Your business is growing, and your payroll needs are evolving—especially across multiple locations and countries. While many companies rely on ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.) as a trusted payroll provider, some organizations opt for ADP alternatives that are tailored to their specific structure, scale, or global reach.
If you’re exploring new payroll solutions, this guide covers key factors to consider—and how to transition smoothly to a different platform.
Top 6 ADP alternatives
Although ADP is a well-known HR outsourcing company, it’s not the only option. Here are six alternatives that might be better for your business.
1. Oyster
Oyster is a global employment platform designed for companies hiring and managing international teams. While legacy providers like ADP require multiple add-ons and manual workarounds to handle global employment, Oyster delivers everything in one seamless platform.
With Oyster, you get:
- End-to-end global payroll: Simplify your international payroll operations with automatic tax calculations and compliance.
- Localized compliance and benefits: Make sure everyone gets the right protections, healthcare insurance, and statutory benefits without legal headaches.
- Effortless talent acquisition: Hire full-time employees or contractors in 180+ countries without setting up foreign entities.
- Seamless payment processing: Pay employees on time, every time, without dealing with currency exchange issues or compliance risks.
Best for: Companies with remote, global teams
Pricing: Custom pricing based on company needs, so you only pay for the services you need.
2. Gusto
Gusto’s user-friendly interface allows businesses to automate payroll processing, tax filings, and compliance support. It offers tools for hiring, onboarding, and employee benefits management. And it integrates with other business tools like QuickBooks and Xero.
Best for: Small businesses seeking all-in-one HR and payroll software
Pricing: Starts at $40/month plus $6/employee. Pricing scales depend on the features and size of your business
3. Papaya Global
Papaya Global is a cloud-based platform serving companies with multinational employees. It integrates with global payroll and tax systems to maintain compliance in every country where you operate.
Papaya Global simplifies running payroll by automating manual tasks, such as calculating salaries and handling cross-border payments.
Best for: Businesses with multinational employees needing localized payroll solutions
Pricing: Starts at $20/month/employee
4. Rippling
Rippling combines HR, IT, and payroll management into one unified platform. Its ability to integrate with various third-party tools—like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365—means you can manage everything from employee benefits to device management in one place.
Best for: Growing businesses needing an all-in-one workforce management system
Pricing: Starts at $8/employee/month
5. Paychex Flex
Paychex Flex is a solid choice if you're looking for a payroll and HR system that grows alongside scaling businesses. Whether you're a small startup or a large organization, it offers flexible tools to handle compensation, taxes, and employee benefits.
Best for: Companies seeking flexible payroll and HR solutions that scale with them
Pricing: Tailored to your company’s size and specific needs
6. OnPay
OnPay is an affordable payroll software that’s perfect for small businesses. It provides comprehensive services, including tax filing, benefits management, and integration with accounting software. This platform automates tasks that would generally consume a lot of your time, allowing you to focus on what matters: growing your business.
Best for: Small businesses needing an affordable and efficient payroll solution
Pricing: Starts at $40/month plus $6/employee
How to choose the right ADP alternative
Choosing the best payroll provider isn’t just about price—it’s about finding a solution that fits your business’s unique needs. Here are key factors to consider.
Information security
Payroll data isn’t just numbers—it’s highly sensitive financial and personal information that demands top-tier protection. A data breach could mean financial loss, legal consequences, and a serious hit to employee trust.
That’s why your payroll provider should go beyond basic security measures. Look for one that meets stringent global compliance standards (like GDPR, SOC II, and ISO 27001), uses end-to-end encryption, and adheres to international data transfer frameworks like the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework. The best providers proactively update their security protocols and offer audit trails and access controls to ensure that your data stays in the right hands.
User interface and accessibility
Ease the learning curve for your whole team by choosing an interface that feels intuitive and easy to use. Clear navigation, automated workflows, and a streamlined dashboard all help HR teams work efficiently, even without technical expertise.
Bonus points if your provider offers mobile accessibility, so you can approve payroll, check reports, and manage employee records on the go.
Scalability
As your business expands, payroll complexity can skyrocket. A truly scalable solution doesn’t just handle headcount increase—it also supports global compliance, automatic tax calculations, and localized payment processing without requiring endless workarounds.
