Payroll Company Review • Updated October 2026
OnPay Payroll Review 2026: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons
OnPay packs full-service payroll, multi-state tax filing and free migration into one simple plan. Here’s exactly what you get for $49 a month, where it falls short and how it stacks up against Gusto and QuickBooks.
Compare OnPay Pricing → See What It Costs
4.3/5
★★★★☆
Our rating
Best value full-service payroll
Is OnPay Payroll Worth It? Our Verdict
OnPay is worth it for small businesses that want full-service payroll at a fair, predictable price: one plan at $49 per month plus $6 per person includes unlimited payroll runs, tax filing in all 50 states, multi-state payroll, W-2s and 1099s, and free data migration. Users rate it about 4.8/5 on Capterra and G2, largely for its support. We rate it 4.3/5; it loses points for having no built-in time tracking, fewer advanced HR features and no native employer mobile app.
OnPay is our best value pick in both our best payroll software and best payroll outsourcing companies rankings.
OnPay Ratings Breakdown
Overall: 4.3/5, the average of the five categories.
What users say
OnPay is rated about 4.8/5 on Capterra (470+ reviews, with customer service scored 4.8) and 4.8/5 on G2 (400+ reviews) — among the highest ratings in small business payroll.
Users praise easy setup, responsive support and transparent pricing. The most common complaints are no built-in time tracking, no strong employer mobile app and two-day direct deposit timing.
OnPay Pros and Cons
✔ Pros
- One simple all-in plan — no tiers to compare
- Multi-state payroll included at no extra cost
- Free setup and data migration, plus first month free
- Top-rated support by phone, chat and email
- Unlimited payroll runs and automatic tax filing in all 50 states
- No long-term contract
⚠ Cons
- No built-in time tracking — requires an integration
- Fewer advanced HR features than higher-priced platforms
- No native employer mobile app
- Fewer integrations than larger providers
- Standard two-day direct deposit
- Not built for large companies or global payroll
OnPay Pricing (2026)
OnPay costs $49 per month plus $6 per employee or contractor, with every core payroll feature in a single plan. There are no setup fees, the first month is free, and an optional HR add-on has been reported at about $15 per month plus $2 per person.
| Team size | OnPay Payroll$49 + $6/person | With HR add-on+ $15 + $2/person | Yearly (payroll only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $55 | $72 | $660 |
| 5 people | $79 | $104 | $948 |
| 10 people | $109 | $144 | $1,308 |
| 25 people | $199 | $264 | $2,388 |
| 50 people | $349 | $464 | $4,188 |
Published 2026 list price; HR add-on pricing from a third-party 2026 report — confirm with OnPay. Nonprofits: OnPay advertises a discount for 501(c)(3) organizations.
See how OnPay’s price compares with Gusto, QuickBooks, ADP and more for your team — free.
Compare Payroll QuotesWhat’s Included With OnPay
| Included in the $49 + $6 plan | Details |
|---|---|
| Unlimited payroll runs | Regular, off-cycle and bonus payrolls at no extra charge |
| Tax filing in all 50 states | Federal, state and local deposits and filings, including multi-state payroll |
| Year-end forms | W-2s and 1099s prepared and filed |
| Payment options | Direct deposit, paper checks and pay cards |
| Contractor payments | Pay 1099 contractors in the same plan |
| Employee self-service | Online access to pay stubs, W-2s and PTO balances |
| Free setup & migration | OnPay’s team moves your payroll history for you |
Also available: HR tools (onboarding, PTO workflows, document management), health benefits, 401(k) plans and pay-as-you-go workers’ comp, plus integrations with QuickBooks, Xero and third-party time tracking apps.
OnPay is featured in our industry guides for non-profits (FUTA exemptions), churches (clergy housing allowances), restaurants and accountants (free firm payroll and 10%–20% partner discounts).
