Head to head

ADP Workforce Now vs Paylocity

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

ADP Workforce Now

Sales-quoted

Mid-market HCM for payroll, HR, time, and benefits. Pricing is sales-quoted.

Where ADP Workforce Now fits

US mid-market employers consolidating payroll and HR
Teams that already bank with ADP payroll tax filing
HR leaders who want time and benefits in the same suite
Companies willing to run an implementation project

Paylocity

Sales-quoted

US HR, payroll and workforce platform that also covers finance and IT tools. Pricing is sales-quoted.

Where Paylocity fits

Midsize US employers that want HR and payroll together
Hourly-hiring teams that want Grayscale automation
Companies replacing several HR point tools
Teams that will build on documented APIs

At a glance

Detail	ADP Workforce Now	Paylocity
Starting price	Sales-quoted	Sales-quoted
Free tier	–No	–No
MCP server	–No	–No
Public API	–No	✓Yes
Listed under	Benefits administration, HR compliance, HRIS, Payroll, Time & attendance	ATS, Benefits administration, HRIS, Payroll, Time & attendance

Where they pull apart

ADP Workforce Now

Stands out: One ADP suite for payroll, talent, time, and benefits aimed at companies that have outgrown starter payroll.

Watch out: There is no public per-employee menu. Implementation and modules are scoped in a sales cycle.

Not the right fit for

Five-person shops that want a published $29 payroll plan
Buyers who need same-day self-serve checkout

Paylocity

Stands out: One platform covers HR, payroll, recruiting, finance and IT, and Paylocity added Grayscale's AI recruiting automation in 2026.

Watch out: There is no public per-employee price. You need a sales conversation, and implementation and module choice shape the total.

Not the right fit for

Buyers who need a published price
Companies that mainly need global EOR hiring

Pros and cons

ADP Workforce Now

Payroll, HR, time, and benefits together
ADP tax filing network
Built for mid-market, not only enterprise

No public per-employee prices
Implementation is a project
Not a lightweight ATS

Paylocity

HR, payroll, finance and IT in one
Grayscale recruiting automation added
Documented APIs for integrations

No public price
Sales process before any number
Aimed at US employers

What each one costs

ADP Workforce Now

Sales-quoted

Sales-quoted. No public rate card on the vendor site. Modules cover payroll, HR, time, talent, and benefits. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Paylocity

Sales-quoted

Sales-quoted. No public rate card on the vendor site. The quote depends on headcount and the modules you choose. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Can you try ADP Workforce Now or Paylocity for free?

Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

Not the pair you wanted?

All ADP Workforce Now alternatives All Paylocity alternatives Every Benefits administration tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?