ADP vs OnPay
A head-to-head comparison for 2026 — pricing, features, and which is better for different use cases.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ADP | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Custom (starts ~$79/mo) | $40/mo + $6/person |
| Free Tier | None | 1 month free |
| Payroll | Full-service, multi-state | Full-service, auto-tax |
| HR | Full HRIS, compliance | Onboarding, PTO, docs |
| Benefits | Comprehensive | Health, 401(k) |
| Best For | Mid-market + enterprise | Simple + transparent pricing |
ADP — Overview
ADP is the enterprise payroll provider processing paychecks for 1 in 6 US workers. Multi-state payroll, comprehensive compliance, and deep expertise in complex payroll scenarios (multi-jurisdiction, union, garnishments). The RUN platform serves small businesses while Workforce Now serves mid-market.
Pricing is custom and requires a sales conversation, which frustrates small businesses used to transparent pricing. The platform is more complex than Gusto or OnPay but handles compliance scenarios the simpler platforms can't. For businesses with complex payroll needs (multiple states, hourly + salaried, compliance requirements), ADP's experience is a genuine advantage. Best for mid-to-large businesses with complex payroll and compliance needs.
OnPay — Overview
OnPay offers the same transparent pricing as Gusto ($40/month + $6/person) with a simpler, more focused approach. Full-service payroll, automatic tax filing, and benefits administration without the feature creep that's made Gusto increasingly complex. One plan includes everything.
The 1-month free trial lets you run actual payroll before committing. The interface is clean and straightforward. HR features (onboarding, PTO, document storage) cover the basics without trying to be a full HRIS. For small businesses that found Gusto getting too complicated or expensive with add-ons, OnPay is the back-to-basics alternative. Best for small businesses that want simple, transparent payroll without unnecessary complexity.
Key Differences
Enterprise complexity vs small business simplicity. ADP handles any payroll scenario. OnPay handles standard payroll beautifully.
For businesses under 50 employees, OnPay's transparent pricing ($40 + $6/person) and simple interface handle payroll without the overhead of ADP's enterprise platform. The free trial month lets you test before committing.
For businesses growing past 50 employees, ADP's infrastructure, compliance depth, and scalability become relevant. Multi-state, multi-jurisdiction, and complex benefit structures need ADP's capability. The question is when the transition makes sense.
The Verdict
Choose ADP for complex, scalable payroll at mid-to-large businesses. Choose OnPay for simple, transparent payroll at small businesses under 50 employees.