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Use OnPay
OnPay is a great fit if you…
- Have 1–100 employees
- Have workers in more than one state
- Want one predictable price with no tiers
- Value fast, friendly support
- Are switching providers and want free migration
Consider alternatives if you…
- Want built-in time tracking or same-day pay (see Gusto)
- Run your books in QuickBooks Online (see QuickBooks Payroll)
- Need advanced HR or a PEO as you grow (see ADP)
- Have 50+ employees (see mid-sized payroll)
OnPay vs. Gusto vs. QuickBooks Payroll vs. Patriot
How OnPay compares with the small business payroll providers it’s most often weighed against.
| OnPay | Gusto | QuickBooks Payroll | Patriot Payroll | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $49/mo + $6/person | $49/mo + $6/employee | $50/mo + $6.50/employee | $37/mo + $5/worker (full service) |
| Multi-state payroll | Included | Plus plan ($80 + $12) | Included | $12 per extra state |
| Plans | One all-in plan | Three tiers | Three tiers | Two tiers |
| Contract | Month-to-month | Month-to-month | Month-to-month | Month-to-month |
| Our review | — | Gusto review | QuickBooks review | Payroll software rankings |
More alternatives: SurePayroll, Paychex, Rippling and Heartland (now Auris). Or read our guide to payroll outsourcing for small business.
About OnPay
OnPay was founded in 2011 and grew out of a family-owned payroll company with more than 30 years of payroll experience. It focuses on U.S. small businesses, with special support for industries such as nonprofits, churches, restaurants and agriculture, and is known for transparent single-plan pricing and highly rated customer service.
OnPay Payroll FAQs
Is OnPay a good payroll service?
Yes. OnPay is one of the best-value full-service payroll services for small businesses, rated about 4.8 out of 5 on both Capterra and G2. It includes unlimited payroll runs, tax filing in all 50 states, W-2s and 1099s and free data migration in one plan for $49 per month plus $6 per person. Its main limits are no built-in time tracking and fewer advanced HR features.
How much does OnPay cost?
OnPay costs $49 per month plus $6 per employee or contractor, with everything in a single plan. A 10-person team pays about $109 per month. An optional HR add-on has been reported at about $15 per month plus $2 per person.
Does OnPay offer a free trial?
OnPay offers new customers their first month free, along with free setup and data migration from your previous provider.
Does OnPay handle multi-state payroll?
Yes. Multi-state payroll and tax filing in all 50 states are included in OnPay’s standard plan at no extra cost, unlike some competitors that charge more for it.
Does OnPay have time tracking?
OnPay does not have a built-in time tracking tool. It integrates with third-party time tracking and scheduling apps so hours can flow into payroll.
Is OnPay better than Gusto?
OnPay and Gusto start at the same price, $49 per month plus $6 per person. OnPay includes multi-state payroll in its single plan, which Gusto only offers on its $80-per-month Plus tier, while Gusto has a more polished interface, more benefits options and higher tiers with faster deposits.
Is OnPay better than QuickBooks Payroll?
OnPay is usually cheaper, at $49 per month plus $6 per person versus $50 plus $6.50 for QuickBooks Payroll, and includes multi-state payroll. QuickBooks Payroll is the better fit if you already run your books in QuickBooks Online and want payroll to post there natively, although OnPay also integrates with QuickBooks.
Does OnPay file payroll taxes and W-2s?
Yes. OnPay automatically calculates, deposits and files federal, state and local payroll taxes in all 50 states and prepares year-end W-2s and 1099s as part of its standard plan.
Is OnPay good for nonprofits, churches and restaurants?
Yes. OnPay supports nonprofit FUTA exemptions and advertises a discount for 501(c)(3) organizations, handles clergy housing allowances for churches, and supports tipped employees for restaurants. Confirm current discounts and features with OnPay.
Does OnPay require a contract?
No. OnPay is month-to-month with no long-term contract, and setup and data migration are free.
Does OnPay have a program for accountants?
Yes. OnPay’s accountant partner program offers 10% to 20% discounts or revenue share based on client count, free payroll for the accounting firm itself with no client minimum, and free client setup and migration.
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