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ADP TotalSource vs ADP Workforce Now

The short answer

Both are ADP products sold by quote. ADP Workforce Now is payroll, HR, benefits, time and talent software for mid-market and enterprise employers, in three packages: Select, Plus and Premium. ADP TotalSource is the PEO: ADP co-employs your staff, includes workers' compensation and assigns an HR business partner.

By LeadChange Research TeamUpdated Facts checked
Not scored yet7 of 27 facts verifiedFacts checked Oct 19, 2026
Best for
Small and midsize businesses that want a full-service PEO from ADP

Choose ADP TotalSource if

  • You want ADP to co-employ your staff and carry workers' compensation.
  • You run a small business: ADP TotalSource serves small and midsize companies.
  • You want benefits that include an EAP and pet wellness.
  • You want HR compliance guidance and investigations from ADP.
Not scored yet9 of 27 facts verifiedFacts checked Oct 21, 2026
Best for
Midsize and large US employers that want payroll and HR in one suite

Choose ADP Workforce Now if

  • You run HR in-house at mid-market or enterprise scale.
  • You want clock-ins by badge, PIN, face or finger, with geofencing.
  • You want off-cycle payments at no additional cost.
  • You want AI help with pay changes, retro pay and workforce analytics.

LeadChange Score: editorial assessment based on public information.

Scorecard

ADP TotalSource wins 0ADP Workforce Now wins 03 ties

ADP TotalSource vs ADP Workforce Now by dimension
DimensionADP TotalSourceADP Workforce Now
PricingBoth quote. Workforce Now comes in Select, Plus and Premium; benefits administration starts in Plus and time and attendance in Premium. Quote onlyQuote onlyQuote only
CapabilitiesWorkforce Now covers payroll, HR, benefits administration, time and talent. ADP TotalSource covers payroll and tax, benefits, workers' compensation, HR compliance and talent acquisition as a PEO. Payroll and tax administration, Benefits administration, Workers' compensation and risk management, HR compliance, Talent acquisition, Onboarding, Analytics and reporting3 of 12 core capabilities3 of 12 core capabilities
Fit and supportADP TotalSource serves small and midsize businesses with a dedicated HR business partner. Workforce Now targets mid-market and enterprise employers, with a Client Success Executive for enterprise clients. Small businesses, mid-market companiesSmall businesses, mid-market companiesMid-market companies, enterprises

Key differences

Where ADP TotalSource and ADP Workforce Now differ (2)
AttributeADP TotalSourceADP Workforce Now
Best forSmall businesses, mid-market companiesMid-market companies, enterprises
Support channelsDedicated HR business partner, ADP MyLife Advisors (employee support)Client Success Executive (enterprise), ADP Professional Services, Phone sales line 800-225-5237
Show 7 attributes where they are the same
Where they are the same (7)
AttributeADP TotalSourceADP Workforce Now
Pricing modelQuote onlyQuote only
Price transparencyQuote onlyQuote only
Mobile appsADP mobile app
Automatic tax filing
Founded19491949
HeadquartersRoseland, New Jersey, USRoseland, New Jersey, US
OwnershipPublicly tradedPublicly traded

Analysis by dimension

Pricing. Both quote. Workforce Now comes in Select, Plus and Premium; benefits administration starts in Plus and time and attendance in Premium.

Capabilities. Workforce Now covers payroll, HR, benefits administration, time and talent. ADP TotalSource covers payroll and tax, benefits, workers' compensation, HR compliance and talent acquisition as a PEO.

Integrations. Workforce Now has an API, with ADP API Central consulting hours sold for a fee. ADP TotalSource publishes no integration list.

Fit and support. ADP TotalSource serves small and midsize businesses with a dedicated HR business partner. Workforce Now targets mid-market and enterprise employers, with a Client Success Executive for enterprise clients.

Security. Neither names a security certification on the pages we reviewed.

Neither one?

Employee Navigator

Employee Navigator has the highest LeadChange Score in Benefits Administration after excluding these two (7.8/10).

Frequently asked questions

Is ADP TotalSource the same as ADP Workforce Now?

No. Workforce Now is ADP’s HCM software for mid-market and enterprise employers, sold in Select, Plus and Premium packages. ADP TotalSource is a PEO: ADP becomes co-employer and handles payroll administration, benefits and compliance.

Is ADP Workforce Now an alternative to ADP TotalSource?

For a mid-market or enterprise employer that runs HR in-house, yes: it puts payroll, benefits, time and talent in one suite. A small or midsize business that wants to share employer duties is the buyer ADP TotalSource is built for.

What does ADP TotalSource include that Workforce Now does not?

Co-employment and workers' compensation: ADP TotalSource includes workers' comp with risk and safety programs, plus a dedicated HR business partner. Workforce Now is software, with benefits administration from the Plus package.

How are ADP Workforce Now and ADP TotalSource priced?

Both by quote. Workforce Now sells three packages, and ADP API Central consulting hours cost extra.

Which has AI features, Workforce Now or ADP TotalSource?

Workforce Now lists AI explanations of pay changes, retro pay recommendations and AI analytics that answer workforce questions. ADP TotalSource names no AI feature on the pages we reviewed; it lists analytics and reporting.

Does ADP Workforce Now have time tracking?

Yes, in the Premium package, with a Time Kiosk app and badge, PIN, face or finger clock-ins. ADP TotalSource’s pages do not list time tracking among its PEO modules.

Is ADP TotalSource or ADP Workforce Now more secure?

Only ADP Workforce Now states GDPR.

ADP TotalSource or ADP Workforce Now? Your answer in 3 questions

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.

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