Gusto vs ADP RUN 2026: Small Business Payroll Compared
Gusto is the modern self-serve option built for simplicity. ADP is the enterprise-grade platform with 24/7 support and a seamless path to mid-market. The right choice depends on where you are today and where you plan to be in 18 months.
Quick Verdict
Gusto wins for teams under 25 on price, self-serve experience, and included features. ADP wins for teams over 25 on scalability, 24/7 phone support, and the seamless upgrade path to ADP Workforce Now. The crossover point is around 25 to 50 employees, where ADP's lower per-employee cost and enterprise features start to outweigh Gusto's simplicity.
Pricing at Multiple Team Sizes
| Employees | Gusto Simple | ADP RUN (est.) | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | $76/mo | $104/mo | Gusto by $28/mo |
| 10 | $106/mo | $129/mo | Gusto by $23/mo |
| 25 | $196/mo | $204/mo | Gusto by $8/mo |
| 50 | $346/mo | $329/mo | ADP by $17/mo |
| 100 | $646/mo | $579/mo | ADP by $67/mo |
ADP pricing is estimated from published sources. ADP requires a custom quote; actual pricing may differ. Gusto Simple plan shown.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Gusto | ADP RUN |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | $46/mo (Simple) | ~$79/mo (quote-based) |
| Per-employee price | $6/emp | ~$5/emp |
| Signup process | Self-serve online | Requires sales call |
| Tax filing | Automated, all tiers | Automated, all tiers |
| Direct deposit | 2-day | 2-day |
| Benefits admin | Yes, all tiers | Yes, all tiers |
| W-2/1099 filing | Included | Higher tiers only |
| Time tracking | Plus+ only | Add-on ($) |
| Multi-state | Yes | Yes (stronger) |
| Mobile app (iOS) | 4.8 stars | 4.6 stars |
| Integrations | 200+ | 300+ |
| Phone support | M-F 6am-5pm PT | 24/7 |
| Dedicated rep | Premium only | Select+ tier |
| Enterprise upgrade path | Limited (caps ~200 emp) | Seamless to ADP Workforce Now |
| G2 rating | 4.5 (2,100+ reviews) | 4.5 (3,500+ reviews) |
Key Differences That Matter
Signup experience
Gusto lets you sign up, add employees, and run payroll entirely online with no sales call. ADP requires talking to a sales representative, which means you cannot see final pricing before committing to a conversation. For business owners who prefer self-serve, this is a significant friction point.
Support model
ADP offers 24/7 phone support on all tiers. Gusto limits phone support to Monday through Friday, 6am to 5pm Pacific. If your business runs payroll on weekends or needs urgent help outside business hours, ADP has a clear advantage.
Scalability
ADP RUN seamlessly upgrades to ADP Workforce Now when you outgrow the small business product. No data migration, no re-onboarding. Gusto does not have an enterprise product; businesses with 100+ employees typically outgrow it and switch providers entirely.
W-2/1099 filing
Gusto includes W-2 and 1099 filing on all plans. ADP charges extra for this on lower tiers. For a small business with contractors, this hidden cost can add $100+ to your annual ADP bill.
Benefits at lower price points
Gusto includes benefits admin on every plan starting at $46/month. ADP includes benefits but the higher base price means you pay more per month for equivalent functionality until you reach 25+ employees.
Choose Gusto if...
- ✓You have under 25 employees and want self-serve simplicity
- ✓You prefer transparent, published pricing with no sales calls
- ✓You need benefits admin included at the lowest price point
- ✓You value interface design and mobile app quality
- ✓You want 200+ integrations with your existing tools
Choose ADP RUN if...
- ✓You plan to grow past 50 employees within 18 months
- ✓You need 24/7 phone support, not just business hours
- ✓You want a seamless upgrade path to enterprise payroll
- ✓You need advanced compliance tools for multi-state operations
- ✓You prefer working with a dedicated payroll specialist