: Instead of separate accountants, bookkeepers, payroll providers, and tax preparers, Collective is one relationship covering the entire financial lifecycle.

RUN Powered by ADP

  • Trusted Payroll & Tax Automation: Provides reliable payroll processing with automatic tax calculations, filings, and compliance alerts across jurisdictions.
  • Scalable HR Features: Offers add-on HR services, benefits administration, and background checks designed for changing business needs.
  • Expert Support & Resources: Backed by ADP's industry expertise and compliance support, helping small businesses manage regulations confidently.
Best fit

Best fit

Collective

  • Freelancers earning $100k+ who want to capture S-corp tax savings without managing the compliance themselves
  • Independent consultants and contractors replacing separate bookkeeper, payroll, and tax preparer with one all-in-one subscription
  • Solopreneurs who want to spend zero time on financial administration and focus entirely on client work

RUN Powered by ADP

  • 1–50 employees
  • Retail, healthcare, professional services, construction, hospitality, and small franchises
  • Small Business Owners, HR Generalists, Payroll Managers, Office Administrators, and Accountants
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

RUN Powered by ADP

  • Small businesses looking for simpler, more budget-friendly payroll solutions may consider lightweight alternatives.
  • Companies needing deeper integration with non-ADP accounting platforms might seek more flexible options.
  • Organizations wanting broader talent tools such as applicant tracking and LMS may explore full-scale HCM systems.

Software Demo

Demo

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  • Independent advice — matched to your business
  • Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
  • Free 15-min call with a software advisor.

Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

We tailor recommendations to companies your size.

Trusted by teams at

How do Collective and RUN Powered by ADP Compare on Features?

Total Features

7 Features

23 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Collective and RUN Powered by ADP 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.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • $299 , /month (billed annually)
      • Not Available

      Pricing Plans

      • Annual

        $299

        paid

        • S-Corp setup

        • Bookkeeping

        • Payroll

        Show more +

      • Premium

        Custom

        paid

        • Financial planning

        • Multi-state filing

        • Priority support

        Show more +

      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Pricing information not available

      RUN Powered by ADP pricing

      Collective vs RUN Powered by ADP: Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Collective vs RUN Powered by ADP Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US

      Collective User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      4.4

      (based on 340 reviews)

      Rating Distribution

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      718

      32

      2

      2

      3

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is positive across 340 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

      What buyers like

      • Single subscription covers every back-office function a solopreneur needs — formation, bookkeeping, payroll, quarterly taxes, and annual filing — with no a-la-carte surprises.
      • S-corp formation and payroll compliance are handled automatically, enabling self-employed professionals to capture the S-corp tax savings without managing the compliance complexity.
      • Dedicated accountant relationship provides personalized tax strategy and planning advice, not just transactional tax preparation.

      Common complaints

      • Designed exclusively for solo businesses — freelancers who grow to hire employees or contractors will outgrow the platform quickly.
      • At $299/month ($3,588/year), the price is higher than DIY alternatives; self-employed professionals with simple finances may not see enough ROI to justify it.

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use, strong customer support, and reliable payroll automation, with some concerns about advanced features and occasional technical issues.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Customer support
      • Payroll and tax automation

      Common complaints

      • Limited HR features
      • Mobile app reliability

      Pros and Cons

      • Single subscription covers every back-office function a solopreneur needs — formation, bookkeeping, payroll, quarterly taxes, and annual filing — with no a-la-carte surprises.

      • S-corp formation and payroll compliance are handled automatically, enabling self-employed professionals to capture the S-corp tax savings without managing the compliance complexity.

      • Dedicated accountant relationship provides personalized tax strategy and planning advice, not just transactional tax preparation.

      • Designed exclusively for solo businesses — freelancers who grow to hire employees or contractors will outgrow the platform quickly.

      • At $299/month ($3,588/year), the price is higher than DIY alternatives; self-employed professionals with simple finances may not see enough ROI to justify it.

      • Exceptional and responsive customer support

      • User-friendly interface suitable for non-accounting users

      • Reliable payroll and tax automation across multiple jurisdictions

      • Limited advanced HR functionalities

      • Occasional mobile app glitches affecting payroll processing

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used Collective or RUN Powered by ADP? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      Collective and RUN Powered by ADP Customers

      Customers

      No Customers information available.

      D

      D

      TrueBlue

      TrueBlue

      Lehigh White Cement

      Lehigh White Cement

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Run FAST

      3 Screenshots

      Videos

      No videos available.

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Collective and RUN Powered by ADP in 2026

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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, Collective or RUN Powered by ADP?
      RUN Powered by ADP edges out the other on user ratings (4.9 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Collective and RUN Powered by ADP offer a free trial?
      Neither Collective nor RUN Powered by ADP currently lists a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Collective vs RUN Powered by ADP?
      Collective starts at $299 paid. RUN Powered by ADP starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to Collective?
      Top alternatives to Collective include Fondo, Digits, Ontop, Excelforce, Wagepoint.
      What are the top alternatives to RUN Powered by ADP?
      Top alternatives to RUN Powered by ADP include OnPay, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, APS Payroll, SurePayroll.