ADP TotalSource vs Branch

Paylocity

Rippling

BambooHR

One unified platform for HR, Finance, and IT. Connect people, processes, and data. Automate tasks and drive business growth. 

Rippling is a cloud-based workforce management system that helps businesses manage operations across HR, finance, and IT.

BambooHR centralizes employee, payroll, time, and benefits data in one platform, ensuring accurate, secure, and coordinated information for peace of mind.

From helping with day-to-day tasks like compliance questions, addressing turnover, employee engagement and development, or tricky employee situations to diving deep into HR goals and strategy, clients can count on their dedicated HRBP. 

Payroll Management

Benefits Management

Employee Management

Onboarding

Time & Attendance

Compensation Management

Performance Management

Recruitment Management

Applicant Tracking

Reviews for ADP TotalSource come from a wide variety of industries, including real estate (6% of reviewers), information technology and services (5%), and hospital & health care (5%). The most frequent use case for ADP TotalSource cited by reviewers is human resources (43% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Some users say ADP TotalSource offers quality benefits and competitive rates, which they feel justify costs for larger organizations. However, many users report high prices, unclear billing, and prohibitive extra fees, especially for smaller companies.

Value for money

ADP TotalSource is a human resources tool offering key features such as payroll management, benefits management, HR management, employee database, and reporting/analytics, among others.

Proprietary

ADP TotalSource

Web-based

Windows

Linux

Chromebook

Android

iPhone

iPad

Paychex Flex

TriNet

Paycom

QuickBooks Payroll

Paycor

TriNet HR Plus

Slow customer response times

Operations Manager

When you put a ticket in, the response is not quick and sometimes the questions are not answered.

Chief People Officer

So, the steps are incorrect or misleading, forcing me to ask again for clarity only to again get no response for weeks.  

71% of reviewers feel negative about Response Time. Reviewers frequently report delays in receiving responses from customer support, with some waiting weeks for answers to critical issues. They say it is often necessary to follow up multiple times or escalate requests to get any resolution. Users mention that support is sometimes unresponsive or provides incomplete information, which can delay important business decisions and create ongoing frustration.

High and opaque pricing

Director of Accounting

The cost per employee compared to ADP Run or any other platform I have used was much higher and I could not figure out what I was getting for all of the extra fees.   

70% of reviewers feel negative about Pricing. Reviewers frequently mention that the software is expensive compared to alternatives, with high costs for both core services and add-ons. They express frustration over a lack of transparency in billing, making it difficult to understand or justify fees. Some users report regular price increases and say the cost structure is not well-suited for smaller organizations. Others highlight the inability to negotiate or separate costs for individual services.

Challenging platform navigation

45% of reviewers feel negative about Navigation. Reviewers indicate that navigating the platform can be confusing and time-consuming, especially when searching for specific features or completing tasks like balancing PTO. They report that the menus are not always intuitive, and finding less frequently used options can be difficult. Some users say that terminology and multiple web portals add to the complexity, while others mention frustration with navigation on both desktop and mobile devices.

Limited and difficult reporting

56% of reviewers feel negative about Reporting. Reviewers indicate that reporting features lack flexibility and are not user-friendly, making it hard to generate custom or detailed reports. They say finding and accessing specific reports is cumbersome, and the process for creating new reports is not intuitive. Some users report inaccuracies or delays in report generation, while others mention that available reports do not always meet their needs for analysis or compliance.

Outdated and unintuitive interface

46% of reviewers feel negative about User Interface. Reviewers report that the platform’s interface appears outdated and is not intuitive, making it hard to locate features or complete tasks. They say the design feels clunky, with confusing layouts and non-intuitive labeling. Some users mention that updates often require navigating multiple areas, and the overall user experience does not meet their expectations for modern software. Employees and administrators alike find the interface challenging to use.

Centralized HR data management

Consultant

It is a complete package to organize all the HR related function in any organization as it is suitable for all the industry.

Vice-President

Fairly easy and intuitive to use, menus are organized well and web interface and portal contain plenty of support information

85% of reviewers feel positive about Organized Information. Reviewers appreciate having all HR-related functions and resources consolidated in one platform, making it easier to manage and access important data. They find the system’s layout clean and intuitive, which helps them stay organized and enhances compliance. Users indicate that the interconnected modules and comprehensive dashboards allow for efficient tracking of time sheets, benefits, and other critical information. Some reviewers value the extensive capacity for storing information, which supports both daily operations and long-term HR needs.

