Which one is cheaper?

One or both use custom pricing, so it depends on your specific needs.

Different approach here. ADP uses custom pricing, while Gusto goes with hybrid. That changes the math depending on your team size and usage.

Which one is a better deal?

Depends on what you need. ADP: ADP plays premium-by-reputation in a market full of transparent, self-serve competitors like Gusto and OnPay — they're betting that brand trust and enterprise-grade compliance muscle justify making you call a sales rep instead of seeing a price. This positioning wins risk-averse buyers and larger SMBs who want a name they can defend to their board, not price-sensitive startups comparison-shopping online. Gusto: Gusto sits in the mid-market sweet spot — more expensive than bare-bones options like Patriot Payroll, but cheaper than enterprise HR suites like ADP or Paychex. They're clearly targeting SMBs who've outgrown spreadsheets but aren't ready to justify a full HRIS.

ADP vs Gusto Pricing (2026)

How do these two stack up on price? Here's what each one costs, what you get, and where the value sits.

	ADP	Gusto
Starts at	Custom	$49/mo
Number of plans	4	3
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Pricing model	custom	hybrid

ADP

Official page

Essential Payroll

Custom

Payroll: Computer, Mobile App, Phone Call
Direct Deposit
24/7 Customer Support
Robust Reporting
General Ledger Interface
New-Hire Reporting
W-2 & 1099 Forms
Tax Filing
Payroll Delivery
Multi-company Management
Multi-jurisdiction Payroll
Wisely® Direct Debit Card
Bill Pay and Client Invoicing
ADP® Employee Access
New Hire Onboarding
Employee Discounts
Background Checks
HR Tracking

Enhanced Payroll

Popular

Custom

Payroll: Computer, Mobile App, Phone Call
Direct Deposit
24/7 Customer Support
Robust Reporting
General Ledger Interface
New-Hire Reporting
W-2 & 1099 Forms
Tax Filing
Payroll Delivery
Multi-company Management
Multi-jurisdiction Payroll
Wisely® Direct Debit Card
Bill Pay and Client Invoicing
Check Signing: Security
State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) Management
Garnishment Payment Service
Job Costing
Labor Law Poster Compliance
ADP® Employee Access
New Hire Onboarding
Employee Discounts
Background Checks
HR Tracking
ZipRecruiter®
Electronic Form I-9

Complete Payroll & HR Plus

Custom

Payroll: Computer, Mobile App, Phone Call
Direct Deposit
24/7 Customer Support
Robust Reporting
General Ledger Interface
New-Hire Reporting
W-2 & 1099 Forms
Tax Filing
Payroll Delivery
Multi-company Management
Multi-jurisdiction Payroll
Wisely® Direct Debit Card
Bill Pay and Client Invoicing
Check Signing: Security
State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) Management
Garnishment Payment Service
Job Costing
Labor Law Poster Compliance
ADP® Employee Access
New Hire Onboarding
Employee Discounts
Background Checks
HR Tracking
ZipRecruiter®
Electronic Form I-9
HR HelpDesk
Employee Handbook Wizard
Salary Benchmarks
HR Forms and Documents
HR Training and Toolkits

HR Pro Payroll & HR

Custom

Payroll: Computer, Mobile App, Phone Call
Direct Deposit
24/7 Customer Support
Robust Reporting
General Ledger Interface
New-Hire Reporting
W-2 & 1099 Forms
Tax Filing
Payroll Delivery
Multi-company Management
Multi-jurisdiction Payroll
Wisely® Direct Debit Card
Bill Pay and Client Invoicing
Check Signing: Security
State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) Management
Garnishment Payment Service
Job Costing
Labor Law Poster Compliance
ADP® Employee Access
New Hire Onboarding
Employee Discounts
Background Checks
HR Tracking
ZipRecruiter®
Electronic Form I-9
HR HelpDesk
Employee Handbook Wizard
Salary Benchmarks
HR Forms and Documents
HR Training and Toolkits
Applicant Tracking System, powered by CareerPlug
Learning Management System
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Legal Assistance from Upnetic Legal Services, powered by Legal Club®

Gusto

Official page

Simple

$49/mo

Single-state payroll
Unlimited payrolls per month
Tax filings and payments
Basic PTO policies and holiday pay

Plus

Popular

$80/mo

Multi-state payroll
Next-day pay
Time Tracking

Premium

$180/mo

Dedicated Service Advisor
Access to certified HR experts
Performance & compensation management
Custom reports
Priority support
Payroll migration and account setup

ADP vs Gusto FAQ

Which one is cheaper?: One or both use custom pricing, so it depends on your specific needs.
Can I use either one for free?: Neither has a free plan.
How do they charge?: Different approach here. ADP uses custom pricing, while Gusto goes with hybrid. That changes the math depending on your team size and usage.
Which one is a better deal?: Depends on what you need. ADP: ADP plays premium-by-reputation in a market full of transparent, self-serve competitors like Gusto and OnPay — they're betting that brand trust and enterprise-grade compliance muscle justify making you call a sales rep instead of seeing a price. This positioning wins risk-averse buyers and larger SMBs who want a name they can defend to their board, not price-sensitive startups comparison-shopping online. Gusto: Gusto sits in the mid-market sweet spot — more expensive than bare-bones options like Patriot Payroll, but cheaper than enterprise HR suites like ADP or Paychex. They're clearly targeting SMBs who've outgrown spreadsheets but aren't ready to justify a full HRIS.

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