Gusto, Rippling, ADP RUN and Deel all pay people, but they serve different situations. Gusto is the friendly full-service US payroll favourite. Rippling unifies payroll, HR and IT. ADP RUN brings the scale and service of the largest payroll provider. Deel specialises in paying and employing people internationally.
This guide compares the four and helps you decide based on where your people are, how fast you are growing and how much HR and IT you want in one system.
The bottom line
Choose Gusto for simple, full-service US payroll with a great employee experience. Choose Rippling if HR, payroll and IT need to work together as you scale. Choose ADP RUN if you want a long-established provider with extensive service options. Choose Deel when you hire or pay people abroad.
The contenders
- 1
Best for small US teamsGusto8.5Editorial score 8.5 out of 10 - 2
Best all-in-one HR, payroll and ITRippling8.5Editorial score 8.5 out of 10 - 3
Best for service and scaleADP RUN7.8Editorial score 7.8 out of 10 - 4
Best for global teamsDeel8.3Editorial score 8.3 out of 10
Scores are editorial assessments based on research. Prices are indicative.
Gusto
ResearchedEasy full-service payroll with automatic tax filing and benefits.
Gusto runs payroll, files payroll taxes, manages benefits and handles onboarding for US businesses. Its approachable interface and transparent pricing have made it a popular first payroll system for small companies.
Ideal for: US businesses with up to around 100 employees.
Watch out for: Multi-state and advanced HR on higher tiers.
Pros
- Intuitive payroll runs
- Automatic tax filings
- Benefits and onboarding included
Cons
- Primarily US-focused
- Per-person fees add up
Rippling
ResearchedOne employee record drives payroll, apps and devices.
Rippling combines payroll and HR with IT capabilities such as device management and app provisioning, all tied to a single employee record. It suits growing companies that want onboarding and offboarding to automatically grant and revoke access.
Ideal for: Fast-growing companies.
Watch out for: Modular pricing adds up.
Pros
- Single employee record across HR and IT
- Automated onboarding and offboarding
- Global payroll options
Cons
- Quote-based pricing
- Can be complex to configure
ADP RUN
ResearchedThe largest payroll provider, with extensive compliance and HR support options.
RUN Powered by ADP is ADP's payroll product for businesses with up to around 49 employees. It handles payroll, tax filing, new-hire reporting and compliance, with HR, benefits and insurance options. Pricing is quote-based and bundles vary.
Ideal for: Businesses wanting an established provider and human support.
Watch out for: Quote-based pricing; add-ons common.
Pros
- Deep compliance expertise
- Scales to larger plans
- HR and insurance options
Cons
- Quote-only pricing
- Upsells for add-ons
Deel
ResearchedEOR, contractor payments and global payroll across many countries.
Deel lets businesses hire international contractors and employees through its employer-of-record (EOR) entities, plus global payroll for companies with their own entities. It handles contracts, local compliance, payments and benefits, with HR tools on top.
Ideal for: Teams hiring internationally.
Watch out for: EOR is expensive per employee.
Pros
- Wide country coverage
- Contractor and EOR in one place
- Compliance-checked contracts
Cons
- Costly per employee
- Support quality varies by country
Comparison table
| Tool | Best for | Score | From (indicative) | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gusto | Best for small US teams | 8.5 | Base fee from around $49 / month plus a per-person fee | No |
| Rippling | Best all-in-one HR, payroll and IT | 8.5 | Modular, quote-based pricing per employee | No |
| ADP RUN | Best for service and scale | 7.8 | Quote-based | No |
| Deel | Best for global teams | 8.3 | Contractors from around $49 / month; EOR from around $599 / employee | No |
Feature matrix
| Feature | Gusto | Rippling | ADP RUN | Deel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Base + per person (~ $49 + $6) | Quote, modular | Quote | Per person (contractor ~ $49; EOR ~ $599) |
| Automatic US tax filing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (US payroll) |
| Multi-state payroll | Plus+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| International employees | Limited (via partners) | Global payroll / EOR | Via ADP global products | Yes, core |
| HR tools | Basic to strong by tier | Strong | HR Pro tier | Yes |
| IT / device management | No | Yes | No | Device services |
| Best fit | Small US teams | Scaling companies | Service-led buyers | Global hiring |
Based on vendor documentation and public plan pages; features change often, so confirm on the plan you intend to buy.
Start with where your people are
- All in one US state → Gusto or ADP RUN
- Several US states and growing fast → Rippling or Gusto Plus
- Employees in countries without your entity → Deel EOR
- Many international contractors → Deel
Ask for the full price
Payroll pricing combines base fees, per-employee fees and add-ons such as time tracking, benefits administration, workers' compensation and HR support. Ask quote-based vendors for a written per-employee breakdown and renewal terms.
How we chose
- We compared the four payroll platforms small businesses shortlist most often, using vendor documentation, public plan pages, trust pages and our full reviews of each product.
- Scores are the same weighted scores shown on each review; the overall score is calculated from six criteria and is never typed in by hand. Affiliate relationships have no influence on scores or order.
- We compared tax filing coverage, international capabilities, HR and IT features and pricing models.
- Matrix entries describe typical plans as of the update date. Features and limits change frequently — confirm details on the exact plan you intend to buy.
Read our full scoring methodology →
Check tax filing guarantees
Ask whether the provider guarantees tax filing accuracy and pays penalties for its errors.
Price at your headcount
Use our payroll cost calculator to compare base plus per-employee fees.
Consider employee experience
Self-service apps reduce questions to HR and improve onboarding.
Plan for international growth
If you may hire abroad, check EOR and contractor options early.
See every option we rank in Payroll & HR.
Buying checklist
Before you commit, confirm each of these on the exact plan you will buy:
- Automatic tax filing in your jurisdictions
- Contractor payments
- Benefits and time-off management
- Employee self-service portal
- Accounting integration
Avoid these mistakes: Assuming every provider files taxes in every state or country you hire in. Forgetting contractors — check whether they cost extra. Choosing on monthly price instead of accuracy and support quality.
Frequently asked questions
Which payroll provider is best for small businesses?
Gusto for most small US teams; Rippling for growing teams needing HR and IT; Deel for global teams.
Is ADP RUN good for small businesses?
Yes, especially for businesses that value an established provider with extensive support. Pricing is quote-based.
Can Gusto pay international employees?
Gusto pays international contractors and supports some international hiring through partners, but Deel is more specialised.
What is the cheapest option?
For small US teams, Gusto Simple or alternatives like OnPay are usually cheapest.
Do these platforms handle benefits?
Yes, each offers benefits administration in some form, varying by country and plan.
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