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Head-to-head · Small Business Payroll Software

RUN Powered by ADP vs Paylocity

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score RUN Powered by ADP #1 in Small Business Payroll Software 9.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit ADP
Paylocity #7 in Small Business Payroll Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Paylocity

RUN Powered by ADP leads on 0 checks, Paylocity on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreRUN Powered by ADP · 9.2/10
  • Most featuresRUN Powered by ADP · 3 of 3

RUN Powered by ADP scores higher on our rubric for small business payroll software: 9.2 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

RUN Powered by ADP is the better fit for small businesses wanting established, full-service payroll. Paylocity is the better fit for small firms prioritizing mobile workforce management.

  • RUN Powered by ADP fits best

    Small businesses wanting established, full-service payroll

  • Paylocity fits best

    Small firms prioritizing mobile workforce management

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Side by side

Feature RUN Powered by ADP 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Paylocity 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.6
Ranking #1 in Small Business Payroll Software #7 in Small Business Payroll Software
Best for Small businesses wanting established, full-service payroll Small firms prioritizing mobile workforce management
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — Pricing on request
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Phone, Live chat · 24/7 Phone, Docs
Compliance 2FA SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA
Integrations 1 integrations 350+ integrations
Built for Small business Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features RUN Powered by ADP 3/3 · Paylocity 0/3
Tax filing included ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Direct deposit ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Employee self-service ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Pay frequencies Not checked yet Not checked yet
Worker pay types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Payroll runs Unclear Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Files federal, state and local payroll taxes.
  • Automates recurring payroll and supports direct deposit.
  • Offers employee self-service plus tiered HR support.
  • Mobile access for employees, supervisors, administrators, and executives
  • Combines time tracking, time off, onboarding, and performance workflows
  • Marketplace integrations and developer APIs support connected systems
Cons
  • Plan prices are quote-based rather than published.
  • HR support features depend on the selected package.
  • Only Clover is listed as an integration.
  • Pricing is customized and requires contacting sales
  • No public plan tiers to compare before a sales conversation
  • Payroll processing and tax filing are not specified in the feature list
Our verdict

RUN Powered by ADP brings payroll processing and HR services together for small businesses. Payroll can be handled online, by phone or through a mobile app, with tax filing, direct deposit and an employee portal for pay history and tax…

Read the review →

Paylocity brings payroll-related employee self-service together with HR, workforce management, and talent tools in a cloud platform. It is aimed at organizations ranging from small businesses to enterprises, with a particular fit for small…

Read the review →
  1. RUN Powered by ADPSmall Business Payroll Software 9.2Pricing on request
  2. PaylocitySmall Business Payroll Software 8.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • RUN Powered by ADP — where it wins

    • Files federal, state and local payroll taxes.
    • Automates recurring payroll and supports direct deposit.
    • Offers employee self-service plus tiered HR support.

    Where it doesn't

    • Plan prices are quote-based rather than published.
    • HR support features depend on the selected package.
    • Only Clover is listed as an integration.

  • Paylocity — where it wins

    • Mobile access for employees, supervisors, administrators, and executives
    • Combines time tracking, time off, onboarding, and performance workflows
    • Marketplace integrations and developer APIs support connected systems

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is customized and requires contacting sales
    • No public plan tiers to compare before a sales conversation
    • Payroll processing and tax filing are not specified in the feature list
  • RUN Powered by ADP9.2/10 · Pricing on request

    Full-service payroll with tax filing, direct deposit and optional HR support.

    Visit ADPFull verdict →
  • Paylocity8.6/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad workforce platform for small firms that value mobile access and employee self-service.

    Visit PaylocityFull verdict →

More comparisons

All small business payroll software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update