Gusto vs ADP Run (2026): features, security and which one to buy
Gusto and ADP Run compared on what they do, who they suit, their key features, pros and cons, and what each vendor publishes on security, admin and contract terms, with every fact checked on October 24, 2026.
Gusto or ADP Run: the short answer
Choose Gusto if
- Small US businesses of 1 to a few dozen people wanting simple setup.
- Companies that pay a mix of W-2 employees and 1099 contractors.
Choose ADP Run if
- Small businesses wanting a large provider with tax filing and add-on HR/benefits.
- Employers who want guided support and tiered service.
What are Gusto and ADP Run?
Gusto
Small-business payroll platform that bundles tax filing, benefits and basic HR tools, priced as a base fee plus a per-person fee. Owners of small US businesses who want payroll running quickly will find a simple setup, with W-2 staff and 1099 contractors both supported. Cost is $49 monthly plus $6 per person on Simple. G2 rates ease of use at 9.5 of 10. Larger firms needing SCIM or global payroll should look elsewhere.
ADP Run
ADP's payroll and HR platform for small businesses, sold through quotes in four tiers. ADP Run is ADP's payroll and HR platform for small businesses, sold by quote in four tiers. It includes tax filing and offers benefits and retirement add-ons, but weekly runs and add-ons raise the cost.
Gusto vs ADP Run: features compared
| Gusto | ADP Run | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Small-business payroll platform that bundles tax filing, benefits and basic HR tools, priced as a base fee plus a per-person fee. | ADP's payroll and HR platform for small businesses, sold through quotes in four tiers. |
| Best for | Small US businesses of 1 to a few dozen people wanting simple setup. | Small businesses wanting a large provider with tax filing and add-on HR/benefits. |
| Company size | Small businesses (about 84% of G2 reviews) | Small businesses. |
| Tax filing and compliance | Automatic federal, state and local filing on all plans. | Tax filing in all tiers per vendor positioning; details not confirmed by the vendor. |
| Multi-state payroll | Plus and Premium; Simple is single-state. | Not published |
| Time tracking and PTO | Plus adds time tracking and PTO. | Not published |
| Benefits administration | Not published | Benefits, retirement, health insurance, workers comp as add-ons. |
| Contractor and 1099 payments | Contractor Only plan $35 + $6 per contractor. | Not published |
| Starting price | $49/month plus $6 per person (Simple) | Contact sales |
| G2 rating | 4.6 (9,000 reviews) | 4.6 (5,122 reviews) |
Pros and cons
Gusto
Pros
- Ease of use (9.5 of 10 on G2)
- Quick setup and onboarding.
Cons
- Support rated slightly behind some competitors.
ADP Run
Pros
- Payroll entry and direct deposit tools score high.
- Automatic tax-rule updates.
Cons
- Wait times for support in some comparisons.
- Benefits management scores lower.
Gusto vs ADP Run pricing
Gusto starts at $49/month plus $6 per person (Simple) and ADP Run at Contact sales. The pricing bases differ, so compare the full quote for your team rather than the entry price.
| Gusto | ADP Run | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | base fee plus per person | base fee plus per employee |
| Per seat per month | $6 per person per month plus $49 base (Simple); $12 plus $80 base (Plus) | About $4 per employee plus $79 base (third-party estimate) |
| Billing | Monthly. | Quote. |
| 20 users per year | Simple: ($49 + 20 x $6) x 12 = $2,028 per year. Plus: ($80 + 20 x $12) x 12 = $3,840 per year. | Estimate: ($79 + 20 x $4) x 12 = $1,908 per year, from third-party estimates only. |
| Add-ons | Benefits and other add-ons priced separately, rates not published. | Benefits administration; Retirement; Health insurance. |
Security, admin and contract: Gusto vs ADP Run
What each vendor states publicly about single sign-on, provisioning, audit logs, data location and the contract. A blank is a question for the sales call, not a no.
| Gusto | ADP Run | |
|---|---|---|
| SAML SSO | Reportedly available by contacting support (third-party source); not confirmed by the vendor. | Not published |
| SCIM provisioning | Reportedly not offered (third-party) | Not published |
| Contract | Monthly pricing; cancellation terms not confirmed by the vendor. | Quote based; terms not published. |
Differences most comparisons miss
Worth knowing about Gusto
- Multi-state payroll only starts on Plus ($80 + $12)
- Simple's price excludes benefits costs and add-ons.
- SAML SSO is not self-service: reportedly enabled via Gusto support, and SCIM is reportedly unavailable (third-party Stitchflow)
- Billing counts only active employees.
Worth knowing about ADP Run
- No public price; estimate $79/month + $4 per employee is third-party.
- Weekly payroll can nearly double annual cost versus biweekly at the same per-run rate.
- Roll by ADP is the only ADP payroll with a published price ($39 + $5 per person)
Gusto vs ADP Run: frequently asked questions
Which is better, Gusto or ADP Run?
It depends on the team. Gusto is the stronger pick for small US businesses of 1 to a few dozen people wanting simple setup, while ADP Run suits small businesses wanting a large provider with tax filing and add-on HR/benefits. Compare the feature rows above against your must-haves before you look at price.
Do Gusto and ADP Run support SAML single sign-on?
Gusto: reportedly available by contacting support (third-party source); not confirmed by the vendor. ADP Run: not stated on its public pages. Confirm the plan in writing before you compare prices.
Sources
Both columns use the same sources: vendor pricing and product pages, documentation, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Full source lists are on the Gusto and ADP Run reviews.