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All-in-one payroll with built-in HR tools, benefits administration, and seamless QuickBooks integration. Transparent pricing at $49/month + $6/employee with your first month free.
The bottom line
OnPay delivers enterprise-quality payroll with HR and benefits administration at small business pricing. At $49/month plus $6 per employee, you get unlimited pay runs, all tax filings included, multi-state support, and genuine HR tools—not watered-down versions. Your first month is completely free.
What is OnPay?
OnPay is an all-in-one payroll, HR, and benefits platform designed specifically for small businesses. Unlike enterprise solutions that overwhelm you with complexity, or bare-bones tools that leave you wanting more, OnPay hits the sweet spot: full-featured payroll with built-in HR capabilities at a price that makes sense for growing companies.
As a tax accountant and Enrolled Agent who has helped dozens of small businesses set up payroll systems, I've seen what works and what doesn't. OnPay consistently stands out for its transparent pricing, comprehensive feature set, and the fact that it genuinely includes everything most small businesses need without nickel-and-diming you for add-ons. If you're evaluating payroll software options, OnPay deserves serious consideration.
Payroll features
OnPay's payroll engine handles everything from basic direct deposits to complex multi-state scenarios. Whether you're running payroll for a single-employee S-Corp or managing a team of 50 across multiple states, the system scales without adding complexity. For S-Corp owners specifically, check out our guide on running payroll for single-employee S-Corps.
Payment processing
- Unlimited pay runs (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly)
- Direct deposit, paper checks, or debit cards
- Multiple pay schedules for different employee groups
- Custom pay rates and overtime calculations
- Contractor (1099) payments included
- Same-day or next-day direct deposit options
Tax management
- All federal, state, and local tax filings included
- Automatic tax calculations and withholdings
- W-2 and 1099 preparation and filing
- Multi-state payroll support (all 50 states + DC)
- New hire reporting to state agencies
- Tax accuracy guarantee
Multi-state payroll made simple
If you have employees in multiple states, you know how complicated payroll taxes can get. OnPay handles registration, withholding calculations, and filings for all 50 states plus DC automatically. New hire reporting is typically completed by the end of the week—you don't have to track state-specific deadlines or forms.
This is particularly valuable for remote-first companies or businesses with field workers across state lines. Compare this to Gusto vs ADP—OnPay matches their multi-state capabilities at a more predictable price point.
Built-in HR features
Unlike competitors that charge extra for HR modules, OnPay includes comprehensive HR tools in every plan. This is where OnPay truly differentiates itself—you're not paying for payroll plus HR, you're getting a unified platform.
Employee onboarding
- Digital offer letters with e-signatures
- Self-service onboarding for new hires
- Automatic document collection (W-4, I-9, direct deposit)
- Task assignment and tracking for managers
- Custom onboarding checklists
Employee management
- Digital personnel files with audit trails
- Automated compliance document tracking
- Equipment and asset tracking
- Automatic org chart generation
- In-app messaging and notifications
PTO & time off
- Customizable accrual policies
- Employee self-service time-off requests
- Manager approval workflows
- Automatic sync with payroll
- PTO balance tracking and reporting
Employee self-service
- Personal information updates
- Paystub and tax document access
- Direct deposit management
- Time-off request submission
- Mobile-friendly employee portal
Why this matters
Most payroll providers either don't offer HR features or charge $4–8 extra per employee per month for them. With OnPay, you get full HR functionality at no additional cost. For a 20-employee company, that's $80–160/month in savings compared to competitors with separate HR add-ons.
Benefits administration
OnPay goes beyond payroll and HR to offer integrated benefits administration. You can manage health insurance, retirement plans, and workers' compensation all within the same platform—with deductions automatically synced to payroll.
Health insurance
OnPay partners with licensed brokers to help you find and enroll in health insurance plans. They handle the paperwork, coordinate with carriers, and ensure deductions are correctly applied to each payroll. This isn't just a referral—it's hands-on support from licensed benefits experts.
401(k) retirement plans
Through their partnership with Vestwell, OnPay offers fully integrated 401(k) plans. Employee contributions are automatically calculated and remitted, eliminating manual reconciliation. Plan administration, compliance testing, and participant support are all handled.
Workers' compensation
OnPay offers pay-as-you-go workers' comp through NEXT Insurance. Instead of paying large upfront premiums based on estimated payroll, your premiums are calculated from actual payroll data each pay period. This improves cash flow and eliminates year-end audit surprises.
| Benefit type | Partner | Integration level |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | Licensed brokers | Full payroll sync, automatic deductions |
| 401(k) plans | Vestwell | Automatic contributions, compliance included |
| Workers' comp | NEXT Insurance | Pay-as-you-go, real-time premium calculation |
OnPay pricing
OnPay's pricing is refreshingly simple: one plan with everything included. No feature tiers, no surprise fees, no wondering if you need to upgrade.
- Base fee: $49/month
- Per employee: $6/month per active employee
- First month: Completely free
- Setup fee: $0 (free migration assistance included)
What's included (everything)
- Unlimited pay runs on any schedule
- All federal, state, and local tax filings
- W-2 and 1099 preparation and distribution
- Multi-state payroll support
- Full HR suite (onboarding, PTO, document management)
- Employee self-service portal
- Benefits administration tools
- QuickBooks and Xero integration
- Phone, email, and chat support
- Free setup and data migration
Sample monthly costs
| Employees | Monthly cost | Per employee effective |
|---|---|---|
| 5 employees | $79/month | $15.80/employee |
| 10 employees | $109/month | $10.90/employee |
| 25 employees | $199/month | $7.96/employee |
| 50 employees | $349/month | $6.98/employee |
Free migration included
Switching payroll providers can be daunting. OnPay's team handles the entire migration process for free—importing employee data, tax information, and historical records. Most migrations are completed within a few days.
