Gusto vs OnPay
A head-to-head comparison for 2026 — pricing, features, and which is better for different use cases.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Gusto | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $40/mo + $6/person | $40/mo + $6/person |
| Free Tier | None | 1 month free |
| Payroll | Full-service, auto-tax | Full-service, auto-tax |
| HR | Onboarding, PTO, org chart | Onboarding, PTO, docs |
| Benefits | Health, 401(k), HSA | Health, 401(k) |
| Best For | Small business all-in-one | Simple + transparent pricing |
Gusto — Overview
Gusto is the small business payroll platform that made running payroll feel easy. Full-service payroll with automatic tax filing, direct deposit, and W-2/1099 generation. The onboarding experience guides new hires through paperwork, tax forms, and benefits enrollment before their first day.
At $40/month + $6/person, Gusto is transparently priced in a category where most competitors require a sales call to learn the cost. Health insurance, 401(k), HSA, and workers' comp are available through Gusto's brokerage. The interface is the most approachable in payroll. For small businesses (1-100 employees) who want payroll and basic HR without enterprise complexity, Gusto is the gold standard.
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
The closest comparison in payroll. Same price ($40 + $6/person), same core features, similar target market. Gusto has more features and brand recognition. OnPay is simpler with a free trial month.
Feature depth slightly favors Gusto. More integrations, more HR tools, more benefits options. Gusto has become a platform; OnPay remains focused on payroll. If you want payroll plus HR plus benefits in one growing platform, Gusto.
Simplicity slightly favors OnPay. One plan, everything included, no upsells. Gusto has multiple tiers and add-ons that can increase cost. OnPay's 1-month free trial lets you run actual payroll before paying. If you want simple, predictable payroll without feature creep, OnPay.
The Verdict
Choose Gusto for the broader platform with more HR features, integrations, and benefits options. Choose OnPay for simpler, focused payroll at the same price with a free trial month.