Paychex vs OnPay: Pricing and Features Compared (2026)
At 10 employees, Paychex lists around $89 per month versus about $109 for OnPay at entry tier, a difference of $20 per month, as of November 2026. Paychex quotes; OnPay publishes its prices. Paychex is the better fit when: owners who want a named human to call, businesses considering a PEO later, and anyone bundling payroll with workers' comp or retirement. 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
| Paychex | OnPay | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | Flex Essentials | Payroll Essentials |
| Base fee / month | $39 | $49 |
| Per employee / month | $5 | $6 |
| 1 employee | $44 | $55 |
| 5 employees | $64 | $79 |
| 10 employees | $89 | $109 |
| 25 employees | $164 | $199 |
| 50 employees | $289 | $349 |
| Pricing published? | Partly | Yes, fully |
| Billing | Monthly base plus per employee; quarterly and year-end filing fees may apply | Flat monthly base plus per worker paid that month; unlimited runs |
| Contract | Quote-based above Essentials; setup fee is negotiable | Month to month; first month free |
| Support | Dedicated payroll specialist on Select and above; 24/7 phone support | 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 | Paychex | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Federal & state tax filing | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited payroll runs | Yes | 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 Paychex if
Owners who want a named human to call, businesses considering a PEO later, and anyone bundling payroll with workers' comp or retirement.
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.
Paychex strengths and weaknesses
- Dedicated payroll specialist on most tiers; consistently praised in reviews
- Real PEO option (Paychex PEO) when you outgrow basic payroll
- Published entry price ($39 + $5/employee) gives you a floor to negotiate from
- Quarterly filing and year-end form fees are often extra
- Setup fee (commonly ~$200) unless waived
- Only the cheapest tier is publicly priced
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 Paychex or OnPay cheaper?
At list price for 10 employees, Paychex is cheaper by about $20 per month (estimate). Promotions and negotiation can change the result; get written 12-month quotes.
Which is easier to use, Paychex or OnPay?
OnPay is generally rated easier for owners who run payroll themselves. Paychex leans on human support and setup help instead.
Can I switch from Paychex 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
- Paychex pricing page, read November 2026
- OnPay pricing page, read November 2026