Security Payroll Services | Premier Payroll Solutions
Premier Payroll vs ADP: A Better Payroll Alternative for Small and Midsize Businesses
Considering ADP for payroll services? Before you lock in a long-term contract, compare how ADP stacks up against Premier Payroll in pricing, flexibility, and customer support. While both payroll providers offer nationwide solutions, the true cost of ADP, between hidden fees, delayed support, and rigid service tiers, often outweighs the benefits. This detailed ADP vs Premier Payroll comparison dives into everything from transparent flat-fee pricing and faster onboarding to personalized service for industries like trucking, security, construction, and hospitality. If you're looking for an ADP alternative that prioritizes your bottom line and business needs, Premier Payroll is the better fit.
Reviews Breakdown
Premier Payroll Solutions (NY)
ADP
5.0/5
A+ Rating
A+ Rating
4.8/5
1.6/5
NA
NA
Overall Review
4.8/5
3.0/5
About
Tax Hardship Center
Washington Tax Services
About Us - Years in Business
10
76
Service Areas
Claims nationwide coverage
U.S. + global (140+ countries)
Services
Tax Hardship Center
StopIRSDebt.com
Industry focus / strengths
Security, trucking, property management, restaurants/hospitality.
Industry-specific payroll & HR across many sectors.
Support
24/7 Live Support
5/5
24/7 customer service
Pricing structure
Flexible Pricing based on needs
Quote-based
Time To Switch
Less than 24 Hours
NA
Compare Pros and Cons:
Premier Payroll vs Zuma Payroll & Processing
Pros
Premier Payroll Solutions
- Personalized, hands-on service. Clients report “prompt, friendly, informative” support and that “they always pick up… upfront, honest team.”
- Fast, accurate, and professional
- Recognized for excellent communication. Testimonials praise “accurate, timely communication” and willingness to “go the extra mile.”
- Rapid onboarding and responsive support, clients highlight smooth setup and fast turnaround (e.g., payroll by Tuesday or even same day).
TriNet
- Nationwide presence with 70+ years in business.
- Wide range of payroll and HR solutions including benefits, compliance, and retirement services.
- Serves businesses of all sizes, from startups to enterprise.
- Advanced integrations with accounting, HRIS, and ERP systems.
- Global coverage (140+ countries).
Cons
Premier Payroll Solutions
- Smaller regional presence (Long Island-based), less brand recognition outside Northeast.
- Limited public pricing. Transparent quotes not readily available online.
- Requires a $295 upfront investigation fee
TriNet
- Quote-based pricing with frequent hidden/add-on fees (W-2s, garnishments, benefits, compliance tools).
- Poor customer reviews on Trustpilot (1.6/5 from 2,800+ reviews).
- Long hold times and call-center style support.
- Complex, rigid contracts that lock in clients.
- More expensive than regional competitors for small and midsize firms.
- Setup and migration can take weeks.
Premier Payroll Pros and Cons Summary
Premier Payroll is a leading payroll service provider for small and mid-sized businesses, known for its transparent flat-fee pricing and 24/7 live customer support. The company specializes in industry-specific payroll solutions for sectors like security, trucking, hospitality, and property management, offering fast onboarding—often in less than 24 hours, and personalized service that larger providers can’t match. Premier Payroll holds an A+ BBB rating and consistently earns strong reviews for responsiveness, clear communication, and predictable costs.
As a smaller, boutique payroll provider, Premier Payroll lacks the massive enterprise platform and global reach of companies like ADP, which may be a drawback for businesses needing advanced HCM features or benefits administration at scale. However, for businesses that want affordable, reliable payroll services without hidden fees, Premier Payroll stands out as one of the best ADP payroll alternatives in the U.S.
ADP Payroll Pros and Cons Summary
ADP Payroll is a global payroll and HR provider with more than 70 years of experience and a presence in over 140 countries. ADP offers a comprehensive suite of payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance solutions, making it a strong choice for large enterprises or businesses with complex HR needs. Its platform includes advanced integrations with accounting and ERP systems, 24/7 customer support, and scalability for organizations of all sizes.
