ADP vs Paylocity: Complete 2026 Comparison
Compare two leading payroll and HCM platforms. Find the best solution for payroll processing, tax compliance, employee experience, and workforce management based on features, pricing, and company size.
Watch: ADP vs Paylocity
Platform Comparison at a Glance
We've evaluated both platforms across key criteria including payroll capabilities, HCM features, pricing, usability, and target market. Here's a quick overview to help you make an informed decision:
| Platform | Rating | Pricing | Countries | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Full-service HR and payroll at scale with industry-leading tax compliance and global capabilities across 140+ countries | 7.8/10 (5000 reviews) | $$-$$$$ Workforce Now ~$10/employee/month; Vantage custom enterprise pricing | 140+ countries with global payroll | All sizes, from small businesses to global enterprises |
Modern payroll and HCM platform with innovative social collaboration tools and employee experience features for mid-market companies | 8.2/10 (1800 reviews) | $$-$$$ Custom pricing; typically $15-$30/employee/month | Primarily US-based with limited international support | Mid-market organisations (50-5000 employees) |
Detailed Platform Analysis
In-depth review of each platform's payroll capabilities, HCM features, pricing, strengths, and limitations to help you choose the right solution for your organisation.
ADP
Key Features
- •Industry-leading payroll processing with unmatched accuracy
- •Comprehensive tax compliance and automated filing
- •Full-service benefits administration and ACA compliance
- •Global payroll covering 140+ countries
- •Workforce management with time tracking and scheduling
- •PEO and ASO services for outsourced HR
Limitations
- •Complex product lineup can be difficult to navigate
- •Inconsistent user experience across different modules
- •Expensive add-ons can significantly increase total cost
- •Variable customer service quality depending on account size
Best For:
Organisations of all sizes that need industry-leading payroll accuracy, robust tax compliance, and global payroll capabilities across 140+ countries.
Paylocity
Key Features
- •Robust payroll processing with on-demand pay options
- •Community social hub for employee collaboration and engagement
- •Integrated expense management with receipt capture
- •Workforce management with scheduling and time tracking
- •Full benefits administration with decision support tools
- •Built-in learning management system (LMS) for training
Limitations
- •Steeper learning curve for initial setup and configuration
- •Higher cost compared to some mid-market competitors
- •Complex customisation options can be overwhelming
- •Mobile app experience could be more polished
Best For:
Mid-market companies (50-5000 employees) looking for a modern payroll and HCM platform with innovative social collaboration and employee experience tools.
Comprehensive Feature Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of key features to help you understand what each platform offers for your payroll, HR, and workforce management needs.
Payroll & Compliance
HCM & Employee Experience
| Feature Category | ADP | Paylocity |
|---|---|---|
Scale & Market | Excellent All company sizes From small business (Run) to global enterprise (Vantage), serving 1M+ clients worldwide | Good Mid-market focus Purpose-built for 50-5000 employees with deep mid-market expertise |
Payroll | Excellent Industry-leading payroll Decades of payroll expertise with unmatched accuracy and global reach | Excellent Modern payroll experience Robust payroll with on-demand pay, intuitive interface, and strong compliance |
Modern Employee Experience | Limited Traditional HR focus Improving UX but still reflects legacy enterprise design across modules | Excellent Innovative social tools Community hub, peer recognition, video announcements, and modern UX |
Workforce Management | Excellent Comprehensive WFM suite Full time & attendance, scheduling, absence management, and labour analytics | Good Strong WFM tools Time tracking, scheduling, and geofencing with mobile clock-in |
Global Capabilities | Excellent 140+ countries supported GlobalView and Celergo for multi-country payroll and compliance | Limited Primarily US-focused Limited international capabilities; best suited for US-based organisations |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about choosing between ADP and Paylocity for your payroll and HCM needs.
Which platform is better for mid-market companies?
Paylocity is purpose-built for the mid-market segment (50-5000 employees) and offers a more modern, cohesive experience at that scale. Its Community social hub, built-in LMS, and expense management create a compelling employee experience. ADP serves all company sizes but its mid-market product (Workforce Now) can feel less innovative compared to Paylocity's more contemporary approach.
Which platform offers more modern employee experience features?
Paylocity leads in modern employee experience with its Community social collaboration hub, peer recognition tools, and built-in LMS. These features create a more engaging day-to-day experience for employees. ADP has been investing in its user experience but its platform still reflects its legacy enterprise roots, with a more traditional HR administration focus.
How do ADP and Paylocity compare on payroll capabilities?
Both platforms offer robust payroll processing with automated tax filing and compliance. ADP has the edge in sheer payroll expertise, having processed payroll for decades and handling an enormous volume of transactions globally. Paylocity offers competitive payroll with modern features like on-demand pay and a more intuitive payroll interface. For complex multi-state or multi-entity payroll, both are strong, though ADP's experience gives it a slight advantage.
Which is better for organisations with global payroll needs?
ADP is the clear winner for global payroll. With coverage in 140+ countries and dedicated global payroll solutions (ADP GlobalView, ADP Celergo), it is one of the most comprehensive global payroll providers available. Paylocity is primarily focused on the US market and has limited international capabilities, making it less suitable for companies with significant global operations.
How does pricing compare between ADP and Paylocity?
Both platforms use custom pricing, but ADP's total cost can vary widely depending on the product tier. Workforce Now starts around $10/employee/month but add-ons can raise costs significantly. Paylocity typically falls in the $15-$30/employee/month range with more features included as standard. For mid-market companies, Paylocity often provides better value per feature, while ADP's pricing makes more sense for very large enterprises or those needing global capabilities.
How long does implementation take for each platform?
ADP implementation timelines vary considerably based on the product: Workforce Now typically takes 8-12 weeks, while enterprise solutions like Vantage can take 6-12 months. Paylocity implementation generally takes 6-10 weeks for mid-market deployments, with a structured onboarding process and dedicated implementation specialist. Paylocity is often praised for its smoother implementation experience at the mid-market level.