5 best ADP competitors in 2024

Rippling stands out as more than a payroll solution. Its all-in-one design enables management of diverse HR tasks, including benefits oversight, time tracking, leave management and compliance, all under one roof.

Rippling’s comprehensive platform merges both HR and IT capabilities so businesses can seamlessly manage employee onboarding, tech infrastructure and software allocations. It also allows users to handpick specific features and integrations that resonate with their current business needs, ensuring companies aren’t paying for unwanted features.

One of Rippling’s standout features is its deep emphasis on automation. For instance, when a new employee joins, Rippling doesn’t only handle the payroll details. It also automates the IT aspects, such as setting up email accounts and granting software permissions. Rippling provides robust workflow capabilities that include sending Slack and email messages, assigning tasks, creating meetings and updating Google sheets.

Another significant feature of Rippling is its compatibility with a plethora of third-party applications. It seamlessly integrates with accounting software like QuickBooks and project management tools such as Asana, supporting workflow efficiency. These integrations eliminate the need for juggling between multiple platforms, leading to more streamlined operations.

In contrast to Roll by ADP, which is geared towards smaller businesses, Rippling’s appeal spans a wider audience. It caters to everything from startups to established medium enterprises, offering greater adaptability and flexibility in pricing for businesses focused on growth and scalability. Finally, Rippling is designed to support both a U.S.-based and international workforce.

Especially favored by small businesses, Patriot Software offers competitive and budget-friendly pricing starting at $17 per month plus $4 per person. Its full-service plan is only $37 a month plus $4 per person.

It offers a comprehensive and customizable payroll solution with a clear, no-hidden-fees pricing structure, all of which may be particularly appealing for startups or those with budget constraints, and its tiered services mean businesses only pay for the features they need. Users can also customize features to their needs, such as implementing up to five pay rates. Finally, Patriot’s tax filing assistance helps businesses stay compliant and alleviates the burden of navigating complex tax landscapes.

One of Patriot Software’s notable strengths is its U.S.-based customer support, praised for being prompt and efficient. This level of assistance can be significant for those unfamiliar with payroll processes or for those who desire consistent guidance.

While Roll by ADP and Patriot both shine in their dedicated attention to small businesses, its lower cost and added flexibility of customizable features may make Patriot a better fit for some.

Gusto isn’t merely a payroll tool. It stands out as a holistic, multifaceted platform encompassing payroll, benefits, HR and compliance within a singular system. Its clear pricing model helps businesses easily understand costs to choose an appropriate plan.

Our testers commend Gusto for its clean and intuitive interface designed to offer users an uncomplicated and smooth experience. Gusto stands out with its automated calculation, payment and filing of taxes at the local, state and federal levels. This significant automation feature alleviates administrative tasks and reduces the potential for error.

Furthermore, Gusto’s provision of benefits, ranging from health benefits to 401(k) plans integrated within its tiered options make it a solid choice for business owners seeking a benefits solution.

Like Roll by ADP, Gusto also offers online employee onboarding, and its dedicated employee portal serves as a centralized space for staff to retrieve pay details, tax documents and benefit-specific information. Its additional ability to integrate with top accounting, time management and expense tracking tools enhances its functionality, promoting seamless business operations. Select plan options even provide businesses with access to HR experts.

Finally, while Roll by ADP predominantly targets small businesses, Gusto’s offerings are crafted to evolve with businesses. This adaptability ensures it caters effectively to startups and growing enterprises alike.

Payroll4Free provides a complimentary service tailored for businesses with fewer than 25 employees. This software is especially well-suited for smaller enterprises with budget constraints while still providing everything one could need in a basic payroll service. This includes all payroll processing, direct deposits to employees (when the employer uses their own bank) or paper checks, tax calculations and forms, vacation tracking, third-party software integrations, HR functions, detailed reporting and unlimited live customer support.

A notable element is that smaller businesses aren’t pushed into a paid version after an initial trial. However, the trade-off is that users must view display ads as they access the software and cap users at 25.

Additionally, its integration with Quickbooks and a multitude of other accounting tools, banks and benefit companies provide a crucial capability for businesses looking to synchronize with pre-existing accounting infrastructures.

For businesses seeking additional features, Payroll4Free presents an array of optional paid add-on services, such as assisted tax filing and access to a customizable plan. These costs can add up quickly, however, so this software is best for businesses that only need basic payroll and plan to stay on the smaller side.

For those valuing smaller, independent software providers over corporations or those businesses with zero budget for basic payroll software, Payroll4Free offers an appealing alternative to giants like ADP.

Wave Payroll is designed as a simplified payroll solution for freelancers, entrepreneurs and small business owners, offering a transparent and cost-effective pricing structure with no long-term commitment required. For users already using Wave’s free accounting or invoicing tools, selecting Wave for payroll processing needs can be a logical and seamless next step.

Wave’s platform offers quick payroll processing for employees and contractors, automated tax filing and payments (in 14 select states), expense reports, leave time and accrual tracking and an employee portal that provides direct access to pay stubs, tax forms and other relevant documents. Keep in mind, however, that in 36 out of 50 states, you’ll have to file your own payroll taxes.

Wave has a slight edge over Roll by ADP in its pricing, its provision of free accounting and invoicing tools and its available Wave advisors who offer one-on-one accounting and payroll coaching.