ADP Workforce Now vs. Gusto: Comparison & Expert Reviews for 2025
ADP Workforce Now provides a comprehensive solution for managing HR and payroll needs on a single platform. Meanwhile, Gusto focuses on delivering a more intuitive and user-friendly experience for payroll and HR services.
While both tools aim to streamline HR tasks, ADP Workforce Now is often chosen for larger businesses with complex needs, whereas Gusto is favored by small to medium-sized businesses for its simplicity and ease of use.
In this article, you'll find a detailed comparison of the two, including their features, pros and cons, and pricing, helping you choose the right HR software suite for your team.
ADP Workforce Now vs. Gusto: An Overview
ADP Workforce Now
Gusto
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ADP Workforce Now vs. Gusto Pricing Comparison
| ADP Workforce Now | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | 30-day free trial | Free demo available |
| Pricing | From $62/month | From $40/month + $6/user/month |
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowADP Workforce Now vs. Gusto Pricing & Hidden Costs
ADP Workforce Now pricing typically involves a custom quote tailored to the specific needs of your business, with potential additional costs for add-ons and advanced features.
In contrast, Gusto pricing follows a more transparent and tiered subscription model, with additional charges for certain services like health benefits and 401(k) plans.
To select the right tool for your needs, assess your team's specific requirements and consider reaching out to both vendors for detailed quotes. This approach helps you understand the total cost of ownership, ensuring you choose a solution that fits both your budget and operational needs.
ADP Workforce Now vs. Gusto Feature Comparison
With ADP Workforce Now’s comprehensive payroll system, you can efficiently manage complex payroll tasks, making it ideal for larger organizations that require detailed oversight. Similarly, Gusto’s intuitive onboarding feature is great for small businesses looking to simplify new hire processes and ensure smooth integration into the team.
Both tools offer unique strengths, catering to different business sizes and operational needs.
| ADP Workforce Now | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| API | ||
| Application Tracking | ||
| Approval Workflows | ||
| Attendance Tracking | ||
| Budgeting | ||
| Calendar Management | ||
| Compliance Tracking | ||
| Employee Database | ||
| Employee Engagement | ||
| Employee Incentive Management | ||
| Employee Onboarding | ||
| Expense Tracking | ||
| External Integrations | ||
| Feedback Management | ||
| Forecasting | ||
| Payroll | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Time Management | ||
| Timesheets | ||
| Vacation & Absence Calendar |
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowADP Workforce Now vs. Gusto Integrations
| Integration | ADP Workforce Now | Gusto |
| QuickBooks | ✅ | ✅ |
| Xero | ✅ | ✅ |
| Slack | ✅ | ✅ |
| Microsoft Teams | ✅ | ❌ |
| Google Workspace | ✅ | ✅ |
| DocuSign | ✅ | ❌ |
| Dropbox | ❌ | ✅ |
| Lever | ✅ | ❌ |
| API | ✅ | ✅ |
| Zapier | ❌ | ✅ |
ADP Workforce Now's integration with Microsoft Teams lets you streamline communication and collaboration, which is especially useful for companies with distributed teams.
Gusto's integration with Zapier is also great for automating workflows by connecting with over a thousand apps, saving time, and reducing manual tasks.
Both integrations offer unique ways to enhance productivity and simplify daily HR operations.
ADP Workforce Now vs. Gusto Security, Compliance & Reliability
| Factor | ADP Workforce Now | Gusto |
| Data Privacy | Uses strict access controls and data encryption methods to protect user data. | Uses encryption protocols and regular audits to safeguard user information. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Supports compliance with global regulations like GDPR and CCPA. | Offers compliance tools for U.S. regulations, including ACA and HIPAA. |
| System Reliability | Ensures high availability with robust server infrastructure. | Maintains uptime through scalable cloud-based architecture. |
ADP Workforce Now offers a more comprehensive approach to global compliance, while Gusto focuses on U.S. regulations. To select the right vendor, review each tool's compliance features and assess how they align with your business's regulatory requirements and data protection needs.
ADP Workforce Now vs. Gusto Ease of Use
| Factor | ADP Workforce Now | Gusto |
| User Interface | Offers a feature-rich interface that may require a learning curve. | Provides a clean, intuitive interface that's easy to navigate. |
| Onboarding Experience | Has a detailed setup process with guided tutorials. | Offers a straightforward onboarding process with helpful checklists. |
| Support | Provides extensive support options, including phone and email. | Offers live chat support for quick assistance. |
ADP Workforce Now's comprehensive features can be overwhelming, making it challenging for those new to HR software, but powerful for experienced users.
