Our verdict · 8.2/10 Excellent
Excellent value with transparent, single-plan pricing. Fewer advanced HR features than all-in-one platforms.
Key takeaways
- Best for: US small businesses wanting simple pricing.
- Strongest area: Value for money (9.0/10). Weakest: Integrations & ecosystem (7.4/10).
- Price: Around $49 / month + $6 / person — free trial available.
- Watch out for: Fewer advanced HR features.
What is OnPay?
OnPay offers a single plan covering payroll, tax filing, HR tools and benefits integrations for a base fee plus a per-person fee. It supports niche cases such as farms, restaurants and nonprofits, and offers free data migration.
OnPay is made by OnPay and is reviewed here as a payroll platform. It is priced on a subscription basis, and our editorial score is 8.2 out of 10, calculated from six weighted criteria.
Who it’s for — and who should skip it
Choose OnPay if
- US small businesses wanting simple pricing
- Restaurants, farms and nonprofits
- Teams switching from manual payroll
Not for you if
- Companies needing advanced HRIS
- International employees
Key features
Taxes, filings and year-end forms.
Onboarding, PTO and documents.
Health and workers' comp integrations.
Pay staff in multiple states.
- QuickBooks
- Xero
- Deputy
- When I Work
Pros & cons
What we like
- One plan, transparent pricing
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Free data migration
- Good support
Watch out for
- Fewer advanced HR features
- US only
- Basic reporting
Pricing & true cost
| Plan | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| OnPay Payroll | ≈ $49 / mo | Base fee; plus about $6 per person |
Pricing watch-out: Single plan; free first month often offered.
Contract questions to ask before you sign
- Does the plan auto-renew, and how many days’ notice do you need to cancel?
- Is the advertised price for annual billing? What is the month-to-month price?
- Is the first-year price a promotion? What will renewal cost, and is it capped?
- Is there a minimum number of seats, or a charge for inactive users?
- Are onboarding, implementation or premium-support fees extra?
- How do we export all our data if we leave, and in what format?
General questions for any vendor — not findings about this product. Build a full checklist with our requirements builder.
Indicative USD pricing, last checked October 31, 2026. Vendors change prices and promotions often — always confirm on their website. Model your own numbers with our SaaS TCO calculator.
Score breakdown
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features & fit | 25% | 7.8 | 2.00 | |
| Ease of use | 20% | 8.6 | 1.70 | |
| Value for money | 20% | 9.0 | 1.80 | |
| Support & reliability | 10% | 8.4 | 0.80 | |
| Security & privacy | 10% | 8.2 | 0.80 | |
| Integrations & ecosystem | 15% | 7.4 | 1.10 | |
| Overall | 100% | Weighted for business software products | 8.2 | |
Security & compliance facts
| Item | Status | Question to ask OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-factor authenticationStops most account takeovers from reused or phished passwords. | Not verified by us | Can admins enforce MFA for every user, on every plan? |
| Single sign-on (SAML/OIDC)Lets you remove a leaver’s access everywhere from one place. | Not verified by us | Is SSO included on the plan we are buying, or only on enterprise tiers? |
| SOC 2 Type II reportIndependent audit of the vendor’s security controls — often required by larger customers. | Not verified by us | Can we see your current SOC 2 Type II report (under NDA if needed)? |
| ISO/IEC 27001 certificationInternational standard for running an information-security programme. | Not verified by us | Which legal entity and services does your ISO 27001 certificate cover? |
| GDPR data processing agreementNeeded if you handle personal data of people in the EU/UK. | Not verified by us | Do you offer a signed DPA and list your sub-processors? |
| HIPAA business associate agreementRequired before US healthcare businesses store protected health information. | Not verified by us | Will you sign a BAA, and on which plans? |
We have not yet verified these items for OnPay against a primary source, so we don’t claim them either way. Check OnPay’s trust or security page and ask for documents in writing.
Before you buy any payroll platform
Check OnPay against the same list we use for every payroll platform — and confirm each point on the plan you intend to buy, not the top tier.
- Automatic tax filing in your jurisdictions
- Contractor payments
- Benefits and time-off management
- Employee self-service portal
- Accounting integration
See every ranked option in Payroll & HR.
OnPay alternatives
Pick an alternative by what matters to you
- Cheaper
Paychex Flex≈ $39/mo vs $49/mo at 10 users (cheapest paid plans, indicative) - Easier to use
GustoEase-of-use score 9.2 vs 8.6 - Better integrations
RipplingIntegrations score 9.2 vs 7.4 - Higher overall scoreGustoOverall 8.5 vs 8.2
Computed from our published scores and indicative pricing for tools in the same category as OnPay. Scores are editorial; see the methodology.
Editor’s picks
Friendly, full-service US payroll with benefits and HR built in.
Payroll from the largest US provider, with dedicated support and HR add-ons.
Established US payroll and HR with 24/7 support and many add-ons.
Head-to-head comparisons
Featured in: Best Payroll Software for Small Business
Review history
- Scored under methodology v2.0 (six weighted criteria, computed overall score).
OnPay FAQ
Does OnPay charge per payroll run?
No. Payroll runs are unlimited on the single plan.
Does OnPay support contractors?
Yes, contractors can be paid and issued 1099s.
Does OnPay have a free plan?
No, OnPay does not offer a permanent free plan, but a free trial is available. Pricing starts at Around $49 / month + $6 / person (indicative).
Who is OnPay best for?
OnPay is best for: US small businesses wanting simple pricing; restaurants, farms and nonprofits; teams switching from manual payroll.
How is the OnPay score calculated?
The 8.2/10 overall score is a weighted average of six sub-scores — features & fit, ease of use, value, support & reliability, security & privacy, and integrations — using the published weights for software products. Affiliate relationships have no input. See our methodology page for the full rubric.
What are the best alternatives to OnPay?
Popular alternatives include Gusto, ADP RUN, Paychex Flex. See our comparisons for side-by-side verdicts.