ADP is a globally recognised name in payroll and human capital management (HCM), with over 70 years of experience supporting businesses of all sizes. ADP Workforce Now is its flagship cloud-based platform designed to manage HR, payroll, talent, and benefits for mid-sized to large businesses. While ADP Workforce Now is primarily aimed at US-based companies, it integrates with ADP’s broader suite of international payroll and global employment solutions, making it a consideration for businesses expanding globally. Here’s our full pricing review.
Review of ADP Workforce Now
ADP Workforce Now is an all-in-one HCM platform covering:
- Payroll processing
- Time and attendance tracking
- Benefits administration
- Talent acquisition and onboarding
- Compliance support
- Employee self-service portals
When combined with ADP Global Payroll or ADP’s Employer of Record (EOR) services, Workforce Now can extend beyond domestic operations to support international hiring, payments, and compliance.
Key features of ADP Workforce Now for international hiring
While Workforce Now itself is focused on managing a US workforce, its power lies in its integration with ADP’s global network, offering features such as:
1. Global payroll integration
ADP Workforce Now connects with ADP Global Payroll, allowing businesses to consolidate payroll data from multiple countries into one centralised platform, with visibility across currencies, languages, and tax jurisdictions.
2. Compliance and regulatory support
ADP offers expertise in over 140 countries, helping businesses navigate complex international employment laws, tax regulations, and benefits requirements. This includes automated compliance updates and localised payroll processing.
3. Cross-border reporting
With unified dashboards and analytics, Workforce Now provides insights into global payroll costs, workforce trends, and headcount across multiple locations.
4. International workforce management
By linking Workforce Now with ADP’s international services, businesses can manage both domestic and global teams, tracking time off, benefits, and employee records worldwide.
5. Employee self-service
Global employees can access payslips, tax documents, and personal information through secure online portals, customised in multiple languages.
ADP Workforce Now pricing and fees
ADP Workforce Now uses a bespoke pricing model, meaning costs vary significantly based on the specific needs of your business. Pricing depends on factors such as the size of your workforce, the countries you operate in, the modules you select, and the level of support required.
Typical cost breakdown
While ADP doesn’t publicly list standard pricing for Workforce Now or its international services, here is a general guide to what you can expect:
| Service | Estimated cost (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADP Workforce Now (core US payroll and HR) | £15–£20 per employee, per month | Base price for standard HR and payroll features in the US |
| Global payroll add-on | Custom quote | Pricing depends on the number of countries, currencies, and employees |
| Employer of Record (EOR) service | £350–£600+ per employee, per month | Covers full employment, benefits, compliance, and payroll in countries where you don’t have an entity |
| Implementation/setup fees | £1,000–£20,000+ | Varies based on business size, complexity, and countries involved |
| Optional modules (talent management, benefits, time tracking) | Additional fees apply | Usually added on a per-employee, per-month basis |
Key things to consider with ADP pricing
- Bundling: ADP often bundles services together, so the more features and international add-ons you use, the more cost-effective the overall package may become.
- Long-term contracts: Many ADP contracts are annual or multi-year, so it’s important to negotiate terms carefully.
- Custom quotes: For any business looking to use ADP Workforce Now for international hiring, a tailored quote is essential. Prices can vary significantly based on regional complexities, currency conversions, and legal requirements.
- Scalability: ADP pricing is generally more competitive for larger businesses. Small businesses may find the fees prohibitive if only hiring a handful of international employees.
Is ADP Workforce Now cost-effective?
ADP Workforce Now is most cost-effective for:
- Businesses with 50+ employees who want an integrated system for domestic and global HR and payroll.
- Organisations needing compliance-heavy support across multiple countries.
- Companies already using ADP services in one region and looking to consolidate internationally.
For smaller businesses or startups with modest global hiring needs, the per-employee costs for EOR and global payroll services can add up quickly. In such cases, dedicated global employment platforms with simpler flat-rate pricing may prove more economical.
