ADP vs QuickBooks: 2025 Comparison

Thanks to this full immersion in the actual customer experience, our reviewer and team are able to provide the most complete and insightful comparison of QuickBooks and ADP RUN payroll services. The ADP RUN web experience is very user-friendly and the quote process took just a few minutes to complete. Each ADP RUN RUN payroll adp vs intuit plan was clearly outlined and it was very easy to find detailed information on each plan feature.

Award winning Customer Service team

Businesses needing strong HR tools may prefer ADP, while those looking for an all-in-one accounting and payroll solution might lean toward QuickBooks.
But it could use some improvement with the help function, such as more tooltips on data fields so you don’t have to consult the separate help section for an explanation of tax lingo.
However, since it has 24/7 payroll support, if you’re in a bind at midnight you can talk to a person to get assistance.
QuickBooks Payroll is an online payroll service designed for startups and small businesses.
With QuickBooks Payroll Premium, we’ll review your setup to make sure everything is correct.
So when it comes to choosing between QuickBooks Payroll or ADP, your business’s unique needs will be the deciding factor.

These cloud-based tools also offer employees online access to paycheck details, W2 downloads, and even paid-time-off balances and 401(k) specifics. Both QuickBooks and ADP RUN automatically files and pay payroll taxes for users, however, for ADP RUN, filing W-2 forms and providing tax forms to employees is an additional expenditure. But users admire that ADP RUN updates you about minimum wage, tax codes, and other payroll compliance and tax regulations. The biggest difference between ADP and QuickBooks Online Payroll is that ADP is more customizable and has more features than QuickBooks Online Payroll. QuickBooks Payroll lists pricing for each plan tier and lets you sign up online.

Experience & Expertise

That way, you can go for the online payroll service most suitable for your company. Customers have also praised ADP Run for its efficient payroll system. They said its user-friendly platform makes it easier for them to navigate and manage their payroll. They were also impressed by how responsive customer support is. You can get them through ADP’s other products or from their official partners. This gives you more options and the freedom to customize your payroll plan.

The next step prompted us to provide our zip code, number of employees, company name, and email address. Phone customer support is only available if you have an account. Non-customers can only contact sales, so we did and asked the same question.

Customer complaints mention frustration with hidden fees and undisclosed pricing for its various plans. It’s also worth noting that some customers have taken issue with difficulties terminating their contracts, which could be a huge factor for small businesses. Both ADP and QuickBooks Payroll offer full-service payroll, can grow with your small business, and feature HR integrations. QuickBooks Payroll’s Premium and Elite plans come with QuickBooks Time, which is a huge plus. Alternatively, RUN’s in-house time-tracking feature is an add-on and costs extra, regardless of your plan.

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RUN Powered by ADP® is a full-service payroll platform that offers easy-to-use tools and features that simplify payroll, tax filing, and HR.
Alternatively, RUN’s in-house time-tracking feature is an add-on and costs extra, regardless of your plan.

The QuickBooks Workforce app allows your team to track time and access pay details in one place. Track hourly labor costs and profitability by project in QuickBooks Online. Switch to RUN Powered by ADP for easy payroll and 24/7 service.

QuickBooks Payroll vs ADP Run: Which One Is Best for Your Business?

Now accounting and payroll can go hand in hand for QuickBooks Online users who purchase QuickBooks Online Payroll (also known as Intuit Online Payroll). This accounting focus is a huge advantage over ADP for business owners who want to manage these two elements of their business together. QuickBooks offers live phone and chat support six days a week, providing you with a direct line to experts whenever you need them. With personalized assistance, you can tackle any accounting challenge with confidence and keep your business on track. QuickBooks Online Payroll gives you everything you need to manage and pay your team with confidence. Track time, run payroll when you want with same-day direct deposit, automate tedious tasks, and more.

Phone support

Compare our payroll packages to see which plan is right for you. ADP RUN’s mobile solutions give employees access to their payroll information and benefits on their smartphone. Employees can complete a variety of tasks, such as view their pay stubs, manage their time and attendance, and enter time-off requests. Employers can also access their account online through a safe and secure app and run payroll from anywhere.

Both ADP and QuickBooks Payroll can be good options for small businesses, so here are the use cases that work best with each option. Learn more about each company’s complete feature set offering in our full ADP review and QuickBooks Payroll review. Make deciding between ADP and QuickBooks Payroll easier with our full comparison of ADP vs. QuickBooks’ pricing, features, integrations, and more. We’ll set up your payroll for you with QuickBooks Payroll Elite. With QuickBooks Payroll Premium, we’ll review your setup to make sure everything is correct. Offers a comprehensive suite of HR tools such as proactive HR support team, employer/employee training, business advice, and legal assistance from Upnetic Legal Services®2.

The Payroll Premium + Plus plan is $92/month, plus $9 per employee/month. QuickBooks also gives you same-day and next-day direct deposits, while ADP guarantees two-day direct deposits. Other QuickBooks features that ADP RUN lacks are multicurrency support for international payroll and vacation tracking. QuickBooks Online Payroll is a standout payroll software option for small to mid-size businesses.

How’s the signup process navigation?

You need to connect it with QuickBooks Online first before adding third-party apps. Through ADP Marketplace, you can connect payroll with hundreds of popular business apps, like Sage, Xero, and even QuickBooks Online. They can also update their info through their dashboards at any time. They can even access and manage everything while they’re out, thanks to ADP Run’s mobile app. There are add-ons available if you need more features than what’s offered in the plans.

Top ADP RUN and QuickBooks Payroll Alternatives

With this being said, ADP provides a mobile app, enabling users to manage payroll on the go, which can add a layer of convenience. ADP RUN has four plans, all of which include full payroll services and tax filings. Overall, Intuit Online Payroll is sufficiently user-friendly and feature-rich for most small businesses. It offers additional help and tips for many topics and fields while you’re inputting data. For instance, during the initial setup it gives tips on the employer ID numbers you need and how to obtain them.

Larger companies employ payroll personnel to calculate taxes and withholdings, and to manage IRS forms correctly. But if you’re responsible for cutting the checks at a smaller company, online services can automate most of the payroll chores. QuickBooks Payroll determines, pays and files all state and federal payroll taxes for the contractors and employees and not to mention, there is a free-tax filing for one state. You will require to pay USD 12 for every additional state, excluding the QuickBooks Payroll Elite plan that comprises free federal and multi-state tax filing. Payroll management for any number of employees and payroll processing for companies with international branches are both possible with Intuit’s QuickBooks Payroll software. It is the greatest international payroll service, available in 240 countries and supporting many currencies.

Just like Intuit Online Payroll, RUN works with QuickBooks, QuickBooks Online, Zero, and other accounting software products with a generic file output. When it comes to your payroll provider, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice essential features to get the best value. See how Run by ADP and QuickBooks Payroll compare when it comes to features and cost. In contrast, QuickBooks Payroll only integrates with other Intuit products.

Everything operates on a single system, so when an employee joins, gets a promotion, or moves to a new location, payroll updates automatically. Charges per payroll run; offers multiple pay options, including direct deposit and pay cards. The Enhanced payroll plan from ADP RUN includes everything from the Essential plan plus access to services from ZipRecruiter, state unemployment insurance assistance, and background checks. You will also get poster compliance services, wage garnishment payment services, and check signing and stuffing. A payroll service handles the payroll process for you, making it nearly seamless and automated while offering additional services that can make life easier for a business owner.