However, ADP operates on a quote-based pricing model with per-employee fees and frequent add-on charges for W‑2/1099 processing, garnishments, benefits administration, and HR tools. This makes it more expensive and harder to budget for small and mid-sized businesses. Reviews on Trustpilot (1.6/5 from 2,800+ reviews) frequently cite hidden costs, long hold times, and impersonal customer service. While ADP Payroll works best for large organizations needing a full HCM platform, smaller businesses often choose Premier Payroll as a more affordable, transparent, and hands-on ADP alternative.
Should I Pick ADP as My Payroll Provider?
Which Is Better Between Premier Payroll
and ADP
Pricing
Premier Payroll offers a more transparent, budget-friendly option compared to ADP. With a flat-fee structure and no hidden add-ons, Premier makes it easy for small and mid-sized businesses to know exactly what they’ll pay. ADP, on the other hand, uses a tiered, quote-based model where pricing depends on the service bundle. Reports and reviews consistently cite extra fees for add-ons like W-2 processing, garnishments, HR support, benefits, and compliance tools, making ADP more expensive over time.
While both providers require a consultation to finalize costs, Premier Payroll’s clearer pricing and value-driven structure make it the better choice for businesses that want predictable payroll expenses. ADP is best suited for larger organizations that can absorb higher costs in exchange for a bigger enterprise platform.
Service & Implementation
When it comes to implementation, Premier Payroll has the edge in speed and hands-on support. Clients frequently praise its ability to process payroll accurately, on time, and with smooth onboarding, sometimes switching and running payroll in less than 24 hours. ADP, while powerful, has a reputation for longer setup times and more complex onboarding, especially when integrating multiple HR modules.
Both companies offer nationwide coverage, but their approaches differ. Premier Payroll emphasizes personalized, industry-specific solutions for security, trucking, hospitality, and property management, while ADP offers a one-size-fits-all model built for scale. For small to mid-sized businesses, Premier’s focused, responsive approach is often a better fit.
Overall Interaction and Experience
Both companies receive strong reviews, but the client experience is very different. Premier Payroll is known for personalized service, direct communication, and fast responses, you’ll get to speak to a real person without ticket delays or call-center runarounds. ADP provides 24/7 support and a wide range of self-service options, but many reviews cite long hold times, confusing handoffs, and an impersonal feel due to its size.
If you value one-on-one support and responsiveness, Premier Payroll stands out. ADP is better if you want a larger corporate provider with advanced HR and benefit add-ons, but at the cost of losing the personal touch.
Conclusion
Choosing between ADP and Premier Payroll depends on your priorities.
If you want transparent pricing, faster onboarding, and personalized support, Premier Payroll is the better choice. Its focus on industries like security, trucking, and property management makes it ideal for businesses that need payroll done quickly, affordably, and without hassle.
If you need a large, enterprise-level solution with bundled HR, benefits, and PEO services, ADP is the stronger fit, though it comes with higher costs and a more complex structure.
Overall, Premier Payroll is the better choice for most small and mid-sized businesses that want payroll done right without the red tape, while ADP is best for larger organizations with more complex HR demands.
ADP Payroll Services
The Average Cost of ADP Payroll Services
ADP Payroll operates on a tiered, quote-based pricing model that varies depending on the size of your business and the services selected. ADP does not publish a public price list, but industry reports show that base payroll fees start at per‑employee charges plus additional costs per pay run. Add‑ons like W‑2/1099 processing, garnishment handling, HR compliance tools, benefits administration, and time‑tracking modules can drive the true cost up significantly over time.
Unlike Premier Payroll, which offers flat‑fee payroll pricing with no hidden costs, ADP’s opaque pricing makes it difficult for small and mid‑sized businesses to accurately predict their monthly payroll expenses. Many small business owners report that the extra charges for HR support, benefits, and compliance add-ons increase the overall cost of ADP Payroll Services year after year. While ADP positions itself as a comprehensive payroll and HR platform, the pricing structure can make it more expensive than regional payroll companies like Premier Payroll, especially for firms in industries such as security, trucking, property management, and hospitality that need predictable budgets and fast turnaround times.
