OnPay vs Rippling: Pricing and Features Compared (2026)

At 10 employees, OnPay lists around $109 per month versus about $120 for Rippling at entry tier, a difference of $11 per month, as of November 2026. OnPay publishes its prices; Rippling quotes. 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. Rippling is the better fit when: fast-growing companies (roughly 20 to 1,000 employees) that want payroll, benefits, device management and expenses in one system, including global hires.

Prices verified November 2026

Price at a glance

OnPay vs Rippling monthly cost by headcount
OnPayRippling
Entry planPayroll EssentialsPlatform (required)
Base fee / month$49$40
Per employee / month$6$8
1 employee$55$48
5 employees$79$80
10 employees$109$120
25 employees$199$240
50 employees$349$440
Pricing published?Yes, fullyNo, quote only
BillingFlat monthly base plus per worker paid that month; unlimited runsPer employee per module; annual contracts are standard
ContractMonth to month; first month freeAnnual; quote-based
SupportPhone, chat and email with US-based staff; setup and data migration done for youChat and email; dedicated CSM on larger accounts

Quote-only providers shown as estimates from publicly reported quotes. See each provider page for the estimate basis.

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Features

Feature comparison of payroll providers
FeatureOnPayRippling
Federal & state tax filingYesYes
Unlimited payroll runsYesYes
Multi-state payrollYesYes
1099 contractorsYesYes
Health benefitsYesYes
HR toolsadd-onYes
Time trackingadd-onadd-on
Same-day depositNoYes
PEO optionNoYes
Mobile appYesYes

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.

Skip it if: Companies that need deep HR, IT or expense tools, or more than a few hundred employees.

Choose Rippling if

Fast-growing companies (roughly 20 to 1,000 employees) that want payroll, benefits, device management and expenses in one system, including global hires.

Skip it if: Businesses under 10 employees that just need payroll; the required platform fee makes it the most expensive option at that size.

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

Rippling strengths and weaknesses

  • Everything (HR, IT, finance, global payroll) runs off one employee record
  • Best-in-class automation and workflow engine
  • Global payroll and employer-of-record in the same platform
  • Must buy the platform before you can buy payroll
  • Modular pricing means the real number is 2 to 4x the advertised $8
  • Annual contracts only

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  • Prices verified November 2026

Other comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Is OnPay or Rippling cheaper?

At list price for 10 employees, OnPay is cheaper by about $11 per month (published price). Promotions and negotiation can change the result; get written 12-month quotes.

Which is easier to use, OnPay or Rippling?

OnPay is generally rated easier for owners who run payroll themselves. Rippling leans on human support and setup help instead.

Can I switch from OnPay to Rippling?

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

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