How much does ADP payroll cost for small businesses?
ADP doesn’t publish fixed prices. You have to request a quote, which makes comparing options difficult. Based on what small business owners typically report, here’s what you can expect.
ADP RUN is their small business payroll product. Most users pay between $59 and $79 per month as a base fee, plus $4 to $6 per employee. A business with five employees might pay $80 to $110 monthly. Ten employees could run $120 to $140. These are estimates because ADP customizes pricing based on features and contract length.
The pricing varies by tier. Essential is the basic package. Enhanced adds features like garnishment support. Complete includes HR tools. HR Pro bundles in dedicated support. Each step up costs more, and the per-employee fee increases too.
Watch for additional costs that aren’t always mentioned upfront. Year-end W-2 processing sometimes costs extra. State tax registration services have fees. Adding features like time tracking or workers’ comp integration increases the monthly bill. Some businesses report setup fees, though ADP often waives these to close a sale.
For very small businesses, ADP can feel like more than you need. The platform is built for scale. If you have two or three employees and straightforward payroll, you’re paying for infrastructure designed for much larger operations.
Alternatives like Gusto or QuickBooks Payroll often work better for businesses under ten employees. They offer transparent pricing and simpler interfaces. Another option is outsourcing payroll processing entirely. You send over the hours, someone else handles calculations, tax deposits, and filings. For many small business owners in mid-Missouri, the cost of outsourced payroll ends up comparable to self-service software once you factor in time spent learning the system and fixing mistakes.
If you’re comparing ADP to other options, get an actual quote rather than relying on advertised rates. And consider whether you want to manage payroll yourself or have a bookkeeping service handle it so you can focus on running the business.
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