Paylocity vs ADP Workforce Now
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Paylocity
Paylocity is a modern HR and payroll platform designed for mid-market businesses. It combines payroll processing with employee engagement tools, learning management, and workforce analytics. Paylocity stands out for its strong mobile experience and focus on building connected, engaged workplaces.
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.
Pros
- ✓Strong employee engagement and communication tools
- ✓Excellent mobile app for both managers and employees
- ✓Modern UI with good user adoption rates
- ✓Robust payroll with strong compliance features
Cons
- ✗Pricing requires a sales call and is not published online
- ✗Implementation can be complex for larger organizations
- ✗Some advanced features require additional modules at extra cost
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
Paylocity vs ADP Workforce Now: Side by Side
| Factor | Paylocity | ADP Workforce Now |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | $62/mo |
| Best For | Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees | Mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade HR |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Paylocity Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent management
- ✓workforce management
- ✓analytics
- ✓employee self-service
ADP Workforce Now Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓HR
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent
- ✓time
- ✓analytics
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose ADP Workforce Now if mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade hr.
Best For
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Best For
Mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade HR
How Paylocity and ADP Workforce Now Are Similar
- •Both are HR Software platforms designed for business teams
- •Both offer web-based access with no software installation required
- •Both provide customer support and onboarding resources
- •Both integrate with popular third-party business tools
- •Both offer a trial or demo to evaluate before purchasing
Also Consider
If neither Paylocity nor ADP Workforce Now 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 Paylocity and ADP Workforce Now?
Paylocity is best for mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. ADP Workforce Now is best for mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade hr.
Which is better, Paylocity or ADP Workforce Now?
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose ADP Workforce Now if mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade hr.
How much does Paylocity cost?
Paylocity starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does ADP Workforce Now cost?
ADP Workforce Now starts at $62/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Paylocity?
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Who should use ADP Workforce Now?
Mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade HR