Running payroll can feel like juggling flaming torches—messy, risky, and tough to manage. That’s where ADP RUN swoops in. Designed for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, this platform blends powerful payroll automation, compliance help, and HR tools into one easy-to-use package. Is it the payroll hero your small biz needs? Let’s break it down.
What Is ADP RUN?
Background & Target Market
ADP RUN (formerly ADP’s small business payroll product) is crafted for solopreneurs, startups, and small teams. Think of it as a full-service payroll engine that scales—as you grow, RUN grows with you.
Basic Payroll Features
At its core, RUN handles payroll runs, tax calculations, direct deposits, W‑2 and 1099 forms, and auto tax filings across federal, state, and local levels. Let it shoulder the boring, so you can focus on what you love.
Top‑Tier Recognition & Ratings
PCMag’s 4.5/5 Editors’ Choice
PCMag awarded RUN a stellar 4.5/5 and called it “Best in class,” earning its Editor’s Choice, thanks to its “unparalleled attention to detail, depth, flexibility, and overall payroll/HR competence”
Other Industry Accolades
RUN also snagged small business awards from G2, Yahoo! Tech, and Research.com—showing it’s not just hype, it performs in the real world .
Core Features & Functionalities
Payroll Automation & Tax Filing
Automated wage calculations, deductions, and benefits management take the heavy lifting off your plate. It even handles multi‑schedule runs—hourly, salaried, contractors—while auto‑filing your taxes
Compliance & Garnishment Tools
With Enhanced plans, you get garnishment payment services, SUI management, and proactive AI-powered alerts to flag mistakes before they cost you
Time Tracking & Cost Accounting
Track time, overtime, job costs, and individual project labor. Great for invoicing and profitability breakdowns—RUN keeps tabs even on sundries.
HR Tools & Add‑Ons
Employee Handbook & Training
Complete and HR Pro plans include a handbook builder, document management, HR forms, and toolkits—no more Word template guesswork
Recruitment & Job Postings
Enhanced and above let you post job ads via ZipRecruiter and run background checks—all streamlined from the RUN dashboard
Expert HR Support & Legal Help
Live HR HelpDesk, compliance alerts, training programs—and with HR Pro, access to Upnetic Legal services for contracts, terminations, and labor legalities
Plans & Pricing Tiers
Essential Payroll
Straightforward payroll, tax filing, reports, direct deposit, W‑2s/1099s, mobile/desktop access and optional add‑ons like time tracking, benefits, and health insurance
Enhanced Payroll
Everything Essential offers, plus garnishment, SUI, job costing, background checks, and ZipRecruiter postings
Complete Payroll & HR+
Adds HR HelpDesk, handbook wizard, HR tracking, forms, training toolkits—ideal for small teams with growing HR needs
HR Pro Payroll & HR
The all-in-one: complete package plus applicant tracking, learning management, sexual harassment training, marketing tools, and legal assistance
Integrations & App Ecosystem
Accounting & POS Integrations
RUN integrates with QuickBooks, POS systems, and ERPs, eliminating manual entries and reducing errors .
ADP App Marketplace
Need more? The ADP marketplace offers time tracking, HR systems, analytics tools, and more—extend functionality with one-click installs
Security & User Access Controls
Encryption & Data Storage
256-bit SSL encryption, encrypted storage, redundancy, and strict firewall protections keep your data safe
User Roles & Permissions
Flexible roles—Owner, Payroll Admin, HR Admin, CPA view—allow controlled access across tasks, boosting both convenience and security.
Pros & Cons
Strengths
- All-in-one payroll + HR in a single platform
- Award-winning reliability (PCMag Editor’s Choice)
- Payroll error-flagging with AI
- Rich HR add-ons and upgradable plans
- Secure, cloud-hosted, regulated environment
Limitations
- Pricing not transparent—quotes needed
- More tailored to smaller businesses (under 50 employees)
- Advanced HR features only in higher tiers
- May be overkill for sole proprietors with minimal payroll needs
How ADP RUN Compares to Other Payroll Solutions
RUN beats out similar small-business tools like Gusto or Rippling in HR depth and compliance robustness. But if you’re ultra-small, apps like Roll by ADP (chat-driven, $39/month) could be more budget-friendly For mid-sized business needs (50+ staff), ADP Workforce Now is the natural next step
Final Verdict
ADP RUN is a powerhouse for small businesses seeking seamless payroll, compliance, HR automation, and scalable growth. That PCMag 4.5/5 Editor’s Choice isn’t just hype—it’s earned. If you’re building a team and ready to invest in a long-term HR partner, RUN is worth every penny.
FAQs
1. Is ADP RUN good for businesses over 50 employees?
It’s optimized for <50. Once you grow past that, ADP Workforce Now is better suited .
2. Can I pay contractors via 1099 with RUN?
Absolutely. RUN supports W‑2 and 1099 payments, filings, and e‑filing to agencies.
3. Does RUN offer time tracking?
Yes, via add-ons. Time and attendance integrate with job costing, schedules, and compliance.
4. How does RUN ensure compliance?
RUN auto‑updates tax tables/regulations across all 50 states, flags errors with AI, and includes garnishment/SUI management.
5. What’s the difference between Complete Payroll & HR+ and HR Pro?
Complete adds HR tools like handbooks and training. HR Pro includes everything plus applicant tracking, live HR support, legal services, and marketing tools.
