Quick Summary
This article compares HR and payroll services to help you decide which is best for your organization. Gusto offers a user-friendly payroll and benefits solutions for small companies, while ADP provides robust customization for larger enterprises. Checkwriters strikes a balance, delivering a customer-centric experience with powerful automation and HR tools for organizations of all sizes.
Looking for a Reliable HR/Payroll Service?
Choosing the right HR and payroll service is crucial to your organization’s efficiency and compliance. With so many options available, it can be tough to decide which platform will best meet your needs. Should you go for Gusto, ADP, or Checkwriters?
In this guide, we’ll compare the key features, benefits, and differences between these three popular services. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which one suits your organization, whether you’re looking for automation, scalability, or exceptional customer support.
But before we begin…
Why Listen to Us?
At Checkwriters, we’ve worked directly with thousands of employers, to optimize their HR and payroll processes. For example, we customized our solution for the YMCA to ensure accurate and compliant payroll for 450 employees spread across multiple departments, helping the Finance and HR teams manage their responsibilities with accuracy and confidence.
It’s fun to “Pay” at the YMCA helps nonprofit customize Payroll + HF
By addressing pain points like compliance and payroll complexities, we’ve helped clients reduce administrative burdens and maintain consistent payroll accuracy, allowing organizations to focus more on growth and employee satisfaction.
Overview: Gusto vs. ADP vs. Checkwriters
Here’s a quick look at the differences between Gusto, ADP, and Checkwriters:
Ease of Use
Gusto: With its streamlined interface, Gusto is a good choice for small organizations with basic payroll requirements. Its setup and navigation are user-friendly, however some advanced features might be challenging for new users. It simplifies processes for hiring employees and contractors with helpful prompts and built-in compliance checks. This makes it relatively easy to manage on a small scale.
ADP: ADP provides a comprehensive payroll platform, although its complexity comes with a steeper learning curve, with some users reporting feeling “lost” in the system. While it caters to organizations of all sizes, new users may find it less intuitive and more difficult to get started, especially when configuring payroll across multiple departments or locations.
Checkwriters: Checkwriters shines when it comes to user-friendliness. The platform offers a straightforward interface with easy-to-navigate options that ensure you can handle even complex payroll tasks effortlessly.
Users appreciate the intuitive dashboard that simplifies everything from processing payroll to managing HR tasks like onboarding and reporting, making it ideal for organizations of any size looking for a stress-free experience.
Payroll Flexibility
Gusto: In its higher-tier plans, Gusto offers unlimited payroll runs and multiple pay schedules with same-day direct deposits. This makes it highly adaptable for small and medium organizations. Organizations requiring complex payroll configurations may find the options limited compared to more enterprise-focused solutions.
ADP: Known for its extensive payroll options, ADP supports multiple payment methods, pay schedules, and automated tax filings, catering well to larger enterprises. However, the rigid workflows may not be as efficient for smaller organizations.
Checkwriters: Checkwriters excels in flexibility. It allows organizations to set custom pay frequencies and automate payroll processes. Users report favorite features include payroll quick-entry a built-in net-to-gross calculator.Its system is well-suited for various business structures, from smaller businesses, to medium-sized non-profits and schools, to complex corporate setups, without compromising simplicity.
HR Tools
Gusto: Gusto is ideal for small to mid-sized businesses looking for simple, user-friendly HR tools seamlessly integrated with payroll. With Gusto, employees enjoy a self-onboarding experience, ensuring their sensitive information stays confidential. Plus, the platform provides access to time-tracking tools that automatically sync your team’s hours and time-off with payroll.
ADP: ADP offers a broader array of HR functionalities compared to Gusto, making it a good choice for businesses of all sizes—especially larger ones needing advanced features. With the HR Pro plan, ADP offers a range of features like background checks, labor law posters, a full suite of HR tools, forms, training, marketing resources, and legal assistance. While these offerings are impressive, they may come at a higher price and could be overwhelming for smaller organizations that might not require such extensive capabilities. For example, they charge extra fees to track hours and requests for time-off.
