The short answer
Square Payroll costs $35 a month plus $6 per person paid and imports time cards and tips from Square POS. RUN Powered by ADP sells four packages by quote, from Essential Payroll to HR Pro, and charges extra for W-2 and 1099 forms.
LeadChange Score: editorial assessment based on public information.
Square Payroll wins 2ADP RUN Powered by ADP wins 11 tie
| Dimension | Square Payroll | ADP RUN Powered by ADP |
|---|---|---|
| PricingSquare Payroll lists $35 a month plus $6 per person, with unlimited pay runs. ADP RUN quotes every package, its payroll fees rise with payroll frequency and W-2 and 1099 forms cost extra. Yes | $35/mo + $6/employee/mo | Quote only |
| CapabilitiesBoth run payroll with tax filing and pay contractors. ADP RUN adds an HR help desk, learning management, garnishment payments and SUI management; Square adds tip import, scheduling and labor-cost reports. 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) | 3 of 12 core capabilities | 10 of 12 core capabilities |
| IntegrationsBoth work with QuickBooks: Square syncs with QuickBooks Online, and ADP RUN exports the general ledger to QuickBooks, Xero, Wave and Creative Solutions. ADP RUN also connects to Clover POS and ZipRecruiter. Square POS, Square Team App, QuickBooks Online | 1 documented | 15 documented |
| SecuritySquare Payroll states SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001. ADP RUN names no security certification on the product pages we reviewed. Yes | SOC 2, ISO 27001 | None verified |
| Attribute | Square Payroll | ADP RUN Powered by ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Base fee + per employee | Quote only |
| Price transparency | Published | Quote only |
| Mobile apps | Square Team App | RUN Powered by ADP app (iOS), RUN Powered by ADP app (Android) |
| Support channels | Phone, chat | Phone, chat, email (Payroll Center), in-product help center, HR HelpDesk by phone and email (Complete and HR Pro) |
| Founded | 2009 | 1949 |
| Headquarters | Oakland, California, US | Roseland, NJ, US |
| Attribute | Square Payroll | ADP RUN Powered by ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Contract term | Monthly | Monthly |
| Best for | Small businesses | Small businesses |
| Automatic tax filing | ||
| Contractor payments | ||
| Ownership | Publicly traded | Publicly traded |
Pricing. Square Payroll lists $35 a month plus $6 per person, with unlimited pay runs. ADP RUN quotes every package, its payroll fees rise with payroll frequency and W-2 and 1099 forms cost extra.
Capabilities. Both run payroll with tax filing and pay contractors. ADP RUN adds an HR help desk, learning management, garnishment payments and SUI management; Square adds tip import, scheduling and labor-cost reports.
Integrations. Both work with QuickBooks: Square syncs with QuickBooks Online, and ADP RUN exports the general ledger to QuickBooks, Xero, Wave and Creative Solutions. ADP RUN also connects to Clover POS and ZipRecruiter.
Fit and support. ADP RUN answers payroll calls and chats 24/7. Square’s payroll specialists answer Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT.
Security. Square Payroll states SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001. ADP RUN names no security certification on the product pages we reviewed.
Patriot Payroll has the highest LeadChange Score in Payroll Software after excluding these two (9.3/10).
From $17/mo + $4/employee/mo
Square publishes its price, $35 a month plus $6 per person, so 10 employees cost $95 a month. ADP prices RUN by quote, raises payroll fees with pay frequency and bills W-2 and 1099 forms separately, so set Square’s $95 against a written ADP quote for your headcount.
Square charges $3 per paper W-2 or 1099 mailed, only if you opt in, and prices tax form amendments case by case. ADP RUN charges for W-2 and 1099 forms, adds fees for off-cycle payrolls and sells time and attendance, retirement, workers' comp and health insurance as add-ons.
Yes. Square Payroll imports time cards and tips from Square POS and the Square Team App and handles multiple pay rates, commissions and tips. ADP RUN connects to Clover POS.
With ADP RUN, yes: payroll support by phone or chat is available 24/7. Square’s payroll specialists work Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT.
ADP RUN adds an HR HelpDesk by phone and email, an employee handbook wizard and salary benchmarks on Complete Payroll & HR+ and HR Pro. Square Payroll centers on payroll, time cards and scheduling, with health insurance, 401(k) and workers' comp through partners.
ADP’s RUN app for iOS and Android runs payroll, and you can also run it with a phone call. Square’s Team App lets staff clock in, and their time cards flow into Square Payroll.
Only Square Payroll states SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001.
Besides ADP RUN Powered by ADP, the highest-scored are Patriot Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, and Gusto. Every alternative, matched to the reason you might switch: Square 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.
