Sage Payroll vs ADP Workforce Now

SPSage Payroll8.9Visit ADP Workforce Now8.7Visit

Higher score SP Sage Payroll #4 in Small Business Payroll Software 8.9/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Sage

vs

ADP Workforce Now #6 in Small Business Payroll Software 8.7/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit ADP

• Sage Payroll fits best

  UK small businesses needing payroll and workforce tools

• ADP Workforce Now fits best

  Mid-sized firms needing payroll within a broad HR suite

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Side by side

Feature	SPSage Payroll 8.9/10 Visit ↗	ADP Workforce Now 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.7
Ranking	#4 in Small Business Payroll Software	#6 in Small Business Payroll Software
Best for	UK small businesses needing payroll and workforce tools	Mid-sized firms needing payroll within a broad HR suite
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	—	Not checked yet
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs · 24/7	Phone, Docs
Integrations	3 integrations	1 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Sage Payroll 0/3 · ADP Workforce Now 0/3
Tax filing included	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Direct deposit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Employee self-service	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Pay frequencies	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Worker pay types	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Payroll runs	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Calculates PAYE, National Insurance and pensions, and submits RTI to HMRC Employee self-service provides payslips and P60s Higher plans add timesheets, clocking and shift scheduling	Combines payroll with HR records, benefits, and talent workflows Supports time entry, PTO approvals, and automated scheduling Mobile self-service and API integrations support connected workflows
Cons	There is no free plan Shift scheduling is included only with Payroll Premium Supports up to 150 employees	Public pricing uses a sales contact rather than numeric prices Small-business fit is not indicated Payroll processing and tax filing details are limited
Our verdict	Sage Payroll is cloud-based payroll software for UK start-ups and growing businesses that need to manage pay, statutory deductions and HMRC submissions. It calculates wages, PAYE, National Insurance and pension contributions, then supports… Read the review →	ADP Workforce Now brings payroll together with HR recordkeeping and workforce management for mid-sized and enterprise organizations. Its scope includes employee profiles, onboarding, benefits administration, performance workflows, time… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Sage Payroll — where it wins

  • Calculates PAYE, National Insurance and pensions, and submits RTI to HMRC
  • Employee self-service provides payslips and P60s
  • Higher plans add timesheets, clocking and shift scheduling

  Where it doesn't

  • There is no free plan
  • Shift scheduling is included only with Payroll Premium
  • Supports up to 150 employees

• ADP Workforce Now — where it wins

  • Combines payroll with HR records, benefits, and talent workflows
  • Supports time entry, PTO approvals, and automated scheduling
  • Mobile self-service and API integrations support connected workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • Public pricing uses a sales contact rather than numeric prices
  • Small-business fit is not indicated
  • Payroll processing and tax filing details are limited

• SPSage Payroll8.9/10 · Paid

  UK payroll with HMRC submissions, employee self-service and workforce tools.

  Visit SageFull verdict →
• ADP Workforce Now8.7/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad payroll and HR platform for mid-sized and enterprise organizations.

  Visit ADPFull verdict →