The short answer
Patriot Payroll publishes two plans: Basic Payroll at $17 a month plus $4 per worker, where you file and deposit payroll taxes yourself, and Full Service at $37 plus $5, where Patriot does it. RUN Powered by ADP quotes four packages, from Essential Payroll to HR Pro Payroll & HR.
Patriot Payroll plans and pricesPatriot Payroll alternatives
LeadChange Score: editorial assessment based on public information.
Patriot Payroll wins 2ADP RUN Powered by ADP wins 1
| Dimension | Patriot Payroll | ADP RUN Powered by ADP |
|---|---|---|
| PricingPatriot lists Basic at $17 a month plus $4 per worker and Full Service at $37 plus $5, with no setup fee and $12 a month for each additional state on Full Service. ADP RUN quotes every package and adds fees for year-end forms and more frequent payrolls. None | $17/mo + $4/employee/mo | Quote only |
| CapabilitiesADP RUN adds HR support, recruiting, learning management, garnishment payments and state unemployment insurance management to payroll. Patriot covers payroll, with time and attendance and HR software as paid add-ons. 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) | 9 of 12 core capabilities | 10 of 12 core capabilities |
| SecurityPatriot states SOC 2 Type II. ADP RUN names no certification on the product pages we reviewed. Yes | SOC 2 | None verified |
| Attribute | Patriot Payroll | ADP RUN Powered by ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Base fee + per employee | Quote only |
| Price transparency | Published | Quote only |
| Free trial | ||
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, mobile |
| Mobile apps | Mobile web (no app to install) | RUN Powered by ADP app (iOS), RUN Powered by ADP app (Android) |
| Support channels | Phone, email, chat | Phone, chat, email (Payroll Center), in-product help center, HR HelpDesk by phone and email (Complete and HR Pro) |
| Typical implementation | Self-service setup wizard or free setup assistance; no timeline published | Some customers are up and running within 2 days; others transition over a period of weeks |
| Founded | 2002 | 1949 |
| Headquarters | Canton, Ohio, US | Roseland, NJ, US |
| Ownership | Private | Publicly traded |
| Attribute | Patriot Payroll | ADP RUN Powered by ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Contract term | Monthly | Monthly |
| Best for | Small businesses | Small businesses |
| Automatic tax filing | ||
| Contractor payments |
Pricing. Patriot lists Basic at $17 a month plus $4 per worker and Full Service at $37 plus $5, with no setup fee and $12 a month for each additional state on Full Service. ADP RUN quotes every package and adds fees for year-end forms and more frequent payrolls.
Capabilities. ADP RUN adds HR support, recruiting, learning management, garnishment payments and state unemployment insurance management to payroll. Patriot covers payroll, with time and attendance and HR software as paid add-ons.
Integrations. ADP RUN exports the general ledger to QuickBooks, Xero, Wave and Creative Solutions and connects to Clover and ZipRecruiter. Patriot connects to QuickBooks Online and Desktop, Vestwell, SimplyInsured and ERGO NEXT.
Fit and support. ADP RUN offers 24/7 payroll support by phone or chat. Patriot offers phone, email and chat from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday.
Security. Patriot states SOC 2 Type II. ADP RUN names no certification on the product pages we reviewed.
QuickBooks Payroll has the highest LeadChange Score in Payroll Software after excluding these two (8.8/10).
From $50/mo + $7/employee/mo
Basic Payroll costs $17 a month plus $4 per worker paid, and Full Service costs $37 a month plus $5, billed monthly in arrears. For 10 workers that is $57 or $87 a month; ADP quotes RUN instead.
Patriot Payroll is made by Patriot Software, a privately held company in Canton, Ohio. RUN is made by ADP, a public company headquartered in Roseland, New Jersey.
Only on Full Service, which files and deposits federal, state and local payroll taxes and year-end forms. On Basic Payroll you file and deposit them yourself. ADP RUN files payroll taxes on every package.
ADP RUN has iOS and Android apps. Patriot works in a mobile browser with no app to install.
On Full Service, Patriot covers penalties and interest caused by an error on its end. ADP pays the fines or penalties that its own tax filing errors cause.
Patriot pays by direct deposit in 4 days as standard and in 2 days for qualifying customers, free of charge. ADP RUN runs a two-day processing cycle.
Patriot Payroll lists a free trial; ADP RUN Powered by ADP does not.
Only Patriot Payroll states SOC 2 Type II.
Patriot Payroll ranks #1 of 12 in our payroll software ranking. Besides ADP RUN Powered by ADP, the highest-scored are QuickBooks Payroll, Gusto, and Paychex Flex. Every alternative, matched to the reason you might switch: Patriot Payroll alternatives.
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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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.
