UKG vs ADP: Which Payroll Platform Fits Your Business? (2025)

Quick Comparison Summary

UKG works best for mid-to-large companies (500-5,000 employees) that prioritize employee experience, advanced workforce management, and complex scheduling needs. ADP fits businesses wanting reliable payroll processing, global reach, and extensive outsourcing services across all company sizes. Still deciding? Read our detailed comparison below, or discover a third option that takes a different approach entirely.

When evaluating UKG versus ADP for your business, you're comparing two platforms with distinct philosophies for U.S.-based employers. According to user reviews on G2 and Capterra, UKG Pro users frequently praise the platform's focus on employee experience and modern interface design. Meanwhile, ADP Workforce Now users consistently highlight the reliability and depth of its payroll processing capabilities.

The companies represent different approaches to the market. UKG formed through the 2020 merger of Ultimate Software and Kronos, bringing together HR-focused technology with workforce management expertise. With over seven decades of experience, ADP is recognized for its stability and depth in payroll processing, serving a large and diverse client base that includes organizations whose data contributes to official economic indicators.

Key Takeaways:

• Who it's for: UKG fits companies prioritizing employee experience and complex workforce management. ADP works for businesses wanting proven payroll reliability and global services.
• Time-to-value: UKG: 4-8 weeks for full implementation. ADP: 2-4 weeks for basic setup, longer for comprehensive services.
• TCO: UKG costs $25-34 per employee monthly. ADP ranges $20-28 per employee monthly with potentially lower implementation fees.

UKG Pro Quick Summary:

• Strength: Modern interface with strong employee experience features
• Integration: Growing marketplace with deep industry-specific connections
• Custom work: Advanced workflow automation and configuration options
• Cost: $25-34 per employee monthly, implementation fees 15-30% of annual cost

Pricing Overview

UKG Pro follows a per-employee, per-month structure with pricing varying based on company size and modules. According to Outsail's independent analysis, UKG Pro's pricing usually falls between $25-34 per employee monthly for full-suite implementations. Implementation fees often reach 15-30% of annual subscription costs.

The platform doesn't publish transparent pricing, requiring custom quotes for each organization. Higher-tier features include advanced analytics, global payroll (160+ countries), and specialized workforce management tools.

Pricing verified November 2025, subject to change. Visit UKG's website for current rates.

Feature Breakdown

Based on user reviews and platform documentation, UKG Pro offers comprehensive human capital management with notable strengths in employee engagement and workforce optimization. The system handles standard tax compliance requirements including federal 941/940 filings, state unemployment insurance (SUI), local tax compliance, multi-state nexus and reciprocity handling, and year-end W-2 and 1095-C reporting automatically.

Users frequently mention capabilities like advanced scheduling for complex shift patterns, employee voice surveys, learning management with AI-driven recommendations, and UKG Wallet for financial wellness. According to G2 reviews, the platform particularly excels in industries requiring detailed labor forecasting and compliance with complex union rules.

Our Take

Users often report that UKG Pro prioritizes employee experience, with tools focused on engagement and a modern user interface. Implementation typically takes 4-8 weeks depending on customization requirements and integration complexity. However, several reviews mention the platform can feel overwhelming for smaller organizations that don't need advanced workforce management capabilities. User feedback suggests it's most valuable for companies with 500+ employees, particularly those in healthcare, retail, or manufacturing requiring sophisticated scheduling and labor management.

ADP Workforce Now Quick Summary:

• Strength: Industry-leading payroll processing and tax compliance
• Integration: Robust marketplace with 800+ partners and extensive API access
• Custom work: Strong configuration options with outsourcing alternatives
• Cost: $20-28 per employee monthly, typically lower implementation costs

Pricing Overview

ADP Workforce Now uses tiered subscription pricing starting in the essential range, with features expanding across standard and premium levels. According to Outsail's industry analysis, ADP Workforce Now typically costs between $20-28 per employee monthly depending on company size and included modules.

ADP often provides more competitive implementation pricing compared to competitors, though exact costs aren't published online. The platform offers three main subscription tiers, with benefits administration and advanced workforce management features requiring higher tiers or add-on purchases.

Pricing verified November 2025, subject to change. Visit ADP's website for current rates.

Feature Breakdown

ADP Workforce Now provides comprehensive payroll processing, HR management, and benefits administration with deep compliance expertise. The platform supports automated tax filing across all jurisdictions, direct deposit management, and integration with major benefits carriers.

Core features include time and attendance tracking, employee self-service, talent acquisition tools, and performance management. ADP DataCloud provides benchmarking against millions of employee records, while ADP Assist offers AI-powered payroll validation and anomaly detection.

