ADP vs OnPay: Pricing and Features Compared (2026)
At 10 employees, OnPay lists around $109 per month versus about $129 for ADP at entry tier, a difference of $20 per month, as of November 2026. ADP quotes; OnPay publishes its prices. ADP is the better fit when: businesses that expect to grow past 50 employees, need benefits and retirement plans from one vendor, or want the most recognized brand when talking to lenders and accountants. OnPay is the better fit when: small businesses, farms, nonprofits and restaurants that want the lowest all-in price with no surprise fees, and free white-glove setup.
Prices verified November 2026
Price at a glance
| ADP | OnPay | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | Essential | Payroll Essentials |
| Base fee / month | $79 est. | $49 |
| Per employee / month | $5 est. | $6 |
| 1 employee | $84 | $55 |
| 5 employees | $104 | $79 |
| 10 employees | $129 | $109 |
| 25 employees | $204 | $199 |
| 50 employees | $329 | $349 |
| Pricing published? | No, quote only | Yes, fully |
| Billing | Per pay run (weekly payroll costs more than monthly) | Flat monthly base plus per worker paid that month; unlimited runs |
| Contract | Quote-based; promotions change; confirm year-two pricing in writing | Month to month; first month free |
| Support | 24/7 phone support; dedicated rep on higher tiers | Phone, chat and email with US-based staff; setup and data migration done for you |
Quote-only providers shown as estimates from publicly reported quotes. See each provider page for the estimate basis.
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| Feature | ADP | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Federal & state tax filing | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited payroll runs | No | Yes |
| Multi-state payroll | Yes | Yes |
| 1099 contractors | Yes | Yes |
| Health benefits | Yes | Yes |
| HR tools | Yes | add-on |
| Time tracking | add-on | add-on |
| Same-day deposit | add-on | No |
| PEO option | Yes | No |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
Choose ADP if
Businesses that expect to grow past 50 employees, need benefits and retirement plans from one vendor, or want the most recognized brand when talking to lenders and accountants.
Choose OnPay if
Small businesses, farms, nonprofits and restaurants that want the lowest all-in price with no surprise fees, and free white-glove setup.
ADP strengths and weaknesses
- Scales from 1 employee to enterprise without switching platforms
- Deepest HR, benefits, retirement and compliance add-on catalog
- Strong accountant and bank partner ecosystem; most CPAs already work with ADP
- No published pricing; you must talk to sales to get a number
- Billed per pay run, so weekly payroll costs roughly 4x monthly
- Add-on fees for things competitors include (year-end forms, garnishments, some delivery options)
OnPay strengths and weaknesses
- Single $49 + $6 plan includes multi-state, year-end forms and unlimited runs
- Free setup and migration from your old provider
- Industry-specific payroll for restaurants, farms, nonprofits and churches
- HR, time tracking and live HR support are paid add-ons
- Fewer integrations than Gusto or Rippling
- No PEO option
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- Prices verified November 2026
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Frequently asked questions
Is ADP or OnPay cheaper?
At list price for 10 employees, OnPay is cheaper by about $20 per month (published price). Promotions and negotiation can change the result; get written 12-month quotes.
Which is easier to use, ADP or OnPay?
OnPay is generally rated easier for owners who run payroll themselves. ADP leans on human support and setup help instead.
Can I switch from ADP to OnPay?
Yes. Most providers migrate your employee data and year-to-date totals for free. Switching at a quarter boundary is cleanest. See our guide to switching payroll providers.
Sources
- ADP pricing page, read November 2026
- OnPay pricing page, read November 2026