Gusto vs OnPay 2026: Which Payroll Provider Is Better for Your Business?
Both are excellent full-service payroll providers for small businesses. Gusto wins on design, integrations, and benefits breadth. OnPay wins on simplicity, value, and user satisfaction ratings. Here is the honest, vendor-neutral breakdown.
Quick Verdict
For most small businesses under 25 employees, OnPay is the better value. One plan, everything included, $6/month cheaper with no feature tiers to navigate. Choose Gusto if you need 200+ integrations, a polished mobile app, or plan to use their Plus-tier time tracking and project tools. Both are excellent choices; you cannot go wrong with either.
Pricing Comparison
| Team Size | Gusto Simple | OnPay | Monthly Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 emp | $52/mo | $46/mo | OnPay saves $6/mo |
| 5 emp | $76/mo | $70/mo | OnPay saves $6/mo |
| 10 emp | $106/mo | $100/mo | OnPay saves $6/mo |
| 25 emp | $196/mo | $190/mo | OnPay saves $6/mo |
| 50 emp | $346/mo | $340/mo | OnPay saves $6/mo |
Gusto Simple plan shown. Gusto Plus ($80/mo + $12/emp) and Premium (custom pricing) add features but widen the price gap significantly. OnPay has one plan with all features included.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Gusto | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | $46/mo (Simple) | $40/mo |
| Per-employee price | $6/emp | $6/emp |
| Pricing tiers | 3 (Simple, Plus, Premium) | 1 (everything included) |
| Tax filing | Automated, all tiers | Automated |
| Direct deposit | 2-day standard | 2-day standard |
| Benefits admin | Yes, all tiers | Yes |
| Health insurance brokerage | 50 states | 48 states |
| 401k/retirement | Yes (Guideline partner) | Yes |
| Time tracking | Plus and Premium only | Basic (included) |
| Scheduling | No | No |
| PTO tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Employee onboarding | Yes | Yes |
| E-signatures | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-state | Yes | Yes |
| Contractor support | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app (iOS) | 4.8 stars | 4.5 stars |
| API access | Yes | No |
| Integrations | 200+ | 50+ |
| Phone support | M-F 6am-5pm PT | M-F 9am-5pm ET |
| Live chat | Yes | Yes |
| G2 rating | 4.5 (2,100+ reviews) | 4.8 (320+ reviews) |
Gusto Strengths
- +Best-in-class interface design and mobile app (4.8 iOS)
- +200+ integrations (accounting, HR, time tracking, expenses)
- +Health insurance brokerage available in all 50 states
- +Advanced features on Plus tier: project tracking, hiring tools, workforce costing
- +Stronger brand recognition and larger integration ecosystem
OnPay Strengths
- +Single plan with everything included, no tier confusion or surprise upgrades
- +Highest G2 rating (4.8) of any small business payroll provider
- +$6/month cheaper at every team size (saves $72/year)
- +Nonprofit specialisation with grant allocation and fund accounting integrations
- +More responsive support reported by users across all review platforms
Choose Gusto if...
- ✓You value a polished mobile app and modern interface
- ✓You need 200+ integrations with your existing tools
- ✓You want project tracking and workforce costing (Plus tier)
- ✓You plan to use their HR tools beyond basic payroll
- ✓You need health insurance brokerage in all 50 states
Choose OnPay if...
- ✓You want everything included in one plan with no tiers to navigate
- ✓Budget matters and you want to save $72/year without losing features
- ✓You run a nonprofit and need grant allocation tools
- ✓You prefer responsive phone and chat support from a smaller team
- ✓You have under 25 employees and want simplicity above all
Currently on one and considering the other? Switching payroll providers is straightforward if you time it right. Both Gusto and OnPay offer migration assistance and will import your employee data.