ADP vs Gusto: Pricing and Features Compared (2026)
At 10 employees, Gusto lists around $109 per month versus about $129 for ADP at entry tier, a difference of $20 per month, as of November 2026. ADP quotes; Gusto publishes its prices. ADP is the better fit when: businesses that expect to grow past 50 employees, need benefits and retirement plans from one vendor, or want the most recognized brand when talking to lenders and accountants. Gusto is the better fit when: teams under 50 who want to run payroll themselves in a few clicks and get benefits, 401(k) and HR tools without a sales call.
Prices verified November 2026
Price at a glance
| ADP | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | Essential | Simple |
| Base fee / month | $79 est. | $49 |
| Per employee / month | $5 est. | $6 |
| 1 employee | $84 | $55 |
| 5 employees | $104 | $79 |
| 10 employees | $129 | $109 |
| 25 employees | $204 | $199 |
| 50 employees | $329 | $349 |
| Pricing published? | No, quote only | Yes, fully |
| Billing | Per pay run (weekly payroll costs more than monthly) | Flat monthly base plus per person; unlimited payroll runs |
| Contract | Quote-based; promotions change; confirm year-two pricing in writing | Month to month, no long-term contract |
| Support | 24/7 phone support; dedicated rep on higher tiers | Email, chat and phone; dedicated support on Premium |
Quote-only providers shown as estimates from publicly reported quotes. See each provider page for the estimate basis.
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| Feature | ADP | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Federal & state tax filing | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited payroll runs | No | Yes |
| Multi-state payroll | Yes | Plus+ |
| 1099 contractors | Yes | Yes |
| Health benefits | Yes | Yes |
| HR tools | Yes | Yes |
| Time tracking | add-on | Plus+ |
| Same-day deposit | add-on | No |
| PEO option | Yes | No |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
Choose ADP if
Businesses that expect to grow past 50 employees, need benefits and retirement plans from one vendor, or want the most recognized brand when talking to lenders and accountants.
Choose Gusto if
Teams under 50 who want to run payroll themselves in a few clicks and get benefits, 401(k) and HR tools without a sales call.
ADP strengths and weaknesses
- Scales from 1 employee to enterprise without switching platforms
- Deepest HR, benefits, retirement and compliance add-on catalog
- Strong accountant and bank partner ecosystem; most CPAs already work with ADP
- No published pricing; you must talk to sales to get a number
- Billed per pay run, so weekly payroll costs roughly 4x monthly
- Add-on fees for things competitors include (year-end forms, garnishments, some delivery options)
Gusto strengths and weaknesses
- Every plan and price is published; no sales call needed
- Unlimited payroll runs at no extra cost
- Consistently rated the easiest payroll software to use
- Simple plan raised to $49 in March 2026, second increase in a year
- Multi-state payroll requires Plus, doubling the per-person fee
- Health insurance broker integration costs $6 per eligible employee unless Gusto is your broker
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- Prices verified November 2026
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Frequently asked questions
Is ADP or Gusto cheaper?
At list price for 10 employees, Gusto is cheaper by about $20 per month (published price). Promotions and negotiation can change the result; get written 12-month quotes.
Which is easier to use, ADP or Gusto?
Gusto is generally rated easier for owners who run payroll themselves. ADP leans on human support and setup help instead.
Can I switch from ADP to Gusto?
Yes. Most providers migrate your employee data and year-to-date totals for free. Switching at a quarter boundary is cleanest. See our guide to switching payroll providers.
Sources
- ADP pricing page, read November 2026
- Gusto pricing page, read November 2026