RUN Powered By ADP vs Paycor Software: Complete Comparison
Discover which HR platform is the perfect fit for your business needs. Compare features, pricing, and user experiences to make an informed decision.
Platform Overview

RUN Powered By ADP
Run Powered By ADP is a cloud-based payroll and HR management software that optimizes various processes and enhances overall efficiency. It offers an intuitive platform and a myriad of automated features. Accessible via web browsers and mobile applications, this innovative platform addresses common pain points in payroll management, such as time-consuming calculations, compliance complexities, and reporting challenges.

Paycor Software
Paycor, now part of Paychex, is a comprehensive human capital management (HCM) platform that offers a unified system for payroll processing and core HR tasks. By automating routine tasks, it reduces manual errors and frees up HR professionals to focus on strategic initiatives.
Feature Comparison
Feature | RUN Powered By ADP | Paycor Software |
---|---|---|
Core Functionality & Automation | ||
Automated Payroll Processing | Full automation | AutoRun scheduling |
Tax Calculation & Filing | Federal/state/local | Federal/state/local |
Benefits & Deductions | Auto benefits sync | Auto deductions |
Off-cycle Payroll | Supported | Supported |
Direct Deposit | Same day available | Mobile Wallet access |
Payroll Frequency | All frequencies | Flexible schedules |
Multi-rate Pay | Multiple rates | Multiple rates |
Retroactive Pay | Auto calculations | Auto adjustments |
Compliance & Legal Management | ||
Multi-jurisdiction Support | Global multi-state | Multi-state expert |
Statutory Compliance | All 50 states + global | All 50 states |
Audit Trail | Comprehensive | Compliance dashboard |
Form Generation | All forms + global | W-2, 1099, tax forms |
Penalty Protection | Penalty protection | Proactive alerts |
Real-time Monitoring | Real-time monitoring | Real-time monitoring |
Compliance Certifications | SOC 2, industry standards | Standard certifications |
Integration & Scalability | ||
HRMS Integration | ADP ecosystem | HCM platform |
Accounting Connectivity | Extensive integrations | Accounting integrations |
Time & Attendance | ADP time tracking | Time tracking |
API Support | Extensive API | Available |
Employee Growth | Enterprise global | Small to enterprise |
Multi-entity Management | Global entities | Multi-entity |
Third-party Apps | 500+ integrations | Good integrations |
User Experience & Accessibility | ||
Admin Interface | Professional interface | Intuitive interface |
Employee Self-service | Employee portal | Employee portal |
Mobile Compatibility | Mobile app | Mobile access |
Multi-language Support | Multi-language | Limited |
Customization Options | Extensive | Good customization |
Setup Complexity | Complex setup | Moderate |
Training Requirements | Moderate to high | Moderate |
Security & Data Protection | ||
Data Encryption | Enterprise grade | Standard encryption |
Access Controls | Granular controls | Role-based |
Security Certifications | SOC 1/2, ISO standards | Standard security |
Backup & Recovery | Enterprise backup | Cloud backup |
Privacy Compliance | Global compliance | Standard compliance |
Audit Logging | Comprehensive | Standard logging |
Cost Structure & Support | ||
Base Pricing | Custom enterprise pricing | $99+ per month |
Payroll Add-on | Integrated platform | Included |
Implementation Cost | Higher setup | Moderate |
Hidden Fees | Enterprise transparent | Transparent |
Customer Support | 24/7 global support | Business hours support |
Service Guarantees | SLA guarantees | Tax compliance |
Global Payroll Cost | Available globally | Not available |
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RUN Powered By ADP vs Paycor Software: Complete Comparison

RUN Powered By ADP
Who We Recommend RUN Powered By ADP For
RUN Powered by ADP automates payroll and tax filing, easing compliance worries for growing businesses. It's especially helpful for small teams without a full human resources (HR) department. While setup might take some getting used to, the payoff is streamlined payroll and fewer tax headaches. A great fit if you're after reliability, scalability, and peace of mind.
Major Pros Based on Community Feedback:
- Sends timely reminders before and after processing payroll
- Easy and quick implementation
- The company takes full responsibility for anything that goes wrong on its end