Integrations
OnPay integrates with the tools small businesses actually use. The accounting integrations are particularly strong—if you're using QuickBooks or a similar platform, payroll data syncs automatically.
Accounting
- QuickBooks Online (2-way sync)
- Xero (2-way sync)
- Automatic journal entries
- Chart of accounts mapping
Time & scheduling
- When I Work
- Deputy
- Time tracking import
HR & hiring
- JazzHR (applicant tracking)
- Mineral (HR compliance)
- New hire data sync
Benefits & tax
- Vestwell (401k)
- NEXT Insurance (workers' comp)
- TurboTax (tax filing)
OnPay pros and cons
Pros
- Transparent, predictable pricing ($49 + $6/employee)
- Full HR suite included at no extra cost
- All tax filings included with accuracy guarantee
- Multi-state payroll support for all 50 states
- Free setup and migration assistance
- First month completely free
- Excellent QuickBooks and Xero integration
- Responsive U.S.-based customer support
- Benefits administration built-in
- No long-term contracts required
Cons
- No mobile app for administrators (employee app only)
- Time tracking requires third-party integration
- No built-in applicant tracking (uses JazzHR integration)
- Fewer enterprise features than ADP or Paychex
- International payroll not supported
- Learning curve for first-time payroll users
How OnPay compares
| Feature | OnPay | Gusto | ADP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base price | $49/mo | $49/mo | Custom quote |
| Per employee | $6/mo | $6–12/mo | Varies |
| HR features included | Yes, all plans | Plus plan and up | Add-on cost |
| Multi-state | All 50 states | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Free trial | 1 month free | No free trial | No free trial |
| Best for | SMBs wanting value | Tech-forward teams | Enterprise needs |
For a detailed comparison, see our OnPay vs QuickBooks Payroll breakdown. If you're weighing multiple options, our best payroll software guide covers all the top contenders.
Final verdict
OnPay is the best value in small business payroll for 2026. It delivers the features you'd expect from premium providers like Gusto or ADP at a price point that makes sense for businesses with 5–100 employees.
The combination of transparent pricing, included HR features, and genuinely helpful customer support makes OnPay my top recommendation for small businesses that want to get payroll right without overpaying. The free first month and free migration make it risk-free to try.
OnPay is ideal if you
- Want predictable pricing without surprise fees
- Need HR features without paying for a separate platform
- Have employees in multiple states
- Value responsive customer support
- Use QuickBooks or Xero for accounting
Consider alternatives if you
- Need international payroll capabilities
- Require built-in time tracking (though integrations work well)
- Have enterprise-scale needs (500+ employees)
For most small businesses, OnPay hits the sweet spot. Combined with a solid accounting platform and perhaps Melio for AP automation, you'll have a complete financial operations stack that rivals what enterprises pay tens of thousands for.
Ready to simplify payroll?
Try OnPay free for your first month. No credit card required to start.
Frequently asked questions
Is the first month really free?
Yes. OnPay offers a completely free first month with full access to all features. You can run actual payroll, file taxes, and use all HR features during the trial. No credit card is required to start, and you can cancel anytime.
Does OnPay handle all my tax filings?
Yes. OnPay calculates, files, and pays all federal, state, and local payroll taxes on your behalf. This includes quarterly filings, year-end W-2s and 1099s, and new hire reporting. They guarantee accuracy and will pay any penalties if they make an error.
Can I pay employees in different states?
Yes. OnPay supports payroll in all 50 states plus Washington DC. They handle state tax registration, withholding calculations, and filings automatically. There's no extra charge for multi-state payroll.
Does OnPay integrate with QuickBooks?
Yes. OnPay offers a robust 2-way sync with QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop. Payroll data automatically flows to your accounting software, creating journal entries and updating your chart of accounts. They also integrate with Xero.
How does OnPay compare to Gusto?
OnPay and Gusto are comparable in features, but OnPay includes HR tools in all plans while Gusto reserves some for higher tiers. OnPay's pricing is more predictable ($6/employee vs Gusto's $6–12 depending on plan). Both are excellent choices—OnPay edges ahead on value, while Gusto has a slightly more modern interface. See our full Gusto vs ADP comparison for more details.
Can I pay contractors (1099 workers)?
Yes. OnPay handles both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors. Contractors get their own self-service portal to submit invoices and access tax documents. Year-end 1099 preparation and filing is included at no extra cost.
What if I'm switching from another payroll provider?
OnPay provides free migration assistance. Their team will import your employee data, tax information, and historical records from your previous provider. Most migrations are completed within a few days with minimal disruption.
Is there a mobile app?
OnPay offers a mobile app for employees to access paystubs, request time off, and update personal information. The admin dashboard is mobile-responsive but there isn't a dedicated admin app yet. Most payroll tasks can be completed from a mobile browser.
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Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you sign up for OnPay through our links. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support our independent research and reviews. OnPay and the OnPay logo are trademarks of OnPay, Inc. Pricing and features accurate as of January 2026.
Thomas Camp Jr., EA
Thomas is an Enrolled Agent and tax accountant with over 14 years of experience helping small businesses navigate payroll, taxes, and financial operations. His recommendations come from hands-on implementation with real clients. Verify EA credentials →
