Gusto vs OnPay
Which payroll platform is better for small businesses in 2026?
If you're running a small business and need payroll software, Gusto and OnPay are two of the most recommended options. Both handle taxes, direct deposit, and compliance, but they differ on pricing structure, HR features, and scalability. This comparison helps you pick the right one for your team size and budget.
Gusto
Modern payroll made simple
Advantages
- Full HR suite with onboarding, benefits administration, and time tracking
- Intuitive, modern interface that non-accountants can navigate easily
- Built-in health insurance, 401(k), and workers' comp brokerage
- AutoPilot runs payroll automatically once configured
- Extensive integration ecosystem with accounting and time-tracking tools
Drawbacks
- Higher base price than OnPay, especially with add-ons
- Per-employee pricing adds up quickly for larger teams
- Some advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans
- Customer support wait times have increased as the company has scaled
OnPay
Simple, honest payroll for small business
Advantages
- One flat plan at $40/mo + $6/employee -- no hidden tiers or upsells
- All features included in the single plan -- no feature-gating
- Solid multi-state payroll support at no extra cost
- Dedicated support representative assigned to your account
- Clean, straightforward interface without feature bloat
Drawbacks
- Fewer HR tools than Gusto's higher-tier plans
- Integration ecosystem is smaller than Gusto's
- No AutoPilot-style automated payroll feature
- Benefits administration options are more limited
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Gusto | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $49/mo + $6/employee (Simple plan) | $40/mo + $6/employee (all features included) |
| Setup Process | Self-service setup in ~15 minutes | Guided setup with dedicated rep; ~30 minutes |
| Payroll Runs | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Tax Filing | Federal, state, and local tax filing included | Federal, state, and local tax filing included |
| Benefits Administration | Health insurance, 401(k), HSA, FSA, commuter | Health insurance, 401(k), workers' comp |
| Integrations | QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, Slack, 100+ | QuickBooks, Xero, and select others |
| Customer Support | Phone, email, chat (varies by plan tier) | Dedicated account rep + phone, email, chat |
| HR Tools | Onboarding, PTO management, org charts, surveys | Onboarding, PTO tracking, document storage |
Too Close to Call
Gusto wins on features and integrations; OnPay wins on pricing transparency and support -- making the best choice depend on your priorities.
If you want a full HR platform that handles benefits, onboarding, surveys, and scales with your team, Gusto's ecosystem is hard to beat, though you'll pay more at the Plus tier. If you want straightforward payroll with honest pricing, a dedicated support contact, and all features included with no tier-gating, OnPay delivers excellent value. For businesses under 20 employees who just need reliable payroll, OnPay's simplicity is a genuine advantage. For growing teams that want HR capabilities beyond payroll, Gusto's platform depth justifies the premium.