# Gusto vs ADP Workforce Now: Features and Cost Comparison 2026 | Capterra > Gusto vs ADP Workforce Now: Which payroll tool is right for you? Dive into our detailed comparison of their features, costs, and user experience to make your decision. Source: https://www.capterra.com/compare/131882-155895/Gusto-vs-WorkforceNow --- # Gusto vs ADP Workforce Now Features and Cost Comparison Last updated March 13th, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team.[Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) Your comparison: GustoADP Workforce Now2/4 selected [Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/)[4.6 (4191)](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/reviews/) [ADP Workforce Now](https://www.capterra.com/p/155895/WorkforceNow/)[4.4 (7165)](https://www.capterra.com/p/155895/WorkforceNow/reviews/) [## Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/)[4.6 (4191)](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/reviews/) [## ADP Workforce Now](https://www.capterra.com/p/155895/WorkforceNow/)[4.4 (7165)](https://www.capterra.com/p/155895/WorkforceNow/reviews/) Starting Price $49.00/month Starting Price $49.00/month Value-for-Money 4.5 Functionality 4.5 Ease of Use 4.6 Customer Service 4.4 Starting Price Contact vendor Starting Price Contact vendor for pricing Value-for-Money 4.2 Functionality 4.3 Ease of Use 4.3 Customer Service 4.2 Reviews Sentiment Based on [4,191 reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/reviews/) Positive 3,915 Neutral 162 Negative 114 Positive 3,915 Neutral 162 Negative 114 Reviews Sentiment Based on [7,165 reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/155895/WorkforceNow/reviews/) Positive 6,307 Neutral 657 Negative 201 Positive 6,307 Neutral 657 Negative 201 Best for (according to reviews) - **Business size**: Small businesses account for 3,441 reviews, representing 83% of feedback, demonstrating broad uptake among this segment. - **Industry**: Computer software, marketing and advertising, and accounting collectively contribute 22% of reviews, indicating diverse industry adoption. - **Use cases**: Payroll (57%), human resources (19%), and onboarding (18%) are the main applications, reflecting a focus on workforce management. Best for (according to reviews) - **Business size**: Small businesses account for 3,681 reviews (52%), demonstrating broad uptake among this segment, with midsize and enterprise users contributing 24% and 18% of reviews respectively. - **Industry**: Hospital & health care, computer software, and non-profit management together represent 15% of reviews, indicating usage across diverse sectors without a single dominant industry. - **Use cases**: Payroll (61%), human resources (20%), and employee vacation & PTO tracking (18%) are primary functions, reflecting a focus on core HR and payroll management needs. ## Reviewer verdict Gusto Gusto users find it best for small businesses and startups seeking flexible payroll management, easy integration with accounting tools like QuickBooks, and automated HR functionalities. Reviewers appreciate its user-friendly interface, detailed payroll breakdowns, and scalable pricing, though they mention concerns about customer service and occasional tax compliance issues. ADP Workforce Now ADP Workforce Now reviewers consider it ideal for larger companies needing comprehensive payroll and employee management, customizable reporting, and a reliable self-service portal. Users value its intuitive payroll processing, robust tax management, and modular features, while noting that navigation can be complex and pricing may be less transparent for smaller organizations. ## Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs. ## Features comparison When comparing Gusto and ADP Workforce Now in the payroll space, it's important to look beyond price and assess the specific features each one offers. This ensures that the choice you make aligns with your needs and prevents unnecessary costs. Here's a look at some key factors to consider and how these options compare. \[[1](#source-item-1)\] Key features rated by users Features selected based on 64,282 reviews from Payroll users. about the Fit Score methodology. Fit Score methodology To calculate the Fit Score, our proprietary methodology factors in the following: - The importance level for each feature. By default, this is determined by user reviews. They can rate a feature Critical, High, Low, or Not Used. - Feedback from real users on how the product performs for each key feature, derived from verified user reviews and ratings. Please note: - To calculate the Fit Score, the number of reviews for those features and the actual rating carry the same weight. You might see that, in some cases, even though the ratings are the same, we still determine a winner because it had more reviews. - If the Fit Score is not shown for a specific product, that only means there are currently not enough relevant data points to develop a meaningful