Gusto vs OnPay: Pricing and Features Compared (2026)
At 10 employees, OnPay lists around $109 per month versus about $109 for Gusto at entry tier, a difference of $0 per month, as of November 2026. Gusto publishes its prices; OnPay publishes its prices. Gusto is the better fit when: teams under 50 who want to run payroll themselves in a few clicks and get benefits, 401(k) and HR tools without a sales call. 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
| Gusto | OnPay | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | Simple | Payroll Essentials |
| Base fee / month | $49 | $49 |
| Per employee / month | $6 | $6 |
| 1 employee | $55 | $55 |
| 5 employees | $79 | $79 |
| 10 employees | $109 | $109 |
| 25 employees | $199 | $199 |
| 50 employees | $349 | $349 |
| Pricing published? | Yes, fully | Yes, fully |
| Billing | Flat monthly base plus per person; unlimited payroll runs | Flat monthly base plus per worker paid that month; unlimited runs |
| Contract | Month to month, no long-term contract | Month to month; first month free |
| Support | Email, chat and phone; dedicated support on Premium | 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 | Gusto | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Federal & state tax filing | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited payroll runs | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-state payroll | Plus+ | Yes |
| 1099 contractors | Yes | Yes |
| Health benefits | Yes | Yes |
| HR tools | Yes | add-on |
| Time tracking | Plus+ | add-on |
| Same-day deposit | No | No |
| PEO option | No | No |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
Choose Gusto if
Teams under 50 who want to run payroll themselves in a few clicks and get benefits, 401(k) and HR tools without a sales call.
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.
Gusto strengths and weaknesses
- Every plan and price is published; no sales call needed
- Unlimited payroll runs at no extra cost
- Consistently rated the easiest payroll software to use
- Simple plan raised to $49 in March 2026, second increase in a year
- Multi-state payroll requires Plus, doubling the per-person fee
- Health insurance broker integration costs $6 per eligible employee unless Gusto is your broker
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 Gusto or OnPay cheaper?
At list price for 10 employees, OnPay is cheaper by about $0 per month (published price). Both publish prices, so the comparison holds unless you need higher tiers.
Which is easier to use, Gusto or OnPay?
Gusto is generally rated easier for owners who run payroll themselves. OnPay leans on human support and setup help instead.
Can I switch from Gusto 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
- Gusto pricing page, read November 2026
- OnPay pricing page, read November 2026