Gusto vs ADP (2026): Payroll Pricing, Plans and Which to Choose

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Prices last checked October 31, 2026. Details below were checked on Gusto’s pricing page and ADP’s RUN page on this date. We re-check the prices in every guide at least once a month.
By Bradford Gilliland · How we research

Gusto and ADP are two of the biggest names in small business payroll. Gusto is a modern, all-online service with prices published on its website. ADP’s small business product, RUN Powered by ADP, comes from one of the largest payroll companies in the world and is priced by quote. Both handle payroll taxes for you; the main differences are pricing transparency and how much HR support you want.

The short answer

• Choose Gusto if you want clear, published pricing you can budget for today, an easy online setup, and payroll, benefits and HR in one place.
• Choose ADP if you want an established provider with packages that scale into deeper HR support, and you’re comfortable getting a custom quote.

Gusto vs ADP at a glance

	Gusto	ADP RUN
Pricing	Published online	Quote only
Entry plan	Simple: $49/mo + $7 per person	Essential Payroll: get a quote
Plans	Simple, Plus, Premium	Essential, Enhanced, Complete Payroll & HR+, HR Pro
Multi-state payroll	Plus ($99/mo + $12 per person) and up	Ask ADP for your package
HR support	HR tools on Premium	Basic HR on Complete; enhanced HR on HR Pro
Offer when we checked	No contracts; free setup	Up to 6 months free payroll (see ADP terms)

Pricing compared

Gusto publishes every price: Simple is $49 a month plus $7 per person, so a 5-person team pays $84 a month. Plus is $99 + $12 per person and Premium is $179 + $22 per person (see Gusto pricing). ADP doesn’t list RUN prices online; you request a quote for your team size and package. When we checked, ADP was advertising up to 6 months of free payroll for new customers, subject to its terms. Because ADP’s price depends on your quote, get a written quote and compare it with Gusto’s published price for your exact headcount.

Where Gusto wins

• Transparent pricing. You can see exactly what you’ll pay before you talk to anyone.
• No contracts and free setup. Switch plans or cancel anytime.
• All-in-one for small teams. Payroll, benefits, time tracking (on Plus) and HR tools in one product.
• Easy to start. Sign up and run payroll online without a sales call.

Where ADP wins

• Scale and support. ADP’s packages grow from basic payroll to full HR support with HR Pro.
• Extras in Enhanced. Enhanced Payroll adds ZipRecruiter, state unemployment insurance and a garnishment payment service.
• Promotions. ADP was offering up to 6 months of free payroll when we checked.
• Established provider. A long track record that some owners and accountants prefer.

Our verdict

For most small businesses, Gusto is the easier choice: clear prices, no contracts and everything online. ADP is worth a quote if you want deeper HR support as you grow, or if its free-payroll promotion makes the first months significantly cheaper. Compare more options, including the lowest-price pick, in our payroll software guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gusto cheaper than ADP?

Gusto’s prices are published ($49 a month + $7 per person on Simple). ADP prices RUN by quote, so compare a written ADP quote against Gusto’s published price for your team size.

Does ADP RUN file payroll taxes?

Yes. ADP describes its Essential Payroll package as covering payroll, taxes and compliance help.

Which is better for a very small business?

Gusto is usually simpler for teams of a few people because you can see the price and sign up online. If price is the main factor, also see Patriot Payroll pricing.

Comparing payroll options? Use our free payroll cost calculator, see Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll, or compare five providers in our guide to the best payroll software for small business.