The short answer
OnPay and Gusto list the same entry price: $49 a month plus $6 per person. OnPay's Payroll Essentials includes multi-state payroll and offers a free trial, with HR and time tracking as priced add-ons.
LeadChange Score: editorial assessment based on public information.
OnPay wins 1Gusto wins 12 ties
| Dimension | OnPay | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| PricingBoth start at $49 a month plus $6 per person, so payroll costs $109 a month at 10 employees on either. OnPay includes multi-state payroll at that price; with Gusto it means Plus at $80 plus $12. OnPay's HR and time tracking add-ons cost $15 a month base each. HR: +$15 base and $2 per worker a month, Time Tracking: +$15 base and $4 per worker a month, Compliance Resources: +$10 base a month, Live HR Support: +$65 base a month, Benefits: you pay plan premiums only | $49/mo + $6/employee/mo (Payroll Essentials plan) | $49/mo + $6/employee/mo |
| CapabilitiesBoth file payroll taxes, allow unlimited pay runs and pay W-2 and 1099 workers. OnPay adds a custom report designer and an accuracy guarantee; Gusto adds hiring, HR and time modules in its higher plans. Direct deposit, check, or prepaid debit card payment, Garnishment deductions, Year-end filings, W-2s and 1099s, eSign for I-9s and W-4s, State new hire reporting, PTO management and organizational charts, Custom report designer with 50+ fields, Geofenced mobile clock-in (Time Tracking add-on) | 10 of 12 core capabilities | 11 of 12 core capabilities |
| IntegrationsGusto's App Directory lists 153 apps and it documents a REST API with webhooks. OnPay lists 9 partner apps, including QuickBooks Online, Xero and JazzHR. 153 | 9 native | 153 native |
| Fit and supportOnPay serves small and mid-market businesses with phone support from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern on weekdays. Gusto lists small businesses, with weekday phone, email and chat support. Small businesses, mid-market companies | Small businesses, mid-market companies | Small businesses |
| Attribute | OnPay | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial | ||
| Best for | Small businesses, mid-market companies | Small businesses |
| Native integrations | 9 | 153 |
| Support channels | Phone, email, chat | Phone, email, chat, online help center, dedicated account partner (Premium) |
| Founded | 2011 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia | San Francisco, California, US |
| Attribute | OnPay | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Base fee + per employee | Base fee + per employee |
| Price transparency | Published | Published |
| Automatic tax filing | ||
| Contractor payments | ||
| Ownership | Private | Private |
Gusto Simple$49/mo base + $6/employee/mo| Employees | OnPay Payroll Essentials | Gusto Simple |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | $109/mo (lowest) | $109/mo (lowest) |
| 50 | $349/mo (lowest) | $349/mo (lowest) |
| 200 | $1,249/mo (lowest) | $1,249/mo (lowest) |
Monthly list price of each product’s entry plan with published per-employee pricing.
Pricing. Both start at $49 a month plus $6 per person, so payroll costs $109 a month at 10 employees on either. OnPay includes multi-state payroll at that price; with Gusto it means Plus at $80 plus $12. OnPay's HR and time tracking add-ons cost $15 a month base each.
Capabilities. Both file payroll taxes, allow unlimited pay runs and pay W-2 and 1099 workers. OnPay adds a custom report designer and an accuracy guarantee; Gusto adds hiring, HR and time modules in its higher plans.
Integrations. Gusto's App Directory lists 153 apps and it documents a REST API with webhooks. OnPay lists 9 partner apps, including QuickBooks Online, Xero and JazzHR.
Fit and support. OnPay serves small and mid-market businesses with phone support from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern on weekdays. Gusto lists small businesses, with weekday phone, email and chat support.
Patriot Payroll has the highest LeadChange Score in Payroll Software after excluding these two (9.3/10).
From $17/mo + $4/employee/mo
It suits small and mid-market employers that want multi-state payroll, tax filing and a free trial at a published $49 a month plus $6 per person. It is less suited to buyers who connect many apps: it lists 9.
At entry level they cost the same: $49 a month plus $6 per person. OnPay costs less if you need multi-state payroll, which Gusto puts in Plus at $80 plus $12.
Yes. QuickBooks Online is among the 9 partner apps OnPay lists, with Xero and JazzHR.
OnPay lists a free trial; Gusto does not.
Only OnPay states SOC 2 Type II. Only Gusto states HIPAA (BAA).
OnPay ranks #5 of 14 in our payroll software ranking. Besides Gusto, the highest-scored are Patriot Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, and Paychex Flex. Every alternative, matched to the reason you might switch: OnPay alternatives.
Your team size, what matters most and your role: see which one fits more of your answers, from verified facts and list prices. Then, if you like, ask to hear from both.
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