ADP SmartCompliance vs. ADP Workforce Now

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
ADP SmartCompliance
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
ADP SmartCompliance is a tax and regulatory compliance platform for midsize or larger companies using an ERP or non-ADP platform for HR and HRMS services.N/A
ADP Workforce Now
Score 8.0 out of 10
Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
ADP Workforce Now is a cloud-based HR platform for mid-sized businesses. It features customizable modules of various HR services that businesses can tailor to their specific needs, as well as regulatory monitoring and alerts to help businesses remain compliant.N/A
Pricing
ADP SmartComplianceADP Workforce Now
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Essential
Contact sales team
Enhanced
Contact sales team
Complete
Contact sales team
HR Pro
Contact sales team
Payroll Essentials
Contact sales team
HR Plus
Contact sales team
Hiring Advantage
Contact sales team
Performance Plus
Contact sales team
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ADP SmartComplianceADP Workforce Now
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesYes
Entry-level Setup FeeRequiredRequired
Additional DetailsPricing varies based upon modules deployed and features enabled.Please contact ADP for a product demo and ask about a hands-on "test drive" of Workforce Now.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ADP SmartComplianceADP Workforce Now
Considered Both Products
ADP SmartCompliance
Chose ADP SmartCompliance
I have used ADP for 30+ years. Nothing in my book stacks against ADP.
Chose ADP SmartCompliance
Have only used ADP SmartCompliance at this time. It provides a lot of resources and the information available is good.
ADP Workforce Now
Chose ADP Workforce Now
We loved RUN Powered by ADP, but it was no longer compatible with how big the company was. We currently use and love Monday and Slack. QuickBooks Time is very important to our company, especially construction because it allows GPS tracking of employees. 7shifts is great for …
Chose ADP Workforce Now
Many companies say they have seamless integration, provide a wide-array of reporting capabilities to help achieve compliance, company objectives, analytics. In my experience, only WorkForce has been able to say it and bring it to fruition.
Chose ADP Workforce Now
There was one other payroll system I have used, but I can't recall what it was at this time. ADP [Workforce Now] has been the main one, so I prefer it above others at this time.
Chose ADP Workforce Now
We have always used ADP Workforce Now.
Chose ADP Workforce Now
Although I didn't select ADP Workforce Now for our company, I can say that it stacks up a lot better than other systems I've used or evaluated in the past. The payroll module is user-friendly and very intuitive. It didn't take my team very long at all to get the process down …
Chose ADP Workforce Now
I've used another ADP platform with a previous employer (we referred to the platform as V5) along with Enterprise eTime. Workforce Now is definitely more limited than the V5 platform (it was for an employer with +5,000 employees). Workforce Now is great for small businesses in …
Chose ADP Workforce Now
I think that Workforce Now is more robust and inclusive to make things very efficient on one platform with different modules.
Chose ADP Workforce Now
There are some features in ADP WFN that I love (like the mobile app).
I am on the fence about the reporting...UltiPro BI reporting is really great and I could create reports that I struggle with on ADP WFN.