Our Take

Users consistently highlight ADP Workforce Now's reliability in payroll accuracy and compliance management, backed by decades of industry experience. Setup typically completes within 2-4 weeks for standard implementations. However, user reviews frequently mention the interface feels dated compared to newer platforms, and customer support response times receive mixed ratings on review sites. Based on user feedback, it works best for companies valuing proven payroll reliability and those needing extensive global capabilities.

At a Glance

UKG Pro emphasizes employee experience through modern interface design and comprehensive engagement tools. ADP Workforce Now prioritizes payroll accuracy and compliance automation through proven processes. UKG supports 160+ countries for global payroll while ADP covers 140+ countries with deeper local expertise. Both platforms handle complex tax compliance, though ADP's 75+ year track record provides additional confidence for payroll-critical organizations. Neither natively integrates expense management with project billing without additional configuration.

UKG vs ADP: Payroll Processing and Tax Compliance

UKG Pro handles all standard payroll functions including federal 941/940 filings, SUI management, and multi-state compliance. The platform processes payroll accurately across all 50 states with automated tax calculations and year-end reporting. UKG Wallet provides employees early access to earned wages, improving financial wellness without additional administrative burden.

ADP Workforce Now brings extensive experience in payroll processing, with ADP being known for its scale and data reliability. According to the company's own materials, its payroll figures are used in official economic indicators. The platform earned a perfect 100 score for payroll and tax management capabilities in SelectHub's analysis. ADP's payroll aggregator (Celergo) and global office network provide advantages for international operations.

Winner: ADP - Superior track record and government-level trust in payroll accuracy, plus more extensive global infrastructure for international payroll needs.

HR Management and Employee Records

UKG Pro excels in HR functionality with intuitive employee records management, comprehensive onboarding workflows, and strong document management capabilities. The platform's employee-centric approach includes engagement surveys, performance management with goal cascading, and learning management with AI recommendations.

ADP Workforce Now provides solid HR management with employee self-service, benefits administration, and basic performance tracking. The platform focuses more on compliance and administrative efficiency rather than employee engagement features, though recent AI enhancements improve user experience.

Winner: UKG - Stronger focus on employee experience and more comprehensive talent management tools, particularly for organizations prioritizing workforce development.

Time Tracking and Scheduling

UKG Pro offers advanced scheduling capabilities inherited from its Kronos heritage, supporting complex shift patterns, labor forecasting, and union rule compliance. The platform excels in industries requiring detailed workforce scheduling like healthcare and retail, with mobile time tracking and schedule optimization.

ADP Workforce Now includes standard time and attendance tracking with clock-in/out options and basic scheduling features. The platform integrates with third-party time tracking tools like ClockShark for enhanced capabilities, though built-in scheduling features are more limited than UKG's offerings.

Winner: UKG - Superior scheduling capabilities and more sophisticated workforce management tools, especially valuable for industries with complex labor requirements.

Benefits Administration

UKG Pro provides comprehensive benefits administration with employee decision-making tools and carrier integrations. The acquisition of Everything Benefits enhanced UKG's capabilities, focusing on helping employees make informed benefits choices rather than just administrative compliance.

ADP Workforce Now offers extensive benefits administration with connections to major carriers and streamlined enrollment processes. The platform emphasizes compliance and administrative efficiency, with benefits administration included in higher subscription tiers.

Winner: Tie - Both platforms handle benefits well, with UKG focusing more on employee experience and ADP emphasizing administrative efficiency and compliance.

Applicant Tracking and Performance Management

UKG Pro earned a 94 score for applicant tracking with features supporting diverse candidate experiences, including multi-language job descriptions and LinkedIn integration. Performance management includes comprehensive review processes, goal tracking, and succession planning capabilities.

ADP Workforce Now provides solid recruiting tools through its marketplace integrations, with access to 25,000+ career sites and resume parsing capabilities. Performance management supports reviews, 1:1s, and goal cascading, though features may require add-on purchases in lower tiers.

Winner: UKG - More comprehensive built-in talent management features and stronger focus on candidate experience throughout the hiring process.

Integration Capabilities

UKG Pro supports integrations through APIs and a growing partner ecosystem, with particular strength in industry-specific tools for healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. The platform includes deep integrations with systems like Cornerstone and iCIMS for enhanced functionality.

ADP Workforce Now provides extensive integration options through the ADP Marketplace with 800+ partners and robust API access through ADP Central. Marketplace connections are quick wins, while Open APIs matter for custom, real-time use cases.

Winner: ADP - More extensive integration marketplace and proven API infrastructure, though UKG's industry-specific integrations provide value for specialized use cases.

Reporting and Analytics

UKG Pro offers advanced analytics and reporting with customizable dashboards, people analytics, and workforce insights. The platform provides real-time data access and sophisticated reporting capabilities for strategic HR decision-making.

ADP Workforce Now includes ADP DataCloud for benchmarking against millions of employee records, providing industry insights and predictive analytics. If you need cross-functional analytics, plan for a BI layer or exports either way, though ADP's data breadth offers unique market insights.

Winner: ADP - Superior benchmarking data and market insights, though UKG provides more customizable internal analytics and reporting capabilities.

User Interface and Learning Curve

UKG Pro features a modern, intuitive interface with strong mobile app ratings and user-friendly design. The platform's employee-focused approach makes navigation easier for end users, though administrators may face complexity when configuring advanced features.

ADP Workforce Now offers a functional interface that users find practical for routine tasks, though some report the design feels outdated compared to newer platforms. Login issues and navigation quirks appear in user feedback, though payroll and time tracking functions work reliably.

Winner: UKG - More modern interface design and better user experience ratings, particularly for employee-facing features and mobile accessibility.

UKG vs ADP: Pricing and Total Cost of Ownership

UKG Pro typically costs $25-34 per employee monthly with implementation fees reaching 15-30% of annual subscription costs. The platform includes comprehensive features but may require additional investment for full customization and training.

ADP Workforce Now ranges $20-28 per employee monthly with generally lower implementation costs. ADP often provides more competitive pricing for standard implementations, though extensive customization and add-ons can increase total costs.

Winner: ADP - Generally more affordable pricing structure and lower implementation costs, making it accessible for smaller organizations or those prioritizing cost efficiency.

UKG Pro

Overall Ratings:

• G2: 4.2/5 based on 1,615+ reviews (November 2025)
• Capterra: 4.2/5 based on 139+ reviews
• TrustRadius: 8.0/10 based on verified user reviews

Positive: "Modern interface and great mobile experience" - HR Manager (G2 review) Critical: "Complex setup process, steep learning curve" - Small Business Owner (Capterra review)

Ratings from G2, Capterra, TrustRadius as of November 2025. Quotes shortened for clarity.

Volume of reviews favors UKG Pro for employee experience; users consistently praise engagement features and workforce management capabilities.

ADP Workforce Now

Overall Ratings:

• G2: 4.2/5 based on 3,629+ reviews (November 2025)
• Capterra: 4.4/5 based on 1,088+ reviews
• TrustRadius: 8.5/10 based on verified user reviews

Positive: "Reliable payroll processing, never had issues" - Finance Director (G2 review) Critical: "Customer support can be slow to respond" - HR Administrator (Capterra review)

Ratings from G2, Capterra, TrustRadius as of November 2025. Quotes shortened for clarity.

Volume of reviews strongly favors ADP Workforce Now; users value payroll reliability but note support challenges.

UKG Pro

ADP Workforce Now

Both UKG and ADP offer strong payroll and HR capabilities, but neither is built natively on Salesforce. Here's how Sunrise HCM differs:

Built on Salesforce, No Salesforce Required

Sunrise HCM runs on Salesforce. You don't need an existing instance or separate license. The platform infrastructure is included in your subscription. You're not purchasing anything else from Salesforce.

Your data lives in one database that's already proven in banks, hospitals, and government agencies. Security updates happen automatically. Backups run continuously across multiple locations. The system grows with your company, all managed infrastructure you never touch.

Already using Salesforce? Your costs will be lower since you already have the platform infrastructure. Each Sunrise HCM user price includes a Salesforce platform license, but we'll discount your pricing based on how many users already have access.

Enterprise Security by Design

SOC 2 Type II compliance comes standard. Encryption in transit and at rest. Role-based access control. Multi-factor authentication. Continuous monitoring and backups. You get Fortune 500-level security, managed by one of the most trusted platforms on the planet, without handling infrastructure yourself.

Salesforce has been battle-tested for 20+ years. Banks use it. Hospitals use it. Government agencies use it. When we build on this foundation, you get all that protection automatically.

Real-Time Data Integration

Single entry of time flows to payroll and billing. HR changes update downstream instantly. Your payroll data, HR records, time tracking, expense information, and billing all live in the same place. Change an employee's role in HR and it updates across time tracking and billing automatically. No export files. No overnight syncs. No wondering which system holds the truth.

The platform connects to thousands of business systems through proven open API frameworks. Connect your accounting software, CRM tools, expense management platforms, or custom applications. Real-time data flow eliminates sync delays and manual exports. You're not locked into our ecosystem. The API architecture is industry-standard, so developers already know how to work with it.

True Scalability

Multi-tenant architecture means you're always on the latest version. Three releases per year with new features. Zero downtime. No compatibility issues. Everyone's on the same version.

Updates happen while you work. This quarter's feedback becomes next quarter's features. No upgrade fees. No version hell.

U.S.-Based Support Included

Every client gets a dedicated U.S.-based relationship manager and a designated backup. No extra fees for premium support tiers. No offshore call centers. No wondering who to contact when you need help.

Transparent Pricing

• $16 per employee per month
• $45 per functional manager per month (employees who review and approve time and expenses)
• $58 per HR Manager per month (HR administrators and power users)
• $58 base fee per month

Everything included: payroll processing, tax filing, W-2s, HR management, time tracking, expense management, and billing. No per-payroll fees. No transaction fees. No surprise charges.

We also offer discounted pricing for nonprofits, government organizations, and educational institutions.

When Sunrise HCM makes sense:

• You need strong integration capabilities with other business systems
• You want enterprise security without enterprise complexity
• You value predictable, transparent pricing
• You want payroll and billing in one system

When to stick with UKG or ADP:

• You only need payroll and basic HR without billing
• You prefer UKG's advanced workforce scheduling features
• You want ADP's global reach and outsourcing services

Implementation timeline: The system is generally set up within 2-4 weeks. We run payroll in parallel for 1-2 cycles to ensure everything matches your expectations before going live.

Contact us to see how payroll, HR, time, and billing work together in one system.

Q: Which platform offers better Salesforce integration? A: Neither UKG nor ADP offers native Salesforce integration. Both require third-party middleware or custom API development. Sunrise HCM runs natively on Salesforce, eliminating integration delays and sync issues.

Q: What's the typical implementation timeline for UKG vs ADP? A: UKG Pro typically requires 4-8 weeks for full implementation depending on customization needs. ADP Workforce Now usually completes setup in 2-4 weeks for standard configurations. Sunrise HCM implements within 2-4 weeks plus parallel payroll runs.

Q: Which platform is cheaper for a 100-person company? A: UKG Pro costs approximately $2,500-3,400 monthly ($25-34 per employee). ADP Workforce Now costs $2,000-2,800 monthly ($20-28 per employee). Sunrise HCM costs $2,410 monthly ($16 per employee + $60 base fee at 100 employees) with all features included.

Q: Which platform offers better customer service? A: UKG is known for its "Partners for Life" philosophy with high customer retention rates. ADP provides extensive support resources but users report longer response times. Sunrise HCM provides every client with a U.S.-based relationship manager and designated backup at no extra cost. We don't charge for premium support tiers.

Q: Can either platform handle global payroll? A: UKG Pro supports payroll in 160+ countries through partners. ADP processes global payroll in 140+ countries with owned infrastructure in many regions. Sunrise HCM focuses on U.S. payroll with comprehensive compliance across all 50 states.

Q: Which is better for workforce management? A: UKG Pro excels in complex scheduling, labor forecasting, and workforce optimization, particularly for industries like healthcare and retail. ADP provides basic workforce management with stronger third-party integrations. Choose based on scheduling complexity needs.

Q: Do I need existing Salesforce to use either platform? A: Neither UKG nor ADP requires Salesforce, though integration options exist. Sunrise HCM runs on Salesforce but doesn't require an existing instance - the platform infrastructure is included in your subscription.

Q: Which platform has better mobile capabilities? A: UKG Pro receives strong ratings for mobile experience and employee app functionality. ADP offers solid mobile access though some users report performance issues. Both support essential mobile functions like time tracking and pay stub access.

Q: Are there discounts available for nonprofits or government organizations? A: Both platforms may offer non-profit pricing but don't publish standard rates. Sunrise HCM offers discounted pricing for nonprofits, government organizations, and educational institutions. Contact us to learn about pricing specific to your organization type.

Q: Which platform is better for compliance management? A: ADP has deeper compliance expertise with 75+ years of experience and government partnerships. UKG provides strong compliance features but ADP's track record offers additional confidence for compliance-critical organizations.

Q: How do the reporting capabilities compare? A: UKG Pro offers more customizable internal analytics and workforce insights. ADP DataCloud provides superior benchmarking against millions of employee records. If you need cross-functional analytics across payroll, HR, and business operations, plan for additional BI tools with either platform.

Q: Which platform scales better for growing companies? A: UKG Pro typically works best for companies with 500-5,000 employees and complex workforce needs. ADP serves all company sizes effectively, from small businesses to global enterprises. Consider your growth trajectory and complexity requirements when choosing.