score. It does not indicate that the product should be excluded from further evaluation. Gusto 84%Fit Feature ratings Payroll Management 4.6 Direct Deposit 4.7 Payroll Reporting 4.5 Tax Compliance 4.4 ADP Workforce Now 87%Fit High performer Feature ratings Payroll Management 4.6 Direct Deposit 4.8 Payroll Reporting 4.6 Tax Compliance 4.6 Payroll Management 4.6 (760) 4.6 (1121) Gusto users appreciate the flexibility of scheduling payrolls, whether automated or manual, and the ability to manage various pay types including salaried, hourly, and contractors. They find the integration with time clocks and the detailed payroll breakdowns beneficial. However, some users report issues with late payments and customer service. ADP Workforce Now users value the intuitive interface and the ability to access pay stubs and other payroll documents easily. They also appreciate the accuracy and timeliness of payroll processing. In general, users find Gusto flexible and detailed, while they value ADP Workforce Now for its intuitive interface and reliable payroll processing. Direct Deposit 4.7 (508) 4.8 (817) Gusto users appreciate the direct deposit feature for its reliability and the ability to split payments across multiple bank accounts. They find it easy to set up and manage, although some users report occasional late payments. ADP Workforce Now users also value the direct deposit feature, highlighting its ease of setup and the ability to split deposits into multiple accounts. They appreciate the system's accuracy and the convenience of not having to handle paper checks. Overall, users find both platforms reliable for direct deposits, with Gusto offering flexibility in payment options and ADP Workforce Now providing a straightforward and accurate setup. Payroll Reporting 4.5 (464) 4.6 (767) Gusto users find payroll reporting easy to use and appreciate the integration with QuickBooks for expense allocation. They value the ability to generate detailed reports and the convenience of accessing payroll data via web and mobile apps. However, some users mention issues with incorrect payroll schedules. ADP Workforce Now users appreciate the clear and customizable payroll reports, which they say help in reconciling payroll and liabilities. They find the reporting feature critical for audits and easy to navigate. In summary, users value Gusto for its integration and detailed reports, while they find ADP Workforce Now's customizable and clear reporting essential for payroll management. Tax Compliance 4.4 (454) 4.6 (615) Gusto users appreciate the platform's ability to handle federal, state, and local tax compliance, including automatic generation of W-2 and 1099 forms. They find the tax compliance feature crucial for small businesses, although some users report issues with state tax compliance and customer service. ADP Workforce Now users value the ease of accessing tax documents and the platform's ability to handle complex tax compliance issues. They appreciate the clear presentation of tax deductions and the convenience of managing tax-related tasks. Overall, users find Gusto helpful for managing tax compliance, while they value ADP Workforce Now for its comprehensive and user-friendly tax management features. ## Pricing comparison ### Starting prices Gusto $49.00 Other (Per Month) Free Trial Free Version [View pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/pricing/) ADP Workforce Now Contact vendor for pricing ### Value-for-money analysis 4.5 (4191) 4.2 (7165) When it comes to the value for money of both Gusto and ADP Workforce Now, Gusto's user reviews tend to focus on its affordability and scalable pricing model, and ADP Workforce Now reviews call out its comprehensive features and potential cost savings for larger companies. Reviewers find Gusto's pricing competitive and scalable, making it suitable for small businesses and startups. They appreciate the variety of features included in the base package and the overall affordability compared to other providers. However, some users note that costs can increase significantly with additional features and a growing workforce. They also mention the lack of a free trial and the potential for hidden costs. As for ADP Workforce Now, reviewers appreciate its comprehensive features and the ability to add modules as needed, which they say can save time and resources. They also find it suitable for larger companies due to its robust functionality. However, users indicate that the pricing can be high, especially for smaller businesses, and that additional costs for modules and customizations can add up. They also mention the lack of transparency in pricing and the potential for high implementation costs. ## How does the user experience compare on Gusto vs ADP Workforce Now? ### Overall rating 4.6 (4191) 4.4 (7165) ### User interface Gusto ADP Workforce Now ### Customer service and support Gusto Email/Help Desk FAQs/Forum Knowledge Base Phone Support 24/7 (Live rep) Chat ADP Workforce Now