Gusto vs ADP Workforce Now: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Gusto
4.6(5,247 reviews)
Payroll and HR platform for small businesses with benefits, compliance, and hiring tools.
ADP Workforce Now
4.1(3,892 reviews)
Comprehensive HR suite for mid-size businesses with payroll, benefits, talent, and compliance.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Gusto | ADP Workforce Now |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Small businesses and startups (1-100 employees) | Mid-size businesses (50-1,000 employees) |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Contact Sales |
| Starting Price | $40/mo | Contact Sales |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 4.6/10 | 4.1/10 |
Pros & Cons
Gusto
Pros
- Excellent payroll that handles all 50 states flawlessly
- Easy setup—most companies run first payroll same day
- Affordable benefits access typically reserved for larger companies
- Clean, intuitive interface for employers and employees
- Strong customer support for complex payroll questions
Cons
- HR features are basic compared to dedicated HRIS platforms
- Gets expensive as employee count grows past 50
- Limited international capabilities—US focused
- Reporting and analytics could be more powerful
ADP Workforce Now
Pros
- 70+ years of payroll expertise and compliance knowledge
- Guaranteed accurate and on-time payroll processing
- Strong benefits administration with carrier relationships
- Comprehensive platform covering all HR needs
- Robust integrations through ADP Marketplace
Cons
- User interface feels dated compared to newer competitors
- Pricing is opaque and requires sales conversations
- Customer service quality varies by account team
- Can be complex to configure and customize
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto | subscription | $40/mo |
| ADP Workforce Now | contact sales | Contact Sales |
Our Verdict
Choose Gusto if...
You need Small businesses and startups (1-100 employees) and prefer subscription pricing.
Choose ADP Workforce Now if...
You need Mid-size businesses (50-1,000 employees) and prefer contact sales pricing.
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.