Rippling vs ADP: pricing and RUN plans compared

Neither Rippling’s pricing page nor ADP RUN’s package comparison publishes numeric package prices in the checked sources.^1,2 Rippling describes a required core with separately purchased products; ADP RUN lists named payroll and HR packages.^1,2 Rippling pricing was captured 28 September 2026; the valid official ADP RUN package page was captured 1 October 2026.^1,2 Compare the published scope, then request matching quotes.

TL;DR

• Rippling’s modular purchase still requires the core Rippling Platform.¹ Buying Payroll doesn’t remove that requirement.¹
• ADP RUN’s package ladder makes service thresholds visible: Enhanced adds payroll services; Complete adds HR support; HR Pro adds further HR tools.²
• ADP RUN lists time and attendance, retirement and insurance as add-ons, including for HR Pro.²
• A cost comparison needs the same services and payroll frequency.^1,2 Neither checked source supports naming a cheaper provider.^1,2

What do Rippling and ADP RUN publish about pricing?

Rippling and ADP RUN publish purchase structures, but neither checked page supplies numeric package prices.^1,2 Rippling explains how products are purchased and billed; ADP RUN explains package inclusions and factors affecting payroll cost.^1,2 The published information supports a scope comparison before a price comparison.^1,2

For a wider shortlist, browse our HR and payroll research.

Comparison point	Rippling	ADP RUN
Numeric package price	Not published in the checked pricing page; custom quote requested.1	Not published in the checked package comparison; business-specific pricing requested.2
Purchase structure	Required Rippling Platform plus separately purchasable HR, Finance and IT products.1	Essential Payroll, Enhanced Payroll, Complete Payroll & HR Plus, HR Pro Payroll & HR.2
Published billing information	Most products use per-employee, per-month billing; some may carry a monthly base fee.1	Cost depends on payroll frequency, people paid, changes to payees and add-on services.2
Separately scoped items	Payroll, Expenses, Benefits and Device Management are examples of products purchased alongside the required core.1	Time and Attendance, retirement, workers’ compensation and health insurance are listed as add-ons.2
Checked date	28 September 2026.1	1 October 2026.2

ADP package findings below refer only to RUN’s US small-business package comparison.² Our research methodology sets the evidence standard; request current terms for your own business before choosing.

What does Rippling include, and what needs a quote?

Rippling requires the core Rippling Platform and lets buyers purchase individual HR, Finance and IT products alongside it.¹ Its pricing FAQ names Payroll, Expenses, Benefits and Device Management as examples.¹ The published purchase model lets you select products, but the checked page supplies no numeric price for the core or those products.¹

Rippling says most products are billed per employee per month, while some may be charged with a monthly base fee.¹ Ask for separate lines showing the required core, each selected product and any base fee. Confirm which workers count toward each charge.

The pricing page also promotes cross-system reports, workflow automation, AI queries and app creation.¹ It doesn’t provide a priced entitlement matrix assigning those capabilities to a specific purchase.¹ Treat the headline descriptions as questions for the quote: which capabilities are included in the proposed core, and which require another product or tier?

For payroll procurement, request the required core plus Payroll first. Then add the products your team needs. Keep device management or expenses separate in the comparison if you’re evaluating a payroll-only purchase.

For the vendor-specific view, see our Rippling pricing research.

What is included in each ADP RUN package?

ADP RUN lists four packages: Essential Payroll, Enhanced Payroll, Complete Payroll & HR Plus and HR Pro Payroll & HR.² The published ladder retains the preceding package’s services and adds payroll services or HR support.² None has a numeric package price in the checked comparison.²

RUN package	Selected published inclusions or additions	Published package price
Essential Payroll	Payroll through computer, mobile app or phone; direct deposit; tax filing; reporting; general ledger interface; new-hire reporting; payroll delivery; employee access; onboarding; single-county background checks.2	Not published; request pricing.2
Enhanced Payroll	Essential’s services plus check signing/security, State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) management, garnishment payment service, job costing, labor law posters, ZipRecruiter and electronic Form I-9.2	Not published; request pricing.2
Complete Payroll & HR Plus	Enhanced’s services plus HR HelpDesk, Employee Handbook Wizard, salary benchmarks, HR forms and documents, and HR training and toolkits.2	Not published; request pricing.2
HR Pro Payroll & HR	Complete’s services plus enhanced HR HelpDesk and handbook support, a CareerPlug-powered applicant tracking system, learning management, sexual harassment prevention training and third-party legal assistance.2	Not published; request pricing.2