Pros of ADP Workforce Now for international hiring
- Trusted global brand with decades of experience in international payroll and compliance
- Seamless integration between domestic and international HR and payroll systems
- Centralised reporting across multiple countries
- Scalable platform that grows with your business as you expand globally
- Dedicated compliance support to manage complex local employment laws
Cons of ADP Workforce Now for international hiring
- Complex pricing structure with costs adding up for global capabilities
- Primarily designed for US operations, requiring add-ons for full international coverage
- Setup can be time-consuming, especially when configuring multi-country payroll
- May be excessive for smaller businesses with simpler international needs
- Support quality varies depending on region and service level
Is ADP Workforce Now right for your international hiring needs?
ADP Workforce Now is ideal if:
- You are a mid-sized to large business managing both US-based and international employees.
- You want a single provider to manage HR, payroll, and compliance across multiple countries.
- You require deep compliance expertise to reduce the risks of global hiring.
- You are already using ADP in the US and want to extend internationally without adopting an entirely new system.
However, if you are a small business or a startup looking to hire just a handful of employees internationally, ADP Workforce Now may be more than you need. In those cases, a specialist global EOR or international PEO provider like Deel, Remote, or Oyster could offer a more streamlined, lower-cost solution.
Our verdict
ADP Workforce Now is a powerful and reliable platform for businesses seeking to centralise their HR and payroll processes across multiple countries, backed by one of the most established names in the industry. However, its full international potential relies on integrating with ADP’s additional global services, which can drive up costs and complexity.
For businesses with significant global ambitions and a need for rigorous compliance, ADP Workforce Now remains one of the most comprehensive solutions on the market. But for leaner operations, it may be worth comparing more agile global employment platforms before committing.
FAQ about ADP Workforce Now
ADP Workforce Now is a cloud-based human capital management (HCM) platform designed for mid-sized to large businesses. It helps manage payroll, HR, talent, time tracking, and benefits. While primarily focused on US operations, it can integrate with ADP’s global payroll and Employer of Record (EOR) services to support international hiring and workforce management.
Not directly. ADP Workforce Now itself is designed for US payroll, but it integrates seamlessly with ADP Global Payroll and other international solutions. This allows businesses to manage and consolidate payroll across multiple countries from a single platform, but it requires additional services and fees.
Yes. ADP offers EOR solutions through its global network, which enables businesses to hire employees in countries where they do not have a legal entity. This service handles employment contracts, payroll, taxes, and compliance on your behalf. However, these services are offered separately from Workforce Now and come with additional costs.
ADP Workforce Now uses custom pricing based on your business size, location, required features, and number of employees. As a rough guide:
UK pricing for core Workforce Now features often starts from £15–£20 per employee per month.
International payroll and EOR services are priced separately, typically ranging from £350–£600+ per international employee per month, depending on the country.
For an accurate quote, ADP requires a tailored consultation.
ADP Workforce Now is best suited for mid-sized to large businesses, typically with 50 or more employees, especially those managing both US-based and international teams. Smaller companies with only a few international hires may find more cost-effective options with dedicated global employment platforms.
Implementation can be complex and time-consuming, particularly if you are setting up payroll and compliance processes across multiple countries. Most businesses work closely with ADP’s onboarding teams to configure the system properly. Implementation timelines and costs vary based on the number of countries and the complexity of your HR setup.
Yes, but typically in conjunction with ADP’s global services. International employees can access self-service portals to view payslips, update personal details, and manage time off, but full international payroll processing requires integration with ADP’s global payroll solutions.
ADP provides regulatory support in over 140 countries, ensuring that payroll, tax filings, employment contracts, and benefits comply with local laws. This is particularly helpful for businesses entering new international markets without in-house legal expertise.
Yes. Competitors include global employment platforms like:
Deel
Remote
Oyster
Papaya Global
These services often specialise in EOR and global payroll with more transparent, flat-rate pricing and simpler onboarding processes, particularly for small to mid-sized businesses.
ADP Workforce Now is a great fit if:
You are a larger business with complex HR and payroll needs.
You are already using ADP domestically and want to expand globally.
You need deep compliance support across multiple countries.
However, for smaller businesses or those with limited international hiring, it may be more cost-effective and simpler to use a specialist global employment platform.