Gusto vs OnPay: Pricing and Feature Comparison
Gusto's March 2026 price increase to $49/month made OnPay's $40/month base fee more competitive than ever. OnPay includes multi-state, next-day deposit, and contractors in one flat price. Gusto charges extra for all three on Simple.
| Employees | Gusto Simple | OnPay | OnPay saves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 employees | $79/mo | $70/mo | $9/mo |
| 10 employees | $109/mo | $100/mo | $9/mo |
| 25 employees | $199/mo | $190/mo | $9/mo |
| 50 employees | $349/mo | $340/mo | $9/mo |
OnPay base plan includes multi-state. Gusto Simple requires upgrading to Plus ($80 base) for multi-state. Comparison uses single-state assumption for both.
OnPay's All-In Advantage
OnPay uses a single-tier model. Every customer gets the same plan, which includes features that Gusto locks behind higher tiers or charges as add-ons on Simple.
| Feature | Gusto Simple | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Base fee | $49/mo | $40/mo |
| Per employee fee | $6/person | $6/person |
| Multi-state payroll | Requires Plus ($80 base) | Included |
| Next-day direct deposit | $15 + $3/person add-on | Included |
| Contractor payments | $6/contractor add-on | Included |
| Tax filing | Included | Included |
| W-2 and 1099 | Included | Included |
| Benefits admin | Included | Included |
| HR tools | Limited on Simple | Basic |
| 30-day free trial | No | Yes |
Where Gusto Still Wins
Gusto Plus and Premium include time tracking, advanced onboarding, compliance alerts, and a dedicated CSM. OnPay's HR capabilities are basic.
Gusto integrates with 100+ software tools including QuickBooks, Xero, Slack, and many more. OnPay has fewer integrations.
Gusto has its own benefits brokerage team for health, dental, vision, and 401(k). OnPay requires you to bring your own broker.
Gusto's Plus and Premium plans scale with you as you add HR complexity. OnPay has one plan with no premium tier for advanced needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OnPay cheaper than Gusto?
Yes, OnPay is now clearly cheaper than Gusto after the March 2026 price increase. OnPay costs $40/month plus $6/person, while Gusto Simple costs $49/month plus $6/person. For a 10-person team, OnPay is $100/month versus Gusto at $109/month. The $9/month difference is modest, but OnPay also includes multi-state payroll at no extra charge, which Gusto requires upgrading to Plus ($80/mo base) to access.
What does OnPay include that Gusto Simple does not?
OnPay's single plan includes multi-state payroll, next-day direct deposit, full tax filing, and contractor payments all at one flat rate. On Gusto Simple, multi-state requires upgrading to Plus, next-day deposit costs extra, and contractors cost $6 each per month. OnPay's all-in model eliminates the upgrade pressure that Gusto's tiered approach creates.
Is Gusto better than OnPay?
Gusto has a better overall product ecosystem for growing companies. Its UI is more polished, it has stronger HR tools (time tracking, advanced onboarding, workforce reports), more integrations (100+), and a built-in benefits broker. OnPay is simpler and more affordable but lacks Gusto's breadth. For teams prioritizing budget and simplicity, OnPay is the better value. For teams planning to grow and needing a full HR platform, Gusto is worth the premium.
Does OnPay have a free trial?
Yes. OnPay offers a 30-day free trial for new customers, which is more generous than Gusto's typical offer. During the trial, you can run actual payroll at no charge, making it easy to evaluate before committing.
Which is better for multi-state payroll: Gusto or OnPay?
For multi-state payroll at the lowest price, OnPay wins. Multi-state is included in OnPay's single plan at $40/month base. On Gusto, multi-state requires upgrading from Simple ($49/month) to Plus ($80/month), a $31/month increase in base fee plus the higher per-person rate ($12 vs $6). A 10-person multi-state team pays $200/month on Gusto Plus vs $100/month on OnPay.