Asana vs ADP Run
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Asana
Asana is a leading project management platform that helps teams organize, track, and manage their work. It offers multiple views including lists, boards, timelines, and calendars to suit different working styles. Asana is trusted by over 130,000 organizations worldwide for managing everything from daily tasks to complex cross-functional projects.
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
- ✓Intuitive interface that teams adopt quickly with minimal training
- ✓Multiple project views including list, board, and Gantt timeline
- ✓Strong automation features to reduce manual work
- ✓Generous free plan for small teams
Cons
- ✗Can feel overwhelming for simple use cases with too many features
- ✗Pricing jumps significantly from free to paid plans
- ✗No built-in time tracking on lower tiers
- ✗Limited native reporting on free plan
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
Asana vs ADP Run: Side by Side
| Factor | Asana | ADP Run |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool | Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Asana Features
- ✓Task and project management
- ✓timeline view
- ✓board view
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓reporting dashboards
- ✓goals tracking
- ✓integrations
- ✓mobile app
ADP Run Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee onboarding
- ✓time tracking
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓workers compensation
- ✓HR support
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Asana if teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool. Choose ADP Run if small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand.
Best For
Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool
Best For
Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand
Also Consider
If neither Asana nor ADP Run is the right fit, Wrike is worth evaluating.
Wrike
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
From Free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Asana and ADP Run?
Asana is best for teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool. ADP Run is best for small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand.
Which is better, Asana or ADP Run?
Choose Asana if teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool. Choose ADP Run if small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand.
How much does Asana cost?
Asana starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does ADP Run cost?
ADP Run starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Asana?
Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool
Who should use ADP Run?
Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand