Reviews
Paychex Vs ADP
Key Differences at a Glance
Get a side-by-side look at how ADP and Paychex compare across payroll, HR, support and pricing.
| Feature | ADP | Paychex |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll Tools | Offers ADP Run for small businesses with automated payroll, tax filing and direct deposit | Offers Paychex Flex with flexible payroll options and same-day payment capabilities |
| HR Services | Includes HR support with ADP Workforce Now, employee self-onboarding and access to HR advisors | Includes onboarding tools, HR document library and employee handbook builder |
| Benefits Administration | Access to ADP Retirement and other benefit platforms for health and savings plans | Offers group health, retirement plans and workers’ compensation management |
| User Experience | Modern platform with strong functionality but a steeper learning curve | Simplified dashboard with some customization limitations |
| Customer Support | Mixed reviews for support responsiveness, especially for small business tiers | Mixed experiences reported, with support quality varying by tier and service level |
| Pricing Transparency | Starts at $59/month + $4 per employee, with custom quotes for advanced plans | Starts at $39/month + $5 per employee, with most features locked behind custom quotes |
Which Payroll Service is Best for Your Small Business?
Both ADP and Paychex offer extensive payroll and HR tools, but the right choice depends on your business’s size, needs and comfort level with each platform. Use the breakdown above to assess which service feels more intuitive and transparent for your team.
Paychex vs ADP Pricing
How Their Base Plans Compare
| Provider | Starting Price | Per Employee Fee | Plan Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paychex Essentials | $39/month | $5 per employee | Basic payroll, direct deposit, tax filing and employee self-service. |
| ADP Essential | $59/month | $4 per employee | Core payroll and tax filing with mobile access and basic reporting. |
Plan Options Beyond the Essentials
Both Paychex and ADP offer multiple pricing tiers, but details are only available through a sales consultation.
- Paychex Select & Pro: Includes HR support tools, employee handbook builder, analytics and more advanced customizations.
- ADP Enhanced, Complete & HR Pro: Adds electronic check signing, onboarding, HR compliance resources, employee training and personalized HR support.
As plan tiers increase, so do the add-on costs. Many small businesses find it difficult to get transparent quotes without entering a full sales process.
What’s Included in Entry-Level Plans?
In their entry-level tiers, both Paychex and ADP provide:
- Payroll processing and direct deposit
- Tax filing and compliance support
- Employee self-service portal
- Basic reporting tools
- Access to phone, email or chat-based support
Helpful features like time tracking, HR document management and benefits administration are typically excluded from base plans and billed separately.
Watch for Extra Charges
When comparing ADP vs Paychex pricing, it's important to look beyond the monthly base rate. Both providers may add fees for:
- Year-end W-2 and 1099 filings
- State new hire reporting
- Employee benefits and retirement integration
- Custom reporting and analytics
- Setup, onboarding or training assistance
Businesses seeking transparent, predictable payroll costs often find plan add-ons to be unpredictable or inconsistently billed from month to month.
ADP vs Paychex Features Compared
Payroll & Tax Management
ADP
ADP provides automated payroll runs, accurate tax filing and support for multiple payment methods, including direct deposit, checks and pay cards. Payroll calculations adjust based on hours, earnings and deductions in real time.
Paychex
Paychex Flex offers customizable payroll schedules, same-day pay options and built-in tax filing tools. Businesses can manage payroll across locations and pay types with flexible controls and real-time payroll previews.
HR Tools & Compliance Support
ADP
ADP includes access to Workforce Now for HR management, employee onboarding, document storage and compliance alerts. Higher tiers offer policy templates, training tools and live HR consultations.
Paychex
Paychex offers HR libraries, employee handbook tools, onboarding support and optional access to certified HR professionals. Their platform includes built-in labor law updates and documentation management.
Employee Benefits & Experience
ADP
ADP supports integration with retirement plans, health benefits and wellness tools. Employees can access pay stubs, benefits and PTO through a mobile-friendly self-service portal.
Paychex
Paychex includes tools for managing 401(k) plans, group health insurance and workers’ comp. Employees use the Paychex Flex app to view pay history, update info and request time off.
Real Customer Feedback on ADP and Paychex
ADP and Paychex promote full-service payroll and HR solutions, although customer experiences show gaps in delivery, especially for small and mid-sized businesses.
ADP earns positive feedback for its software interface, but complaints about service show a recurring pattern. Users mention slow or nonexistent follow-ups, billing issues and unfulfilled promises made during onboarding. Several customers described long waits for W-2 corrections and account closure delays. One reviewer waited two weeks for a response after escalating payroll tax problems, only to be told someone would follow up later.
Paychex reviews follow a similar trend with even more frustration around communication. Businesses report constant transfers between departments, sudden account rep changes and unresolved billing disputes. Many users felt stuck in a confusing system where no one took ownership, even after years of service. Multiple business owners shared stories of hidden fees tied to retirement plan transfers or employee benefits.
Review summaries on Trustpilot, G2 and the Better Business Bureau confirm ongoing service and billing concerns for Paychex. ADP receives similar criticism on Trustpilot, G2 and the BBB, where users cite a lack of urgency and a disconnect between support and operations.
A Better Alternative to Paychex and ADP
Choosing between Paychex and ADP often leads to rising costs, delayed support and tools requiring too much effort to manage. Each provider brings a wide range of features, although neither offers the simplicity or reliability most businesses want.
The answer to which company is better is neither. Hire us instead.
Connect & Simplify, offered through The Benefit Companies, gives your business an all-in-one platform for payroll, HR, benefits, time and attendance and workers’ compensation. Everything connects through a single login, supported by a local team who knows your business and works with you directly.
You’ll save time, avoid unnecessary administrative tasks and receive fast, dependable support from real people who understand your business operations.
Full Connect & Simplify Features
- Payroll paycheck processing
- HR management tools
- Employee benefits administration
- Retirement plan management
- Employee self-service portal
- Direct deposit and paperless pay options
- Time and attendance tracking
- HCM and workforce management tools
- Mobile access for employees and managers
- Customized reporting and analytics
- Talent management and recruitment solutions
- Compliance support including Secure Act 2.0
- Full integration of payroll, HR and HCM functions
- Scalable solutions for growing businesses
- Dedicated customer support from subject matter experts
- Cloud-based platform with single sign-on access
Have a question? Contact us instead.
