Gusto vs OnPay: Complete Comparison (2026)

Both cost $40 + $6/employee. Here's what actually differs.

Head-to-Head Comparison Table

Pricing: Exactly the Same

Both platforms charge identical pricing:

• Base fee: $40 per month
• Per employee: $6 per employee per month
• Contractors: $6 per contractor per month (Gusto), included in base (OnPay)

At 10 employees: $100 per month for both
At 50 employees: $340 per month for both
At 100 employees: $640 per month for both

The pricing is identical, so the decision comes down to features and user experience.

Where Gusto Clearly Wins

1. Benefits Administration

Gusto offers comprehensive benefits administration including health insurance, dental, vision, 401(k), FSA, HRA, commuter benefits, and life insurance. The platform handles enrollment, compliance, and carrier connections automatically.

OnPay has minimal benefits features. You can offer benefits through third-party providers, but OnPay doesn't streamline enrollment or administration. If you want payroll plus benefits in one platform, Gusto is the clear choice.

2. HRIS Capabilities

Gusto includes robust HRIS features: onboarding checklists, offer letter templates with e-signature, PTO tracking, org chart builder, employee directory, and basic reporting. These features help small businesses manage HR without separate software.

OnPay is pure payroll with no HRIS capabilities. You get W-2 generation, direct deposit, and tax filing. Nothing more. For teams wanting HR features, this means adding separate tools.

3. Integration Ecosystem

Gusto integrates with over 100 platforms including QuickBooks, Xero, Slack, Asana, Trello, Greenhouse, Lever, Salesforce, and HubSpot. The extensive integration library means Gusto fits into your existing tech stack.

OnPay has approximately 30 integrations, focused mainly on accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero, Sage). If you need HRIS, recruiting, or productivity tool integrations, OnPay is limited.

4. User Experience

Gusto has a modern, polished interface. Onboarding is intuitive, dashboards are clear, and the mobile app is well-designed. Employees can access pay stubs, tax forms, and benefits info easily through the self-service portal.

OnPay is functional but feels dated. The interface works but lacks the polish of Gusto. Employee self-service exists but is more basic.

5. Customer Support

Gusto offers phone, email, and live chat support. Response times are typically under 2 hours during business hours. The support team is knowledgeable about both payroll and benefits questions.

OnPay offers phone and email support only. No live chat option. Support is competent but less accessible than Gusto's multi-channel approach.

Where OnPay Holds Ground

1. Simplicity for Payroll-Only Needs

If you only need payroll (no benefits, no HRIS), OnPay delivers the same core features as Gusto at identical pricing. Some teams prefer a focused tool without feature complexity. OnPay does one thing and does it well.

2. Fixed Pricing Transparency

OnPay is known for fixed, transparent pricing with no upsells or surprise fees. Gusto pricing is also transparent but has multiple tiers (Core, Complete, Elite) that can confuse buyers. OnPay has one plan, one price.

3. Contractor Pricing

OnPay includes contractors in the base fee with no per-contractor charge. Gusto charges $6 per contractor per month. For businesses with many contractors and few employees, OnPay can be slightly cheaper.

Real User Feedback

Gusto ratings: 4.5 out of 5 on G2, 4.7 out of 5 on Capterra, 4.6 out of 5 on Software Advice
OnPay ratings: 4.3 out of 5 on G2, 4.5 out of 5 on Capterra, 4.4 out of 5 on Software Advice

Both platforms are well-liked by users. Gusto edges out on features and UX. OnPay edges out on simplicity for payroll-only needs. Common Gusto praise: easy onboarding, great benefits features, responsive support. Common OnPay praise: straightforward, no surprises, reliable payroll.

Implementation Time

Both platforms take 1-2 hours for initial setup. You need to enter company information, tax IDs, employee data, and connect your bank account. First payroll run takes 15-30 minutes once configured.

Gusto's onboarding wizard is slightly more guided. OnPay requires more manual data entry but gives you full control over the process.

Multi-State Payroll

Both Gusto and OnPay handle multi-state payroll for remote teams. Gusto automatically detects employee work states and files appropriate state taxes. OnPay supports multi-state but requires more manual configuration for each state.

For fully remote teams across 5 plus states, Gusto's automation saves administrative time. OnPay works but needs more hands-on management.

Final Recommendation

Choose Gusto if: You want payroll plus benefits plus HRIS in one platform. Better integrations, better UX, better support. Same price as OnPay but more features. Ideal for businesses under 100 employees with growth plans.

Choose OnPay if: You only need payroll and want a focused, simple tool. Don't care about benefits or HRIS features. Already have separate HRIS or benefits tools. Prefer one-plan simplicity.

For 90 percent of small businesses, Gusto is the better choiceat identical pricing. The added benefits and HRIS features provide more value without extra cost.

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FAQ: Gusto vs OnPay

Is Gusto or OnPay cheaper?

Both cost exactly the same: $40 per month plus $6 per employee. The only pricing difference is contractors. Gusto charges $6 per contractor per month. OnPay includes contractors in the base fee.

Can I switch from OnPay to Gusto later?

Yes, both platforms support data export and import. Switching takes 2-4 hours to migrate employee data, tax settings, and historical records. Gusto's onboarding team can assist with the transition.

Do both handle 1099 contractors?

Yes, both Gusto and OnPay generate 1099-NEC forms for contractors at year-end. Both support contractor payments via direct deposit or check.

Which has better customer support?

Gusto offers phone, email, and live chat support. OnPay offers phone and email only. Gusto's support team is larger and more responsive based on user reviews.

Can I use Gusto or OnPay for multi-state payroll?

Yes, both platforms support multi-state payroll. Gusto automates state tax registration and filing. OnPay supports it but requires more manual setup for each state.

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