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Patriot vs OnPay: two top-rated payroll solutions for small business. We compare pricing, features, HR tools, and tax filing to help you choose the right platform for your team.
- Side-by-side pricing breakdown
- HR tools and tax filing compared
- Clear winner by business profile
- Affiliate links to try both free
Quick verdict
Choose Patriot if price is your top priority and you have a single-state workforce. Choose OnPay if you want HR tools included, have employees in multiple states, or value an all-in-one platform. Both offer excellent customer support and reliable payroll processing.
Quick Verdict: Patriot vs OnPay
Both Patriot Software and OnPay are excellent payroll solutions for small businesses, but they serve different needs. Here's the bottom line:
Patriot Software
Best for: Budget-conscious businesses that want low-cost payroll without built-in HR
Try 30 Days Free →
OnPay
Best for: Businesses that want HR features included and need multi-state payroll
Try 1 Month Free →The Short Answer
Choose Patriot if price is your top priority and you have a single-state workforce. Choose OnPay if you want HR tools included, have employees in multiple states, or value an all-in-one platform. Both offer excellent customer support and reliable payroll processing.
Pricing Comparison
Let's break down exactly what you'll pay with each platform. Patriot offers two tiers (Basic and Full Service), while OnPay has one all-inclusive plan.
| Pricing Element | OnPay | Patriot (Full Service) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Monthly Fee | $49/month | $37/month |
| Per Employee Cost | $6/month | $5/month |
| Cost for 5 Employees | $79/month | $62/month |
| Cost for 10 Employees | $109/month | $87/month |
| Cost for 25 Employees | $199/month | $162/month |
| Free Trial | 1 month free | 30 days + 50% off 3 months |
| Setup Fee | $0 (free migration) | $0 |
| Multi-State Payroll | Included (all 50 states) | $12/month per additional state |
The Multi-State Factor
Patriot's pricing advantage disappears if you have employees in multiple states. With Patriot's $12/month charge per additional state, a business with employees in 3 states pays an extra $24/month, bringing the total close to OnPay's price. If you have employees in 3+ states, OnPay is actually cheaper.
Budget Option: Patriot Basic
If you're comfortable filing your own payroll taxes (or have an accountant do it), Patriot's Basic plan is just $17/month + $4/employee. That's roughly half the cost of any competitor's full-service option. You handle the tax filings; Patriot calculates everything for you.
Feature Comparison
Both platforms handle the core payroll essentials well. Here's how they compare on specific features:
| Feature | OnPay | Patriot |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Pay Runs | ✓ | ✓ |
| Direct Deposit | Free (next-day available) | Free (2-4 day) |
| W-2/1099 Filing | Included | Included (Full Service) |
| Tax Filing Guarantee | Yes | Yes (Full Service) |
| Multi-State Support | All 50 states included | $12/state extra |
| Contractor (1099) Payments | Included | Included |
| Employee Self-Service Portal | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App (Employees) | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App (Admins) | Mobile-responsive only | Mobile-responsive only |
| QuickBooks Integration | 2-way sync | Sync included |
| Xero Integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| No Charge for Inactive Months | ✗ | Yes |
For core payroll functionality, both platforms are excellent. The main differences come down to multi-state support (OnPay wins) and seasonal business flexibility (Patriot wins with no inactive month charges).
HR Tools Comparison
This is where the platforms diverge significantly. OnPay includes HR features in every plan; Patriot charges extra for them.
| HR Feature | OnPay | Patriot |
|---|---|---|
| HR Features Cost | Included | $6/mo + $2/employee |
| Employee Onboarding | Digital offer letters, e-signatures | Basic (add-on only) |
| PTO Tracking | Custom accrual policies | Add-on required |
| Document Storage | Digital personnel files | Add-on required |
| Org Chart | Auto-generated | ✗ |
| Benefits Administration | Health, 401k, workers' comp | Partner integrations only |
| Time Tracking | Integration (When I Work, Deputy) | $6/mo + $2/employee add-on |
The HR Math
If you need HR features with Patriot, add $6/month base plus $2/employee. For a 10-employee company, that's $26/month extra, bringing Patriot's total to $113/month—more than OnPay's $109/month. If you need HR tools, OnPay is the better value.
Tax Filing Comparison
Both platforms handle tax filing reliably, but there are key differences in coverage and guarantees.
| Tax Feature | OnPay | Patriot (Full Service) |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax Filing | Included | Included |
| State Tax Filing | All 50 states included | First state included, $12/additional |
| Local Tax Filing | Included | Included |
| W-2 Preparation & Filing | Included | Included |
| 1099 Preparation & Filing | Included | Included |
| New Hire Reporting | Automatic | Automatic |
| Tax Accuracy Guarantee | Yes (pays penalties) | Yes (pays penalties) |
For single-state businesses, both platforms handle tax filing identically well. The difference matters for multi-state employers, where OnPay's all-inclusive model provides better value.
Who Should Choose Each Platform?
Choose Patriot If You:
- Want the lowest possible payroll cost
- Have employees in only one state
- Don't need built-in HR features
- Run a seasonal business (no inactive month fees)
- Prefer the DIY option (Basic plan)
- Already have an accountant handling taxes
Choose OnPay If You:
- Want HR tools included in your payroll
- Have employees in multiple states
- Need integrated benefits administration
- Value an all-in-one platform
- Use Xero for accounting
- Want the best overall value for growing teams
OnPay Wins for Most Small Businesses
While Patriot wins on raw price, OnPay delivers better overall value when you factor in included HR tools, multi-state support, and benefits administration. For most growing small businesses, the extra $20-30/month for OnPay is money well spent.
Exception: If you're a single-state business that doesn't need HR features and is purely focused on cost, Patriot is the clear choice.
Try OnPay Free for 1 Month →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper: Patriot or OnPay?
Patriot is cheaper for single-state businesses without HR needs. For a 10-employee company, Patriot Full Service costs $87/month vs OnPay's $109/month. However, if you add Patriot's HR module or have employees in multiple states, the costs become similar or favor OnPay.
Which is better for multi-state payroll?
Do both offer free trials?
Yes. Patriot offers 30 days free plus 50% off your first 3 months. OnPay offers your first month completely free. Both let you run actual payroll during the trial period with no credit card required to start.
Which has better customer support?
Both have excellent U.S.-based customer support with high ratings. Patriot is based in Ohio; OnPay is based in Atlanta. Both offer phone, email, and chat support during business hours. This is essentially a tie.
Can I switch from one to the other?
Yes. Both platforms offer migration assistance. OnPay provides free migration services to import your employee data and payroll history. Switching mid-year is possible, though it's easiest to switch at the beginning of a quarter.
Which integrates better with QuickBooks?
Both integrate well with QuickBooks Online. OnPay offers 2-way sync and also supports Xero. Patriot integrates with QuickBooks and also has its own accounting software that works seamlessly with the payroll system.
Which is better for contractors (1099)?
Both handle 1099 contractors equally well. Contractor payments, self-service portals, and year-end 1099 filing are included with both platforms at no extra charge.
Related Comparisons:
- Patriot Software Review 2026 – Full in-depth review
- OnPay Review 2026 – Full in-depth review
- Best Payroll Software for Small Business 2026
- Gusto Review 2026 – Another popular alternative
- Gusto vs ADP – Comparing larger players
- OnPay vs QuickBooks Payroll
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you sign up for Patriot or OnPay through our links. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support our independent research and reviews.
Patriot Software, OnPay, and their respective logos are trademarks of their respective companies. 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 choose the right payroll, accounting, and operational tools. His recommendations come from hands-on implementation—not just feature lists. Verify EA credentials →
