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Square Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP Comparison

Last updated:

Square Payroll

5.0(15 reviews)

Starting at $34 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Square Payroll is payroll software for small businesses and sole proprietors, particularly those already running payments or point-of-sale through Square's ecosystem. It automates pay runs, tax filings, and direct deposi…

View PricingRead Reviews

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…

View PricingRead Reviews

Square Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 15 reviews.

Square Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP — at a glance

FeatureSquare PayrollRUN Powered by ADP
Rating5.0 / 54.9 / 5
Reviews15703
Starting price$34 /User/MonthContact for pricing
Free trial Yes No
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessSmall Business
CategoryPayroll SoftwarePayroll Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
APIAvailable—
Support modesBusiness HoursOnline, Business Hours
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPRSOC 2, GDPR
Data residencyUSUS

Key differences between Square Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP

  • Pricing: Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month. RUN Powered by ADP pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Free trial: Square Payroll offers a free trial; RUN Powered by ADP does not.
  • Target audience: Square Payroll is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while RUN Powered by ADP targets Small Business.
  • User satisfaction: Square Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
  • Deployment: Square Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; RUN Powered by ADP supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

Square Payroll 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 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

Square Payroll - Payroll Software

Square Payroll

(15)
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
RUN Powered by ADP - Payroll Software

RUN Powered by ADP

(757)
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

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Square Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP: Biggest differences

Affiliate Disclosure

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Square Payroll

Best for small to medium service businesses needing simple payroll and time tracking.

Choose if
  • You run a small to medium business with hourly or tipped employees.
  • You want effortless integration with Square POS and existing payroll providers.
  • You need a simple, user-friendly payroll system with built-in time tracking.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require advanced payroll reporting, customization, or analytics.
  • You manage complex pay structures, multiple locations, or international staff.

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.

Square Payroll: Best for small to medium service businesses needing simple payroll and time tracking. RUN Powered by ADP: Best for small businesses needing simple, reliable payroll with strong support.

Description

Square Payroll is payroll software for small businesses and sole proprietors, particularly those already running payments or point-of-sale through Square's ecosystem. It automates pay runs, ... Read More about Square 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

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $34
  • Not Available

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

8.8/10

8.6/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

5

(15)

4.9

(703)

Best Company Size

1-100 employeesMedium Business
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

Square Payroll

  • Seamless Integration with Square POS: Syncs easily with Square’s point-of-sale system, making it ideal for hourly or tipped workers in service industries.
  • Contractor & Employee Support: Easily pay W-2 employees and 1099 contractors with direct deposit and generate tax forms from a single dashboard.

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

Square Payroll

  • 1–100 employees
  • Retail, food service, salons, hospitality, and other service-based small businesses
  • Business Owners, Payroll Managers, Accountants, Restaurant Managers, and HR Assistants

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

Square Payroll

  • Businesses already using Square for POS may seek deeper payroll integrations or industry-specific HR features.
  • Employers needing more advanced reporting, analytics, or benefits management might explore broader HR platforms.
  • Companies managing multi-state or international employees could require tools with expanded compliance capabilities.

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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Step 1 of 4

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How do Square Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP Compare on Features?

Total Features

13 Features

23 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Get Quote

Compare Square 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.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • $34
      • Not Available

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Square Payroll pricing
      RUN Powered by ADP pricing
      View detailed pricing
      View detailed pricing

      Square Payroll 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

      Square Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP Security & Compliance

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

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🇺🇸 US

      Square Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      5

      (based on 15 reviews)

      4.9

      (based on 703 reviews)

      Rating Distribution

      15

      0

      0

      0

      0

      718

      32

      2

      2

      3

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Users appreciate Square Payroll's ease of use, integration capabilities, and time-saving automation, though some desire more advanced features for larger or more complex businesses.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Integration with Square POS
      • Time tracking and payment speed

      Common complaints

      • Limited advanced features
      • Lack of flexibility outside Square ecosystem

      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

      • Effortless integration with existing payroll providers and Square POS

      • Simple and intuitive design suitable for non-technical users

      • Built-in time tracking for accurate hours and faster employee payments

      • Limited advanced reporting and customization features for larger enterprises

      • Best functionality achieved within the Square ecosystem, limiting flexibility

      • 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

      Read reviews
      Read reviews

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

      Review Square PayrollReview RUN Powered by ADP

      Square Payroll 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

      Capterra : Square Payroll screenshot

      6 Screenshots

      Run FAST

      3 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Square Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP in 2026

      Alternatives

      OnPay - Payroll Software
      OnPay

      4.96

      APS Payroll - Payroll Software
      APS Payroll

      4.69

      Heartland Payroll - Payroll Software
      Heartland Payroll

      4.61

      OnPay - Payroll Software
      OnPay

      4.96

      Heartland Payroll - Payroll Software
      Heartland Payroll

      4.61

      QuickBooks Payroll - Payroll Software
      QuickBooks Payroll

      4.4

      Expand your comparison

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      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, Square Payroll or RUN Powered by ADP?
      Square Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 4.9). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Square Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP offer a free trial?
      Square Payroll offers a free trial. RUN Powered by ADP does not.
      What is the starting price of Square Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP?
      Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month. RUN Powered by ADP starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to Square Payroll?
      Top alternatives to Square Payroll include OnPay, APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, Justworks.
      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.