BeltStack

OnPay Review (2026)

4.5RatingBest for: small trade businesses that want a simpler, value-focused payroll platformStarting price: $40/moPayroll types: W-2, 1099, Multi-state
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Quick verdict

Our take in a nutshell.

OnPay targets small businesses that want payroll and benefits without the bloat. Setup is simple, pricing is easy to understand—typically a base fee plus a flat per-person rate—and you get W-2 and 1099 payroll, tax filing, and benefits administration in one place. For contractors and trade businesses with straightforward payroll needs, it's a practical choice.

We like the clarity: no tiered maze of plans, and support is included. You can run payroll, offer health and 401(k), and keep compliance in check without jumping to a bigger vendor. The interface is clean and the learning curve is short.

Trade-offs: OnPay doesn't match the advanced HR and admin depth of larger platforms like ADP, and it doesn't have the native QuickBooks integration that QuickBooks Payroll offers if you're deep in that ecosystem. For many small crews, though, the simplicity and value are the draw.

Rating breakdown

How we scored this product.

  • Features

    4.4

    Solid payroll, tax filing, and benefits for small teams. W-2 and 1099, direct deposit, and health/401(k) administration. Fewer advanced HR and workforce tools than enterprise options.

  • Pricing

    4.7

    Flat, transparent pricing—base fee plus per-person rate with no surprise add-ons for core payroll. Often more predictable than tiered competitors for small headcounts.

  • Ease of Use

    4.6

    Simple setup and a clean interface. Pay runs are straightforward; onboarding and support make it easy to get started without lengthy implementation.

  • Support

    4.5

    Support is included—phone, email, and chat. Responsive for small-business use; no need to upgrade plans for basic help.

  • Integrations

    4.3

    Integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, and other accounting tools, plus time tracking and benefits partners. Solid for typical small-business stacks; less ecosystem depth than QuickBooks Payroll for Intuit users.

Pros and cons

What we liked and what to watch for.

Pros

  • Flat, transparent pricing with no tiered plan confusion
  • Simple setup and easy-to-use payroll interface
  • W-2 and 1099 payroll with automatic tax filing
  • Benefits administration (health, 401k) included
  • Support included—phone, email, chat—no upsell for help

Cons

  • Fewer advanced HR and admin tools than larger platforms
  • Less ecosystem advantage than QuickBooks Payroll if you live in QuickBooks
  • Fewer enterprise features than ADP or Paychex for large or complex orgs

Who this software is best for

Ideal users and use cases.

OnPay is best for small trade businesses and contractors that want a simpler, value-focused payroll platform. If you need reliable W-2 and 1099 payroll, tax filing, and benefits without a complex tier structure or enterprise feature set, OnPay fits. Ideal for small crews, sole proprietors with a few employees, and businesses that prefer flat pricing and straightforward support.

Who should avoid it

Businesses that need deep job costing or native QuickBooks-only workflows may prefer QuickBooks Payroll. Those requiring heavy HR, compliance, or enterprise-scale features may outgrow OnPay and should look at Gusto or ADP. If you're already locked into Intuit and want payroll inside QuickBooks, OnPay's integrations are good but not native.

Pricing overview

What to expect to pay.

OnPay uses straightforward pricing: a monthly base fee (often around $40) plus a per-person rate for everyone you pay. There are no tiered plans for core payroll—you get the same feature set. Benefits administration and support are included. Check OnPay's current pricing for your state and headcount.

One main plan covers payroll, tax filing, direct deposit, and benefits administration. Add-ons may apply for certain benefits or services. The model is designed to stay simple and predictable as you add people.

OnPay is often more predictable than tiered competitors for small teams because of flat per-person pricing. It's competitive with Gusto's entry-level offering and can undercut QuickBooks Payroll for businesses that don't need native QuickBooks integration. Compare total monthly cost at your headcount.

Starting price: $40/mo

Key features

What stands out.

  • Flat-rate payroll

    Run W-2 and 1099 payroll with one straightforward pricing model. No tiered plans to decode—base fee plus per-person cost for everyone you pay.

  • Automated tax filing

    Federal and state payroll tax calculation, filing, and deposits are handled by OnPay. You stay compliant without managing forms and deadlines manually.

  • Benefits in one place

    Health insurance and 401(k) administration are built in. Offer and manage benefits without a separate vendor or complex add-ons.

  • Simple setup

    Onboarding is designed to get you running quickly. No lengthy implementation; support is included to help you go live.

  • Accounting integrations

    Sync with QuickBooks, Xero, and other accounting software so payroll data flows into your books. No manual journal entries for basic setups.

  • Multi-state payroll

    Support for employers with workers in multiple states. Tax handling and compliance are built in.

  • Included support

    Phone, email, and chat support come with your plan. No need to upgrade for basic help—useful for small teams that want a single point of contact.

  • Contractor and employee pay

    Pay both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors in one system. Unlimited pay runs; no extra fees for running payroll more than once a month.

Integrations

Plays well with your stack.

OnPay integrates with the tools small businesses already use: QuickBooks and Xero for accounting, plus time tracking and benefits partners. Sync is straightforward; you're not locked into one ecosystem. If you need deep native QuickBooks workflow (payroll and books in one app), QuickBooks Payroll has the edge; for everyone else, OnPay's integrations are sufficient.

  • QuickBooks Online
  • QuickBooks Desktop
  • Xero
  • Time tracking partners
  • Benefits carriers and 401(k) providers

How contractors use this software

Real-world workflows for trade businesses.

  • Run payroll without complexity: set up once, then process W-2 and 1099 pay runs on your schedule. Tax filing and deposits are automatic.
  • Offer benefits simply: health and 401(k) administration are included so small crews can compete for talent without managing multiple vendors.
  • Keep books in sync: push payroll to QuickBooks or Xero so labor costs land in the right accounts without re-entry.
  • Get help when needed: support is included, so questions about pay runs, taxes, or benefits don't require a plan upgrade.

Alternatives

Other options we review.

  • Gusto

    More all-in-one HR and benefits depth; good if you want a broader feature set and don't mind tiered pricing.

  • QuickBooks Payroll

    Best if you already use QuickBooks for accounting and want payroll in the same ecosystem.

  • ADP

    Enterprise-scale payroll and HR; suited to larger or more complex organizations.

  • Paychex

    Full-service payroll with dedicated support; good if you want more hand-holding.

  • Patriot Payroll

    Lower cost and simpler payroll; good for budget-conscious small businesses.

  • Square Payroll

    Good if you already use Square; similar simplicity and straightforward pricing.

Compare with other payroll software

See how OnPay stacks up head-to-head.

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OnPay FAQs

Quick answers.