As globalisation continues to shape business practices, hiring international talent has become a key component for companies seeking growth and innovation. However, managing payroll across borders is often complex, requiring compliance with local regulations and handling multiple currencies. Two popular solutions to address these challenges are Deel and ADP Global Payroll. In this article, we’ll compare the key features and costs of Deel vs ADP to help businesses determine which solution best fits their needs.
Understanding Deel vs ADP
Deel is a relatively new player in the payroll and HR space, designed specifically for companies that hire international contractors and employees. It focuses on simplifying compliance and payments across borders, making it ideal for businesses that prioritise remote or global teams.
ADP (Automatic Data Processing), on the other hand, is a long-established name in the payroll and HR sector. With decades of experience, ADP serves businesses of all sizes and has an extensive array of features catering to broader human capital management (HCM), including payroll, tax compliance, benefits, and more.
Both platforms offer solutions to streamline international payroll, but they differ significantly in terms of specialisation, features, and costs.
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Key features comparison
| Feature | Deel | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | International payroll and contractor management | Comprehensive HR, payroll, and HCM solutions |
| Global payroll support | Over 120 currencies and compliance with local laws | Extensive global payroll, tax, and compliance tools in over 140 countries |
| Compliance | Built-in compliance tools, local tax expertise, legal partnerships | Strong compliance support with risk management and local expertise |
| Employee classification | Employer of record (EOR) for full-time employees and contractors | EOR services as part of a larger HR solution |
| Onboarding | Digital onboarding for both contractors and full-time employees | Comprehensive onboarding as part of global HR suite |
| Integrations | QuickBooks, Xero, and other financial platforms | Workday, Oracle, SAP, and other HR/ERP systems |
| Contractor management | Specialises in international contractors | Contractor management available, but less focused |
| User experience | Simple, user-friendly interface for SMBs | Extensive features, better suited for enterprises |
| Support | 24/7 customer support | 24/7 customer support and additional services for larger clients |
| Cost structure | Transparent pricing: Starts at £39/contractor/month, £459/employee/month | Customised quotes; small business payroll from £10/employee/month, additional costs for global features |
| Target audience | Small to mid-sized businesses, startups, remote-first teams | Enterprises, larger organisations with complex HR and payroll needs |
| Tax filing and compliance | Handles tax filings, social contributions, and local regulations | Comprehensive tax and compliance management globally |
| Employee benefits | Limited to payroll and compliance services | Full suite of employee benefits management available |
| Scalability | Ideal for scaling international teams quickly | Best for large-scale enterprises with complex needs |
| Time tracking | Integrated time tracking for contractors | Full time and attendance solutions included |
| Mobile app | Available for managing payments and payroll | Full-featured mobile app with payroll and HR capabilities |
| Customisation | Limited customisation; focuses on payroll and compliance | Highly customisable; covers payroll, benefits, and workforce management |
| Implementation time | Fast setup, typically a few days | Longer setup times due to extensive features and customisation options |
1. Global payroll
- Deel: Specialises in paying international employees and contractors. Deel handles compliance with local tax laws, social contributions, and labour regulations. It also supports payments in over 120 currencies.
- ADP: Offers a robust global payroll solution through ADP Global Payroll. It provides extensive compliance support and tax management for international employees. ADP’s global payroll service is part of a broader suite of HCM products, making it suitable for larger enterprises with complex needs.
See our guide to the best international payroll providers.
2. Compliance and local expertise
- Deel: One of Deel’s standout features is its built-in compliance tools. Deel ensures that businesses are adhering to local employment laws and regulations, which is crucial when working with contractors in various countries. Deel also has partnerships with legal experts in different regions to provide ongoing compliance assurance.
- ADP: ADP’s compliance capabilities are well-established, offering tools for tracking tax regulations and local employment laws. ADP benefits from its vast experience and network in over 140 countries, providing in-depth compliance management, risk reduction, and audit support.
3. Employee classification
- Deel: With Deel, businesses can hire contractors or full-time employees anywhere in the world without setting up a local entity. Deel acts as the employer of record (EOR) for full-time employees, making it easy for companies to expand internationally without the administrative burden.
- ADP: ADP also offers EOR services but typically as part of a more comprehensive global HR and payroll solution. ADP’s EOR service is a good option for larger businesses looking for a more integrated approach to global HR management.
4. Integration with other tools
- Deel: Integrates with popular platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, and other accounting software, ensuring a seamless connection with your existing systems. Deel’s integrations are focused on simplifying the financial and compliance aspects of international payroll.
- ADP: ADP’s integration capabilities are extensive, thanks to its long-standing position in the industry. It connects with numerous HR, ERP, and accounting systems such as Workday, Oracle, and SAP. ADP’s wider suite of solutions means that businesses can integrate payroll, benefits, time tracking, and other functions into a single system.
5. User experience
- Deel: Known for its simplicity and ease of use, Deel’s platform is particularly appealing to small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) and startups. The interface is clean, with a user-friendly dashboard that allows for easy management of global payments and compliance.
- ADP: ADP’s user interface is comprehensive, but it can be overwhelming for smaller businesses or companies that don’t need the full suite of features. For larger enterprises, however, the depth of functionality is a significant benefit.
Costs comparison
1. Deel
Deel operates on a subscription model, offering two main plans:
- Contractors: Priced at around £39 per contractor per month, this plan includes compliance, payments, and access to local tax experts.
