ADP vs iCIMS for General Contractors

For general contractors, ADP and iCIMS solve different problems, ADP centres on payroll and HR administration while iCIMS is an enterprise applicant tracking system, and neither is a sourcing engine, so many contractors pair one with a sourcing tool for craft labor.

What ADP offers contractors

ADP is strong on payroll, tax and HR administration, useful for a contractor that wants those functions handled. Its recruiting capability is secondary to its payroll core.

What iCIMS offers

iCIMS is a capable enterprise ATS for managing applicant flow, onboarding and compliance at scale, better suited to larger contractors and carrying enterprise cost and complexity.

Neither actively sources craft labor

Both manage processes around candidates who arrive; neither is built to actively find passive trades. That gap is where craft roles stay open.

Where a sourcing tool fits

Contractors often keep ADP or iCIMS for payroll or enterprise ATS and add a sourcing tool like EasySource for the craft labor those systems do not find.

A real-world example

A general contractor running ADP for payroll still could not fill craft roles, because payroll software does not source. Adding a sourcing platform alongside it filled the trades ADP was never designed to find.