Email/Help Desk FAQs/Forum Knowledge Base Phone Support 24/7 (Live rep) Chat ## What users say about the pros and cons of Gusto vs ADP Workforce Now These payroll software solutions have been evaluated by verified reviewers on Capterra. Check out what real users say about Gusto and ADP Workforce Now to find out which one would work best for your needs. Users appreciate Gusto for its efficient payroll management, noting its automated functionalities, user-friendly interface, and seamless integration with accounting software. They also value its pay administration features, highlighting the ease of tracking paystubs and managing payments. Additionally, reviewers find Gusto's HR management tools effective, citing its intuitive interface and comprehensive HR functionalities. Meanwhile, ADP Workforce Now is praised for its robust payroll management, with users mentioning its comprehensive features and ease of use. Reviewers also commend its employee management capabilities, noting the convenience of tracking employee activities. They appreciate the self-service portal for easy access to pay stubs and personal information. When it comes to cons, Gusto users frequently mention issues with customer service, citing inconsistent support and slow response times. They also find the pricing to be high and tax management problematic. At the same time, ADP Workforce Now users report difficulties with reporting, noting its complexity and lack of customization. They also find navigation cumbersome and updates challenging to keep up with. \[[2](#source-item-2)\] Pros Gusto Ryan P Graphic DesignerDesign, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “As an employee with the employer implementing Gusto as our way to clock hours and bill labor, I found it pretty simple and straightforward, with full transparency as far as being able to view accrued hours, break time etc.“ December 6, 2025 RK Raechel K Training ManagerConsumer Services, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “Gusto has given me the opportunity to do everything in one place, from record keeping to onboarding to calendar management and information disburesement.“ October 8, 2025 ADP Workforce Now HD Haley D Accounting AdminMedical Practice, 501 - 1,000 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “ADP Workforce Now offers a comprehensive all-in-one solution for payroll, HR, benefits, and time tracking which has been highly efficient for managing workforce operations in one centralized platform.“ March 2, 2026 SQ Samantha Q HR ManagerFood & Beverages, 1,001 - 5,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “ADP Workforce Now offers a comprehensive range of HR and payroll features in one platform. When everything works correctly, it’s convenient to have payroll, benefits, and employee data integrated in one system.“ November 12, 2025 Cons Gusto Hallye N Operations ManagerMechanical or Industrial Engineering, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: I used a free trial. “Slow support, rising per-employee costs, limited customization, weaker mobile app, and advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans.“ March 26, 2026 Sofia L Head Administrative AssistantAccounting, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “Gusto can get pricey depending upon the number of employees being serviced, and some employees have found it difficult to customize their withholdings.“ December 8, 2025 ADP Workforce Now NM N'dea M Human Resources TechnicianEducation Management, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “There have been time where the system has gone down and employees were not able to put there hours in only in a timely manner which caused delays in payroll or for manual entry after a payroll cycle has closed.“ October 31, 2025 DY Diana Y Former HR Specialist. No longer with Summit.Marketing and Advertising, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Their customer service was good when you could get them on the phone! Since most issues required fast resolution, it was often times irritating to have to wait for a call-back. And sometimes, the call-backs would tell you that You needed to be re-directed to a different area for resolution so that only increased frustration and delay.“ January 8, 2026 * * * Sources 1. Our research team identified features from vendor websites based on their analysis of what users find valuable or expect from payroll software. This list is not exhaustive. For additional features, refer to the vendor’s website. 2. Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts are evaluated for positive or negative sentiment and receive a sentiment score. They represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by Capterra or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar. * * * Need Help Deciding Between Gusto and ADP Workforce Now? Talk to a Capterra advisor for free and get results within 15 minutes. 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