Head to head
Gusto vs OnPay (2027): Which Is Better?
Price, features and who each one suits, side by side.
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Quick answer
- OnPay ranks higher overall (9.1 vs 8.9).
- Pick Gusto for growing teams that want room to add states and benefits.
- Pick OnPay for most small businesses.
Gusto vs OnPay at a glance
| Item | Gusto | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.9 ★★★★★★★★★★ | 9.1 ★★★★★★★★★★ |
| Best for | Growing teams that want room to add states and benefits | Most small businesses |
| Starts at | $49/mo | $49/mo |
| Base plan price | Simple: $49/mo + $6 per person (one state) | $49/mo + $6 per worker (Payroll Essentials, the only payroll plan; HR, time tracking and HR support are add-ons) |
| Top plan price | Premium: $180/mo + $22 per person | No higher payroll tier. Biggest listed bundle (Payroll + Time Tracking + HR + Compliance Resources + Live HR Support): $130/mo + $10 per worker, down from $154 + $12 bought separately |
| Contractor-only plan | None listed; US contractors are billed at the plan's per-person rate, only in months you pay them | None listed. Contractors are paid on Payroll Essentials and count toward the per-worker fee |
| Payroll taxes filed | Federal, state and local payroll tax forms (941, 940, 8974 and others) | Federal, state and local filings and payments, included in the base plan; 941 and 943 supported |
| Year-end forms | W-2s and 1099s filed | W-2s and 1099s included (self-print free; OnPay mailing them costs $10 per form) |
| Pay runs | Unlimited on every plan | Unlimited, no per-run fees, no fee to cancel a pay run |
| Multi-state payroll | Plus and Premium; Simple covers one state | Included at no extra cost, all 50 states, with automatic state tax registrations |
| Contract | Month to month, cancel anytime | Month to month; either side can end the service with 30 days' written notice |
| Direct deposit speed | Next-day on Plus and Premium; add-on on Simple ($15/mo + $3 per person) | Up to 4 days (maximum 4-day turnaround); no faster option listed |
| HR tools | Basic PTO on Simple; HR guidance and tools on Premium | Onboarding, eSign I-9/W-4, offer letters, new-hire reporting and PTO accrual policies in base; HR add-on ($15/mo + $2/worker) adds PTO approvals, workflows, org charts; Compliance Resources +$10/mo; Live HR Support +$65/mo |
| Support | Priority phone and chat is a $30/mo + $3 per person add-on on Simple and Plus | Phone, chat and email for all clients, Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm ET |
| Rating | 3.3/5 Trustpilot (2,767 reviews) | — |
| Free trial | — | First month free (no free trial beyond that is described) |
| Links | Gusto | OnPay |
OnPay edges out Gusto for most small businesses. At one state the two cost exactly the same, but OnPay includes every state on its single plan, while Gusto makes you move up to Plus for a second state. Gusto wins if you need fast deposits or want a clear path to bigger plans. We based this on each vendor's pricing pages, terms and help docs, checked November 12, 2026.
Monthly cost at 5, 20 and 50 employees
Regular published prices, one state, employees only.
| Plan | 5 | 20 | 50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| OnPay Payroll Essentials (all states) | $79 | $169 | $349 |
| Gusto Simple (1 state) | $79 | $169 | $349 |
| Gusto Plus (multi-state) | $140 | $320 | $680 |
Both charge $49/mo + $6 per person. The split comes with a second state: OnPay stays at that price, per its pricing page, and Gusto moves you to Plus at $80/mo + $12 per person, per Gusto's pricing. OnPay's first month is free.
Taxes, states, deposit speed and support
Both file federal, state and local payroll taxes and handle W-2s and 1099s. OnPay includes self-printed forms and charges $10 per form if it mails them. Both offer unlimited pay runs.
OnPay includes all 50 states and handles state tax registrations automatically. Gusto Simple covers one state, and Gusto charges for registering in a new state at prices that vary by state.
Deposit speed is Gusto's clearest advantage. OnPay's direct deposit page gives up to a 4-day turnaround with no faster option. Gusto includes next-day deposit on Plus and Premium and sells it on Simple for $15/mo + $3 per person.
OnPay offers phone, chat and email to every customer, Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm ET. Gusto charges $30/mo + $3 per person for priority phone and chat on Simple and Plus.
Both run month to month. OnPay's terms require 30 days' written notice to cancel; Gusto says cancel anytime.
The traps on each side
OnPay:
- Every worker in a pay run that month is billed, even one paid $0.
- Its terms let OnPay change fees at any time, with 30 days' notice promised as an effort, not an obligation.
- PTO approvals, time tracking and live HR help are add-ons, such as HR at $15/mo + $2 per worker.
- Sales tax may be added in many states unless you file an exemption certificate.
Gusto:
- One out-of-state hire moves you from Simple to Plus.
- Same-day pay is $90 per payroll and instant pay $100 per payroll on Simple and Plus.
- Time & Attendance Plus is $6/mo per person on Simple.
- Trustpilot: 3.3/5 from 2,767 reviews.
Choose OnPay if...
Choose OnPay if you pay people in more than one state or expect a remote hire soon, you want phone, chat and email support without an add-on, or you want one plan with no tier to outgrow. It fits teams that can approve payroll a few days ahead of payday.
Choose Gusto if...
Choose Gusto if your staff need next-day pay, you want same-day or instant pay available for emergencies, or you expect to want the HR guidance on Premium later. If you're in one state and don't need faster deposit, the two cost the same, so the choice comes down to support and growth plans.
Full reviews: Gusto · OnPay · all payroll services ranked
Sources
- gusto.com/product/pricing (checked Nov 12, 2026)
- www.trustpilot.com/review/gusto.com (checked Nov 12, 2026)
- onpay.com/payroll/software/costs-pricing/ (checked Nov 12, 2026)
- onpay.com/payroll/ (checked Nov 12, 2026)
- help.onpay.com/hc/en-us/articles/200108067-OnPay-Pricing (checked Nov 12, 2026)
- onpay.com/terms-of-service/ (checked Nov 12, 2026)
- onpay.com/payroll/software/direct-deposit-service/ (checked Nov 12, 2026)