Streamlined user experience

83% of reviewers feel positive about Ease of Use. Reviewers appreciate the platform’s user-friendly design, which allows them to quickly access HR, payroll, and benefits information from any location. They find it easy to navigate tabs, make changes, and complete tasks such as timekeeping and requesting PTO. Users say the intuitive dashboard and well-defined categories save time and simplify daily operations. Some reviewers highlight the convenience of having all HR functions in one portal, noting that it makes their work more efficient and manageable.

HR Manager

Additionally, the reporting capabilities are exceptional, offering detailed, customizable reports that help streamline decision-making and provide valuable insights into business operations.

HR Consultant

ADP TotalSource is a full HR suite in an intuitive system to include payroll support, access to competitive benefits, tax filings, workers' compensation, training resources, applicant tracking system, analytics, reporting, time keeping, and performance management, personnel file management, background checks, and data security with a single sign-on.

Office Operations Manager

The platform delivers a reliable, well-rounded HR solution with simple, dependable payroll processing and strong HR support.

Head of People

By taking on the heavy administrative work—payroll, onboarding, compliance, and many of the manual day-to-day tasks—ADP TotalSource has allowed us to shift our focus to what really matters: engaging with our employees and supporting their growth.

ADP TotalSource has been a dependable partner that improves efficiency, reduces stress, and supports consistent payroll and HR operations.

Sr tech specialist

The compliance guidance is helpful and reduces risk of missing important requirements. Once you learn system, it becomes a reliable tool for managing all HR tasks.

I used it in my previous as well as current job , ADP brings payroll, benefits, and HR support into one , which makes daily work easy and easy to follow and understand

Administrator

The learning curve for my employees, because they use to be able to write in their times if they forgot a punch in or out, but during the initial period they'd have to call me or their supervisor to correct their timecards till they figured out how to leave memos.

ADP ensures that onboarding and payroll are accurate and seamless, which builds trust and sets a positive tone for every employee experience.

With less time spent on administrative burdens, our team can devote energy to performance reviews, employee development, and creating a workplace culture that inspires and retains talent.

Office Manager

That comes out to roughly $9,500 per month for health insurance - and that doesn't include the GAP insurance we pay separately for our employees since the deductible is $5K per person!  

These tools enable users to make informed decisions with confidence and ensure compliance with various regulations.

This is likely because individual representatives are managing more clients than they should, leading to delays and frustration for users who need immediate assistance.

Technical support engineer

ADP Total source helps me every month to find my payroll details, my leave counts, my exception and tax deduction information very easily from one portal.

Vice President

ADP helped us to manage layoffs when closures first occurred and  we were forced to downsize temporarily, as well as to navigate the PPP Loan Application process with easily accessible reports customized for this purpose.

A full service one stop provider utilizing a co-employer model that helps a small organization such as ours to fulfil all of our HR obligations, as well as federal and state regulations, while offering our employees great benefits.

ADP TotalSource is a invaluable resource for a small organizations navigating many of the aspects people employment.  

Pharmacist

It saves me a lot of time when running payroll, and their customer service has been excellent—most of my questions get resolved promptly when I call.

Executive Director

Great for managing e-documents for EEs, has lots of self service options for EEs to help cut down on having a person to answer questions.  

Server

Also, when company had switched payroll providers to better integrate with their other systems, all employees lost access to ADP login credentials/accounts and therefore could not access previous payroll history.

HR Generalist

ADP TotalSource has helped make the day-to-day tasks easier. If you are looking for support in your HR department for a growing business, I recommend ADP TotalSource.

I like the feature that can login anytime and keep track on our salary records, HR, benefits across the things.

Director People Operations

Things like adding date ranges for data should be easier to set up for custom reports.   And if we need a report created it takes weeks to get it done.  

Practice Administrator

The payroll is not very user friendly and difficult to find reports; Too many emails sent that it's difficult to know when there is something to really pay attention to.

Payroll manager

After some updates last 2 years, on Mondays it didn't work, so need to contact later on as due to time difference I cannot call for at least 5 hours

sensitive content hidden] is available when we need him and helps us understand our options, enabling us to make informed decisions.

President

Also, due to ADP negligence I have surfaced numerous federal tax errors on government programs...

