Gusto vs ADP: global payroll compared
Gusto and ADP scored on the same fields: starting price, payroll countries, pay cycles, payout currencies, integrations and reviews. The verdict comes first, the evidence follows.
Gusto
Should you choose Gusto or ADP for global payroll?
- Rating. Gusto is rated higher across G2, Capterra and Trustpilot.
Pick Gusto if
- +You also need contractor management, which ADP does not offer
- +US companies expanding internationally who want a familiar platform that has grown beyond domestic payroll
Pick ADP if
- +Companies that prioritize established providers with decades of compliance and tax filing experience over newer platforms
- +Businesses operating primarily in North America that need premium support and are willing to pay for it
Pick neither if you pay people in one or two countries. At that footprint a local payroll bureau is usually cheaper and closer to the rules. Platforms like these start paying off around the third country.
Gusto and ADP both sell global payroll to companies paying staff in several countries. Neither publishes a global payroll price, so both quote per company. Gusto: EOR through Remote, 9 countries (existing customers). ADP runs payroll in 140 countries.
Below, the two are scored on the same fields in the same order: starting price, payroll countries, pay cycles, payout currencies, integrations and third-party ratings. Nothing is left blank to make one side look better.
Gusto vs ADP: which fields differ?
8 of 10 fields differ. Green marks the stronger figure where one is objectively better. Identical fields are folded below the table.
| Payroll field | Gusto | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll countries | EOR through Remote, 9 countries (existing customers) | 140 |
| Payout currencies | — | 3 |
| GL & HRIS integrations | QuickBooks Online, Xero, Greenhouse | Workday, BambooHR, Greenhouse |
| Services | Employer of record, Global payroll, Contractors | Employer of record, Global payroll |
| Founded | 2011 | 1949 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, US | Roseland, US |
| Rating | 3.7 | 3.2 |
| Review volume | 16,358 | 8,077 |
Same on 2 fields: payroll price, pay cycles
| Payroll field | Gusto | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll price | Quote only | Quote only |
| Pay cycles | bi-weekly, semi-monthly | bi-weekly, semi-monthly |
Prices are the published starting rate. Ratings are averaged across G2, Capterra and Trustpilot; we do not collect ratings ourselves.
Gusto vs ADP: what does global payroll cost?
Neither publishes a global payroll price. Request quotes from both for the same countries and headcount.
| Service | Gusto | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Global payroll | Quote only | Quote only |
| Employer of record | Quote only | Quote only |
| Contractors | $35 per month + $6 per contractor | Not offered |
Starting rates from each provider's published pricing page. Country, headcount and contract length change the final number, so get both quotes for the same scope.
Still between Gusto and ADP? Send your countries, headcount and pay cycles once. We route the requirements to both and the proposals come back to you, priced for the same scope.
Request proposals from bothWhere can Gusto and ADP actually run payroll?
Gusto: EOR through Remote, 9 countries (existing customers). ADP runs payroll in 140 countries. ADP does not publish a per-country list, so we cannot map where both run payroll.
Which payroll features do Gusto and ADP offer?
Only Gusto lists payslip generation; only ADP lists hris integration.
| Feature | Gusto | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Services | ||
| Global payroll | ||
| Employer of record | ||
| Contractor management | — | |
| PEO | — | — |
| Payroll features | ||
| Employee self-service portal | ||
| Payslip generation | — | |
| Tax filing | ||
| HRIS integration | — | |
Feature lists come from each provider's own product pages. A dash means the feature is not listed there, not that it is missing from the product.
What are the pros and cons of Gusto vs ADP for payroll?
Drawn from our full reviews of each provider. Read them for the reasoning behind every point.
Gusto
Pros
- +For US payroll, Gusto files taxes, issues payslips and gives employees a portal and a mobile app.
- +Gusto publishes its plan prices, including a contractor-only plan.
- +Paying contractors abroad carries no monthly per-contractor fee, only a fee per payment.
Cons
- −Gusto runs no payroll outside the US. Its non-US employees are hired through Remote, which is the legal employer.
- −Since May 2026, Gusto sends new customers who want to hire abroad directly to Remote.
- −Each payment to a contractor abroad carries a fee, and the rate depends on how the contractor is paid.
ADP
Pros
- +Payroll, HR and benefits come from one long-established vendor, so a company already on ADP in the US can keep one supplier as it adds countries.
- +Tax filing is handled in the platform, not left to the payroll team to submit country by country.
- +Employees get a self-service portal and a mobile app for payslips and personal details.
- +A public API and HRIS integrations let you connect payroll to the systems you already run.
Cons
- −ADP publishes no global payroll price. Every deployment is quoted, so you cannot compare cost before a sales call.
- −ADP publishes a country total but no per-country list. Ask in writing which of your countries run on ADP's own payroll and which run through a partner.
Frequently asked questions about Gusto vs ADP
Is Gusto or ADP cheaper?
Contact the providers directly for custom pricing based on your needs.
Which has more country coverage, Gusto or ADP?
Gusto: EOR through Remote, 9 countries (existing customers). ADP runs payroll in 140 countries.
Which is better rated, Gusto or ADP?
Gusto has a higher average rating. Gusto is rated 3.7/5 (16,358 reviews), while ADP is rated 3.2/5 (8,077 reviews).
Is Gusto or ADP better for small businesses?
This depends on your specific needs. Gusto is best for: US companies expanding internationally who want a familiar platform that has grown beyond domestic payroll, Businesses managing a mix of full-time employees and contractors across multiple countries. ADP is best for: Companies that prioritize established providers with decades of compliance and tax filing experience over newer platforms, Businesses operating primarily in North America that need premium support and are willing to pay for it. Consider factors like pricing, minimum employee requirements, and the countries you need coverage in.
Can I switch from Gusto to ADP (or vice versa)?
Yes, you can switch payroll providers. Most providers offer migration assistance to help transfer employee data and payroll history. The transition typically takes 30-60 days depending on complexity. Contact your target provider's sales team to discuss the migration process and timeline.
What services do Gusto and ADP offer?
Gusto offers: Employer of Record (EOR), Global payroll, Contractor management. ADP offers: Employer of Record (EOR), Global payroll. Both can handle global workforce management, but their specific service offerings differ.
Compare with other providers
Get the same quote from both.
Ask Gusto and ADP for pricing on the same countries and headcount. The starting rates above only tell part of the story.