Gusto vs. ADP RUN: Comparison & Expert Reviews For 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview
Why Trust Us
Pricing Comparison
Features
Integrations
Security
Ease of Use
Pros & Cons
Best Use Cases
Differences
Similarities

Gusto and ADP RUN both serve small businesses, but they take different approaches to payroll and HR. Gusto emphasizes simplicity, transparent pricing, and built-in features, while ADP RUN offers a more modular system with robust payroll tools and 24/7 payroll support. In this article, you'll find a detailed comparison of their features, pros and cons, and pricing to help you choose the best small business payroll solution for your team.

Gusto vs. RUN Powered by ADP®: An Overview

Why Trust Our Software Reviews

Gusto vs. RUN Powered by ADP® Pricing Comparison

	Gusto	RUN Powered by ADP®
Free Trial	Free demo available	90-day free trial
Pricing	From $6/user/month (billed annually) + $49 base fee per month	Pricing upon request

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Gusto vs. ADP RUN Pricing & Hidden Costs

Gusto pricing is based on a monthly subscription model that charges a base fee plus an additional cost per employee, with potential extra fees for added services like health benefits. ADP RUN pricing also follows a subscription model but often requires contacting sales for a custom quote, which can include hidden costs for additional features or integrations. To select the right tool, evaluate your payroll needs, consider the total cost of ownership, and assess the value each service adds to your business operations.

Gusto vs. RUN Powered by ADP® Feature Comparison

Both Gusto and ADP RUN offer core payroll features like automated pay runs, direct deposit, tax calculations, and federal, state, and local tax filings. They each provide employee self-service portals, new hire reporting, and support for W‑2 and 1099 workers. Gusto includes built-in tools for onboarding, benefits administration, and time tracking in higher-tier plans, while ADP RUN offers a modular setup where features like time and attendance, benefits, and HR support are available as paid add-ons.

	Gusto	RUN Powered by ADP®
API
Application Tracking
Approval Workflows
Attendance Tracking
Budgeting
Calendar Management
Compliance Tracking
Dashboard
Data Export
Data Import
Data Visualization
Employee Database
Employee Incentive Management
Employee Onboarding
Expense Tracking
External Integrations
Feedback Management
Forecasting
Multi-Currency
Multi-User
Notifications
Payroll
Scheduling
Tax Management
Time Management
Timesheets
Travel Management
Vacation & Absence Calendar

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Gusto vs. ADP RUN Integrations

Integration	Gusto	ADP RUN
QuickBooks	✅	❌
Xero	✅	❌
Slack	✅	❌
Microsoft Teams	✅	❌
Google Workspace	✅	❌
Dropbox	✅	❌
CareerPlug	❌	✅
Salesforce	✅	❌
API	✅	✅
Zapier	❌	❌

Gusto's integration with Slack lets you streamline team communication by sending payroll reminders directly in your chat, which is especially useful for remote teams. ADP RUN's integration with CareerPlug is great for managing recruitment by posting jobs to multiple boards, helping you find the right candidates quickly. Overall, Gusto offers more popular integrations that small businesses use than ADP RUN (although the broader ADP ecosystem may offer more options for you).

Gusto vs. ADP RUN Security, Compliance & Reliability

Factor	Gusto	ADP RUN
Data Encryption	Gusto encrypts all sensitive data using AES-256, ensuring it's secure during storage and transmission.	ADP RUN employs advanced encryption protocols like TLS to protect data in transit.
Regulatory Compliance	Gusto supports compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations, automatically updating as rules change.	ADP RUN ensures compliance by staying updated with payroll tax regulations and offering compliance alerts.
Access Control	Gusto provides role-based access, allowing you to customize permissions for each team member.	ADP RUN offers multi-level access controls, letting you set permissions based on user roles.

Gusto and ADP RUN both offer robust security and compliance measures, but the choice may depend on your specific regulatory environment and access needs. To evaluate these tools, focus on understanding how each aligns with your industry standards and consider consulting with an IT expert to assess their security protocols.

