Choosing the best hird-party payroll providers for your business is one of the most critical aspects of running a business.

electing the right software and payroll company can make all the difference to make running payroll consistent.

In this post, I’m breaking down four popular payroll providers—Gusto, Roll by ADP, Run by ADP, and OnPay—to help you find the best fit for your business needs.

Stick around for my awards ceremony, where I crown winners in key categories and share which payroll providers to avoid at all costs.

For more details and exclusive deals, visit JamieTrull.com/Payroll.

Why These Four Payroll Solutions?

After extensive research and years of experience with outsourcing payroll services, I’ve chosen these four platforms for their reliability, features, and support.

Whether you’re a solopreneur, a growing business, or a company with complex payroll needs, one of these online payroll services could be your perfect match.

Gusto: The Scalable Favorite

Pros:

• Scalability: Grows with your business, offering options for businesses with a few employees to over 100.
• User-Friendly: Intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate.
• Comprehensive Features: Includes full HR capabilities and benefits at higher-tier plans.
• Customer Support: Strong support on higher-tier plans.

Cons:

• Tiered Pricing: Lower plans lack features like multi-state payroll.
• Cost for Multi-State Payroll: Only available on higher-tier plans, which can be expensive for smaller businesses.

Best For: Growing businesses that want a platform to scale with them.

Roll by ADP: The Budget-Friendly Option

Pros:

• Simplicity: App-based platform perfect for quick payroll runs.
• Affordable: $24/month + $5 per employee with my affiliate link.
• Low Maintenance: Great for small teams, S Corps, and hiring your kids.

Cons:

• Limited Features: No advanced HR or employee benefits options.
• Best for Small Teams: Not ideal for businesses with more than 10 employees.

Best For: Small businesses, new S Corps, or family-run operations needing a simple, cost-effective solution.

Run by ADP: The Complex Payroll Powerhouse

Pros:

• Robust Features: Handles multi-state payroll tasks, benefits, and advanced HR needs.
• Personalized Support: Dedicated reps available for assistance.
• Expertise: ADP is a trusted industry leader.

Cons:

• Complexity: May feel overwhelming for smaller businesses.
• Cost: Pricing is higher and less transparent.

Best For: Medium-sized businesses or those with complex payroll and HR needs.

OnPay: The Best Value for the Price

Pros:

• Flat Fee Structure: No tiers—all features included at one price.
• Affordable: Comparable to Gusto’s lowest tier but includes more features.
• Excellent Service: Dedicated onboarding support and multiple customer service options.
• Multi-State Payroll Included: No extra fees for multi-state operations.

Cons:

• Scaling Limitations: May not be ideal for businesses with more than 10 employees.

Best For: Small businesses needing an all-inclusive, affordable payroll solution.

2025 Payroll Awards: Best in Class

1. Best for Simplicity and Ease of Use

Winner: Roll by ADP

• Perfect for small teams, S Corps, and those looking for an intuitive, mobile-first platform.

Runner-Up: OnPay – More features but still user-friendly.

2. Best for Growing Businesses

Winner: Gusto

• Grows with your business, offering advanced HR features in higher-tier plans.

Runner-Up: Run by ADP – A great option for scaling businesses needing advanced capabilities.

3. Best Value for the Price

Winner: OnPay

• Includes multi-state payroll and HR features at a lower price than competitors.

Runner-Up: Gusto – Great value despite its tiered pricing.

4. Best Customer Service and Support

Winner: OnPay

• Offers phone, chat, and email support with dedicated onboarding assistance.

Runner-Up: Run by ADP – Excellent white-glove support for complex needs.

5. Best for Complex Payroll Services

Winner: Run by ADP

• Handles complex needs like multiple pay rates, benefits, and HR seamlessly.

Runner-Up: Gusto – High-tier plans offer advanced features for complex setups.

6. Best for HR Tools and Integration

Winners: Gusto and OnPay

• Gusto: Full HR capabilities for those on higher-tier plans.
• OnPay: HR basics like onboarding and handbooks included at no extra cost.

Payroll Providers to Avoid

QuickBooks Payroll

• Issues: Poor customer service and limited features compared to standalone payroll systems.
• Integration: Works well with QuickBooks accounting, but all the recommended platforms here integrate seamlessly as well.

Paychex

• Cons: Lack of transparency in pricing and frequent extra fees.
• Reviews: Service often falls short of expectations.

Find Your Best Fit

With so many payroll options, it’s essential to choose one that fits your business size, complexity, and goals. For a decision tree and exclusive deals, visit JamieTrull.com/Payroll.

