Gusto vs OnPay2026
Gusto
HR & People Ops
Full-service payroll, HR, and benefits platform built for small and growing US businesses.
OnPay
HR & People Ops
Full-service US payroll software with HR tools and benefits administration for small businesses.
Our Verdict
OnPay is the more affordable option.
Choose Gusto if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Choose OnPay if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Side-by-Side Comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | Gusto | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting price | $46/mo | $40/mo |
| Free tier | ||
| Free trial | 30 days | |
| Ratings & Reviews | ||
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Best for | small to mid-sized businesses | small to mid-sized businesses |
| Tracked features | 9 | 7 |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2011 | 2012 |
| Verified listing | ||
Pricing
Gusto
SubscriptionOnPay
SubscriptionGusto
$46/moOnPay
$40/moGusto
OnPay
Gusto
OnPay
30 daysRatings & Reviews
Gusto
No reviews yetOnPay
No reviews yetFeatures & Capabilities
Gusto
small to mid-sized businessesOnPay
small to mid-sized businessesGusto
9OnPay
7Company
Gusto
2011OnPay
2012Gusto
OnPay
Key Differences
Gusto
$46/mo
OnPay
✓$40/mo
Gusto
Not available
OnPay
✓30 days
Gusto
9 tracked features✓
OnPay
7 tracked features
Gusto is best for…
Strengths
- Automatic payroll tax filing
- Health benefits brokerage built in
- Excellent employee self-service
- Easy onboarding
OnPay is best for…
Strengths
- Transparent flat-rate pricing
- All 50 states fully supported
- Unlimited pay runs
- HR and benefits included
Pricing Comparison
Gusto
From $46/mo
Simple plan from $46/month plus $6/person/month.
OnPay
From $40/mo
$40/month base plus $6/employee/month.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates and plan details.
Feature Comparison
Only in Gusto
- Employee Directory
- API Access
Both tools
- Payroll Processing
- Automatic Tax Filing
- Benefits Administration
- Direct Deposit
- Contractor Payments
- Employee Onboarding
- PTO Management
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between Gusto and OnPay?
- OnPay is the more affordable option. Choose Gusto if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage. Choose OnPay if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage.
- Is Gusto cheaper than OnPay?
- OnPay is cheaper at From $40/mo vs From $46/mo. Note that pricing tiers vary — check each vendor's current pricing page for up-to-date details.
- Can I switch from Gusto to OnPay?
- Yes — most teams can migrate from Gusto to OnPay with a data export/import process. Check whether both tools support CSV or API data export before starting. OnPay offers a free trial, so you can test it before cancelling Gusto.
- Does Gusto or OnPay offer a free trial?
- OnPay offers a free trial of 30 days. Gusto does not currently offer a free trial.