RUN Powered by ADP review

RUN is ADP's main small business platform and, by ADP's count, is used by over 900,000 small businesses. It handles federal, state and local tax deductions and filings, creates and e-files W-2 and 1099 forms, and can put recurring payroll on autopilot through RUN & DONE. ADP Assist flags common payroll mistakes before you submit, and the mobile app lets owners run payroll away from a desk. Contractor payments sit alongside bill pay and invoicing in the same platform. The four packages climb from Essential Payroll to Enhanced Payroll, which adds ZipRecruiter and State Unemployment Insurance services, then Complete Payroll & HR+ with basic HR support and HR Pro with deeper HR help. The drawback for a small business is pricing: ADP shows no prices and asks you to request a quote, so you cannot compare it with Gusto or OnPay without a sales conversation. ADP was advertising up to six months of free payroll when we checked.

Who it is for

Small employers who want ADP's tax and compliance coverage and expect to add HR support.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Deducts and files federal, state and local payroll taxes
• RUN & DONE recurring payroll on autopilot
• W-2 and 1099 forms created, delivered and e-filed with the IRS
• Time tracking and HR tools for overtime and worker classification
• Mobile app and 24/7 support from payroll experts

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Four packages from Essential Payroll to HR Pro
• Strength: Bill pay, invoicing and contractor payments in one platform
• Strength: ADP advertises up to 6 months free payroll, terms apply
• Weakness: No published prices; every package needs a quote
• Weakness: HR support starts on the third package
• Weakness: Package comparisons take longer than with flat-rate rivals

Key facts

• Packages: Essential Payroll, Enhanced Payroll, Complete Payroll & HR+, HR Pro Payroll & HR
• Customers: Over 900,000 small businesses, per ADP
• Support: 24/7 from payroll experts
• Offer: Up to 6 months free payroll, terms apply

Where it ranks

RUN Powered by ADP is No. 8 in our Best Payroll Software for Small Business verdict.