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6 RUN Powered by ADP Alternatives Ranked by Real Users — Free Picks Included (2026)

Explore 6 alternatives to RUN Powered by ADP — vetted by our editors with real user reviews, pricing, and feature comparisons.

6 free RUN Powered by ADP alternatives worth comparing

Quick answer

Among free payroll software alternatives to RUN Powered by ADP, the leaders are OnPay, QuickBooks Payroll and SurePayroll. OnPay ranks number one with a SpotScore of 9.4 and 4.96★ from real users. All 6 are compared on score, rating, and price below.

If you're weighing whether RUN Powered by ADP still fits, this lineup helps. These 6 payroll software free alternatives are the top contenders, ordered by SpotScore, a measure of verified satisfaction and market presence, plus star ratings and pricing model. Each one passes editorial review. Use the table to compare, then explore the breakdowns below.

ProductSpotScoreRatingPricingBest for
OnPayStreamline your payroll process and save time and money.9.4★★★★★ 4.96(447)Freefrom $40/moteams of all sizes
QuickBooks PayrollStreamline your payroll process with ease.9.2★★★★☆ 4.4(56)Freefrom $49/mosmall businesses
SurePayrollEfficiency meets accuracy in one payroll solution.9.2★★★★★ 4.86(1436)FreeFree Trial · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
MicrokeeperEfficiency meets affordability - simplify your payroll process.8.7★★★★★ 4.69(90)Freefrom $2.25 /User/Monthteams of all sizes
FingercheckEffortless payroll management with a swipe.8.7★★★★★ 4.61(163)Freefrom $23/moteams of all sizes
CheckMark PayrollStreamline payroll processing with ease.8.2★★★★☆ 4.17(6)Freefrom $449teams of all sizes

9.4

SpotScore

OnPay - Payroll Software

OnPay

Streamline your payroll process and save time and money.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

5.0

447 verified reviews

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What is OnPay?

OnPay is an intuitive online payroll software designed to meet the needs of supervisors, managers, payroll specialists and people who manage pay for hourly or salaried staff. OnPay helps companies of all sizes reduce costs for processing payroll checks, making tax reports, tracking down pay ...

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Free TrialTry Free →

9.2

SpotScore

QuickBooks Payroll - Payroll Software

QuickBooks Payroll

Streamline your payroll process with ease.

Best for: SMB teams

Start Free Trial

4.4

56 verified reviews

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What is QuickBooks Payroll?

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 and taxes. Whether you need a few employees or thousands, QuickBooks ...

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9.2

SpotScore

SurePayroll - Payroll Software

SurePayroll

Efficiency meets accuracy in one payroll solution.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.9

1436 verified reviews

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Watch Demo

What is SurePayroll?

SurePayroll is a cloud-based, Payroll Software with Time Tracking Service. The software can be accessed from any device and is hosted by SurePayroll in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center for fast processing and performance.It automates most employee related tasks including accurate and ...

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Free Trial·

SurePayroll offers custom pricing plan

8.7

SpotScore

Microkeeper - Payroll Software

Microkeeper

Efficiency meets affordability - simplify your payroll process.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.7

90 verified reviews

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What is Microkeeper?

Microkeeper is a user-friendly payroll software that connects you with the world of business payroll processing: delivering quick online setup, automated time keeping and more. Payroll processing has never been easier or more affordable. Microkeeper gives you simplicity and convenience in ...

Read more about Microkeeper
Free TrialTry Free →

8.7

SpotScore

Fingercheck - Payroll Software

Fingercheck

Effortless payroll management with a swipe.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.6

163 verified reviews

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What is Fingercheck?

The FingerCheck payroll software does everything the other payroll programs do but with a finger swipe. Timesheets, employee punch times and attendance reports are just a few of the functions offered by FingerCheck payroll software. Attempting to enter information while on the move works ...

Read more about Fingercheck
Free TrialTry Free →

8.2

SpotScore

CheckMark Payroll - Payroll Software

CheckMark Payroll

Streamline payroll processing with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.2

6 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is CheckMark Payroll?

CheckMark Payroll is a desktop payroll application for small business owners who want to run payroll in-house without outsourcing. It handles check printing, W-2 generation, and federal tax reports directly from the user's printer, removing the need for a payroll service bureau. The software ...

