What is ADP?
ADP payroll offers comprehensive payroll services to small businesses with up to 50 workers and an enhanced suite of features to larger businesses of 50 to over 1,000 employees. The small business packages are broken down into pricing tiers, yet all plans include a multi-jurisdiction-capable payroll with payroll taxes calculated, filed, deposited, and reconciled on your behalf. New hire reporting is included, and W-2s and 1099s are created and delivered to your door, with a filing service available at an extra cost. Choose your management interface with desktop and mobile apps, and even phone-call management available.
Automatic Data Processing, Inc (ADP) is a US, publicly-listed company originally founded in 1949 as Automatic Payrolls, Inc, changing to its current name in 1961. ADP is headquartered in Roseland, New Jersey, with 58,000 employees and a market capitalization exceeding $86 billion. The company boasts over 920,000 clients in 140 countries, with annual revenues exceeding $15 billion. ADP pays over 38 million workers worldwide, equivalent to 1 in 6 US workers, and in 2021 it moved over $2.3 trillion of client funds. Based on all those numbers, you can be comfortable entrusting ADP with your payroll is a solid bet.
As you’d expect from such a large company, ADP is not just about payroll. They market themselves as a human capital management company with products in benefits management, HR outsourcing, time and attendance, talent management, and payroll. The payroll product for small businesses has four tiers, with the first two predominantly payroll focused and the remaining two tiers incorporating a greater number of HR features. The previously mentioned core features include a general ledger interface and a debit card, with basic HR features like new employee self-onboarding and an employee pay portal.
Step up to the third and fourth plans, and state unemployment insurance management is included in the payroll section. You also gain several HR features, including phone and email access to HR professionals and a wide range of forms, templates, and training. For all plans, ADP provides optional add-ons such as time and attendance, retirement plans, pay-as-you-go workers’ compensation insurance, health insurance options, and a small business marketing toolkit. While not explicitly stated, it’s safe to assume the add-ons come with extra fees.
ADP
What popular features do you get with ADP?
- Generic general ledger output
- Google ads marketing management
- ZipRecruiter hiring automation
- W-2 and 1099 management
- Delivery of payroll checks
- Fine indemnity for tax-filing errors
- New-hire self-onboarding
- Employee payroll portal
- Multi-jurisdictional payroll for mobile workers
- State unemployment insurance management
Customer Support is available at ADP
Customer support is available via a range of contact methods and channels. A ‘RUN Powered by ADP’ mobile app allows you to send a message or engage in live chat with a customer support representative, depending on whether you have an Apple or Android phone. Live chat is available from 7.30 am to 10 pm eastern time on weekdays. A virtual assistant is available 24/7.
Live payroll support is available 24/7/365 by ringing your regional support center, whose number is on the ADP webpage, or by logging in to your account and selecting support. You also can access remote support using screen sharing with your representative. When all else fails, ADP asks you to ring their login and support help center, whose number is on the ADP support webpage.
What kind of business is ADP ideal for?
The way ADP structures its product offerings means there is a product that will suit your business type and size. ADP segments its clients into three groups, small businesses with 1 to 49 employees, mid sized businesses with up to 999 employees, and large businesses with 1,000+ workers. Each has different inclusions and prices, but the breadth of products offered by ADP guarantees you’ll find a suite of features you’re seeking, with add-ons available to customize your product use.
Pros and Cons
- Full-service payroll management
- Tax filing penalty indemnity
- Packages for all business sizes
- A wide range of templates and forms
- Multi-jurisdictional payroll management for those workers earning income in multiple – states
- Generic general ledger output supports all accounting packages
- Extensive payroll reporting
- 3-months free
- No pricing is given, with all packages requiring a quote
- Minimal HR resources for small businesses
- Customer reviews suggest customer support improvement is needed
People like you also researched
Here are some products we think might be a good fit based on what people like you viewed.
OnPay
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Automated payroll tax filing
- Financial and health benefits
- Employee self-service portal
Gusto
- Management of international contractor payments
- Online hiring and onboarding tools
- Automated payroll runs
- An easy-to-use integrated platform
Zenefits
- Dynamic paystubs with helpful information
- Automatic salary update feature
- Multiple labor codes for analysis
- Automatic new hire state filing
How much does ADP cost?
*based on information provided by the vendor. Actual cost may vary.
Well, that’s the thing. No one knows. ADP doesn’t give any pricing transparency, requiring you to contact their sales department for a quote. Allegedly, ADPs products are not the cheapest compared to its competitors, but you get a decent payroll and the ability to access a huge HR suite as you grow, which is a bonus. The only way to know whether the pricing suits your needs is to fill in the few questions on the online request form and let ADP contact you with a quote.
Final thoughts...
ADP is a large organization that’s been around for a long time, which gives you confidence they’ll still be around for the next few years while you’re using them for your payroll. They’ve won multiple awards, including inclusion on Fortune magazines ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ and recognition by DiversityInc for their diversity and inclusion practices. ADP’s extensive list of human capital management products and services allows you to add the extras you need as you scale and grow your business while giving you the confidence of a flexible, comprehensive, and proven system. After all, 920,000 clients can’t be wrong.
We feel it’s unlikely ADP’s price will be competitive if you’re a startup or small business with only a couple of employees. However, it can’t hurt to contact ADP for a quote if you’re an established business and have workers in the high single or low double figures. If you’re a medium-sized business seeking greater HR functionality, ADP offers a great set of HR, benefits management, and compliance tools to take your business to the next level.