Support and service reliability
Find a provider with fast, knowledgeable, and always-available support to avoid payroll mistakes and delays. A great service will proactively help you avoid issues with compliance guidance, payroll audits, and ongoing system improvements.
Switching from ADP to a new payroll software: 5 steps
Here’s a simple five-step process to make switching less daunting:
- Organize and secure your payroll data: Gather and verify all essential payroll records to prevent missing information down the line. Make sure you have employee details, historical payroll reports, tax filings and compliance documents, direct deposit information, and payment schedules. ADP offers report exporting to help with this process.
- Be thoughtful about timing: Timing your switch helps you avoid payment disruptions and tax filing errors. The best time to transition is at the end of a payroll cycle or quarter, ensuring a clean cut-off between providers.
- Configure your new payroll system: Once your data is ready, work with your payroll provider to set up payment schedules, verify compliance, and input historical payroll data. A great provider will also provide hands-on onboarding support as you go through this process.
- Test before you commit: Before officially making the switch, conduct a parallel payroll run—processing payroll in both ADP and your new system for one cycle. This way, you can catch discrepancies before real payroll is processed.
- Train your team: A payroll switch affects the entire organization, so provide training team-wide. This should include hosting hands-on training sessions and FAQ meetings as well as sharing support resources.
Optimize your HR operations with Oyster
Making the switch from ADP to another platform isn’t typically a simple task—but Oyster makes it easy.
With Oyster’s global payroll, you can manage your international payroll operations seamlessly and compliantly from a single dashboard. From ensuring tax compliance to pulling employee data for a quarterly review, our intuitive system integrates with your existing processes, providing accurate and scalable solutions every time.
Visit Oyster today and see why we’re the preferred choice for businesses aiming for global growth.
FAQs
ADP vs. Gusto: Which is the better payroll software for you?
ADP is a more robust solution for larger businesses, offering global payroll and advanced reporting. Gusto is a more affordable and user-friendly option suited for small to medium-sized businesses. Gusto excels in employee benefits management, while ADP caters to more complex, global needs.
ADP vs. Paychex: Which is right for your HR needs?
Paychex offers a more customizable and personable service, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. ADP serves more businesses with its global reach and extensive HR features. While Paychex is known for strong customer service, ADP has broader capabilities for growing companies.
ADP vs. Paycor: Which payroll platform is better for your business?
Paycor is great for mid-sized businesses that need a simpler, user-friendly payroll software. ADP is designed for companies of all sizes, offering more robust integration and reporting features. Paycor is ideal for businesses seeking simplicity, while ADP is better for companies with complex payroll needs.
ADP vs. Rippling: Which platform offers the best HR solutions?
Rippling brings together HR, payroll, and IT management in one platform, making it ideal for tech-focused businesses. And ADP offers a more traditional approach with a wide range of HR and payroll features geared toward larger companies.
Which is the best payroll system?
The best payroll system depends on your business needs. Oyster is a strong choice for global teams, Gusto and OnPay are user-friendly and affordable for small businesses, and Rippling is ideal for companies that need IT and HR integration.
How many companies use ADP for payroll?
ADP serves more than 1.1 million clients worldwide, ranging from small businesses to large enterprises. In the United States alone, about 28,791 companies rely on ADP’s payroll services.
What are the different ADP platforms?
ADP offers several platforms for different business needs, including:
- ADP Workforce Now: Designed for medium–large businesses, covering payroll, HR, and compliance.
- ADP RUN: A simple payroll solution for small businesses.
- ADP Vantage HCM: An advanced platform for large enterprises, offering HR analytics and workforce planning.
- ADP TotalSource: A PEO service providing payroll and HR services for small to mid-sized businesses.
- ADP Streamline: A global payroll solution for international employees.
- ADP SmartCompliance: A platform focused on managing tax and employment law compliance.
ADP Mobile Solutions: A mobile app for employees to access payroll and HR info on the go.
About Oyster
Oyster is a global employment platform designed to enable visionary HR leaders to find, engage, pay, manage, develop, and take care of a thriving distributed workforce. Oyster lets growing companies give valued international team members the experience they deserve, without the usual headaches and expense.
Oyster enables hiring anywhere in the world—with reliable, compliant payroll, and great local benefits and perks.
