ADP vs Patriot Software 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 Patriot Software
Starts at Custom $17/mo
Number of plans 4 4
Free plan
Free trial
Pricing model custom hybrid

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
  • ADP Assist™ virtual assistant
  • ADP Assist™ payroll inspector
  • ADP Assist™ smart timesheet import
  • 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
  • ADP Assist™ virtual assistant
  • ADP Assist™ payroll inspector
  • ADP Assist™ smart timesheet import
  • 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
  • ADP Assist™ virtual assistant
  • ADP Assist™ payroll inspector
  • ADP Assist™ smart timesheet import
  • 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
  • ADP Assist™ virtual assistant
  • ADP Assist™ payroll inspector
  • ADP Assist™ smart timesheet import
  • 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®

Accounting Basic

$20/mo
  • Unlimited customers & invoices
  • Unlimited vendors, contractors, & payments
  • Automatic bank imports
  • Income & expense tracking
  • Accept credit card payments
  • Robust financial reporting
  • Account reconciliation

Accounting Premium

Popular
$30/mo
  • Create & send estimates
  • Users-based permissions
  • Recurring invoices
  • Send invoice payment reminders
  • Manage receipts & documents
  • Add subaccounts

Basic Payroll

$17/mo
  • Free direct deposit
  • Free employee portal
  • Unlimited payrolls
  • Auto payroll
  • Pay contractors in payroll
  • Free health benefit integration
  • Robust payroll reports

Full Service Payroll

$37/mo
  • Federal tax filings & deposits
  • State tax filings & deposits
  • Local tax filings & deposits
  • Year-end payroll tax filings at no additional fee
  • Tax filing reliability guaranteed

ADP vs Patriot Software 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. But Patriot Software offers a free trial.
How do they charge?
Different approach here. ADP uses custom pricing, while Patriot Software 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 in premium territory, leaning on brand trust and enterprise-grade reliability rather than competing on sticker price. They're chasing businesses that outgrow scrappy payroll tools like Gusto and want a name their accountant already recognizes, even if that means quote-shopping instead of instant checkout. Patriot Software: Patriot undercuts Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll on headline price, clearly chasing small businesses and solopreneurs who find those platforms overbuilt and overpriced. The per-worker fee keeps it cheap at low headcount but it's not built to be the budget option once a company scales past a handful of employees.

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