Alternatively, Gusto shines with its simple and intuitive design, making it easy to get started; however, it may lack some advanced features that larger businesses require.
ADP Workforce Now vs Gusto: Pros & Cons
ADP Workforce Now
- It provides excellent recruiting tools with integration to major job boards.
- It offers a user-friendly self-service portal for employees to manage their details.
- It simplifies payroll with efficient processing and error prevention alerts.
- Advanced HR functions require add-ons, which can increase costs.
- Performance management features are scattered and less cohesive.
- It lacks advanced customization options for workflows and reports.
Gusto
- It has an intuitive interface that is simple to use even without prior payroll management experience.
- It offers an employee self-service module to help staff view pay stubs and tax documents, and update personal information.
- Monthly charges for health insurance and 401(k) retirement plan contributions are synced directly with payroll.
- It lacks advanced and customizable reporting features found in other payroll software.
- No built-in time trackingm so a separate system is required.
- Customer support response times can sometimes be inconsistent.
Best Use Cases for ADP Workforce Now and Gusto
ADP Workforce Now
- Retail Companies ADP Workforce Now handles high employee turnover and scheduling needs effectively.
- Healthcare Providers It manages complex compliance requirements and diverse staffing needs seamlessly.
- Finance Departments It offers robust payroll solutions that ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Recruitment Teams Its excellent recruiting tools simplify job posting and candidate management.
- Human Resources HR teams benefit from its user-friendly interface and efficient onboarding features.
- Small Businesses It provides essential HR functions without overwhelming smaller teams with unnecessary complexity.
Gusto
- Small businesses: Gusto provides an affordable, user-friendly payroll solution with solid customer support that is ideal for small businesses.
- Startups: With its simple pricing model, modern user interface, and useful HR tools, Gusto is a great choice for tech-savvy startups that need to get payroll up and running quickly.
- Restaurants: Gusto offers restaurant-specific features to facilitate tip pooling, distribution, and automated reporting. This makes it one of the top payroll options for food service businesses.
- Nonprofits: Gusto waives the base fee for the first 10 employees, which makes it an economical payroll choice for budget-conscious nonprofits.
- Professional services: Gusto is a good fit for many professional services firms due to its automatic tax filing and support for multiple pay rates and schedules.
- Household employers: Gusto’s payroll option also handles W-2s and 1099s for those who employ nannies, housekeepers, and other household workers.
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowWho Should Use ADP Workforce Now and Gusto?
In my opinion, ADP Workforce Now is best suited for larger companies with complex HR needs and a dedicated team to manage its robust features. If your business requires comprehensive payroll and compliance solutions, ADP Workforce Now is a solid choice.
On the other hand, Gusto is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a simple, user-friendly payroll and HR tool. Gusto's ease of use and affordability make it ideal for startups and teams without a dedicated HR department.
Differences Between ADP Workforce Now and Gusto
| ADP Workforce Now | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | Offers advanced automation for payroll and HR tasks. | Automates basic payroll functions and onboarding processes. |
| Compliance | Supports global compliance like GDPR and CCPA. | Focuses on U.S. compliance, including ACA and HIPAA. |
| Integrations | Integrates with major tools like Microsoft Teams and QuickBooks. | Connects with various apps through Zapier and integrates with QuickBooks. |
| Pricing | Offers custom pricing based on business needs. | Uses a transparent tiered subscription model. |
| User Interface | Has a feature-rich interface that can be complex to navigate. | Features a simple, intuitive design that's easy to use. |
| Visit ADP Workforce NowOpens new window | Visit GustoOpens new window |
Similarities Between ADP Workforce Now and Gusto
| Benefits Administration | Both solutions handle benefits administration, helping you manage health plans and 401(k) contributions. ADP offers more extensive options, while Gusto focuses on ease of setup and management. |
|---|---|
| Customer Support | They provide robust customer support, including phone and online resources. ADP offers dedicated account managers, while Gusto excels with responsive live chat support. |
| Employee Self-Service | The platforms offer employee self-service portals, enabling your team to access payslips and update their personal information. ADP's portal is feature-rich, while Gusto's is simple and user-friendly. |
| Payroll | ADP Workforce Now and Gusto offer comprehensive payroll management, ensuring timely and accurate paychecks for your team. ADP provides extensive reporting, while Gusto offers a straightforward payroll process. |
| Scalability | Each tool can scale to meet the needs of growing businesses, with ADP Workforce Now accommodating larger enterprises and Gusto supporting small to mid-sized businesses smoothly. |
| Visit ADP Workforce NowOpens new window Visit GustoOpens new window | |