ADP Workforce Now vs ADP Run
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
ADP Workforce Now
ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive HR and payroll platform trusted by over 900,000 businesses worldwide. It covers payroll, benefits, talent management, time tracking, and compliance in one integrated suite. ADP is the industry standard for mid to large businesses that need enterprise-grade reliability.
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.
Pros
- ✓Industry-leading reliability and compliance expertise
- ✓Extensive integration ecosystem with 300+ third-party apps
- ✓Strong reporting and workforce analytics
- ✓Dedicated support and implementation resources
Cons
- ✗Expensive compared to modern cloud-native alternatives
- ✗User interface is complex and can require significant training
- ✗Long-term contracts with early termination fees
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
ADP Workforce Now vs ADP Run: Side by Side
| Factor | ADP Workforce Now | ADP Run |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $62/mo | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade HR | Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand |
| Our Pick | — | — |
ADP Workforce Now Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓HR
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent
- ✓time
- ✓analytics
ADP Run Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee onboarding
- ✓time tracking
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓workers compensation
- ✓HR support
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose ADP Workforce Now if mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade hr. Choose ADP Run if small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand.
Best For
Mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade HR
Best For
Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand
Also Consider
If neither ADP Workforce Now nor ADP Run is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ADP Workforce Now and ADP Run?
ADP Workforce Now is best for mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade hr. ADP Run is best for small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand.
Which is better, ADP Workforce Now or ADP Run?
Choose ADP Workforce Now if mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade hr. Choose ADP Run if small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand.
How much does ADP Workforce Now cost?
ADP Workforce Now starts at $62/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does ADP Run cost?
ADP Run starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use ADP Workforce Now?
Mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade HR
Who should use ADP Run?
Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand