QuickBooks Payroll and ADP RUN are both full-service payroll options for small businesses, but they come from different angles. QuickBooks Payroll is best understood as a payroll add-on to QuickBooks Online. ADP RUN is a standalone payroll provider with deeper compliance capabilities.
All evaluations are based on publicly available information. We do not perform hands-on product testing.
Quick comparison
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| QuickBooks Payroll | ADP RUN | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Existing QuickBooks Online users | Compliance-heavy or multi-state payroll |
| Starting price | ~$50/mo + ~$6.50/employee | Quote-based ~$79/mo+ |
| Accounting integration | Native QuickBooks integration | Integrates with QuickBooks but not natively |
| Compliance support | Standard | Stronger — particularly for multi-state |
| Pricing transparency | Public pricing available | Quote-based only |
| Setup experience | Self-service | Heavier sales process |
Pricing is approximate and subject to change. Verify directly with each provider before purchasing.
The providers
If you use QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Payroll is the simpler and likely more cost-effective choice. Payroll data flows directly into your books, your accountant works in the same system, and you manage fewer tools.
ADP RUN makes sense if you have multi-state complexity or compliance requirements that go beyond what QuickBooks Payroll covers at your plan tier, and you are comfortable with a quote-based sales process.
The bottom line
If you use QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Payroll is the simpler and likely more cost-effective choice. ADP RUN makes sense if you have compliance requirements that go beyond what QuickBooks Payroll covers at your plan tier.
Related comparisons
Last reviewed: May 2026. Pricing and features subject to change. Verify details with each provider before purchasing.