Payroll Comparison 2026
Gusto vs. OnPay
OnPay matches Gusto almost dollar-for-dollar on price and is a genuinely good, no-frills payroll option. The difference is depth: Gusto offers built-in time tracking, a broader benefits marketplace, HRAs, and a more polished onboarding flow. If you want room to grow into HR features, Gusto has more headroom.
| Feature | Gusto | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | $40/mo | $40/mo |
| Per employee | $6/employee/mo | $6/employee/mo |
| Contractor payroll | $35/mo + $6/contractor | Same $6/person, no separate plan |
| Payroll tax filing | Automatic, all 50 states — included | Included, all 50 states |
| Benefits administration | Health, dental, vision, 401(k), HRA | Health & 401(k) integrations |
| Time tracking | Built in (Plus & Premium) | Integrations only |
| Intro offer | First month free + $300 offer | First month free (varies) |
| Support | Phone, email, chat | Phone, email, chat (business hours) |
| Best for | Small businesses that want payroll + HR + benefits in one place | Small businesses wanting simple flat-rate payroll |
Pricing as of 2026 from each provider's public pricing pages. Confirm current rates before purchasing.
Where Gusto wins
- Built-in time tracking (OnPay relies on integrations)
- Broader benefits and HR feature set
- $300 new-customer offer through this site
Where OnPay wins
- Very similar flat-rate pricing
- Simple, single-plan structure
The bottom line
OnPay is a legitimately good, price-matched payroll option, and for a bare-bones need it's hard to fault. Gusto pulls ahead when you want built-in time tracking, a deeper benefits marketplace, and more HR headroom to grow into — plus the $300 offer through this site.
New customers can earn a $300 Visa card (up to $600 for teams of 10+) for running their first payroll with Gusto. Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting simple flat-rate payroll.
Gusto vs. OnPay — FAQs
Is Gusto cheaper than OnPay?
They're essentially the same price — both run $40/mo + $6/person. The deciding factor is features: Gusto includes time tracking and a broader benefits and HR set for the same base cost.
Is Gusto or OnPay better?
OnPay is excellent for simple, flat-rate payroll. Gusto is the better pick if you want time tracking, a bigger benefits marketplace, HRAs, and room to add HR features as you grow.
Does OnPay file payroll taxes like Gusto?
Yes, both include automatic tax filing in all 50 states. The difference is around it — Gusto layers on more benefits, HR, and time-tracking tooling.