ADP Run vs FreshBooks: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of ADP Run and FreshBooks — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: it's a tie on our scorecard — pick on fit, not score.
| Scored on | ADP Run | FreshBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 9 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 6 | 6 |
| Customer support | 6 | 7 |
| Features | 9 | 8 |
| Base Subscription | Varies (Quote Required) | — |
| Per-Employee Fee | Not Published | — |
| Tax Filing Fee | Included in tiers | — |
| W-2/1099 Filing | Varies by package | — |
| Lite Tier (Monthly) | — | $19.00 |
| Plus Tier (Monthly) | — | $33.00 |
| Premium Tier (Monthly) | — | $60.00 |
| ACH Payment Fee | — | 1% |
| Credit Card Fee | — | 2.9% + $0.30 |
ADP Run in one paragraph
ADP Run is the gold standard for compliance-heavy small businesses, offering peace of mind that justifies its premium and sometimes opaque pricing.
Skip it if: You are a solopreneur with zero employees or you demand 100% transparent, flat-rate pricing online.
FreshBooks in one paragraph
FreshBooks is the best-in-class choice for service-based solos and small teams who value a beautiful UI and automated billing over deep accounting complexity.
Skip it if: You run a high-volume retail shop or have more than 50 low-value clients that would trigger expensive tier jumps.
Frequently asked questions
Who should skip ADP Run?
You are a solopreneur with zero employees or you demand 100% transparent, flat-rate pricing online.
Who should skip FreshBooks?
You run a high-volume retail shop or have more than 50 low-value clients that would trigger expensive tier jumps.