However ADP reporting is very simple and easy to use so I can see where …
Chose ADP Workforce Now
We have not evaluated any other payroll products in recent years, mostly because we see the value in ADP. Personally, I couldn't bring myself to trust in another payroll company as much as I do ADP. Our company was recently purchased by another company and there was some …
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
ADP SmartComplianceADP Workforce Now
Type of tax
Comparison of Type of tax features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
8.9
9 Ratings
5% above category average
ADP Workforce Now
-
Ratings
Sales and Use Taxes9.53 Ratings00 Ratings
Cross-border Taxes8.07 Ratings00 Ratings
VAT / GST Taxes9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
Energy and Fuel Taxes9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
Tax Reporting & Compliance
Comparison of Tax Reporting & Compliance features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
7.7
40 Ratings
8% below category average
ADP Workforce Now
-
Ratings
Geolocation for Tax Assessment7.111 Ratings00 Ratings
3rd-Party Software Integrations8.121 Ratings00 Ratings
Tax Data Reporting7.939 Ratings00 Ratings
Compliance Administration Management7.232 Ratings00 Ratings
Tax Exemption Processing8.015 Ratings00 Ratings
Tax Document Management7.432 Ratings00 Ratings
Complex Tax Scenario Management8.124 Ratings00 Ratings
Human Resource Management
Comparison of Human Resource Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
ADP Workforce Now
7.7
1022 Ratings
2% below category average
Employee demographic data00 Ratings8.1903 Ratings
Employment history00 Ratings8.2939 Ratings
Job profiles and administration00 Ratings8.0890 Ratings
Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.00 Ratings7.5917 Ratings
Organizational charting00 Ratings6.7643 Ratings
Organization and location management00 Ratings7.5704 Ratings
Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)00 Ratings7.6648 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
ADP Workforce Now
8.0
1034 Ratings
0% below category average
Pay calculation00 Ratings8.7995 Ratings
Support for external payroll vendors00 Ratings7.5389 Ratings
Off-cycle/On-Demand payment00 Ratings7.9294 Ratings
Benefit plan administration00 Ratings7.9798 Ratings
Direct deposit files00 Ratings8.7983 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management00 Ratings7.9769 Ratings
Reimbursement management00 Ratings7.7468 Ratings
Leave and Attendance Management
Comparison of Leave and Attendance Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
ADP Workforce Now
7.7
844 Ratings
5% below category average
Approval workflow00 Ratings8.0766 Ratings
Balance details00 Ratings7.6800 Ratings
Annual carry-forward and encashment00 Ratings7.6648 Ratings
Employee Self Service
Comparison of Employee Self Service features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
ADP Workforce Now
8.0
1014 Ratings
1% below category average
View and generate pay and benefit information00 Ratings8.3977 Ratings
Update personal information00 Ratings8.6968 Ratings
View company policy documentation00 Ratings8.2782 Ratings
Employee recognition00 Ratings7.0366 Ratings
View job history00 Ratings7.732 Ratings
Asset Management
Comparison of Asset Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
ADP Workforce Now
6.0
12 Ratings
25% below category average
Tracking of all physical assets00 Ratings6.012 Ratings
HR Reporting
Comparison of HR Reporting features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
ADP Workforce Now
7.1
944 Ratings
7% below category average
Report builder00 Ratings7.4927 Ratings
Pre-built reports00 Ratings7.6923 Ratings
Ability to combine HR data with external data00 Ratings6.4550 Ratings
Onboarding
Comparison of Onboarding features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
ADP Workforce Now
7.2
116 Ratings
11% below category average
New hire portal00 Ratings7.6112 Ratings
Manager tracking tools00 Ratings6.892 Ratings
Performance and Goals
Comparison of Performance and Goals features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
ADP Workforce Now
7.8
311 Ratings
4% below category average
Corporate goal setting00 Ratings7.9240 Ratings
Individual goal setting00 Ratings7.9291 Ratings
Line-of sight-visibility00 Ratings7.5238 Ratings
Performance tracking00 Ratings7.9284 Ratings
Performance Management
Comparison of Performance Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
ADP Workforce Now
7.3
402 Ratings
8% below category average
Performance plans00 Ratings7.3361 Ratings
Performance improvement plans00 Ratings7.2309 Ratings
Review status tracking00 Ratings7.5366 Ratings
Review reminders00 Ratings7.3378 Ratings
Multiple review frequency00 Ratings7.2313 Ratings
Succession Planning
Comparison of Succession Planning features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
ADP Workforce Now
6.0
7 Ratings
27% below category average
Create succession plans/pools00 Ratings5.86 Ratings
Candidate ranking00 Ratings5.86 Ratings
Candidate search00 Ratings6.37 Ratings
Candidate development00 Ratings6.26 Ratings
Recruiting / ATS
Comparison of Recruiting / ATS features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
ADP Workforce Now
6.8
421 Ratings
13% below category average
Job Requisition Management00 Ratings7.6366 Ratings
Company Website Posting00 Ratings8.1358 Ratings
Publish to Social Media00 Ratings7.1287 Ratings
Job Search Site Posting00 Ratings7.3321 Ratings
Duplicate Candidate Prevention00 Ratings2.38 Ratings
Applicant Tracking00 Ratings7.1362 Ratings