Checkwriters: Checkwriters transforms the HR experience with a customer-centric approach, specifically designed for small to mid-sized businesses. While Gusto targets smaller companies with its basic, user-friendly features, Checkwriters offers a powerful suite of HR tools that grow with your business. Unlike ADP’s complex and impersonal systems, Checkwriters delivers simplicity without losing depth, featuring advanced compliance tracking, performance management, and a seamless onboarding process. With unparalleled hands-on support, custom reporting, and an integrated employee self-service portal, Checkwriters offers the flexibility and service that Gusto and ADP often struggle to match.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of Checkwriters, Gusto, and ADP across the features that matter most:
| Category | Checkwriters | Gusto | ADP |
| Best For | Non-profits, schools, and other organizations of all sizes | Startups, small businesses | Large enterprises |
| Company Size | All business sizes | Small to mid-sized businesses | All sizes (esp. large businesses) |
| Pricing Structure | Custom quotes based on organizational needs | Transparent tiered pricing | Custom quotes |
| Core Employee Management Tools | Yes. Includes time tracking, benefits admin, and employee self-service | Yes. Included in the base package | Yes. Time tracking may attract extra fees |
| Applicant Tracking & Onboarding | Yes. Digital onboarding and job tracking tools included | Ye. Self-onboarding and basic tracking | Yes. Full-featured tracking and onboarding tools |
| Payroll Features | Yes. Include net-to-gross calculator, payroll quick entry, and multi-state support | Yes (higher tiers). Include basic automation, limited multi-state support | Yes. Include advanced features and multi-state payroll |
| Performance Management | Yes. Includes goal tracking, reviews, and performance dashboards | No | Yes. Included in the enterprise HR suite |
| Compliance Tools (Alerts, ACA, W-2s) | Yes. Includes alerts and tools only (no legal advice) | Yes. Limited advisory features only | Yes. Includes advisory and regulatory compliance assistance |
| Built-in Reporting | Yes. Customizable reports with export features | Yes. Standard reports only | Yes. Includes extensive enterprise-grade reporting |
| Third-Party Integrations | Yes. Supports accounting, time tracking, and benefits integrations with support | Yes | Yes |
| Ease of Use | Very intuitive. Designed for HR admins with minimal training | User-friendly. Simple for basic tasks | Complex. Steeper learning curve |
| Mobile Access for Admins & Employees | Yes. Full-featured app for both managers and staff | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated Support Contact | Yes. Direct line to a dedicated support rep | No. Offers a general support pool instead | Yes, but varies by plan |
| Support Availability & Quality | Live, US-based, reliable. High satisfaction reported | Business hours only with mixed reviews | Varies, often long wait times reported |
| Document Management | Yes, centralized and secure | Yes | Yes |
| Onboarding & Training Support | Yes. Personalized setup and user training included | Limited, mostly self-service | Yes, included with enterprise onboarding |
| Customization Options | High. Built to support unique workflows, especially for schools and nonprofits | Low, more rigid workflows | Very high, deep enterprise customization |
| Integration Support | Yes, assisted setup and troubleshooting are available | Yes | Yes |
| API or Custom Integrations | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Unique Strength | Nonprofit expertise, high-touch support, simplicity | Low-cost entry and easy onboarding | Scale and depth for complex organizations |
What is Gusto?
Gusto is an all-in-one payroll, HR, and benefits platform designed for small to mid-sized organizations. It simplifies payroll processes, automates tax filing, and provides integrated employee benefits solutions, making it easy to manage both employees and contractors.
Key Features
- Payroll Automation: Automate payroll processing with unlimited pay runs, same-day direct deposits, and automated tax filing for federal, state, and local taxes.
- Benefits Integration: Offer health insurance, 401(k) plans, and other benefits, all managed through the platform and integrated with payroll.
- Compliance Tools: Stay compliant with labor laws through built-in compliance alerts and filings for forms like 1099s and W-2s.
- Employee Self-Service: Employees can view pay stubs, tax forms, and manage benefits through an easy-to-use self-service portal.
Pros
- Great integration of benefits with payroll.
- Transparent pricing without long-term contracts.
Cons
- Limited functionality for medium and larger organizations with higher employee counts and multiple departments
- Some users report slow customer support response times.
Pricing
Starting at $40/month + $6/employee for the simple plan. The Plus and Premium plans cost $60/month and $135 per month.
What is ADP?
ADP provides an in-depth HR and payroll solution with advanced features suitable for organizations of all sizes. While it can be customized for enterprise-level needs, its complexity makes it a better fit for very large companies requiring robust payroll management and extensive HR capabilities.
Key Features
- Customizable Payroll: Flexible payroll solutions for organizations of any size, including multi-state payroll, global payroll, and tax filing services.
- HR Solutions: Access a full suite of HR tools, from benefits administration to recruiting, talent management, and employee training programs.
- Compliance Support: Built-in tools to ensure legal compliance, including tax filing, ACA tracking, and regulatory updates.
