Payroll comparison
Gusto vs OnPay: payroll pricing, HR, and benefits compared
Gusto and OnPay are no longer a simple same-price decision. Current pricing, multi-state payroll, HR add-ons, and benefits workflows create a clearer split for small-business buyers.
Quick verdict
Choose Gusto when payroll needs to sit inside a broader HR, onboarding, and benefits system. Choose OnPay when transparent payroll-first pricing, included multi-state payroll, and support matter more than a larger HR platform.
What changed since older Gusto vs OnPay comparisons?
The old comparison framing said both products cost $40 plus $6 per employee and that OnPay had almost no HR capability. That is now stale. Gusto publishes employee-payroll plans at $49 plus $6, $80 plus $12, and $180 plus $22 per person monthly. OnPay publishes Payroll Essentials at $49 plus $6 per worker, plus an optional HR add-on at $15 base and $2 per worker.
That means the right comparison is not "same price, Gusto has more features." It is whether your company needs Gusto's broader HR and benefits platform or OnPay's simpler payroll-first stack with optional HR depth.
Current pricing comparison
| Platform | Published pricing | 10 workers | 25 workers | 50 workers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gusto | Simple $49 + $6/person; Plus $80 + $12/person; Premium $180 + $22/person | $109 Simple; $200 Plus; $400 Premium | $199 Simple; $380 Plus; $730 Premium | $349 Simple; $680 Plus; $1,280 Premium |
| OnPay | Payroll Essentials $49 + $6/worker; optional HR add-on $15 base + $2/worker | $109 Payroll Essentials; $144 with HR add-on | $199 Payroll Essentials; $264 with HR add-on | $349 Payroll Essentials; $464 with HR add-on |
Feature fit by buyer scenario
| Decision point | Gusto | OnPay | Practical winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-state payroll | Simple can cover basic single-state payroll. | Base payroll plan covers core payroll needs. | Tie; compare setup support and UX. |
| Multi-state payroll | Requires pricing against Plus or higher. | Included in the payroll plan. | OnPay for payroll-only teams. |
| Benefits administration | Broader health, retirement, spending-account, and benefits workflows. | Benefits administration and broker support in a payroll-centered workflow. | Gusto when benefits drive the decision. |
| HR depth | More complete HR suite across onboarding, time, scheduling, expenses, and records. | Useful HR basics, plus optional HR add-on for deeper workflows. | Gusto for HR platform depth; OnPay for payroll plus add-ons. |
| Transparent pricing | Public tiers, but the required tier changes by use case. | One payroll base price plus published HR add-on math. | OnPay. |
Where Gusto wins
Gusto is the stronger choice when payroll is one part of a people-operations system. It is easier to justify when the same platform needs to support onboarding, employee records, benefits, time workflows, expenses, and manager-facing HR administration.
The main buying mistake is comparing only Gusto Simple against OnPay. If your team needs multi-state payroll, time tracking, scheduling, expenses, or more advanced HR, price Gusto Plus or Premium before calling the platforms equal.
Where OnPay wins
OnPay is the stronger choice when the core job is full-service payroll with a predictable monthly formula. It is especially competitive for multi-state payroll and mixed W-2/1099 teams that do not need a broad HRIS.
OnPay also deserves a fairer HR read than older articles give it. It now has a clearer HR add-on path, so the right question is whether those HR tools are enough for your team or whether you need Gusto's broader all-in-one employee system.
Bottom line
Choose Gusto if the payroll platform needs to become your HR and benefits operating layer. Choose OnPay if you want transparent payroll pricing, included multi-state payroll, strong support, and optional HR tools without adopting a larger HR suite.
Primary sources checked
- Gusto pricing and plan details
- Gusto benefits overview
- OnPay pricing and HR add-on details
- OnPay payroll product details
- OnPay HR software details
Related payroll guides
FAQ
Is Gusto or OnPay cheaper in 2026?
Gusto Simple and OnPay Payroll Essentials both cost $109 per month for 10 workers at regular published pricing. OnPay remains cheaper when you need multi-state payroll but not broader HR features because multi-state payroll is included in the base plan, while Gusto positions that need on Plus.
Which is better for payroll only, Gusto or OnPay?
OnPay is usually the cleaner payroll-only pick because it keeps one payroll base price, includes multi-state payroll, supports W-2 and 1099 workers, and offers setup and migration help. Gusto is better when payroll is part of a broader HR and benefits operating system.
Does OnPay have HR features?
Yes. OnPay should no longer be described as having no HR capabilities. Payroll Essentials includes hiring and onboarding basics, and the optional HR add-on adds deeper PTO, workflows, documents, org charts, equipment, and compliance resources.
Which is better for benefits administration?
Gusto is stronger when benefits administration is central to the decision because payroll, employee records, health benefits, retirement, spending accounts, and onboarding can live in one broader HR system. OnPay includes benefits administration and broker support, but it is still a payroll-first product.
Should I switch from OnPay to Gusto?
Consider switching when you need a broader employee operating system: multi-step onboarding, time and scheduling, expenses, benefits workflows, and more HR administration. Stay with OnPay if transparent payroll, multi-state tax filing, and support are solving the main job.
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