Notifications and Alerts00 Ratings8.3383 Ratings
Best Alternatives
ADP SmartComplianceADP Workforce Now
Small Businesses
Canopy
Canopy
Score 9.5 out of 10
Patriot Software
Patriot Software
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
LOVAT
LOVAT
Score 10.0 out of 10
Paypro Workforce Management
Paypro Workforce Management
Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Vertex
Vertex
Score 8.4 out of 10
Infor Human Resources
Infor Human Resources
Score 7.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
ADP SmartComplianceADP Workforce Now
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(134 ratings)
8.3
(1089 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.8
(29 ratings)
7.3
(82 ratings)
Usability
7.8
(37 ratings)
6.2
(78 ratings)
Availability
8.9
(12 ratings)
7.3
(14 ratings)
Performance
8.5
(12 ratings)
6.4
(13 ratings)
Support Rating
5.6
(37 ratings)
7.1
(463 ratings)
In-Person Training
4.6
(4 ratings)
8.1
(9 ratings)
Online Training
8.3
(9 ratings)
5.8
(17 ratings)
Implementation Rating
4.8
(22 ratings)
5.8
(34 ratings)
Configurability
7.9
(10 ratings)
6.4
(10 ratings)
Ease of integration
6.9
(9 ratings)
6.1
(8 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.7
(11 ratings)
7.5
(751 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
5.5
(9 ratings)
5.2
(8 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
6.4
(8 ratings)
6.1
(8 ratings)
User Testimonials
ADP SmartComplianceADP Workforce Now
Likelihood to Recommend
ADP
There has been much end user improvement on this site over the 3 years that I have been using it. I really appreciate the focus and attention ADP has place on making this a user friendly site so that their customers can better navigate their payroll tax issues. I look forward to the additional features that will be added in another three years time. I really am able to be quite efficient within my role because of the ease of use of this site.
Read full review
ADP
If you are looking to automate processes and have the system handle administrative, boring tasks this is the system for you. They are continuing to evolve and are coming out with improvements constantly. Have a suggestion on an improvement they will listen and consider implementing.
Read full review
Pros
ADP
  • It helps us identify our employees who entered their account information incorrectly and get the payment reissued to them as quickly as possible.
  • It helps us quickly and securely issue payment to employees who terminate.
  • We efficiently get our garnishments processed to remain compliant.
Read full review
ADP
  • HRIS that is personalized for the employee and addresses DE&I needs.
  • Payroll, of course! The system addresses all needs, such as deductions, additional pay, premium OT, and shift differentials.
  • Onboarding is an excellent way to stay in compliance and have all documents completed.
  • Tax and Banking and resolution to any issues.
Read full review
Cons
ADP
  • ADP should have their SC employees better trained to give consistent answers about how to handle certain tax issues relating to the states. I seem to get a different answer multiple times.
  • It's difficult to distinguish between which cases/letters goes through ADP Workforce Now Service Connect and which cases go through SmartCompliance. I have been told differently on many occasions and will find a case in both places.
  • While many of the agency notices of tax rate changes, etc. are a very quick process and ADP "resolves" the case, I find other notices get lost in the shuffle when it doesn't fit exactly into the rate change bucket or the past due bill that says "Just Pay It". Some letters aren't that straightforward.
Read full review
ADP
  • I would like it if better communication was sent out about new product updates. Sometimes, I go into a screen and things are different and I have to relearn it on the fly.
  • Editing the mobile app - I would like it if what is shown on the desktop version was automatically on the app. WAY more of my employees use the app, but I put the most important information on the desktop version because it is easier to update.
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Likelihood to Renew
ADP
There is no other option on the table for us at the moment to go with a different vendor. We also have had very little issues processing with ADP that would make us want to look for a new vendor.
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ADP
Due to the lack of support from the sales and service center we are looking at other options outside of ADP. Again it is a good system, it just lacks the support it deserves from the company employees. It is just unimaginable that you will need to reach out to a service provider several times for the same issue and not get it resolved.
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Usability
ADP
For the most part, one can get in and learn how to navigate the system by just clicking on one of the suject areas. If you have a good clientrepresentative, they will inform you of new features/functionality and give you a quick demo. This is helpful for one to go back in and navigate to learn how it works and usefulness.
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ADP
I would give it a 10 however I do not like when ADP does facelifts in Workforce Now which does not add any value other than having to relearn navigation. I am also not a big fan of being forced to refer to the Bridge. We have Google which gives the same results. If I understood the answer I would not contact our Account Rep.
