Choosing the right time and attendance system is daunting. You're likely overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and worried about making the wrong choice, leading to wasted time and money. If you're torn between Gusto and ADP, you're not alone. Both are popular options with robust features but cater to different needs. Small businesses often favor Gusto for its user-friendly interface and integrated payroll features. In contrast, ADP is a well-established player known for its comprehensive HR solutions, making it a good fit for larger enterprises with complex requirements.
At Lift HCM, we've helped countless businesses navigate the complexities of HR technology. We understand your challenges and the critical need for a reliable, efficient time and attendance system. Today, we’ll compare the time tracking, scheduling, PTO, and leave management features of two of the most popular Human Capital Management (HCM) software platforms: ADP and Gusto. Although ADP and Gusto aren't solutions we offer nor use at Lift HCM, our expertise in the HCM space means we're well-versed in the trade-offs between the two. Let's dive in!
Table of Contents
Time Tracking
Gusto’s Time Tracking Features
Gusto provides various time-tracking options to suit different business needs. Physical time clocks are available to record employee hours in traditional workplaces. With the Time Kiosk, you can turn any tablet into a clock to clock in and out. Gusto integrates with several popular time-tracking apps, such as 7Shifts, Deputy, Homebase, and QuickBooks Time. These integrations can enable features like GPS tracking, biometric clock-ins, and idle time tracking.
Gusto also offers the Gusto Wallet app that allows employees to clock in and out, track their breaks, and submit timesheets. The app also integrates with GPS to track employee location. Employers may also choose to allow employees to clock in and out using the Gusto Wallet app (available on Android and iOS). The app serves as a central hub for their payroll, benefits, and scheduling needs.
Gusto offers web-based time tracking, allowing employees to log their hours from any computer. This option is convenient for businesses with employees who work from different locations or who don't have regular work schedules. Additionally, Gusto's time tracking integrates with its payroll system, making calculating paychecks and accurate record-keeping easy.
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Source Gusto
ADP’s Time Tracking Features
ADP gives its customers three options for time tracking.
- ADP Kiosk
- ADP Time Kiosk App
- ADP Mobile Solutions App
ADP Kiosk is a wall-mounted device built specifically for ADP solutions and backed by ADP service and support. Ideal for employee timekeeping and scheduling needs, users log in using facial recognition, PIN code, QR code, or fingerprint reader (sold separately). All time entered flows directly into your ADP time solution.
The ADP Time Kiosk App turns a shared tablet into a timekeeping device. It can be downloaded on any Android or iOS device. The idea is for companies to establish a shared tablet for clocking in and out. The app also offers biometric login features (including voice commands for users on iOS devices).
Source ADP
The ADP Mobile Solutions App allows employees to clock in and out, view schedules, request time off, and more. Geo-fencing helps ensure staff members are within a specified distance from a work location when they track their time. The app also has tools for employers, such as payroll, benefits administration, and other HCM features.
Scheduling
Gusto's Scheduling Tools
Gusto's basic scheduling features are straightforward and easy to use, making it ideal for small teams. Managers can create and modify schedules, while employees can view their shifts online. The system also allows employees to request shift swaps, which managers can approve through the system. This feature facilitates scheduling changes and helps accommodate employee preferences and availability.
In addition, Gusto's scheduling capabilities are integrated with its payroll system, which can benefit businesses that want to streamline their payroll and scheduling processes. The integration allows businesses to automatically calculate employee hours and wages based on their scheduled shifts, reducing the risk of errors and simplifying payroll processing.
ADP's Scheduling Tools
Shift scheduling brings your employee schedules online and provides many conveniences for managers to quickly create and assign shifts to workers, including the ability to post open shifts for the staff to claim.
Employees can easily collaborate by swapping shifts or requesting coverage from their colleagues, all through the convenience of a mobile device. Configurable work rules, such as setting maximum daily hours and consecutive days, simplify adherence to work policies. Real-time cost calculations provide insight into the financial impact of your schedules, allowing you to stay within budget constraints. Skill-based scheduling ensures the right people are matched to the right jobs based on their skills, licenses, certifications, languages, and training.
ADP's software facilitates seamless shift transfers between employees, simplifies shift swapping among coworkers, and ensures smooth communication for all parties involved, including manager approvals and reassignments.
PTO and Leave Management
Gusto's PTO and Leave Management
Gusto's PTO and Leave Management system enables businesses to create and manage various time off policies according to their specific needs and legal requirements. These policies can include vacation, sick leave, personal days, and other time off categories.
Employees can request time off through the Gusto platform, specifying the dates and type of leave. The system automatically calculates their available time off balance. Managers can review and approve or deny requests, maintaining clear communication with employees throughout the process.
The system integrates with Gusto's payroll functionality, automatically adjusting employee pay based on approved time off. Additionally, it offers reporting tools that provide insights into time off usage trends, which can be helpful for workforce planning and decision-making.
ADP's PTO and Leave Management
ADP offers several PTO and Leave Management options.
- ADP Workforce Management
- Time Off by HR Cloud for ADP Workforce Now Essential Time
- Absence Managment
ADP Workforce Management: This offers a platform for various HR functions, including time and attendance tracking, scheduling, and leave management. It simplifies the process of requesting, approving, and tracking leave balances for employees.
Time Off by HR Cloud for ADP Workforce Now Essential Time: This app integrates with ADP Workforce Now to automate and track PTO, vacation, and leave requests in a shared calendar. It consolidates requests, approvals, and accruals, making it easier for both employees and managers to manage time off.
Absence Management: This solution provides a more in-depth approach to absence management, addressing both planned leaves and unplanned absences. It includes tools for tracking absence patterns, managing FMLA compliance, and generating reports for analysis.
What Do Real People Say About Gusto and ADP?
Let's take a look at what actual users have to say about using ADP and Gusto to manage time and attendance. Insights from current conversations on Reddit shed light on user experiences with these tools.
Which Time and Attendance System is Right for You?
When comparing time tracking, scheduling, PTO, and leave management features between Gusto and ADP, it is evident that both platforms offer valuable solutions tailored to different business needs. Gusto stands out for its user-friendly interface and integrated payroll features, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. On the other hand, ADP's extensive HR solutions cater to larger enterprises with complex requirements.
Ultimately, the choice between Gusto and ADP depends on the size and specific needs of your business. If you're looking for seamless payroll integration and affordability, Gusto may be the right choice. However, if you require advanced features and scalability, ADP could be a better fit.
By carefully considering each system's features, costs, and support options, you can now make an informed decision that will enhance your time and attendance management, improve accuracy, and streamline your payroll processes.
From payroll to paid leave, from hire to retire, we’re more than just your provider. At Lift HCM, our time and attendance solutions are designed to meet the same needs as those offered by ADP and Gusto. If you would like to learn more about our time and attendance solutions, check out our Time & Attendance section.
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