The short answer
Both are ADP products and both quote. RUN Powered by ADP is payroll and HR for small businesses from one employee, with 24/7 phone and chat support; workers' comp, health insurance and retirement are add-ons.
LeadChange Score: editorial assessment based on public information.
ADP TotalSource wins 1ADP RUN Powered by ADP wins 21 tie
| Dimension | ADP TotalSource | ADP RUN Powered by ADP |
|---|---|---|
| PricingBoth quote. RUN lists extra fees, such as W-2 and 1099 forms and higher fees for off-cycle payrolls; ADP TotalSource publishes no fee list on the pages we reviewed. Quote only | Quote only | Quote only |
| CapabilitiesRUN covers payroll, tax filing, contractor payments, recruiting through ZipRecruiter, onboarding and HR HelpDesk support. ADP TotalSource adds what a PEO carries: benefits administration, workers' compensation and HR compliance. Payroll, Payroll tax filing, Contractor payments, HR support (HR HelpDesk), Recruiting (ZipRecruiter; applicant tracking by CareerPlug in HR Pro), New hire onboarding, Learning management (HR Pro), Garnishment payment service, State Unemployment Insurance management, Bill pay and invoicing, Time and attendance (add-on) | 6 of 10 core capabilities | 9 of 10 core capabilities |
| IntegrationsRUN exports to QuickBooks, Xero, Wave and Creative Solutions and connects to Clover. ADP TotalSource documents fewer connections on the pages we reviewed. Run payroll from a computer, the mobile app or by phone, RUN & DONE automatic recurring payroll, Multi-jurisdiction and multi-company payroll, General ledger export to QuickBooks, Xero, Wave and Creative Solutions, Direct deposit, Wisely Direct card and ADPCheck pay options, W-2 and 1099 creation and IRS e-filing, Bill pay and client invoicing (third-party service), Clover POS integration | 2 documented | 15 documented |
| Fit and supportADP TotalSource assigns a dedicated HR business partner and serves small and midsize businesses. RUN offers 24/7 payroll support by phone or chat, and HR HelpDesk on its Complete and HR Pro packages. Dedicated HR business partner, ADP MyLife Advisors (employee support) | Small businesses, mid-market companies | Small businesses |
| Attribute | ADP TotalSource | ADP RUN Powered by ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Small businesses, mid-market companies | Small businesses |
| Mobile apps | ADP mobile app | RUN Powered by ADP app (iOS), RUN Powered by ADP app (Android) |
| Support channels | Dedicated HR business partner, ADP MyLife Advisors (employee support) | Phone, chat, email (Payroll Center), in-product help center, HR HelpDesk by phone and email (Complete and HR Pro) |
| Typical implementation | Typically within a few weeks | Some customers are up and running within 2 days; others transition over a period of weeks |
| Headquarters | Roseland, New Jersey, US | Roseland, NJ, US |
| Attribute | ADP TotalSource | ADP RUN Powered by ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Quote only | Quote only |
| Price transparency | Quote only | Quote only |
| Automatic tax filing | ||
| Founded | 1949 | 1949 |
| Ownership | Publicly traded | Publicly traded |
Pricing. Both quote. RUN lists extra fees, such as W-2 and 1099 forms and higher fees for off-cycle payrolls; ADP TotalSource publishes no fee list on the pages we reviewed.
Capabilities. RUN covers payroll, tax filing, contractor payments, recruiting through ZipRecruiter, onboarding and HR HelpDesk support. ADP TotalSource adds what a PEO carries: benefits administration, workers' compensation and HR compliance.
Integrations. RUN exports to QuickBooks, Xero, Wave and Creative Solutions and connects to Clover. ADP TotalSource documents fewer connections on the pages we reviewed.
Fit and support. ADP TotalSource assigns a dedicated HR business partner and serves small and midsize businesses. RUN offers 24/7 payroll support by phone or chat, and HR HelpDesk on its Complete and HR Pro packages.
Security. Neither names a security certification on the pages we reviewed.
No. RUN is ADP’s payroll and HR service for small businesses, from one employee. ADP TotalSource is ADP’s PEO: it co-employs your staff and includes workers' compensation and benefits administration.
Not in the package: workers' compensation is an add-on with every RUN package. ADP TotalSource includes it, together with risk and safety programs.
Both are quoted. RUN comes in four packages, from Essential Payroll to HR Pro Payroll & HR, and lists extras such as W-2 and 1099 forms.
Small and midsize businesses that want a PEO in all 50 states. RUN is for small businesses, from a single employee, that run payroll themselves.
For a small business that keeps HR in-house, yes: RUN covers payroll, tax filing, onboarding and HR HelpDesk support. Moving up to ADP TotalSource adds co-employment, included workers' comp and a dedicated HR business partner.
Yes. ADP Assist answers payroll and HR questions, flags payroll errors before a run and imports timesheets. ADP TotalSource’s pages describe analytics and reporting and an employee app with 24/7 access, with no AI feature named.
Your team size, what matters most and your role: see which one fits more of your answers, from verified facts and list prices. Then, if you like, ask to hear from both.
LeadChange may earn a fee when you request pricing through our site or follow a sponsored link. Rankings never depend on whether a vendor pays us.We may earn a fee.
How we make money
LeadChange may earn a fee when you request pricing through our site or follow a sponsored link. Rankings never depend on whether a vendor pays us.
What the LeadChange Score means
A 0–10 editorial assessment built only from verified facts, across six weighted dimensions: capabilities, pricing, integrations, security, fit and support, and data confidence.
Payments, commissions and lead fees are never inputs.
