ADP Run vs Synthesia
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Synthesia is our recommended pick for most teams — corporate training, hr, and marketing teams wanting to produce professional video content at scale without cameras or studios.
Try Synthesia →Read our full Synthesia review →ADP Run
ADP Run is a payroll and HR solution designed specifically for small businesses with 1-49 employees. It is powered by ADP, the world's largest payroll provider, giving small businesses access to enterprise-grade payroll processing and compliance tools. ADP Run offers multiple plan tiers from basic payroll to full HR suite depending on the business needs.
Synthesia
Synthesia is an AI video generation platform that creates professional videos using AI avatars and text-to-speech technology. It eliminates the need for cameras, actors, and studios by letting you create videos from a script in minutes. Synthesia is widely used by corporate training, HR, and marketing teams for scalable video content production.
Pros
- ✓Backed by ADP's decades of payroll expertise and compliance knowledge
- ✓Scalable — can grow with your business to ADP Workforce Now
- ✓Strong mobile app for running payroll on the go
- ✓Extensive integration ecosystem
Cons
- ✗Pricing is not transparent and can be expensive compared to competitors
- ✗Customer service quality can be inconsistent
- ✗Upselling of additional services reported by customers
- ✗Interface is less modern than newer payroll tools
Pros
- ✓Creates professional videos without cameras, actors, or studios
- ✓Supports 120+ languages for global content production
- ✓Custom AI avatars can be created from your own likeness
- ✓Significant cost and time savings over traditional video production
Cons
- ✗Videos can feel less personal than human-recorded content
- ✗Limited creative flexibility compared to traditional video
- ✗Custom avatar creation requires approval process
- ✗Higher pricing than some competitors for advanced features
ADP Run vs Synthesia: Side by Side
| Factor | ADP Run | Synthesia |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.7/5 ★ |
| Category | Payroll Software | Video Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | $29/mo |
| Best For | Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand | Corporate training, HR, and marketing teams wanting to produce professional video content at scale without cameras or studios |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
ADP Run Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee onboarding
- ✓time tracking
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓workers compensation
- ✓HR support
Synthesia Features
- ✓AI avatars
- ✓text-to-video
- ✓120+ languages
- ✓custom avatars
- ✓screen recording
- ✓video templates
- ✓collaboration tools
Pricing Comparison
Synthesia
PaidStarts at $29/mo
Starter: $29/mo · Creator: $89/mo · Enterprise: custom
See full pricing →Our Take
Choose ADP Run if small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand. Choose Synthesia if corporate training, hr, and marketing teams wanting to produce professional video content at scale without cameras or studios.
Best For
Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand
Best For
Corporate training, HR, and marketing teams wanting to produce professional video content at scale without cameras or studios
Also Consider
If neither ADP Run nor Synthesia is the right fit, Multiplier is worth evaluating.
Multiplier
Startups and SMBs hiring internationally on a budget
From $40/contractor/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ADP Run and Synthesia?
ADP Run is best for small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand. Synthesia is best for corporate training, hr, and marketing teams wanting to produce professional video content at scale without cameras or studios.
Which is better, ADP Run or Synthesia?
Choose ADP Run if small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand. Choose Synthesia if corporate training, hr, and marketing teams wanting to produce professional video content at scale without cameras or studios.
How much does ADP Run cost?
ADP Run starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Synthesia cost?
Synthesia starts at $29/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use ADP Run?
Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand
Who should use Synthesia?
Corporate training, HR, and marketing teams wanting to produce professional video content at scale without cameras or studios