- Full-time employees (EOR): Pricing starts at approximately £459 per employee per month. This covers hiring, onboarding, payroll, and full compliance services.
Deel’s pricing structure is simple and transparent, with no hidden fees, making it particularly appealing to startups or smaller businesses.
2. ADP
ADP’s pricing is less transparent and can vary significantly depending on the size of the company, the number of employees, and the specific services required. ADP typically offers custom quotes, but businesses can expect to pay a base fee for payroll services, plus additional costs per employee. Larger companies may find ADP’s pricing to be more competitive at scale.
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- Small businesses: ADP’s payroll service for small businesses typically starts at around £10 per employee per month, but additional features like benefits management and global payroll will increase the cost.
- Enterprises: ADP’s enterprise-level solutions, which include global payroll, HCM, and EOR services, often come with a more complex pricing structure based on a company’s needs.
Comparing key company statistics
When evaluating Deel vs ADP, understanding the scale, reach, and overall influence of each company provides valuable context for selecting the right payroll provider. Below are some key statistics that highlight the differences in company size, customer base, and global presence.
| Statistic | Deel | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Year founded | 2018 | 1949 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Roseland, New Jersey, USA |
| Number of employees | 2,000+ | 60,000+ |
| Countries served | 150+ | 140+ |
| Currencies supported | 120+ | Over 140 |
| Total customers | 15,000+ | 1,000,000+ |
| Funding raised | $679 million (as of 2024) | N/A (publicly traded since 1961) |
| Market focus | Startups, SMBs, remote-first teams | Large enterprises, medium-sized businesses, and SMBs |
| Revenue | Estimated at $295 million (2023) | $17.6 billion (2023) |
| Public or private | Private | Public (NASDAQ: ADP) |
| Key focus areas | International payroll, compliance, EOR services | Payroll, HCM, benefits, tax, time management |
These statistics highlight that Deel is a rapidly growing startup, particularly favoured by smaller companies and those scaling international teams. ADP, by contrast, is a well-established giant with a diverse range of services that cater to enterprises of all sizes, especially larger ones with complex global operations.
Which is right for your business?
The decision between Deel and ADP depends on the size and nature of your business, as well as your specific international payroll requirements.
- Deel is the better option for SMBs, startups, and companies that prioritise international contractors or remote employees. Its streamlined, user-friendly interface and transparent pricing structure make it ideal for businesses looking for a simple and effective way to manage global payroll without excessive overhead.
- ADP is suited for larger enterprises that require a comprehensive suite of HR and payroll solutions. If your business needs a broader range of services, such as benefits administration, employee time tracking, and workforce management, ADP’s extensive capabilities may be worth the higher cost and complexity.
Conclusion – Deel vs ADP
Both Deel and ADP offer robust international payroll solutions, but they cater to different types of businesses.
Deel stands out for its ease of use, transparent pricing, and focus on compliance for companies with international contractors or remote teams.
ADP, with its deep experience and extensive features, is best suited for larger organisations with complex HR needs that go beyond payroll.
Carefully evaluating your company’s requirements will ensure you choose the right solution to streamline your global payroll operations, manage compliance, and support your international workforce effectively.
FAQ – Deel vs ADP Global Payroll
Deel can manage multi-country payroll, but its platform is better suited for small to mid-sized companies or startups with remote workers. For large enterprises with complex HR needs, ADP Global Payroll may be a better fit due to its extensive capabilities and global reach.
Yes, ADP offers contractor payment solutions, but it’s primarily focused on comprehensive payroll and HR for full-time employees. Deel, however, is more specialised in managing and paying international contractors, offering a simpler solution for businesses working with remote freelancers.
Deel provides strong compliance tools and legal partnerships, making it suitable for many industries. However, businesses in highly regulated sectors may find ADP’s extensive compliance features and industry-specific solutions more robust, especially when dealing with complex tax and labour laws.
ADP’s implementation timeline can vary based on the size and complexity of your business. Setting up ADP Global Payroll can take several weeks or even months for larger companies, while Deel offers a quicker onboarding process that can typically be completed in a matter of days.
Deel integrates with accounting platforms like QuickBooks and Xero, but its HR system integrations are limited. ADP, by contrast, integrates with a wide range of HR, ERP, and payroll systems like Workday, Oracle, and SAP, offering more options for businesses with complex system needs.
Deel offers basic reporting and analytics to manage payroll and compliance. ADP, however, excels in providing advanced reporting, analytics, and workforce management tools, making it more suitable for enterprises that require in-depth insights and detailed reporting across various HR and payroll functions.
Yes, ADP provides cloud-based payroll services, allowing global access to its platform. Deel is also cloud-based, focusing on international payroll and compliance, but ADP’s broader range of features includes not just payroll but other HR functions in its cloud offering.
Both Deel and ADP are scalable, but Deel is designed for companies that are rapidly growing internationally, especially with contractors or remote workers. ADP, on the other hand, is more suitable for large enterprises or companies looking for a full suite of HR and payroll solutions at scale.
Deel supports payments in over 120 currencies, making it ideal for businesses working with employees and contractors across various regions. ADP Global Payroll also supports multi-currency payments, but with more sophisticated features for larger organisations needing comprehensive global financial management.
Deel primarily focuses on payroll and compliance, while ADP offers a much broader suite of services, including benefits management, time and attendance tracking, recruitment tools, and workforce management, making it more suitable for businesses seeking a complete HR solution.