Quick verdict
How these two tools differ.
Gusto and OnPay are two of the most popular payroll options for small businesses and contractors. Gusto is the all-in-one play: more hiring tools, PTO, and benefits administration, with tiered plans that add features as you go. OnPay keeps it simple: one main plan, flat base-plus-per-person pricing, and solid payroll and benefits without the complexity.
Gusto wins on breadth—HR tools, contractor self-service, and a modern interface are hard to beat. OnPay wins on clarity: you get predictable pricing, included support, and a short learning curve. Both handle W-2 and 1099 payroll with automatic tax filing; both integrate with QuickBooks and Xero. The choice often comes down to whether you want more features (Gusto) or more simplicity (OnPay).
Pricing is similar at entry—both often start around $40/month base plus per-person fees. OnPay's flat structure can be easier to project; Gusto's tiers let you add time tracking, PTO, and more as you grow. Choose Gusto if you want one platform that can grow with you and don't mind navigating plans. Choose OnPay if you want one straightforward plan and flat pricing.
Comparison summary
Winner for ease of use
Gusto
Modern UI and guided setup make it easy to get started, with more features available as you grow.
Winner for pricing clarity
OnPay
Flat pricing with no tier maze—one plan, predictable per-person cost.
Winner for small businesses (simple needs)
OnPay
OnPay keeps payroll and benefits straightforward with included support and no plan confusion.
Quick decision guide
Which product fits your situation.
Choose Gusto if:
- You want the most HR and benefits features in one platform (hiring, PTO, health, 401k).
- You're okay with tiered plans and may want to add time tracking or advanced features later.
- You value a modern, feature-rich interface and strong contractor self-service.
- You want a single vendor that can scale as you add people and complexity.
Choose OnPay if:
- You want simple payroll and benefits with no tiered plan confusion.
- You prefer flat, predictable pricing and included support.
- Your team is small and your needs are straightforward—no heavy HR or many add-ons.
- You want to get up and running quickly with minimal setup.
Ratings comparison
How we score each product.
| Category | Gusto | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | 4.9 | 4.6 |
| Features | 4.8 | 4.4 |
| Pricing | 4.6 | 4.7 |
| Support | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Integrations | 4.7 | 4.3 |
Feature comparison
Side-by-side feature check.
SupportedPartial supportNot available
| Feature | Gusto | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll automation | Full W-2 and 1099, unlimited pay runs | Full W-2 and 1099, flat-rate model |
| Tax filing | Automatic federal and state | Automatic federal and state |
| Contractor support | 1099 and contractor self-service portal | 1099 and contractor payments |
| HR tools | Strong: hiring, PTO, onboarding, documents | Basic; less depth than Gusto |
| Benefits administration | Health, 401(k), and more built in | Health and 401(k) included |
| Integrations | QuickBooks, Xero, time tracking, many apps | QuickBooks, Xero, time tracking |
| Ease of use | Very easy; modern UI, guided setup | Simple setup; clean interface |
Pricing comparison
What to expect to pay.
Gusto uses tiered pricing: a base fee (e.g. $40/month on Simple) plus per-person costs. Higher tiers add time tracking, PTO, and more. OnPay uses one main plan with a base fee (often around $40/month) plus a flat per-person rate—no tiers for core payroll. At similar headcounts the total can be close; OnPay is often easier to project because the structure doesn't change. Gusto gives you more features on higher tiers; OnPay keeps pricing simple. Compare total monthly cost at your headcount.
Pros and cons
Strengths and trade-offs.
Gusto
Pros
- All-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR
- More HR and hiring tools than OnPay
- Strong contractor self-service and 1099 support
- Tiered plans let you add time tracking, PTO, and more
Cons
- Per-person costs can add up; tiered plans can be confusing
- Some advanced features require higher tiers
- More product to learn than OnPay
OnPay
Pros
- Flat, transparent pricing—no tier maze
- Simple setup and straightforward payroll
- Support included (phone, email, chat)
- Solid benefits (health, 401k) in one plan
Cons
- Fewer HR and hiring features than Gusto
- Less ecosystem depth than Gusto
- Fewer integrations and add-ons
Best for
Which tool fits your situation.
Best for contractors (general)
Gusto is the better fit if you want the most features in one place: payroll, benefits, HR, and contractor self-service. OnPay is the better fit if you want simpler payroll and benefits with flat pricing and less to configure.
Best for flat pricing
OnPay wins on pricing clarity—one plan, flat per-person rate, no tiers to decode. Gusto's tiered model can be more cost-effective if you need specific add-ons, but OnPay is easier to budget for straightforward needs.
Best for growing teams
Gusto scales with more HR and benefits depth as you add people. OnPay scales with simplicity—same plan, predictable cost. Choose Gusto if you expect to need more HR and features; choose OnPay if you want to keep things simple.
Alternatives
Other options we review.
Read full reviews
Dive deeper into each product.
For detailed ratings, features, and pros and cons, see our standalone reviews:
Best payroll software guides
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FAQs
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