Gusto vs. ADP RUN Ease of Use

Factor	Gusto	ADP RUN
User Interface	Gusto offers a clean and intuitive interface that makes payroll tasks straightforward, even for beginners.	ADP RUN's interface is also fairly simple, but can feel cluttered, the more you scale it up.
Onboarding Experience	Gusto provides a seamless onboarding process with step-by-step guidance and helpful tutorials.	ADP RUN offers a guided setup, but the process can be lengthy due to its wide range of features.
Customer Support	Gusto's support is accessible via chat and email, with quick responses to address your queries.	ADP RUN offers 24/7 payroll support, though wait times can vary, which may delay resolutions.

Gusto is easier to navigate with its intuitive design, but its limited support channels can be a drawback. ADP RUN provides more options to scale, which can feel overwhelming at first, but its 24/7 payroll support is a strong point for those needing immediate assistance.

Gusto vs RUN Powered by ADP®: Pros & Cons

Best Use Cases for Gusto and RUN Powered by ADP®

Gusto is best for startups and small businesses that want an all-in-one payroll and HR solution with transparent pricing, intuitive design, and built-in tools like benefits administration and self-onboarding. ADP RUN also suits small businesses, and can handle processes like multi-state compliance or garnishments. It’s also ideal for those that prefer a scalable, modular system backed by 24/7 payroll support and the reputation of a long-established provider.

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.

RUN Powered by ADP®

ADP RUN's dashboard offers an intuitive, all-in-one view for managing payroll, HR tasks, and employee data.

Restaurants Its user-friendly interface ensures accurate payroll, letting you manage tips and wages seamlessly.
Freelancers The software's payroll capabilities help you organize payments and tax filings efficiently.
Small Offices The platform's document management and reporting tools streamline your payroll and HR processes.
Nonprofits ADP RUN's basic HR functions allow your organization to focus on your mission rather than administrative tasks.
Startups ADP RUN offers essential HR tools without overwhelming you with features you don't need.
Retail Stores ADP RUN simplifies payroll processing, helping your team focus on customer service.

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Differences Between Gusto and RUN Powered by ADP®

	Gusto	RUN Powered by ADP®
Benefits Administration	Included in mid-tier and higher plans; integrates directly with health providers in most states.	Offered as an add-on through ADP's benefits network, available only in specific plan tiers.
HR Management	Has more robust HR and talent management features, including org charts and performance management.	Broader HR functions are limited, with many features locked in higher-tier plans.
Integrations	Integrates with popular SMB apps like QuickBooks, Xero, and Slack.	Lacks key native integrations, like Xero, Slack, and QuickBooks.
Payroll	Multi-state payroll is available only on higher-tier plans.	Full multi-state support is included in all plans.
Pricing	Gusto uses a transparent subscription model with a base fee and per employee cost.	ADP RUN requires a custom quote, which can include hidden costs for extra features.
	Read Gusto ReviewOpens new window	Visit RUN Powered by ADP®Opens new window

Similarities Between Gusto and RUN Powered by ADP®

Cloud-Based Access	Gusto and ADP RUN are cloud-based, allowing you to manage payroll from anywhere. Gusto offers a user-friendly mobile experience, while ADP RUN has extensive online features.
Compliance	They both provide compliance support, helping you meet federal and state payroll regulations. Gusto updates automatically with rule changes, and ADP RUN sends compliance alerts.
Employee Self-Service	Both offer employee self-service portals for viewing pay stubs and managing personal information. Gusto's portal is simple, while ADP RUN's offers more detailed options.
Payroll	Both Gusto and ADP RUN handle payroll processing efficiently, ensuring timely payments to your team. Gusto automates tax filings, while ADP RUN offers comprehensive payroll reporting.
Target Audience	Both platforms are designed for small businesses—typically teams with under 50 employees.
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