Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs Paycom Software (PAYC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Paycom Software (PAYC) has outperformed Automatic Data Processing (ADP) over the past year, gaining 12.1% versus a loss of 6.9%. Over five years, ADP leads with a +27.1% price change compared with -55.7% for PAYC. Automatic Data Processing is the larger company by market cap ($107.28 billion vs $10.36 billion), about 10.4 times the size, while Paycom Software is growing revenue faster (+8.9% vs +6.7%).
On valuation, Paycom Software trades at a lower forward P/E (16.5x vs 20.2x for Automatic Data Processing). Automatic Data Processing offers the higher dividend yield (2.45% vs 0.65%). Paycom Software converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 22.1% versus 20.1%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ADP | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $270.73 | $229.90 |
| Market cap | $107.28B | $10.36B |
| 1-day change | +2.55% | +2.83% |
| YTD return | +5.25% | +44.26% |
| 1-year return | -6.87% | +12.10% |
| 5-year return | +27.12% | -55.68% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.75 | 24.33 |
| Forward P/E | 20.20 | 16.46 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.94 | $9.45 |
| Dividend yield | 2.45% | 0.65% |
| Annual dividend | $6.64 | $1.50 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $21.95B | $2.05B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.74% | +8.95% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.41B | $453.40M |
| Gross margin | 46.42% | 83.17% |
| Operating margin | — | 27.65% |
| Net margin | 20.11% | 22.10% |
| 52-week high | $291.34 | $244.98 |
| 52-week low | $188.16 | $104.90 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.07% | -6.16% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +5.79% | -4.20% |
| Average volume | 2.24M | 782.32K |
| Shares outstanding | 396.25M | 45.07M |
| Employees | 67,000 | 5,770 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | EDP Services | Computer Software: Prepackaged Software |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Automatic Data Processing is about 10.4 times larger than Paycom Software by market value ($107.28B vs $10.36B).
- PAYC has outperformed ADP by 19.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Automatic Data Processing offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.45% vs 0.65%).
About Automatic Data Processing
ADP stock →Automatic Data Processing, Inc. provides cloud-based human capital management (HCM) solutions worldwide.
Technology · EDP Services · 67,000 employees
About Paycom Software
PAYC stock →Paycom Software, Inc. provides cloud-based human capital management (HCM) solution delivered as software-as-a-service for small to mid-sized companies in the United States.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 5,770 employees
ADP vs PAYC FAQ
Which is bigger, Automatic Data Processing or Paycom Software?
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $107.28B compared with $10.36B for Paycom Software (PAYC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ADP or PAYC?
PAYC returned +12.10% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.87% for ADP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ADP or PAYC?
PAYC has the lower trailing P/E at 24.3, versus 24.7 for ADP. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Automatic Data Processing or Paycom Software?
Automatic Data Processing has the higher yield at 2.45%, compared with 0.65% for Paycom Software.
Are Automatic Data Processing and Paycom Software in the same industry?
Both are in the Technology sector, but in different industries: EDP Services for Automatic Data Processing and Computer Software: Prepackaged Software for Paycom Software.