Competitor Comparison
Paychex vs ADP 2026: Pricing, Features, and Which Is Better for Your Business
Both are quote-heavy payroll providers with similar feature sets. The real differences are in base pricing, enterprise scalability, and which add-ons matter to your business.
Paychex
$39 + $5/ee
Essentials (public price)
- Lower starting price for 1-25 employees
- Better 401k and workers comp integration
- Dedicated specialist on Pro/Enterprise
- Serves 730,000+ businesses
ADP RUN
~$79 + $4-6/ee
Essential plan (estimated)
- 24/7 phone support on all plans
- More accounting integrations built-in
- Better enterprise product (Workforce Now)
- Global payroll capabilities
Price Comparison by Employee Count
| Employees | Paychex Essentials | ADP RUN Essential (est.) | Monthly Savings (Paychex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $44/mo | ~$83/mo | ~$39/mo |
| 5 | $64/mo | ~$103/mo | ~$39/mo |
| 10 | $89/mo | ~$129/mo | ~$40/mo |
| 25 | $164/mo | ~$204/mo | ~$40/mo |
| 50 | $289/mo | ~$329/mo | ~$40/mo |
| 100 | $539/mo | ~$579/mo | ~$40/mo |
ADP RUN pricing estimated from user reports. For detailed ADP pricing research, see adppricing.com.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Paychex | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $39/mo (public) | ~$79/mo (estimated) |
| Transparent Pricing | Essentials only | None - all quotes |
| Full-Service Payroll | Yes | Yes |
| Tax Filing | Yes | Yes |
| 401(k) Integration | Excellent (own 401k) | Via partners |
| Workers Comp (PAYG) | Integrated | Available |
| 24/7 Phone Support | Pro/Enterprise only | All plans |
| Dedicated Specialist | Pro/Enterprise | Enhanced plan only |
| Global Payroll | Limited | Yes (GlobalView) |
| PEO Option | Yes (Oasis PEO) | Yes (TotalSource) |
Choose Paychex if...
- You have 1-25 employees and price is primary
- You want 401k and workers comp from one provider
- You're considering a PEO for benefits access
- You want a dedicated specialist (Pro/Enterprise)
Choose ADP if...
- You need 24/7 support at all plan levels
- You have international employees
- You're growing toward 200+ employees
- You need deep accounting software integration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paychex cheaper than ADP?
For small businesses (1-25 employees), Paychex Essentials at $39 + $5/employee is typically cheaper than ADP RUN which starts around $79/month. At 10 employees, Paychex Essentials costs approximately $89/month versus ADP RUN at approximately $119-$139/month based on user reports. ADP becomes more price-competitive at 50+ employees. Both require custom quotes for plans above entry-level.
Is Paychex or ADP better for small business?
For very small businesses (1-15 employees) focused on simple payroll, Paychex Essentials wins on price. ADP RUN has slightly more accounting integrations built-in. If you need enterprise-grade HR as you scale to 100+ employees, ADP has a more mature enterprise product (ADP Workforce Now). For most small businesses choosing on price alone, Paychex is the better starting point.
Does ADP have better customer service than Paychex?
ADP offers 24/7 phone support on all plans, which Paychex does not consistently provide at entry-level tiers. Paychex Pro and Enterprise customers get a dedicated payroll specialist which many customers strongly prefer for complex situations. Both platforms receive mixed reviews from small business users, with Gusto consistently outranking both for teams under 50 employees.