Heartland Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP 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…
RUN Powered by ADP
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.
Heartland Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP — at a glance
| Feature | Heartland Payroll | RUN Powered by ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.9 / 5 |
| Reviews | 118 | 703 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Medium Business, Small Business | Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep) | Online, Business Hours |
| Certifications | — | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Heartland Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP
- Target audience: Heartland Payroll is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while RUN Powered by ADP targets Small Business.
- User satisfaction: RUN Powered by ADP scores higher with a 4.9-star average.
- Deployment: Heartland Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; RUN Powered by ADP supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Heartland Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP — 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
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Heartland Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP: 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.
Best for small businesses needing simple, reliable payroll with strong support.
- 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.
- Your business requires advanced HR functionalities beyond payroll.
- You have a tight budget and need the lowest-cost payroll solution.
Heartland Payroll: Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing streamlined payroll with strong support. RUN Powered by ADP: Best for small businesses needing simple, reliable payroll with strong support.
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 | 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 |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.7/10 | 8.6/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 20-50 employees51-500 employees | 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.
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.
- 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
- 20–500 employees
- Retail, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, and small to mid-sized businesses
- Payroll Managers, HR Directors, Finance Officers, Business Owners, and Operations Managers
- 1–50 employees
- Retail, healthcare, professional services, construction, hospitality, and small franchises
- Small Business Owners, HR Generalists, Payroll Managers, Office Administrators, and Accountants
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.
- 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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How do Heartland Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 23 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Heartland Payroll 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.
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Pricing Page | Pricing information not available | ![]() |
Heartland Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP: 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 RUN Powered by ADP Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | — | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Heartland Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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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 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
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 |
Heartland Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. | ![]() D ![]() TrueBlue ![]() Lehigh White Cement |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. | ![]() 3 Screenshots |
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Videos | ![]() 2 Videos | ![]() 1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Heartland Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP 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 RUN Powered by ADP?
- RUN Powered by ADP edges out the other on user ratings (4.9 vs 4.6). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Heartland Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP offer a free trial?
- Neither Heartland Payroll nor RUN Powered by ADP currently lists a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Heartland Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP?
- Heartland Payroll starts at Contact for pricing. RUN Powered by ADP 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 RUN Powered by ADP?
- Top alternatives to RUN Powered by ADP include OnPay, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, APS Payroll, SurePayroll.