ADP Payroll Reviews
ADP Payroll reviews show a mixed picture. On Trustpilot, ADP holds an average rating of 1.6/5 from more than 2,800 reviews, with critical feedback citing hidden fees, long hold times, and confusing onboarding processes. While some clients praise ADP’s broad range of HR and compliance tools, others report frustration with its corporate-style customer service and unexpected costs.
In contrast, Premier Payroll consistently receives strong reviews across Google and the BBB for personalized support, clear communication, transparent pricing, and faster onboarding. Many small businesses feel ADP Payroll can feel more corporate and less responsive to the unique needs of smaller organizations, while Premier Payroll offers a hands-on, industry-specific approach.
Reviews Breakdown
Reviews Breakdown
NA
A+
1.6/5 (2,800+ reviews)
NA
Overall Review
3.0/5
ADP Better Business Bureau
ADP Payroll holds an A+ BBB rating, but also shows a large number of complaints due to its size and nationwide reach. This can make it difficult for prospective clients to assess service quality or resolution times. In contrast, Premier Payroll maintains an A+ BBB rating with far fewer complaints, reflecting its long-standing commitment to resolving customer issues promptly and operating with transparency. This difference highlights Premier Payroll’s advantage in trustworthiness and responsiveness compared to ADP.
ADP Payroll Alternatives
If you are searching for ADP Payroll alternatives that are more affordable, transparent, and small-business-friendly, Premier Payroll is a leading choice. Unlike ADP’s quote-based pricing model, Premier Payroll provides flat-fee, all-inclusive payroll services with no hidden costs. Businesses benefit from faster onboarding (often under 24 hours), 24/7 live customer support, and personalized service tailored to industries like trucking, security, restaurants, hospitality, and property management.
While ADP Payroll may work best for large enterprises needing a complex HCM platform, Premier Payroll is the better payroll provider for small and mid-sized businesses. Companies that want predictable costs, hands-on support, and faster payroll processing consistently choose Premier Payroll over ADP Payroll Services.
FAQs
ADP pricing varies by business size and services, but many report base fees plus $4–$10 per employee per month, with extra charges for add-ons.
Yes, many small businesses find ADP expensive due to hidden fees for W‑2s, garnishments, benefits, and support.
Yes. Reviews often mention extra costs for year-end forms, compliance tools, and HR support not included in base pricing.
Premier Payroll uses a flat-fee pricing model, while ADP is quote-based and often more expensive for small and mid-sized businesses.
ADP uses custom quotes based on business size and service bundles, making it hard to predict costs upfront.
Yes, ADP offers 24/7 support, but many reviews mention long wait times and impersonal service.
Premier Payroll is known for 24/7 live support with real humans — no ticketing systems or long hold times.
Yes, but response times vary. Many users report dealing with multiple agents and slow resolutions.
Premier Payroll can onboard new clients in under 24 hours, while ADP setup may take days or weeks.
ADP offers general solutions for many industries, but lacks the personalized service Premier provides to trucking, security, and hospitality.
Yes. Premier’s transparent pricing, faster setup, and hands-on support make it ideal for small and mid-sized companies.
Yes, Premier Payroll supports multi-state payroll compliance for small and growing businesses across the U.S.
Yes, ADP offers integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and other platforms.
Yes, Premier supports essential accounting and time-tracking integrations with direct implementation support.
Payroll processing, tax filings, W‑2/1099 prep, and 24/7 support — all without hidden fees.
Yes, many users report additional fees for year-end form filing and delivery.
Hidden fees, long wait times, impersonal service, and slow onboarding are frequent issues in reviews.
No, ADP has a 1.6/5 rating on Trustpilot from over 2,800 reviews.
Premier receives higher ratings for service, responsiveness, and pricing transparency.
Yes. Premier Payroll specializes in fast transitions, often completing onboarding in 24 hours or less.
Premier Payroll is a top-rated ADP alternative, especially for businesses in trucking, property management, and hospitality.
Premier offers flat pricing, personalized support, and faster service without the hidden costs ADP is known for.
Large enterprises with in-house HR teams may benefit from ADP’s full-service HCM platform, despite the higher cost.