OnPay vs Gusto: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
OnPay
8.3(1,400 reviews)
Straightforward payroll and HR for small businesses. One plan at $40/month + $6/person with no feature gating or upsells.
Gusto
4.6(5,247 reviews)
Payroll and HR platform for small businesses with benefits, compliance, and hiring tools.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | OnPay | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Small businesses under 50 employees that want all features without tiered pricing games | Small businesses and startups (1-100 employees) |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $40/mo | $40/mo |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 8.3/10 | 4.6/10 |
Pros & Cons
OnPay
Pros
- One plan with everything included — no feature gating, no tiers, no surprise upsells
- Transparent pricing at $40/month + $6/person makes budgeting dead simple
- Free accountant dashboard lets CPAs manage multiple client payrolls from one login
- Rock-solid QuickBooks and Xero integrations that sync without manual intervention
- US-based customer support with dedicated specialists who actually know payroll
Cons
- No international payroll — US only, no contractor payments abroad
- Mobile app is functional but limited compared to desktop experience
- Reporting is basic — standard reports only, no custom report builder
- No 24/7 support — business hours only, which is tough for after-hours emergencies
- Limited scalability past 100 employees — features plateau for larger companies
Gusto
Pros
- Excellent payroll that handles all 50 states flawlessly
- Easy setup—most companies run first payroll same day
- Affordable benefits access typically reserved for larger companies
- Clean, intuitive interface for employers and employees
- Strong customer support for complex payroll questions
Cons
- HR features are basic compared to dedicated HRIS platforms
- Gets expensive as employee count grows past 50
- Limited international capabilities—US focused
- Reporting and analytics could be more powerful
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| OnPay | subscription | $40/mo |
| Gusto | subscription | $40/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose OnPay if...
Small businesses under 50 employees that want all features without tiered pricing games
Choose Gusto if...
Small businesses and startups (1-100 employees)
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.