RUN Powered by ADP vs Gusto Comparison
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…
Gusto
Starting at $49 /user/month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Medium Business
Gusto is a comprehensive HR platform designed to help businesses of all sizes thrive. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling rapidly, Gusto provides the tools and guidance you need to grow and nurture your team. Tru…
RUN Powered by ADP leads on user satisfaction with a 4.9-star rating across 703 reviews.
RUN Powered by ADP vs Gusto — at a glance
| Feature | RUN Powered by ADP | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.9 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 703 | 873 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $49 /user/month |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | Online, Business Hours | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between RUN Powered by ADP and Gusto
- Pricing: Gusto starts at $49 /user/month. RUN Powered by ADP pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Gusto offers a free trial; RUN Powered by ADP does not.
- Target audience: RUN Powered by ADP is built for Small Business, while Gusto targets Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: RUN Powered by ADP scores higher with a 4.9-star average.
- Deployment: RUN Powered by ADP supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Gusto supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
RUN Powered by ADP vs Gusto — 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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RUN Powered by ADP vs Gusto: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
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.
Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing simple, integrated payroll and HR.
- You want an all-in-one platform combining payroll, benefits, hiring, and compliance.
- Your team values a user-friendly interface with straightforward setup and workflows.
- You need strong integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks Online.
- Your business requires highly complex or heavily customized payroll processing.
- You are a large enterprise with extensive, process-heavy HR workflows.
RUN Powered by ADP: Best for small businesses needing simple, reliable payroll with strong support. Gusto: Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing simple, integrated payroll and HR.
Description | 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 | Gusto is a comprehensive HR platform designed to help businesses of all sizes thrive. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling rapidly, Gusto provides the tools and guidance you need to ... Read More about Gusto |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.6/10 | 9.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 1-50 employeesSmall franchises | 1-50 employees51-100 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
- 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.
- Streamlined Payroll Processing: Gusto simplifies payroll management, letting administrators run payroll in just a few clicks. Managers can save time and reduce errors, confirming employees get paid accurately and on time.
- Benefits Management: With Gusto, offering employee benefits is straightforward. From health insurance to retirement plans, you can manage and customize benefits packages that improve employee satisfaction and retention.
- User-Friendly Interface: Both managers and employees appreciate Gusto's intuitive design. This user-friendly platform means less training time for staff and more focus on what really matters – growing your business.
Best fit
- 1–50 employees
- Retail, healthcare, professional services, construction, hospitality, and small franchises
- Small Business Owners, HR Generalists, Payroll Managers, Office Administrators, and Accountants
- 1-100 employees
- Human Resources, Retail, Restaurants, Nonprofits, Professional Services
- HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners, Office Managers
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- 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.
- Users may seek alternatives to Gusto if they require specific features not offered by the platform, such as advanced payroll reporting or industry-specific compliance tools that better meet their unique business needs.
- Companies with larger workforces might explore alternatives for scalability, as they may find that other solutions provide more robust support for managing high employee volumes efficiently.
- Budget-conscious businesses might look for more cost-effective payroll and HR solutions, especially if they find Gusto's pricing structure doesn't align with their financial goals or operational requirements.
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do RUN Powered by ADP and Gusto Compare on Features?
Total Features | 23 Features | 54 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare RUN Powered by ADP and Gusto 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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RUN Powered by ADP vs Gusto: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
RUN Powered by ADP vs Gusto Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
ISO 27001 | — | ✗ No |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
RUN Powered by ADP User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | 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
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and comprehensive features, tempered by some concerns over support consistency and limited advanced customization. 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 |
RUN Powered by ADP and Gusto Customers
Customers |  D  TrueBlue  Lehigh White Cement |  Handlebar Cyclery  Dwg  American Canning |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to RUN Powered by ADP and Gusto 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, RUN Powered by ADP or Gusto?
- 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 RUN Powered by ADP and Gusto offer a free trial?
- Gusto offers a free trial. RUN Powered by ADP does not.
- What is the starting price of RUN Powered by ADP vs Gusto?
- RUN Powered by ADP starts at Contact for pricing. Gusto starts at $49 /user/month.
- 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.
- What are the top alternatives to Gusto?
- Top alternatives to Gusto include Paylocity Web Pay, Greenshades, Paychex Flex, Zenefits, SumoPayroll.