Ready to simplify your payroll process? Check out JamieTrull.com/Payroll for in-depth recommendations, special deals, and a handy decision tree to find the best payroll software for your business.

Got questions?

Drop them in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more payroll and finance tips!

This transcript is a companion copy from the video and has been formatted for readability.

Welcome, fellow business owners, to the first annual Payroll Awards!

Today, we’re diving into four popular payroll platforms—Gusto, Roll by ADP, Run by ADP, and OnPay—to highlight their pros, cons, and the best use cases for each. Plus, stick around for the platforms you should avoid at all costs.

I’ve spent years researching payroll providers and using these systems myself, so I’m confident I can help you make an informed decision. To follow along and access my special deals and recommendations, visit JamieTrull.com/payroll.

The Nominees: Top Payroll Providers for 2025

1. Gusto

Pros:

• Scalable plans to grow with your business.
• Offers benefits and HR features at higher tiers.
• Intuitive user interface.
• Excellent customer service at higher-tier plans.

Cons:

• Tiered pricing can limit features for lower plans.
• Multi-state payroll only available on higher plans, which may be cost-prohibitive for small teams.

Best For: Growing businesses that need advanced HR features and scalability.

2. Roll by ADP

Pros:

• Simple and app-based, perfect for running payroll on the go.
• Low cost: $24/month + $5 per employee (with my link).
• Ideal for S Corps or hiring your kids due to ease of use.

Cons:

• Limited features—no advanced HR or benefits capabilities.
• Best for businesses with fewer than 5–10 employees.

Best For: Small businesses or those just starting payroll, like S Corps and family-run operations.

3. Run by ADP

Pros:

• Designed for small to medium-sized businesses with up to 100 employees.
• Advanced HR and benefits options.
• Personalized support, including dedicated reps.

Cons:

• Pricing isn’t transparent—you’ll need a quote.
• More complex than simpler solutions, which may be overkill for smaller businesses.

Best For: Businesses with complex payroll needs or plans to scale significantly.

4. OnPay

Pros:

• Single-tier pricing with all features included (e.g., multi-state payroll, HR tools).
• Affordable and transparent pricing.
• Excellent customer service, including onboarding support.

Cons:

• Less suited for businesses with over 10 employees compared to Gusto or Run by ADP.

Best For: Small businesses wanting robust features without a tiered pricing structure.

The 2025 Payroll Awards

1. Best for Simplicity and Ease of Use

Winner: Roll by ADP
Why: Its app-based design and intuitive interface make it perfect for running payroll on the go.

Runner-Up: OnPay—while simple, it also offers more features.

2. Best for Growing Businesses

Winner: Gusto
Why: Gusto’s tiered plans grow with you, offering robust HR tools as you scale.

Runner-Up: Run by ADP—another strong option for scaling businesses.

3. Best Value for the Price

Winner: OnPay
Why: A single-tier pricing structure means you get all features (including HR tools) at a lower cost.

Runner-Up: Gusto—still a good value despite its tiered pricing.

4. Best Customer Service and Support

Winner: OnPay
Why: Provides phone, chat, and email support, plus a dedicated onboarding representative.

Runner-Up: Run by ADP—for businesses needing personalized, white-glove support.

5. Best for Complex Payroll Services

Winner: Run by ADP
Why: Handles multi-state payroll, benefits, and various pay rates with ease.

Runner-Up: Gusto—offers advanced features at higher-tier plans.

6. Best for HR Tools and Integration

Winners: Gusto and OnPay
Why: Gusto is ideal for advanced HR needs, while OnPay offers solid HR tools at a lower price.

Payroll Providers to Avoid

1. QuickBooks Payroll

• Limited customer support and not as feature-rich as other options.
• While it integrates well with QuickBooks accounting, standalone payroll providers offer better service and scalability.

2. Paychex

• Pricing lacks transparency, and additional fees make it costlier than competitors.
• Customer service reviews are less favorable compared to other providers.

Choose the Right Payroll Provider for Your Business

Finding the right payroll solution depends on your business size, complexity, and needs:

• Need simplicity? Roll by ADP is perfect.
• Planning to grow? Gusto or Run by ADP are top choices.
• Want the best value? OnPay offers robust features at a competitive price.

Get Started Today

Explore my decision tree and access exclusive deals for these payroll platforms at JamieTrull.com/payroll. Whether you’re paying yourself as an S Corp or scaling a larger team, there’s a solution here for you!

Got questions? Leave them in the comments or join me for my next Power Numbers Live Show. See you soon!

Finance Softwares: 3 Types Your Business Needs In 2025