QuickBooks Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP Comparison
QuickBooks Payroll
Starting at $49 /Month
- Free Trial
- Small Business
QuickBooks Payroll makes it easy to stay on top of your HR needs. It’s payroll software that gives you the power to handle all the payroll processing you need, from modeling an employee’s paycheck to tracking deductions…
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.
QuickBooks Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP — at a glance
| Feature | QuickBooks Payroll | RUN Powered by ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.9 / 5 |
| Reviews | 55 | 703 |
| Starting price | $49 /Month | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Small Business | Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Integrations | 8+ apps | — |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Online, Business Hours |
| Certifications | — | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | — | US |
Key differences between QuickBooks Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP
- Pricing: QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month. RUN Powered by ADP pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: QuickBooks Payroll offers a free trial; RUN Powered by ADP does not.
- User satisfaction: RUN Powered by ADP scores higher with a 4.9-star average.
- Deployment: QuickBooks Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; RUN Powered by ADP supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
QuickBooks 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
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
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QuickBooks Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Small Business
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.
QuickBooks Payroll 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 | QuickBooks Payroll makes it easy to stay on top of your HR needs. It’s payroll software that gives you the power to handle all the payroll processing you need, from modeling an employee’s ... Read More about QuickBooks 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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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.2/10 | 8.6/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 1–500 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
- Compliance and Tax Support: The platform keeps tax compliance current, automatically calculates taxes, and manages filings to reduce penalties.
- Integrated Accounting Solutions: It integrates smoothly with QuickBooks Accounting software, providing real-time financial insights and simplifying bookkeeping.
- Seamless Payroll Processing: QuickBooks Payroll automates payroll calculations, tax filings, and direct deposits, reducing manual errors and saving time.
- 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
- 1–500 employees
- Retail, professional services, healthcare, hospitality, construction, and nonprofits.
- Payroll Managers, HR Managers, Accountants, Business Owners, and Finance Directors.
- 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 requiring industry-specific payroll features may seek specialized platforms.
- Companies looking for more robust HR management and employee benefits integration may explore other solutions.
- Organizations with complex multinational payroll needs might prefer global payroll providers.
- 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 QuickBooks 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 QuickBooks 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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QuickBooks Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP: Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
QuickBooks Payroll 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 |
QuickBooks Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 52 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. 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 |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. |
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QuickBooks 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 |  3 Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll 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, QuickBooks Payroll 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 QuickBooks Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP offer a free trial?
- QuickBooks Payroll offers a free trial. RUN Powered by ADP does not.
- What is the starting price of QuickBooks Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP?
- QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month. RUN Powered by ADP starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll?
- Top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll include Heartland 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.