ADP’s detailed matrix lists payroll tax calculation, filing, deposits and reconciliation across all four packages.² It also lists multi-company management, multi-jurisdiction payroll and 24/7 payroll customer support across all four.² The HR HelpDesk starts at Complete, so distinguish payroll support from the HR support added by an upgrade.²

ADP’s matrix also lists ADP Assist’s virtual assistant, payroll inspector and smart timesheet import in every package, alongside Bill Pay and Client Invoicing.² Those common inclusions don’t require moving up the published package ladder.²

ADP’s shorter package summaries place HR Tracking under Complete, while the detailed matrix marks it included in every package.² Background checks appear in Essential and are also repeated in the Enhanced summary.² Ask ADP to confirm those entitlements; the repeated wording alone doesn’t establish an upgrade benefit.²

Use the package thresholds to narrow the quote request. If SUI management or garnishment payments are required, Enhanced is the first package the matrix marks as including them.² If access to the HR HelpDesk is required, begin with Complete.²

Which charges sit outside the headline package?

Rippling flags possible monthly base fees, while ADP RUN identifies add-ons and separately charged services.^1,2 ADP RUN also says payroll fees increase with payroll frequency.² A package name alone therefore doesn’t establish the full recurring bill.^1,2

ADP RUN lists Time and Attendance, retirement, workers’ compensation and health insurance under add-ons for every package.² The checked comparison supplies no numeric prices for those add-ons.² Ask for each required service to appear as its own line in the quote, with any eligibility or availability conditions.

ADP’s matrix marks W-2 and 1099 forms as included across the packages, but the description explicitly says creating and delivering them carries an additional fee.² Ask for the year-end charge and what it covers. An inclusion tick establishes availability, not an absence of fees.²

ADP’s cost FAQ names how often payroll runs, how many people are paid and how often payees are added or removed as cost factors.² Its RUN FAQ permits payroll outside the regular schedule but says fees increase with frequency.² Request a quote using your normal payroll schedule and ask how an extra run would be charged.

For Rippling, confirm whether the proposed products carry only per-employee monthly charges or also a base fee.¹ Request setup and migration charges from both vendors as procurement questions. The checked sources don’t establish numeric amounts for those items.^1,2

How should you compare the quotes?

Glamdring Research’s verdict is to compare Rippling and ADP RUN on matching service scope and payroll frequency before comparing totals. Rippling requires a core purchase, while ADP RUN separates package inclusions from add-ons and additional fees.^1,2 Neither checked page supports a cheaper-provider verdict.^1,2

Give both vendors the same requirements:

• Workers to be paid and the payroll schedule, including expected extra runs.
• Payroll services and the jurisdictions you need covered.
• HR support, onboarding and recruiting requirements.
• Time tracking, benefits or insurance requirements.
• Required accounting exports and any work outside payroll.

Request an itemised recurring total, year-end charges and any one-off costs. For Rippling, separate the required core from each selected product. For ADP RUN, name the package and each add-on. Ask each vendor to state the currency, tax treatment, billing unit and terms for changing headcount or services.

Start with ADP RUN when you want to price a defined payroll package and identify the upgrade needed for HR support. Its published matrix makes those thresholds visible.² Consider Rippling when your intended purchase spans separately selected HR, Finance or IT products. Its published model permits those purchases alongside the required core.¹ These are reasons to request a particular quote, not evidence that either vendor is better or cheaper for your business.

The decision changes when matching quotes establish the total price and the exact inclusions you need.

Frequently asked questions

Can you change ADP RUN packages later?

Yes. ADP says buyers can switch between RUN Powered by ADP packages by contacting an ADP sales associate.² Before switching, request the revised inclusions and total charge, including any retained add-ons.

Does ADP RUN require a long-term contract?

ADP’s checked RUN FAQ says you don’t have to sign a contract and services can be terminated at any time.² Confirm the terms attached to your proposed purchase and any separate services. Keep that published statement specific to RUN.

How does ADP RUN charge for contractor payments?

ADP says RUN’s contractor payment bundle has a monthly base price plus a per-contractor fee, with year-end processing fees also applying.² The checked FAQ publishes the billing structure but no numeric amounts.² Request the contractor bundle separately so its charges don’t get confused with an employee payroll package.

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