OnPay – Payroll Review & Pricing 2026
Our in-depth OnPay review covers pricing, features, and user experience for this leading small business payroll platform. Discover how OnPay's all-inclusive payroll, benefits administration, and HR tools compare to Gusto, Patriot Software, and Paychex. Ideal for U.S. small businesses seeking simple, transparent payroll pricing with no hidden fees.
OnPay delivers the best value proposition in small business payroll. At $40/month plus $6 per person, you get unlimited payroll runs, automated tax filing in all 50 states, and — critically —benefits administration included at no extra cost. The tax accuracy guarantee means OnPay pays any penalties if they make an error, which is rare among competitors at this price point. While the platform lacks a mobile app and advanced HRIS features, its simplicity, transparent pricing, and excellent customer support make it the top choice for businesses that want payroll done right without enterprise complexity.
OnPay Pricing Plans
OnPay
All-inclusive payroll and HR
- Unlimited payroll runs
- All 50 states tax filing
- Direct deposit
- Employee self-service portal
- W-2 and 1099 processing
- New hire reporting
- PTO management
- HR tools and document storage
Benefits Administration
Integrated benefits at no markup
- Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
- 401(k) integration
- Workers' compensation
- Life and disability insurance
- HSA/FSA administration
- Benefits enrollment
- Carrier connections
- Compliance support
HR Tools
Essential HR included free
- Custom onboarding checklists
- Document storage and e-signatures
- Employee directory
- Org chart
- Custom fields and reporting
- Offer letter templates
- I-9 and W-4 electronic filing
- Compliance alerts
Available Add-Ons
- Workers' comp (pay-as-you-go): Integrated pricing
- 401(k) administration: Through partners (Guideline, Vestwell)
- Time tracking integrations: QuickBooks Time, When I Work, Deputy
- Accounting integrations: QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks
OnPay Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simplest pricing in payroll — one plan at $40/month + $6/person with everything included, no tiers or hidden fees
- Benefits administration included at no extra cost — most competitors charge $6–$12/person extra for benefits admin
- Automated tax filing in all 50 states with a tax accuracy guarantee — OnPay pays penalties if they make an error
- Unlimited payroll runs at no additional cost — run payroll as often as needed (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly)
- Clean, modern interface that is genuinely easy to use — consistently rated highest for usability among SMB payroll platforms
- Excellent customer support with dedicated payroll specialists accessible by phone, email, and chat
- Free migration from any previous payroll provider including data import, tax history, and mid-year transitions
Cons
- No mobile app — payroll must be run from a desktop/laptop browser, which is inconvenient for on-the-go managers
- Time tracking is not built in — requires integration with a third-party tool (QuickBooks Time, Deputy, etc.)
- HR features, while included, are basic compared to dedicated HRIS platforms like BambooHR or Rippling
- No performance management, recruiting, or learning management modules — purely payroll, benefits, and basic HR
- International payroll is not supported — OnPay is U.S.-only
- Reporting is functional but less customizable than enterprise-focused competitors like ADP or Paychex
How OnPay Compares
We compared OnPay against three popular alternatives: Gusto, Patriot Software, and Paychex. For a broader overview, see our complete payroll software comparison guide.
| Metric | OnPay | Gusto | Patriot | Paychex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| Value for Money | 9.5 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 7.0 |
| Customer Support | 9.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Functionality | 7.5 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 8.5 |
| Benefits Admin | 8.5 | 8.5 | 6.0 | 8.0 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | OnPay | Gusto | Patriot | Paychex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited Payroll Runs Run payroll as often as needed without extra fees | ||||
All 50 States Tax Filing Automated tax calculations and filing nationwide | ||||
Benefits Administration Health, dental, vision, and other benefits management | Included | Add-on | Add-on | |
401(k) Integration Retirement plan setup and payroll deductions | ||||
Workers' Comp Integration Pay-as-you-go workers' compensation insurance | ||||
Employee Self-Service Portal for pay stubs, tax forms, and personal info | ||||
Time Tracking Built-in or integrated time and attendance tracking | Integration | Add-on | Add-on | |
HR Document Storage Secure storage for employee documents and e-signatures | Basic | |||
Mobile App Native mobile application for payroll and HR tasks | ||||
Contractor Payments Pay 1099 contractors and generate year-end forms |
What Users Say About OnPay
OnPay holds a 4.8/5 rating on G2 based on 300+ reviews and 4.8/5 on Capterra. Users consistently praise its simplicity, value, and responsive customer support.
“OnPay replaced our accountant-managed payroll and saved us $400/month. The setup took 30 minutes and our first payroll ran without a single issue.”
“The fact that benefits admin is included — not a $6/person add-on — makes OnPay the best value in SMB payroll. We switched from Gusto and our monthly bill dropped 40%.”
“Excellent payroll platform for small businesses. The only reason we'll eventually outgrow it is we need performance management and an ATS, which OnPay doesn't offer.”
Detailed OnPay Review
Who Is OnPay Best For?
OnPay is built for small businesses with 1 to 100 employees that need reliable payroll with benefits administration at the best price point. It is perfect for companies that want simple, transparent pricing without enterprise complexity. OnPay is particularly strong for businesses that currently use an accountant or manual payroll and want to modernize without overpaying. It is not ideal for companies needing full HRIS features, international payroll, or integrated time tracking. For broader HR needs, consider platforms in our HR software comparison.
Payroll Processing
OnPay offers unlimited payroll runs, automated tax calculations and filing in all 50 states, direct deposit, paper checks, and prepaid debit cards. The tax accuracy guarantee means OnPay pays any penalties resulting from their errors — a commitment that sets them apart from many competitors. Mid-year migration from any provider is free, including data import and tax history. For a deeper dive into payroll best practices, see our payroll management guide or browse our payroll software comparison.
Benefits Administration
This is OnPay's standout value proposition. Health insurance (medical, dental, vision), 401(k), workers' compensation, life and disability insurance, HSA, and FSA administration are all included at no extra cost. OnPay acts as a licensed broker, connecting businesses directly with carriers and handling enrollment, deductions, and compliance. Most competitors charge $6–$12 per person per month for this functionality, making OnPay's included benefits admin a genuine differentiator. Learn more about structuring employee benefits in our benefits administration guide and total compensation strategy guide.
HR Tools
OnPay includes onboarding checklists, document storage, e-signatures, an employee directory, org chart, and compliance alerts — all at no additional cost. These HR tools are basic but functional, covering the essentials for small businesses that are not ready for a full HRIS. For companies that need deeper HR capabilities, our HR for small business guide outlines what to look for, and our HR software comparison covers platforms with more robust HR features.
Customer Support
OnPay provides dedicated payroll specialists accessible by phone, email, and chat. Support consistently receives high marks from users, with knowledgeable representatives who understand payroll nuances. According to SHRM, payroll errors are among the top causes of employee dissatisfaction, making reliable customer support a critical factor when choosing a payroll provider. OnPay's support quality is a key reason it earns top ratings on review platforms. For comparisons with other payroll providers, see our best payroll for small business guide.
Final Verdict: Is OnPay Right for You?
OnPay earns an 8.1/10 as the best value in SMB payroll — simple pricing, included benefits administration, and a tax accuracy guarantee make it hard to beat. If you need payroll plus benefits without HRIS complexity, OnPay should be at the top of your shortlist. Compare it with alternatives in our payroll software comparison.