Updated 2026-03-20
ADP vs Employee Fiduciary 401(k) Comparison
Compare ADP Retirement Services (#7, 8.1/10) and Employee Fiduciary (#24, 6.2/10) side by side across fees, ratings, features, and investment options.
Overall Comparison
| Feature | ADP | Employee Fiduciary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.1/10 | 6.2/10 |
| Rank | #7 | #24 |
| AUM | $130 billion | $6 billion |
| Participants | 3 million | 80,000 |
| Plan Sponsors | 90,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Founded | 1949 | 2004 |
Ratings Comparison
| Category | ADP | Employee Fiduciary |
|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | 3.4/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Investment Options | 3.5/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.0/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Mobile App | 3.7/5 | 2.5/5 |
Fee Comparison
| Fee Type | ADP | Employee Fiduciary |
|---|---|---|
| Admin Fees | $2,000 - $5,000/year base | $1,500/year + $30/participant |
| Expense Ratios | Varies by investment partner | 0.03% - 0.15% |
| Trading Fees | Plan dependent | $0 |
| Advisory Fees | 0.35% - 0.75% | Included as 3(38) fiduciary |
ADP Strengths
- Direct payroll integration
- Automatic contribution processing
- Strong compliance support
- Easy setup for ADP payroll clients
Employee Fiduciary Strengths
- Full 3(38) investment fiduciary services included
- Among the lowest all-in costs
- Consistently rated best by independent reviewers
- Low-cost Vanguard fund lineup
Rollover, Loans & Withdrawals
| Feature | ADP | Employee Fiduciary |
|---|---|---|
| Rollover Platform | ADP Retirement Portal | Employee Fiduciary Portal |
| Loans Available | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal Methods | Online via ADP portal, Phone (800-695-7526) | Phone (877-401-5100), Online portal |
| Distribution Options | Lump sum, Partial withdrawal, Installment payments, Rollover to IRA | Lump sum, Partial withdrawal, Rollover to IRA, Required Minimum Distributions |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose ADP if you want:
- ADP payroll users
- Multi-state employers
- HR bundle seekers
- Compliance-focused companies
Choose Employee Fiduciary if you want:
- Cost-conscious small businesses
- Employers wanting fiduciary protection
- Index fund believers
- Plan sponsors seeking simplicity
Our Verdict: ADP vs Employee Fiduciary
ADP Retirement Services wins this comparison with a score of 8.1/10 vs 6.2/10. ADP excels with direct payroll integration, making it the stronger choice for most investors in this matchup. However, the best choice ultimately depends on your specific needs, employer plan availability, and investment preferences.
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ADP vs Employee Fiduciary: Complete 401(k) Comparison for 2026
Choosing between ADP Retirement Services and Employee Fiduciary for your 401(k) is an important decision that affects your retirement savings. ADP offers payroll integration while Employee Fiduciary is known for 3(38) fiduciary. In terms of fees, ADP charges Varies by investment partner expense ratios compared to Employee Fiduciary's 0.03% - 0.15%. ADP manages $130 billion in assets and serves 3 million participants, while Employee Fiduciary has $6 billion AUM and 80,000 participants.
Key Differences: ADP vs Employee Fiduciary
When comparing ADP and Employee Fiduciary, consider their core strengths: ADP excels with direct payroll integration, while Employee Fiduciary stands out for full 3(38) investment fiduciary services included. Both providers offer a wide range of investment options including target-date funds, index funds, and managed accounts. ADP's customer service rating is 4.0/5 compared to Employee Fiduciary's 4.2/5. For mobile experience, ADP scores 3.7/5 while Employee Fiduciary scores 2.5/5.
Which Provider is Right for You?
Choose ADP if you prioritize adp payroll users. Choose Employee Fiduciary if you're looking for cost-conscious small businesses. Your decision should also consider your employer's plan availability, fee sensitivity, desired investment options, and customer service expectations. For detailed reviews, visit our individual ADP and Employee Fiduciary provider pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
ADP Retirement Services scores higher in our 2026 rankings with 8.1/10. ADP is best for adp payroll users, while Employee Fiduciary is best for cost-conscious small businesses. The right choice depends on your employer's plan and your priorities.
ADP charges expense ratios of Varies by investment partner with admin fees of $2,000 - $5,000/year base. Employee Fiduciary charges 0.03% - 0.15% expense ratios with admin fees of $1,500/year + $30/participant. ADP's fees rating is 3.4/5 compared to Employee Fiduciary's 4.8/5.
Yes, you can roll over between ADP and Employee Fiduciary. ADP uses ADP Retirement Portal for rollovers, while Employee Fiduciary uses Employee Fiduciary Portal. A direct rollover avoids mandatory tax withholding. Contact your new provider to initiate the transfer.
ADP offers 401(k) loans. Employee Fiduciary offers 401(k) loans. Both providers typically allow loans up to 50% of your vested balance or $50,000, whichever is less.
ADP scores 3.5/5 for investment options, while Employee Fiduciary scores 3.2/5. Both offer target-date funds, index funds, and managed accounts. ADP's investment options include Partner Fund Lineups, Target Date Funds, Stable Value. Employee Fiduciary offers Vanguard Index Funds, Target Date Funds, Bond Funds.
For small businesses, consider plan minimums and per-participant costs. ADP is best for adp payroll users, multi-state employers, hr bundle seekers, compliance-focused companies. Employee Fiduciary is best for cost-conscious small businesses, employers wanting fiduciary protection, index fund believers, plan sponsors seeking simplicity. Compare admin fees: ADP charges $2,000 - $5,000/year base vs Employee Fiduciary's $1,500/year + $30/participant.
Pavlo Pyskunov
Managing Director & Investment Fund Director
Pavlo Pyskunov analyzes employer-sponsored retirement plans using IRS publications and DOL Form 5500 filings, helping workers maximize their 401(k) savings through data-driven guidance.
Last updated: 2026-03-20