Our verdict · 7.8/10 Good
A safe, compliance-focused choice backed by a huge provider. Quote-based pricing and add-on upsells make it harder to compare than modern rivals.
Key takeaways
- Best for: US businesses wanting a large, established provider.
- Strongest area: Security & privacy (8.6/10). Weakest: Value for money (7.0/10).
- Price: Quote-based.
- Watch out for: Quote-only pricing.
What is ADP RUN?
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.
ADP RUN is made by ADP and is reviewed here as a payroll platform. It is priced on a custom quote basis, and our editorial score is 7.8 out of 10, calculated from six weighted criteria.
Who it’s for — and who should skip it
Choose ADP RUN if
- US businesses wanting a large, established provider
- Companies valuing phone support
- Firms needing HR compliance help
Not for you if
- Buyers wanting transparent pricing
- Tiny teams on tight budgets
Key features
Federal, state and local payroll taxes.
Handbook wizard and compliance resources on higher tiers.
Payslips and W-2s on mobile.
Accounting and time-tracking connections.
- QuickBooks
- Xero
- Deputy
- When I Work
Pros & cons
What we like
- Deep compliance expertise
- Scales to larger plans
- HR and insurance options
- Mobile app for employees
Watch out for
- Quote-only pricing
- Upsells for add-ons
- Interface less modern than rivals
Pricing & true cost
| Plan | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Custom quote | Quote |
| Enhanced | Custom quote | Quote |
| Complete | Custom quote | Quote |
| HR Pro | Custom quote | Quote |
Pricing watch-out: Pricing by quote; promotions common.
Pricing watch-outs
- Quote-only tier. Essential, Enhanced, Complete, HR Pro have no public price. Ask for a written quote that includes onboarding and support fees.
- No free plan or trial. Ask for a demo account, a pilot or money-back terms before committing.
Contract questions to ask before you sign
- Does the plan auto-renew, and how many days’ notice do you need to cancel?
- Is the advertised price for annual billing? What is the month-to-month price?
- Is the first-year price a promotion? What will renewal cost, and is it capped?
- Is there a minimum number of seats, or a charge for inactive users?
- Are onboarding, implementation or premium-support fees extra?
- How do we export all our data if we leave, and in what format?
General questions for any vendor — not findings about this product. Build a full checklist with our requirements builder.
Indicative USD pricing, last checked October 31, 2026. Vendors change prices and promotions often — always confirm on their website. Model your own numbers with our SaaS TCO calculator.
Score breakdown
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features & fit | 25% | 8.2 | 2.10 | |
| Ease of use | 20% | 7.6 | 1.50 | |
| Value for money | 20% | 7.0 | 1.40 | |
| Support & reliability | 10% | 8.0 | 0.80 | |
| Security & privacy | 10% | 8.6 | 0.90 | |
| Integrations & ecosystem | 15% | 8.0 | 1.20 | |
| Overall | 100% | Weighted for business software products | 7.8 | |
Security & compliance facts
| Item | Status | Question to ask ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-factor authenticationStops most account takeovers from reused or phished passwords. | Not verified by us | Can admins enforce MFA for every user, on every plan? |
| Single sign-on (SAML/OIDC)Lets you remove a leaver’s access everywhere from one place. | Not verified by us | Is SSO included on the plan we are buying, or only on enterprise tiers? |
| SOC 2 Type II reportIndependent audit of the vendor’s security controls — often required by larger customers. | Not verified by us | Can we see your current SOC 2 Type II report (under NDA if needed)? |
| ISO/IEC 27001 certificationInternational standard for running an information-security programme. | Not verified by us | Which legal entity and services does your ISO 27001 certificate cover? |
| GDPR data processing agreementNeeded if you handle personal data of people in the EU/UK. | Not verified by us | Do you offer a signed DPA and list your sub-processors? |
| HIPAA business associate agreementRequired before US healthcare businesses store protected health information. | Not verified by us | Will you sign a BAA, and on which plans? |
We have not yet verified these items for ADP RUN against a primary source, so we don’t claim them either way. Check ADP’s trust or security page and ask for documents in writing.
Before you buy any payroll platform
Check ADP RUN against the same list we use for every payroll platform — and confirm each point on the plan you intend to buy, not the top tier.
- Automatic tax filing in your jurisdictions
- Contractor payments
- Benefits and time-off management
- Employee self-service portal
- Accounting integration
See every ranked option in Payroll & HR.
ADP RUN alternatives
Pick an alternative by what matters to you
- Easier to use
GustoEase-of-use score 9.2 vs 7.6 - Better integrations
RipplingIntegrations score 9.2 vs 8.0 - Higher overall scoreGustoOverall 8.5 vs 7.8
Computed from our published scores and indicative pricing for tools in the same category as ADP RUN. Scores are editorial; see the methodology.
Editor’s picks
Friendly, full-service US payroll with benefits and HR built in.
Established US payroll and HR with 24/7 support and many add-ons.
Simple, all-inclusive payroll at one flat price.
Head-to-head comparisons
Featured in: Gusto vs Rippling vs ADP vs Deel
Review history
- Scored under methodology v2.0 (six weighted criteria, computed overall score).
ADP RUN FAQ
How much does ADP RUN cost?
ADP prices by quote based on employees and features.
Is ADP RUN for small businesses?
Yes, it targets businesses with fewer than about 50 employees.
Does ADP RUN have a free plan?
No, ADP RUN does not offer a permanent free plan. Pricing starts at Quote-based (indicative).
Who is ADP RUN best for?
ADP RUN is best for: US businesses wanting a large, established provider; companies valuing phone support; firms needing HR compliance help.
How is the ADP RUN score calculated?
The 7.8/10 overall score is a weighted average of six sub-scores — features & fit, ease of use, value, support & reliability, security & privacy, and integrations — using the published weights for software products. Affiliate relationships have no input. See our methodology page for the full rubric.
What are the best alternatives to ADP RUN?
Popular alternatives include Gusto, Paychex Flex, OnPay. See our comparisons for side-by-side verdicts.