SoftwareGlimpse
Updated 2026-08-18

ADP Workforce Now alternatives

Approved substitutes for ADP Workforce Now from existing SoftwareGlimpse catalogue peers and editorial assessments. This is a job-fit list, not a ranked best-of.

Looking beyond

ADP Workforce Now logo

ADP Workforce Now

7.3/10

Mid-market payroll + HR (Select / Plus / Premium packaging) — custom PEPM quote; no published seat $. Landscape vs Gusto.

Read our full ADP Workforce Now review →

Best overall alternative

Gusto logo

Gusto

7.1/10

Gusto is a catalogue substitute when US small businesses running payroll (and benefits) for the first time. Stay with ADP Workforce Now when Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto. Reasons come from approved editorial assessments — not a ranked best-of list.

Best ADP Workforce Now alternatives

  • 1
    Gusto logo

    Gusto

    Best overall

    Gusto is a catalogue substitute when US small businesses running payroll (and benefits) for the first time. Stay with ADP Workforce Now when Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto. Reasons come from approved editorial assessments — not a ranked best-of list.

    Best for
    US small businesses running payroll (and benefits) for the first time
    Starting price
    See pricing
  • 2
    Paylocity logo

    Paylocity

    Paylocity is a catalogue substitute when US mid-market companies (roughly 100–1,000 employees) that want payroll+HR in one modern platform. Stay with ADP Workforce Now when Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto. Reasons come from approved editorial assessments — not a ranked best-of list.

    Best for
    US mid-market companies (roughly 100–1,000 employees) that want payroll+HR in one modern platform
    Starting price
    See pricing
  • 3
    Paycor logo

    Paycor

    Paycor is a catalogue substitute when Growing US companies comparing Paycor vs Paylocity for payroll+HR. Stay with ADP Workforce Now when Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto. Reasons come from approved editorial assessments — not a ranked best-of list.

    Best for
    Growing US companies comparing Paycor vs Paylocity for payroll+HR
    Starting price
    See pricing
  • 4
    Rippling logo

    Rippling

    Rippling is a catalogue substitute when Companies that want HR, payroll, and IT provisioning on one employee record. Stay with ADP Workforce Now when Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto. Reasons come from approved editorial assessments — not a ranked best-of list.

    Best for
    Companies that want HR, payroll, and IT provisioning on one employee record
    Starting price
    See pricing

Compare alternatives side by side

Some links may be affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rankings and scores are never based on commission. Affiliate disclosure

Alternative details

Gusto

Gusto is a catalogue substitute when US small businesses running payroll (and benefits) for the first time. Stay with ADP Workforce Now when Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto. Reasons come from approved editorial assessments — not a ranked best-of list.

Better when

  • US small businesses running payroll (and benefits) for the first time
  • Teams that want published month-to-month pricing instead of HCM quotes

Worse when

  • Companies whose primary job is a full HRIS or people platform
  • High-volume recruiting / structured hiring ATS buyers

Key tradeoff: Gusto fits US small businesses running payroll (and benefits) for the first time; ADP Workforce Now fits Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto.

Paylocity

Paylocity is a catalogue substitute when US mid-market companies (roughly 100–1,000 employees) that want payroll+HR in one modern platform. Stay with ADP Workforce Now when Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto. Reasons come from approved editorial assessments — not a ranked best-of list.

Better when

  • US mid-market companies (roughly 100–1,000 employees) that want payroll+HR in one modern platform
  • Teams comparing Paylocity vs ADP Workforce Now vs Paycor

Worse when

  • Tiny teams that want Gusto’s published $49+$6 floor
  • Global enterprise HCM (Workday / Oracle)

Key tradeoff: Paylocity fits US mid-market companies (roughly 100–1,000 employees) that want payroll+HR in one modern platform; ADP Workforce Now fits Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto.

Paycor

Paycor is a catalogue substitute when Growing US companies comparing Paycor vs Paylocity for payroll+HR. Stay with ADP Workforce Now when Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto. Reasons come from approved editorial assessments — not a ranked best-of list.

Better when

  • Growing US companies comparing Paycor vs Paylocity for payroll+HR
  • Hourly verticals (healthcare, restaurants, manufacturing) that want HCM plus scheduling

Worse when

  • Teams that need a live published price card (Gusto)
  • Enterprise HCM (Workday / Oracle / UKG Pro)

Key tradeoff: Paycor fits Growing US companies comparing Paycor vs Paylocity for payroll+HR; ADP Workforce Now fits Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto.

Rippling

Rippling is a catalogue substitute when Companies that want HR, payroll, and IT provisioning on one employee record. Stay with ADP Workforce Now when Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto. Reasons come from approved editorial assessments — not a ranked best-of list.

Better when

  • Companies that want HR, payroll, and IT provisioning on one employee record
  • Fast-growing teams willing to model modular PEPM TCO

Worse when

  • Teams that only need simple US payroll (Gusto is the lighter start)
  • Buyers who want a dedicated ATS as the primary purchase (Greenhouse)

Key tradeoff: Rippling fits Companies that want HR, payroll, and IT provisioning on one employee record; ADP Workforce Now fits Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto.

Editorial note

Stay on ADP Workforce Now when Mid-market US employers that need payroll tax compliance depth beyond Gusto. Move to Gusto when US small businesses running payroll (and benefits) for the first time. Move to Paylocity when US mid-market companies (roughly 100–1,000 employees) that want payroll+HR in one modern platform. Move to Paycor when Growing US companies comparing Paycor vs Paylocity for payroll+HR. Move to Rippling when Companies that want HR, payroll, and IT provisioning on one employee record. Not a ranked best-of list — affiliate relationships never set the order.

How to choose a ADP Workforce Now alternative

  • Define your priorities

    List must-have workflows, team size, and budget before you fall for a feature checklist.

  • Compare your options

    Use the same criteria across products — and ignore affiliate status when you weigh fit.

  • Test before you decide

    Trial the shortlist with a real workflow. We only claim hands-on testing when it happened.

Affiliate disclosure: some links may be affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rankings and scores are never based on commission. Full disclosure

Methodology disclosure: scores and recommendations follow SoftwareGlimpse evaluation criteria (version 1.0.0). Affiliate relationships do not determine rankings.

How we recommend: product claims are tied to recorded research where available.

AI-assisted disclosure: drafts may be AI-assisted from approved facts and assessments. Humans approve publishable editorial judgments. AI does not invent live prices or claim hands-on testing.

Editorial methodology · Affiliate disclosure

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