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Reliability and Availability
ADP
We have never experienced unavailability with ADP. They communicate promptly when there is a holiday or if the system is down for maintenance. The maintenance schedule is during times when it is least used
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ADP
ADP outages are very rare
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Performance
ADP
If ADP is having issues, they communicate the problem within the solution once you log in. They also communicate that the issue will be fixed promptly. Reports run efficiently and in a reasonable amount of time. Also, the reports allow for various reporting types to be produced like a PDF or a Microsoft Excel file.
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ADP
Overall, I think the functionality of the program works pretty well. Sometimes, certain browsers do not work well for the policy function of ADP, but that is the only issue thus far
Read full review
Support Rating
ADP
As mentioned in the last comment, everyone and everything has been great. However sometimes you get one person that I feel can bring a score down and the current dedicated tax representative I have I do not feel is very supportive.
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ADP
I have contacted support multiple times and have always been happy with the results. ADP's support staff is always helpful and makes easy work of solving problems. I love my Payroll Account Manager, as well as my Enhanced Time Account Manager.
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In-Person Training
ADP
I haven't participated in in-person training yet.
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ADP
In-person training was pretty good - I think this significantly depends on the trainer. Our trainer was really good and showed what ADP can do - but I know that all trainers are not the same - and this truly makes such as difference. Overall, our training went pretty well.
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Online Training
ADP
They have annual training for Smart Compliance, which is very helpful. We learn the most up to laws for various subject matters, like garnishments, payroll law, child support, state unemployment laws by states. We also earn credit toward certifications. The training is user friendly, and highly recommended. It can be done live or listened to at your own convenience.
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ADP
At the time training was not as expansive as it is now. If it could go wrong it did for me so the process was difficult and lengthy. I needed to have more in person walkthroughs of things to ensure the transition was done correctly. Not sure what else I can say, we were part of the initial move to Workforce Now when it was introduced.
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Implementation Rating
ADP
Currently all electronic copies of our returns have to be downloaded one at a time. There should be a way to download all returns for a quarter in a zip file or single download.
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ADP
Either assign more than one specialist to the implementation process, or assign less clients to the implementation specialist. The process requires attention to detail and the ability to test and re-test as well as verify the information. It also requires a lot of back and forth between the client ant the implementation specialist, so they need to be readily available during the whole implementation process.
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Alternatives Considered
ADP
ADP SmartCompliance was easily integrated with WFN and all of our employee data was in one place. We saw this as an advantage instead of having to log into multiple platforms, everything was quickly accessible to respond to a VOE or claim.
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ADP
Although this SAS takes longer to perform the everyday functions related to payroll and HR data input, the difference in this software and our previous software is like night and day. We were on a very old server platform and had too many issues with continuous need for backup.
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Scalability
ADP
ADP has the ability to scale across departments. This was found to be true when we rolled out the wage payment solution. ADP users are able to view their pay stubs on their phones and/or computers. This wage payment portal offers W2 storage and paystub storage for access at any time by an employee.
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ADP
It handles very well with very sensitive data of a company especially of employees. Even provides HR services regarding recruitment services like recruitment, providing notification, even handles increment cycle of employee, any awards achieved by employees. All of this services are handled by them in very efficient way.
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Return on Investment
ADP
  • The customer service phone service for the ADP Wisely service is very bad. No understanding or a language barrier is a very difficult service to deal with. Also working with them to correct a situation was impossible. It is basically non existent.
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ADP
  • ADP WorkforceNow has provided a positive ROI for our company. It has saved me countless hours in the time I used to spend preparing reports, managing benefits, and annual enrollment, recruitment tracking, and much more.
  • The integration with Payscale has allowed our company to take every position in our organization and benchmark it to industries and job titles. This has allowed us to be more competitive on recruitment and retention.
  • We have used the new DE&I dashboard to provide valuable information on the landscape of our workforce, as well as areas of our organization that may not be as diverse.
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ScreenShots

ADP SmartCompliance Screenshots

Screenshot of

ADP Workforce Now Screenshots

Screenshot of ADP Workforce Now: a simple and complete human capital management solutionScreenshot of Benchmarking by ADP DataCloud: an application with an extensive data set ... available to ADP Workforce Now clientsScreenshot of ADP Workforce Now clients can equip their employees with the ADP Mobile self-service app