Brandwave

ADP vs Paychex:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, ADP had more branded searches than Paychex among PEO services in the United States. ADP had about 18,100 branded searches, while Paychex had 880. ADP made up 7.6% of all PEO service searches we track, and Paychex accounted for 0.37%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about PEO services, ADP appeared in all four answers and Paychex in two. ADP was mentioned before Paychex in every answer.

Among PEO services in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

ADP, about 21 searches for every 1 for Paychex

ADP 18.1K searchesPaychex 880 searches

Who does AI mention more?

ADP, mentioned in every answer we collected

ADP in 4 of 4Paychex in 2 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

ADP, named ahead of Paychex in every answer

ADP first in 4Paychex never first

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Top PEO services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, ADP appeared in all four answers. Paychex was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. ADP was listed before Paychex in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Justworks1st
  2. ADP2nd
  3. TriNet3rd
  4. Insperity4th
  5. Paychex5th
  6. Rippling6th
  7. CoAdvantage–
  8. Engage PEO–
  9. G&A Partners–
  10. Vensure–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Insperity4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • TriNet4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • ADP4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Justworks3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Rippling2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Paychex2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • CoAdvantage0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Engage PEO0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • G&A Partners0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Vensure0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about PEO services

4 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.

Is ADP or Paychex more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for ADP and Paychex by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten PEO services we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

ADP and Paychex among PEO services in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for ADP, Paychex. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthInsperityTriNetCoAdvantageEngage PEOADPG&A PartnersVensureJustworksRipplingPaychex
Oct 202534.9%28.5%10.4%7%10.4%4.7%2.5%0.66%0.5%0.34%
Nov 202536.1%29.5%10.8%7.2%8.9%4%2.2%0.6%0.4%0.29%
Dec 202538.4%25.8%9.5%7.7%9.5%5.2%2.8%0.46%0.35%0.31%
Jan 202632.8%27%12.1%9.9%8.1%5.4%3.6%0.48%0.39%0.26%
Feb 202639.7%26.7%9.8%6.5%8%4.4%3.6%0.55%0.36%0.32%
Mar 202636.8%30.3%9.1%6.1%9.1%4%3.3%0.6%0.43%0.33%
Apr 202636.1%29.7%8.9%5.9%10.8%4%3.2%0.56%0.43%0.43%
May 202637.5%25%9.2%7.5%9.2%5%5%0.8%0.41%0.36%
Jun 202634.5%28.2%10.3%6.9%8.5%5.6%4.6%0.75%0.38%0.34%
Jul 202638.1%25.5%9.3%7.6%9.3%5.1%3.4%0.88%0.42%0.37%
Aug 202636.7%30%9%7.3%7.3%4.9%3.3%0.75%0.41%0.29%
Sep 202638.1%25.5%9.3%9.3%7.6%5.1%3.4%0.76%0.55%0.37%

How has the ADP and Paychex comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • ADP was ahead of Paychex in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, ADP’s share of searches among PEO services in the United States moved from 10.4% to 7.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.1K to 18.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Paychex’s share of searches among PEO services in the United States moved from 0.34% to 0.37%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 880.

How did search popularity change for United States PEO services in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Engage PEO overtook ADP to rank 4th among PEO services in the United States, with 9.3% of the searches.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for ADP in the United States fell 33.2% over 12 measured months, from 27.1K to 18.1K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using ADP’s and Paychex’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

ADP

1 branded search term

  • adp totalsource

Paychex

1 branded search term

  • paychex peo

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among PEO services

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