Paycor Software
Who We Recommend Paycor Software For
Paycor streamlines payroll with its standout 'AutoRun' feature that automates pay cycles and ensures employees are paid on time, every time. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to use, though advanced customization may require some training. The software is ideal for businesses of all sizes that need efficient, compliant payroll and human resource (HR) tools.
Major Pros Based on Community Feedback:
- Easy-to-use calendar with access to open shifts and other locations' schedules
- Pay stubs are easily accessible in PDF format
- Convenient built-in messaging feature
Detailed Feature Comparison
Core Functionality & Automation
RUN Powered By ADP
RUN by ADP delivers automated payroll processing with integrated HR, benefits, and time tracking. It excels at compliance management and provides the foundation for businesses to scale into more advanced HCM capabilities while ensuring payroll accuracy and tax filing reliability.
Best use cases: Businesses needing accurate payroll with automated tax compliance, multi-state companies, and organizations that plan to scale into Workforce Now or Vantage.
Paycor Software
Paycor delivers comprehensive automated payroll processing with advanced workforce analytics, sophisticated time tracking, and integrated talent management capabilities. It excels at providing data-driven insights for workforce optimization while maintaining robust payroll accuracy and compliance automation.
Best use cases: Businesses requiring advanced workforce analytics and reporting, companies in frontline industries needing sophisticated time and labor management, organizations where data-driven workforce optimization and comprehensive HCM capabilities justify investment in feature-rich platform adoption.
Compliance & Legal Management
RUN Powered By ADP
RUN by ADP provides comprehensive compliance support with automated tax filing, garnishment handling, and proactive updates on changing federal, state, and local laws. It offers industry-leading compliance expertise with tools that reduce risk for SMBs.
Best use cases: Multi-state employers, regulated industries (healthcare, financial services), and organizations prioritizing compliance risk reduction.
Paycor Software
Paycor provides comprehensive US-focused compliance with automated tax calculations, multi-state support, and proactive regulatory monitoring with industry-specific expertise. It offers robust compliance management with integrated workforce analytics for compliance optimization and risk management.
Best use cases: Multi-state businesses in regulated frontline industries, companies requiring comprehensive labor law compliance with analytics support, and organizations where industry-specific compliance expertise and integrated workforce optimization justify comprehensive HCM platform investment.
Integration & Scalability
RUN Powered By ADP
RUN by ADP offers 600+ third-party integrations and robust APIs that connect payroll and HR data to accounting, ERP, and benefits systems. It scales effectively as businesses grow, with a clear migration path into ADP’s mid-market and enterprise HCM platforms.
Best use cases: Businesses using diverse systems, companies with complex workflows requiring broad connectivity, and organizations planning long-term growth.
Paycor Software
Paycor offers extensive integration capabilities with 300+ third-party applications and robust API platform supporting comprehensive business workflows. It scales effectively for growing businesses with architecture supporting increasing workforce complexity and operational sophistication in frontline industries.
Best use cases: Growing businesses needing comprehensive integration ecosystem, companies with complex operational workflows requiring extensive connectivity, and organizations where scalable platform architecture and broad integration support operational efficiency and growth initiatives.
User Experience & Accessibility
RUN Powered By ADP
RUN by ADP provides a user-friendly interface focused on payroll and HR essentials. While easy for payroll administrators to learn, advanced HR features may require training. Employees benefit from the intuitive ADP Mobile App for self-service.
Best use cases: Small businesses without dedicated HR teams, companies prioritizing payroll accuracy, and organizations wanting strong mobile self-service.
Paycor Software
Paycor provides feature-rich interface with comprehensive functionality that may require training for optimal utilization of advanced analytics and workforce management capabilities. Its powerful platform balances extensive features with usable design for both administrators and employees.
Best use cases: Businesses with dedicated HR and payroll staff requiring comprehensive workforce management tools, companies needing advanced analytics and reporting capabilities, and organizations where extensive functionality and workforce optimization features outweigh ease of use considerations.
Security & Data Protection
RUN Powered By ADP
RUN by ADP provides enterprise-grade security infrastructure with encryption, compliance certifications, and proactive fraud monitoring. It balances rigorous protection with broad employee access through mobile and web self-service.
Best use cases: Businesses handling sensitive payroll/employee data, regulated industries with strict requirements, and organizations needing trusted workforce security.
Paycor Software
Paycor provides robust security infrastructure with comprehensive data protection suitable for frontline industry requirements and workforce analytics. Security approach balances comprehensive protection with extensive employee access and mobile-first workforce management capabilities.
Best use cases: Frontline businesses requiring comprehensive security with mobile workforce support, companies handling sensitive workforce data with analytics requirements, and organizations where robust security infrastructure supports mobile-first operations and data-driven decision making.
Cost Structure & Support Quality
RUN Powered By ADP
RUN by ADP offers tiered pricing with custom quotes based on workforce size and features. Pricing is higher than some SMB payroll providers but reflects ADP’s compliance expertise and scalability. Support includes 24/7 assistance with payroll specialists, though service quality can vary.
Best use cases: Businesses investing in payroll accuracy and compliance, companies scaling into broader HCM capabilities, and organizations prioritizing trust and reliability over lowest cost.
Paycor Software
Paycor offers tiered pricing with custom quotes based on business needs, typically competitive within comprehensive HCM market while providing advanced analytics and industry-specific features. Pricing reflects sophisticated workforce management capabilities and comprehensive implementation support.
Best use cases: Businesses investing in comprehensive workforce optimization and analytics capabilities, companies where advanced HCM features and industry-specific tools provide measurable operational improvements, and organizations prioritizing data-driven workforce management over basic payroll processing costs.
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