Gusto vs ADP RUN in 2026

Verdict

Pick Gusto if you have 1–49 people, want published pricing, and will finish setup without a sales cycle. Pick ADP RUN if a lender, benefits broker, or CPA is already standardized on ADP and the quote beats Gusto after you model year two. Do not pick ADP because the brand feels “safer” without numbers. Do not pick Gusto Premium to impersonate a 400-person HCM.

Public pricing as of September 20, 2026

Gusto: Simple $49 + $6 per person, Plus $80 + $12, Premium $180 + $22, Contractor Only $35 + $6. Simple is single-state. Confirm gusto.com/product/pricing.

ADP RUN: not published as a national self-serve rate card. Packages are Essential, Enhanced, Complete, and HR Pro. ADP asks you to request pricing. Third-party blogs circulate estimates; we do not treat those as official.

• Ten people, one state, Gusto Simple: $49 + $60 = $109/month.
• Ten people, Gusto Plus: $80 + $120 = $200/month.
• Ten people, ADP RUN: the number on the quote, or you are guessing.

Compliance vs product

Both advertise full-service US payroll tax filings on standard small-business packages. Garnishments, SUI, and unglamorous work are why ADP’s brand exists. Gusto’s product is the same filings plus a UI a founder will finish. Rippling is the third fork if IT is the fire — see Rippling vs Gusto.

Switching off ADP later is possible; it is not a weekend. Switching off Gusto is also a project, but the sales motion to start is lighter.

Who should pick which

• First hire, one state: Gusto Simple.
• CPA/broker already on ADP and a good quote: RUN.
• Restaurant with Toast or Square: read restaurant payroll first.
• You need a PEO: Justworks, not this page.
• You want devices and HRIS: Rippling quote.