- Scalable for Enterprises: Designed for large-scale operations, with the flexibility to handle complex payroll and HR needs across multiple locations.
Pros
- Highly customizable, making it ideal for large enterprises.
- Offers extensive HR tools beyond payroll.
- Reliable compliance support, particularly for larger operations.
Cons
- Users report long wait times and inconsistent support quality, often resulting in inadequate problem resolution.
- Many users have reported that ADP has a complex interface and can be difficult to navigate, especially for those new to the platform.
Pricing
ADP provides custom quotes based on business needs following a consultation.
Best Gusto and ADP Alternative: Checkwriters
Checkwriters is a full-service HR and payroll platform that simplifies managing employee-related tasks for organizations of all sizes. Our platform focuses on a customer-centric approach with dedicated support, payroll and HR automation, and a straightforward interface.
Our all-in-one platform helps HR teams manage the entire employee life cycle. From applicant tracking to onboarding, attendance, payroll, HR tracking and compliance, and performance management, everything is taken care of in one place. Plus, we aim to keep your employees happy too by equipping them with a self-service application for pay data, w2s, time-off requests and more.
Key Features
- Automated Payroll and Compliance: Built-in tax filing and regulatory compliance tools, aiming for error-free payroll every time.
- Comprehensive HR Suite: Manages the entire employee lifecycle, from applicant tracking to onboarding and beyond, all in one platform.
- Dedicated Support: Offers personalized training and ongoing customer support, ensuring a stress-free experience for payroll and HR teams.
- Employee Self-Service Portal: Allows employees to manage their own payroll information, view documents, submit time-off requests, and more – reducing administrative workload. Our mobile app makes it more accessible for them to do so.
Pros
- User-friendly platform that combines payroll, HR, and compliance features.
- Mobile app ensures flexibility for employees and managers.
- Strong customer support with dedicated resources for onboarding and compliance.
Cons
- Custom pricing only available on request
Pricing
Custom pricing is available upon request based on the size and needs of your business.
How to Choose Between Checkwriters, Gusto, and ADP
Each platform is built with different types of organizations in mind. Use the questions below to help determine which one is the best fit for yours:
1. What kind of organization are you?
- If you’re a nonprofit, school, or mid-sized business, look for flexibility and personalized support. Checkwriters is designed for this.
- If you’re a startup, ease of use and affordability may be your top priorities. Gusto is well-suited for smaller teams.
- If you’re a large enterprise, you likely need deep customization and scalability. ADP and Checkwriters can handle that complexity.
2. How large is your team?
- If you have fewer than 100 employees, both Gusto and Checkwriters are good fits.
- If you’re managing over 250 employees, ADP and Checkwriters offer better tools and support for growing organizations.
3. How much internal HR or payroll expertise do you have?
- If you need help with setup, training, and day-to-day issues, Checkwriters provides direct access to a dedicated support representative.
- If you’re comfortable navigating a system on your own, Gusto and ADP are more self-service oriented.
4. What features are essential to your operations?
- If you need payroll, onboarding, time tracking, and performance management in one place, Checkwriters offers all of those..
- If performance management is a priority, both ADP and Checkwriters include it.
- If you only need basic HR and payroll features, Gusto provides a streamlined solution.
5. How do you want to handle compliance?
- If you prefer tools and alerts that help you stay informed while keeping control in-house, Checkwriters supports that approach.
- If you’re looking for deeper legal and compliance guidance, ADP offers that as part of its platform.
6. What’s your pricing preference?
- If you want transparent pricing up front, Gusto offers clear, tiered plans.
- If you prefer a quote tailored to your needs, Checkwriters and ADP both use custom pricing models.
7. Are you planning to grow or change?
- If your organization is likely to expand or take on more complexity, both Checkwriters and ADP are equipped to scale with you.
- If you expect to stay small and prioritize simplicity, Gusto may be the better fit.
Checkwriters: A Reliable HR/Payroll Platform for Your Business
Gusto, ADP, and Checkwriters each offer key features tailored to different HR and payroll needs. Gusto is best for small organizations needing basic tools and integrated benefits. ADP stands out with its extensive scalability and advanced HR capabilities, which are designed for large enterprises with complex requirements.
Checkwriters, on the other hand, makes payroll and HR simpler, smoother, and stress-free. With robust payroll automation, compliance tools, and award-winning support, you can ensure you’re never left navigating payroll and HR compliance alone.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one payroll and HR solution with robust customer support, Checkwriters is a strong choice. Request a demo today to see how it can simplify your payroll and HR management.