Pharmacy Technician

I didn't actually do the payroll - I think that is an HR thing. But, I do use it to navigate and see my paycheck every two weeks.

Payroll is straightforward and efficient, making routine processing smooth and stress-free.

Limited option while doing payroll, ie PTO: does not allow one to personalize reasons why the many various reason people take off.

I like the support staff and that ADP covers all HR releated areas needed for a business.

Behavior Technician

Also, there are some occasional system glitches.

Director of Finance

The compliance aspect it fully handled by ADP which saves me, as a one person department, a ton of time on the administrative side.

The only issue we have with ADP is how frequently we have issues for staff trying to clock in and out.

I get bounced around a lot when I have issues and when I create a case I'm told it could take 3 to 6 pay periods to resolve the issue.

My ERC submission is taking a VERY LONG time which is not ADP's fault, but would really like regular follow-up from them letting me know things are still progressing.

Manager, HR and Administration

I value my partnership with my account manager and she is always in communication and helpful with all of my needs!

Past year I had one incident where i got wrong information from online support due to that I had to run 2 payrolls.

Practice Manager

I appreciate the time savings and reminders that are sent regarding upcoming events/due dates and new applicable laws, etc.

Chief Executive

That’s part of life, but you do build a rapport with some of your reps and that can be a difficult adjustment.

VP of Finance

Each year the rates are going up as much as if we were on our own.

Sometimes file x documents that are uploaded are not attended to in a timely fashion.

ADP has a wealth of legal experts and database managers who can help a business of any size reduce administrative time.  

The system is easy to navigate overall, which saves time across day-to-day HR tasks.

Their expertise and support make the transition easy and stress-free, which is no small feat when dealing with complex HR systems.

Chief Operating Officer

Access to premium quality benefits with the ability to tier benefits packages to customize employer/employee cost

Payroll and timesheets are easy to use and they work with me get issues resolved.

Delays on getting clear information on tax items (e.g., ERTC, Mass PFML) and sometime on benefits information.

ADP should handle tasks that require more effort or are outside of our usual responsibilities, rather than expecting us to do them.

Director of Finance and Donor Relations

Quote was based on total employees, which includes seasonal coaches/substitutes and short term employees, who are not hourly.  

Reviewers indicate that ADP TotalSource’s payroll management is generally easy to use, with straightforward payroll runs and strong support from payroll representatives. Users report that payroll is processed accurately and on time, with compliance and tax filing handled efficiently. They find the self-service portal helpful for employees to view pay details and adjust tax withholdings. However, reviewers say ADP TotalSource’s payroll management can feel clunky at times and lacks some customization options for pay types. Of the 40 ADP TotalSource users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Payroll Management, 95% rated this feature as important or highly important.

HR Management

Reviewers feel ADP TotalSource’s HR management helps them stay compliant with changing laws and provides valuable guidance from HR representatives. Users report that ADP TotalSource centralizes HR information, making it easier to manage policies, procedures, and employee relations. They say the compliance resources and support articles are helpful, and tools like E-Verify are easy to use. However, some reviewers mention slow response times and feel the HR management capabilities are less robust than other aspects. Of the 23 ADP TotalSource users who gave detailed accounts of their use of HR Management, 87% rated this feature as important or highly important.

User Interface

Reporting

Tax Management

Training and Learning Curve

Enrollment

Customer Support

Bugs and Issues

Time Clock

Small Business

Mid-size Business

Large Enterprises

Freelancers

Some users say ADP TotalSource provides access to high-quality, customizable benefits and competitive group rates, which they feel can justify the expense for larger organizations. Some reviewers find benefit price increases reasonable and appreciate cost-saving perks on travel and other expenses. However, many users report the platform is expensive, with unclear or bundled billing and a lack of pricing transparency. Some reviewers feel extra fees for certain features are prohibitive and say the cost does not match the value, especially for smaller companies. Users think comparing costs to other providers is difficult due to limited breakdowns.

Paycom is the most automated HCM platform and the only HR and payroll software built on a truly single, unique database that automates the entire employee life cycle. 

Branch enables businesses to accelerate payments to their workforce with our comprehensive workforce payments platform. 


