ADP Run vs Workday Recruiting
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
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.
Workday Recruiting
Workday Recruiting is an enterprise-grade applicant tracking system built into the broader Workday HCM suite. It offers end-to-end recruiting from sourcing to offer management within a unified platform.
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
- ✓Seamlessly integrated with Workday HR and Payroll
- ✓Strong reporting and analytics
- ✓Excellent for large enterprises
- ✓Unified candidate and employee data
- ✓Configurable workflows
Cons
- ✗Very expensive for small businesses
- ✗Complex implementation process
- ✗Requires dedicated admin
- ✗Overkill for teams under 500 employees
ADP Run vs Workday Recruiting: Side by Side
| Factor | ADP Run | Workday Recruiting |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Payroll Software | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand | Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data |
| Our Pick | — | — |
ADP Run Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee onboarding
- ✓time tracking
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓workers compensation
- ✓HR support
Workday Recruiting Features
- ✓Applicant tracking
- ✓interview management
- ✓candidate sourcing
- ✓onboarding
- ✓analytics
- ✓compliance
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose ADP Run if small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand. Choose Workday Recruiting if large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data.
Best For
Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand
Best For
Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data
Also Consider
If neither ADP Run nor Workday Recruiting 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 Workday Recruiting?
ADP Run is best for small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand. Workday Recruiting is best for large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data.
Which is better, ADP Run or Workday Recruiting?
Choose ADP Run if small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand. Choose Workday Recruiting if large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data.
How much does ADP Run cost?
ADP Run starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Workday Recruiting cost?
Visit Workday Recruiting website for current pricing.
Who should use ADP Run?
Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand
Who should use Workday Recruiting?
Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data