Heartland Payroll vs ADP Payroll Services Comparison
Heartland Payroll
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Medium Business
- Small Business
Heartland Payroll is a payroll management software for small and medium sized companies. It handles all your payroll processing requirements such as bi-weekly, monthly or yearly paychecks, cost accounting and tracking of…
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…
Heartland Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 118 reviews.
Heartland Payroll vs ADP Payroll Services — at a glance
| Feature | Heartland Payroll | ADP Payroll Services |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Reviews | 118 | 207 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | 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 |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep) | Online |
| Certifications | — | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | Global |
Key differences between Heartland Payroll and ADP Payroll Services
- Free trial: ADP Payroll Services offers a free trial; Heartland Payroll does not.
- Target audience: Heartland Payroll is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while ADP Payroll Services targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Heartland Payroll scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: Heartland Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; ADP Payroll Services supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Heartland Payroll vs ADP Payroll Services — 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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Heartland Payroll vs ADP Payroll Services: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing streamlined payroll with strong support.
- You run a retail, hospitality, or healthcare business with 20-500 employees.
- You want automated tax filings and integrated payment processing to reduce manual work.
- You value responsive, knowledgeable payroll specialists for personalized customer support.
- Your company is a large enterprise with complex payroll needs requiring high customization.
- You need a highly customizable payroll entry and reporting system beyond standard options.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Heartland Payroll typically suits Medium Business and Small Business. ADP Payroll Services 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 | Heartland Payroll is a payroll management software for small and medium sized companies. It handles all your payroll processing requirements such as bi-weekly, monthly or yearly paychecks, ... Read More about Heartland Payroll | 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 |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 20-50 employees51-500 employees | 50–10,000+ employees |
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
- Integrated Payments & Payroll: Combines payroll with Heartland's payment processing, simplifying employee compensation and business transactions.
- Compliance & Tax Filing: Automates federal, state, and local tax filings, helping reduce compliance risks and administrative workload.
- User-Friendly Platform: Designed to simplify payroll with easy-to-use dashboards, direct deposit options, and responsive customer support.
- 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.
Best fit
- 20–500 employees
- Retail, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, and small to mid-sized businesses
- Payroll Managers, HR Directors, Finance Officers, Business Owners, and Operations Managers
- 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)
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Businesses seeking deeper integration between payment processing and payroll may explore other all-in-one providers.
- Companies requiring advanced HR management, benefits administration, or time tracking may consider broader HCM platforms.
- Firms with multi-state or complex compliance needs might look for payroll solutions specializing in regulatory support.
- 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
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Heartland Payroll and ADP Payroll Services Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 7 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Heartland Payroll and ADP Payroll Services 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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Pricing Page | Pricing information not available |  |
Heartland Payroll vs ADP Payroll Services: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Heartland Payroll vs ADP Payroll Services Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🌐 Global |
Heartland Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Users appreciate the user-friendly platform and strong customer service but note onboarding challenges and portal access issues. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 226 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. 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 |
| Negative 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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Heartland Payroll and ADP Payroll Services Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. |  Walmart  Toyota  McDonald's |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  1 Screenshots |
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Videos |  2 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Heartland Payroll and ADP Payroll Services 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, Heartland Payroll or ADP Payroll Services?
- Heartland Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Heartland Payroll and ADP Payroll Services offer a free trial?
- ADP Payroll Services offers a free trial. Heartland Payroll does not.
- What is the starting price of Heartland Payroll vs ADP Payroll Services?
- Heartland Payroll starts at Contact for pricing. ADP Payroll Services starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Heartland Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Heartland Payroll include QuickBooks Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll, Patriot Payroll, SurePayroll.
- What are the top alternatives to ADP Payroll Services?
- Top alternatives to ADP Payroll Services include WavePayroll, OnPay, CheckWriters, EPAY HCM, PrimePay.