Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Direct Deposit Payroll

RUN Powered by ADP vs QuickBooks Payroll

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score RUN Powered by ADP #1 in Direct Deposit Payroll 9.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit ADP
QuickBooks Payroll #2 in Direct Deposit Payroll 9.1/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit site

RUN Powered by ADP leads on 0 checks, QuickBooks Payroll on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 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
  • Free trialonly QuickBooks Payroll

RUN Powered by ADP scores higher on our rubric for direct deposit payroll: 9.2 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

RUN Powered by ADP is the better fit for small businesses needing payroll and tax support. QuickBooks Payroll is the better fit for quickBooks users needing fast direct deposit.

  • RUN Powered by ADP fits best

    Small businesses needing payroll and tax support

  • QuickBooks Payroll fits best

    QuickBooks users needing fast direct deposit

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature RUN Powered by ADP 9.2/10 Visit ↗ QuickBooks Payroll 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.1
Ranking #1 in Direct Deposit Payroll #2 in Direct Deposit Payroll
Best for Small businesses needing payroll and tax support QuickBooks users needing fast direct deposit
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — $50/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 5 integrations 5 integrations
Features RUN Powered by ADP 2/2 · QuickBooks Payroll 2/2
Payroll tax filing ✓ ✓
Employee self-service ✓ ✓
Specs
Pay frequency Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deposit speed Not checked yet Not checked yet
Payroll countries Not checked yet Not checked yet
Employee limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Handles tax calculation, filing, depositing and reconciliation.
  • Supports direct deposit, checks and payroll across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Higher-tier plans add HR support, hiring and learning tools.
  • Automates payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments
  • Offers next-day direct deposit, with same-day options on some plans
  • Employee portal provides pay stubs, W-2s, and tax information
Cons
  • Plan prices require a quote rather than showing published amounts.
  • HR features are reserved for higher-tier packages.
  • Payroll check delivery is supported alongside direct deposit, not instead of it.
  • Workforce Payroll starts at $50 per month plus $7 per employee
  • Time tracking and scheduling require higher-tier plans
  • No free plan is available after the 30-day trial
Our verdict

RUN Powered by ADP brings payroll processing and HR options together for small businesses. Employers can run payroll online, by phone or through mobile apps, while employees can access pay history and tax forms. It supports recurring…

Read the review →

QuickBooks Payroll is Intuit’s cloud payroll service for small businesses, including restaurants and other hospitality operators. It calculates, files, and pays payroll taxes, supports direct deposit, and provides an employee portal for…

Read the review →
  1. RUN Powered by ADPDirect Deposit Payroll 9.2Pricing on request
  2. QuickBooks PayrollDirect Deposit Payroll 9.130-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • RUN Powered by ADP — where it wins

    • Handles tax calculation, filing, depositing and reconciliation.
    • Supports direct deposit, checks and payroll across multiple jurisdictions.
    • Higher-tier plans add HR support, hiring and learning tools.

    Where it doesn't

    • Plan prices require a quote rather than showing published amounts.
    • HR features are reserved for higher-tier packages.
    • Payroll check delivery is supported alongside direct deposit, not instead of it.

  • QuickBooks Payroll — where it wins

    • Automates payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments
    • Offers next-day direct deposit, with same-day options on some plans
    • Employee portal provides pay stubs, W-2s, and tax information

    Where it doesn't

    • Workforce Payroll starts at $50 per month plus $7 per employee
    • Time tracking and scheduling require higher-tier plans
    • No free plan is available after the 30-day trial
  • RUN Powered by ADP9.2/10 · Pricing on request

    Small-business payroll with tax filing, direct deposit and optional HR tools.

    Visit ADPFull verdict →
  • QuickBooks Payroll9.1/10 · 30-day trial

    QuickBooks Payroll delivers automated tax filing and fast direct deposit for QuickBooks-centered teams.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All direct deposit payroll comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update