Quicken vs ADP Run
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Quicken
Quicken is a personal finance and small business accounting tool with decades of history. It helps small business owners track income, expenses, invoices, and taxes with a desktop-first approach.
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
- ✓Long track record and trusted brand
- ✓Good for very small businesses and sole traders
- ✓Strong personal finance features
- ✓One-time or annual pricing
- ✓Desktop and mobile access
Cons
- ✗Feels dated compared to cloud-native tools
- ✗Desktop-first approach limits collaboration
- ✗Not suited for growing businesses
- ✗Limited integrations
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
Quicken vs ADP Run: Side by Side
| Factor | Quicken | ADP Run |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Accounting Software | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Sole traders and very small business owners wanting a simple trusted tool for basic bookkeeping and personal finance tracking | Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Quicken Features
- ✓Personal finance
- ✓budgeting
- ✓investment tracking
- ✓bill management
- ✓tax planning
- ✓reporting
ADP Run Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee onboarding
- ✓time tracking
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓workers compensation
- ✓HR support
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Quicken if sole traders and very small business owners wanting a simple trusted tool for basic bookkeeping and personal finance tracking. Choose ADP Run if small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand.
Best For
Sole traders and very small business owners wanting a simple trusted tool for basic bookkeeping and personal finance tracking
Best For
Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand
Also Consider
If neither Quicken nor ADP Run is the right fit, Dext is worth evaluating.
Dext
Bookkeepers, accountants, and businesses with high receipt volumes wanting to eliminate manual data entry
From $15/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Quicken and ADP Run?
Quicken is best for sole traders and very small business owners wanting a simple trusted tool for basic bookkeeping and personal finance tracking. ADP Run is best for small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand.
Which is better, Quicken or ADP Run?
Choose Quicken if sole traders and very small business owners wanting a simple trusted tool for basic bookkeeping and personal finance tracking. Choose ADP Run if small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand.
How much does Quicken cost?
Visit Quicken website for current pricing.
How much does ADP Run cost?
ADP Run starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Quicken?
Sole traders and very small business owners wanting a simple trusted tool for basic bookkeeping and personal finance tracking
Who should use ADP Run?
Small businesses that want enterprise-grade payroll reliability from a trusted brand