Read more about CheckMark Payroll
Free TrialTry Free →

How RUN Powered by ADP competitors stack up

There are 6 direct RUN Powered by ADP competitors in Payroll Software. The ones that come up most often are OnPay, QuickBooks Payroll and SurePayroll. Each is compared against RUN Powered by ADP on rating, pricing and feature coverage below.

Sites and apps like RUN Powered by ADP

Searches for "sites like RUN Powered by ADP" and "apps like RUN Powered by ADP" land on the same shortlist as "RUN Powered by ADP alternatives" — the 6 options below cover both, whether you want a like-for-like replacement or something lighter.

Why each made our RUN Powered by ADP alternatives list

OnPay9.4Best for teams of all sizes

OnPay stands out for its intuitive design, making it easy for supervisors, managers, and payroll specialists to navigate and execute payroll tasks efficiently

Watch for: While great for SMBs, larger companies might find customization options less robust for complex payroll needs.

QuickBooks Payroll9.2Best for small businesses

Automates tax filing, paycheck generation, and sends real-time notifications to reduce manual effort.

Watch for: Steeper pricing compared to alternative payroll systems, especially for smaller businesses or limited payroll needs.

SurePayroll9.2Best for teams of all sizes

Payroll setup is quick, easy to use, and simplifies previously cumbersome tasks like tax deductions and filings.

Watch for: Occasional issues with missing payments or discrepancies that require follow-up.

Microkeeper8.7Best for teams of all sizes

Consolidates payroll, rosters, timesheets, and HR tasks into one platform.

Watch for: Occasional app or feature downtime causes minor disruptions.

Fingercheck8.7Best for teams of all sizes

Centralizes payroll, time tracking, and attendance in a single platform, making processes more efficient and error-free.

Watch for: User interface for complex features can be challenging for some without customer support guidance.

CheckMark Payroll8.2Best for teams of all sizes

Offers multiple check printing formats so businesses can customize how employee paychecks are printed.

Watch for: The product focuses primarily on check printing and payroll processing, and may not include broader HR functionalities like onboarding, time tracking, or benefits administration.

Why teams look for a RUN Powered by ADP alternative

The push to replace RUN Powered by ADP tends to come down to a few recurring frustrations:

  • Some users need guidance to use advanced features like reporting and category tracking.
  • HR features may fall short for businesses with complex HR requirements.
  • Occasional mobile app glitches interrupt payroll processing.
  • Pricing is higher than some competitors for small businesses.

How to compare RUN Powered by ADP alternatives

Comparing the 6 free alternatives on the figures that matter: 6 offer a free tier; paid plans run $2.25–$449, with Microkeeper the cheapest entry point; and OnPay is the highest rated at 4.96★ across 447 reviews.

How we decide the order.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Stuck on something? We're here to help with all the questions and answers in one place.

The top-rated alternatives to RUN Powered by ADP are OnPay (5.0★), SurePayroll (4.9★), Microkeeper (4.7★). Compare all 6 alternatives side-by-side above.

When evaluating alternatives to RUN Powered by ADP, prioritize: Wage Garnishment, W-2 Preparation, Leave Tracking (Vacation), Self Service Portal, Direct Deposit, transparent pricing, free trial availability, and integrations with your existing tools. Use the filters above to compare by feature, budget, and team size.

Migration difficulty depends on how deeply RUN Powered by ADP is integrated into your workflows. Most alternatives offer data export/import tools and dedicated onboarding support. We recommend narrowing to 2–3 options, running a free trial, and checking each vendor's migration guides before committing.

How to choose a RUN Powered by ADP alternative with confidence

  • On a budget / just exploring: start with a free tier — OnPay, QuickBooks Payroll and SurePayroll let you evaluate without paying upfront.
  • If real-user ratings matter most: OnPay has the strongest star rating (4.96★) among the options with verified reviews.
  • Want the safest pick: OnPay has the highest Spotsaas Score (9.4) in this list — a strong default if you're unsure.

Getting off RUN Powered by ADP without the headaches

Before you commit to leaving RUN Powered by ADP, validate the fit. Export your data, check the import works, and confirm your essential features carry over. Pilot the switch with a free trial, then go all in, keeping RUN Powered by ADP open as a safety net until you're settled.

Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].