Self Service Portal

Employee Benefits Administration

Branch

Deel

UKG Pro

Basic

Notification overload and inconsistency

72% of reviewers feel negative about notifications. Some users report receiving too many alerts, including unnecessary or irrelevant messages, which they find disruptive. Reviewers indicate that notifications can be inconsistent, with some important alerts not appearing or being delayed, while others are excessive. They say it’s sometimes unclear where to find the information referenced in a notification, and that managing notification preferences can be cumbersome. Users also mention frustration with persistent or hard-to-clear alerts.

Unreliable messaging experience

64% of reviewers feel negative about message and chat features. Some users say messages are delayed, fail to send, or disappear unexpectedly, making it difficult to maintain conversations. Reviewers report that the chat function can be glitchy, sometimes requiring app restarts to view new messages. They also mention issues with group messaging, lack of read receipts, and reliance on data rather than SMS, which can be problematic in areas with poor connectivity. Users find these limitations hinder effective workplace communication.

Frequent glitches and loading delays

67% of reviewers feel negative about bugs and issues. Users report frequent problems with the app crashing, slow loading times, and needing to restart the app to access features. Some reviewers mention that schedules and messages sometimes fail to load or update, causing inconvenience. They indicate that glitches can disrupt workflow, and that repeated errors, such as app crashes or delays in accessing information, are a recurring source of frustration for teams relying on the platform.

Streamlined workplace organization

100% of reviewers feel positive about the app’s organization. Users say the platform keeps everything tidy and accessible, making it easy to find what they need without unnecessary steps. Some reviewers appreciate that the clear layout helps them and their teams stay on top of shifts and tasks, even after time away. They find that the organized structure saves time and ensures everyone remains informed. Reviewers indicate that having dedicated sections for different functions helps reduce confusion and supports productivity across the workplace.

Efficient team connectivity

98% of reviewers feel positive about team communication. Reviewers appreciate being able to reach all coworkers in one place, noting that the app simplifies group and one-on-one messaging. Users say it’s convenient to share updates, resolve issues, and keep everyone on the same page without needing personal contact information. Some users find the chat features interactive and suitable for quick workplace discussions, while others highlight that it improves overall communication speed and reduces misunderstandings within teams.

Accessible scheduling and alerts

94% of reviewers feel positive about schedule communication. Users say they value being able to check their schedules, request changes, and communicate about shifts directly through the app. Some reviewers highlight the convenience of receiving reminders and updates, which helps prevent missed shifts and improves accountability. They appreciate that managers can quickly post schedules and send alerts, while employees can easily coordinate shift swaps and stay informed about workplace events and changes.

Intuitive and simple interface

98% of reviewers feel positive about the app’s ease of use. Users report that the platform is straightforward, quick to learn, and requires minimal effort to navigate. Some reviewers say the clear design makes it easy to access schedules, manage tasks, and find information without confusion. They indicate that the intuitive setup streamlines daily routines and reduces the learning curve for new users. Many feel that the app’s simplicity contributes to a smoother work experience and saves them time.

CEO/Founder

All in all, in this new age of a million app-based banks - Branch is a strong, reliable entry and definitely worth considering if you get direct deposit paychecks and want to set aside money, or just for an easy way to keep track of your funds.   If you prefer the simple over the complex when it comes to banking, Branch is a solid option.

Nunya

Allowed fraud even though its was flagged while pending, No live help or support.

Hard to contact live Customer Support. If you have any issues with your direct deposit, it can take a while for your '2 days in advance' paycheck to be restored so be sure to keep your deposit regular.

Your money is not insured as its not a bank.

Driver 

Could offer day pay or after shift end pay out capability.

Landscape Designer

Bring back cash advances for those of us that should have been grandfathered in.

Accountability for paying out beyond set pay.

Customer Service Agent

I loved the app it gave me peace of mind on payday knowing that I was able to borrow as much of my paycheck before hand saved my life .

I like that in able to borrow money before I get my pay check through my employer.

Email Marketing Manager

Branch allow me to take out money before I receive my Salary.

Mechanic 

I love that I can get an advance on my paycheck without any fees it’s seriously helped more than once

the fact they give you other saving options outside of your company as well.

Business office manager

Educator

I don't want to have to go in and transfer my money every week.

Assistant

We just started trying this out as an option for employee pay.

Teacher

I like how easy and fast it is to set up and has good tracking of all the money transfers.

ADP TotalSource vs Branch Comparison (2026)

ADP TotalSource

Branch

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives