ADP vs Paychex: Pricing and Features Compared (2026)
At 10 employees, Paychex lists around $89 per month versus about $129 for ADP at entry tier, a difference of $40 per month, as of November 2026. ADP quotes; Paychex quotes. 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. Paychex is the better fit when: owners who want a named human to call, businesses considering a PEO later, and anyone bundling payroll with workers' comp or retirement.
Prices verified November 2026
Price at a glance
| ADP | Paychex | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | Essential | Flex Essentials |
| Base fee / month | $79 est. | $39 |
| Per employee / month | $5 est. | $5 |
| 1 employee | $84 | $44 |
| 5 employees | $104 | $64 |
| 10 employees | $129 | $89 |
| 25 employees | $204 | $164 |
| 50 employees | $329 | $289 |
| Pricing published? | No, quote only | Partly |
| Billing | Per pay run (weekly payroll costs more than monthly) | Monthly base plus per employee; quarterly and year-end filing fees may apply |
| Contract | Quote-based; promotions change; confirm year-two pricing in writing | Quote-based above Essentials; setup fee is negotiable |
| Support | 24/7 phone support; dedicated rep on higher tiers | Dedicated payroll specialist on Select and above; 24/7 phone support |
Quote-only providers shown as estimates from publicly reported quotes. See each provider page for the estimate basis.
Want ADP and Paychex to quote your real headcount? Providers quote below list for the right customer. Tell us your headcount and up to 4 of them compete. Free, about a minute.
Get my quotesFeatures
| Feature | ADP | Paychex |
|---|---|---|
| Federal & state tax filing | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited payroll runs | No | Yes |
| Multi-state payroll | Yes | Yes |
| 1099 contractors | Yes | Yes |
| Health benefits | Yes | Yes |
| HR tools | Yes | Yes |
| Time tracking | add-on | add-on |
| Same-day deposit | add-on | add-on |
| PEO option | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Paychex if
Owners who want a named human to call, businesses considering a PEO later, and anyone bundling payroll with workers' comp or retirement.
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)
Paychex strengths and weaknesses
- Dedicated payroll specialist on most tiers; consistently praised in reviews
- Real PEO option (Paychex PEO) when you outgrow basic payroll
- Published entry price ($39 + $5/employee) gives you a floor to negotiate from
- Quarterly filing and year-end form fees are often extra
- Setup fee (commonly ~$200) unless waived
- Only the cheapest tier is publicly priced
Get quotes from both ADP and Paychex
One form. Both providers get your headcount and come back with real numbers.
- Free, no obligation
- About a minute
- Up to 4 providers, you pick which
- Prices verified November 2026
Other comparisons
- ADP vs Gusto
- ADP vs OnPay
- ADP vs QuickBooks Payroll
- ADP vs Rippling
- Paychex vs Gusto
- Paychex vs OnPay
- Paychex vs QuickBooks Payroll
- Paychex vs Rippling
- Gusto vs OnPay
- Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll
- Gusto vs Rippling
- OnPay vs QuickBooks Payroll
- OnPay vs Rippling
- QuickBooks Payroll vs Rippling
Frequently asked questions
Is ADP or Paychex cheaper?
At list price for 10 employees, Paychex is cheaper by about $40 per month (estimate). Promotions and negotiation can change the result; get written 12-month quotes.
Which is easier to use, ADP or Paychex?
ADP 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 Paychex?
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
- Paychex pricing page, read November 2026