OnPay review (2026): features, pros and cons, pricing
Small-business payroll with one flat plan, unlimited pay runs and all-state tax filing included.
Verdict at a glance
OnPay is small-business payroll with one flat plan, unlimited pay runs and all-state tax filing included. Reviewers highlight responsive support and straightforward setup, while third-party integrations are limited and time tracking is an add-on.
Pros
- Responsive support.
- Handles taxes and forms.
- Straightforward setup.
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations (TechRepublic)
- No built-in time tracking in base (Merchant Maverick, older)
What is OnPay?
Small-business payroll with one flat plan, unlimited pay runs and all-state tax filing included. It is built for small businesses and accounting-firm partners and multi-state small teams needing included filings.
Category: Payroll Software
OnPay key features
| Feature | What we found |
|---|---|
| Tax filing and compliance | Federal, state and local filings included. |
| Multi-state payroll | Pay workers in any number of states, no extra fee. |
| Time tracking and PTO | Time tracking add-on $15 + $4 per worker. |
| Benefits administration | Health, workers comp and 401(k) as add-ons, pay only premiums. |
| Contractor and 1099 payments | 1099 forms included; contractor pricing not listed. |
OnPay pricing
Payroll Essentials is $49 per month plus $6 per worker, with unlimited pay runs, federal, state and local filings, and W-2 and 1099 forms. Add-ons are priced as a base plus a per-worker fee: HR is $15 plus $2, Time Tracking is $15 plus $4, and HR with Time Tracking is $21 plus $4. Bundled plans are listed at $71 plus $1 for Payroll and HR, and $81 plus $4 with time tracking. Multi-state payroll has no extra fee. Health, workers comp and 401(k) are add-ons where you pay premiums only, and Live HR Support costs extra. Billing is monthly and annual.
| Plan | Price | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll Essentials | $49 | base/month + $6 per worker | Unlimited pay runs, federal/state/local filings, W-2 and 1099 |
| HR | $15 | base + $2 per worker | |
| HR + Time Tracking | $21 | base + $4 per worker | |
| Bundled HR | $71 | base + $1 per worker | Payroll+HR |
| Bundled HR + Time Tracking | $81 | base + $4 per worker | |
| Time Tracking | $15 | base + $4 per worker | Standalone |
Page headline 'starts at $55 per month' = $49 + one worker. No implementation or integration fees. Contract terms not stated on page.
Who OnPay is best for
Best for
- Small businesses and accounting-firm partners.
- Multi-state small teams needing included filings.
Not ideal for
- Teams needing deep third-party integrations.
- Larger employers.
OnPay alternatives
GustoSmall US businesses of 1 to a few dozen people wanting simple setup.
Patriot PayrollVery small businesses watching cost.
QuickBooks PayrollBusinesses already on QuickBooks Online.
JustworksSmall US companies that want a PEO with benefits and compliance handled for them.
ADP RunSmall businesses wanting a large provider with tax filing and add-on HR/benefits.
Paychex FlexMid-size employers wanting a full-service provider with HR and benefits options.
What OnPay really costs
- Per seat per month
- $6 per worker plus $49 base.
- Billing
- Monthly and annual.
- 20 users per year
- ($49 + 20 x $6) x 12 = $2,028 per year.
Add-ons and extras to budget for
- Time Tracking $15 + $4/worker.
- HR $15 + $2/worker.
- Live HR Support.
- Benefits premiums.
Questions to ask about price
- Is there a minimum number of seats or a minimum annual spend?
- What is the discount for annual billing, and can we start monthly?
- How much can the price rise at renewal, and is the increase capped in the contract?
- Are there one-time costs for implementation, onboarding or data migration?
Is OnPay worth the price?
OnPay is good value for small businesses that want one flat payroll price with multi-state filing included and no implementation fees. The bill grows steadily at $6 per worker. It gets awkward for teams that rely on many third-party integrations, which reviewers call limited, and for larger employers. Time tracking and HR are extra, so cost them out if you need them.
Worth it if
- Small businesses and accounting-firm partners.
- Multi-state small teams needing included filings.
Look elsewhere if
- Teams needing deep third-party integrations.
- Larger employers.
Cheaper per seat than OnPay
- ADP RunAbout $4 per employee plus $79 base (third-party estimate)
- Patriot Payroll$5 per worker plus $37 base (Full Service)
- Paychex FlexAbout $5 per employee plus $39 base (third-party, Essentials)
Pricing details most reviews leave out
- Single published price: $49 + $6 per worker with unlimited runs.
- Multi-state included at no extra fee.
- No implementation or integration fees.
- Partner program: 15% revenue share for accounting firms.
Our verdict on OnPay
OnPay publishes a single clear payroll price: $49 per month plus $6 per worker, with unlimited pay runs and federal, state and local tax filing included. The headline of $55 per month is the base fee plus one worker. There is no free plan, and no implementation or integration fees are stated, so the monthly price is close to the full price for payroll alone.
G2 shows 4.8 from 406 reviews, with praise for responsive support, handling of taxes and forms, and straightforward setup. The vendor also sells HR and time tracking separately, so the final bill depends on which of those you add. Contract terms are not stated on the pricing page, so confirm term length and cancellation before signing.
OnPay FAQ
What is OnPay used for?
OnPay is small-business payroll with one flat plan, unlimited pay runs and all-state tax filing included. Reviewers highlight responsive support and straightforward setup, while third-party integrations are limited and time tracking is an add-on. It suits small businesses and accounting-firm partners.
How much does OnPay cost for 20 workers?
$2,028 per year on Payroll Essentials, calculated as ($49 + 20 x $6) x 12. Time tracking, HR and benefits add-ons are extra.
Does OnPay charge extra for multi-state payroll?
No. You can pay workers in any number of states with no extra fee, and federal, state and local filings are included.
Does OnPay charge setup or integration fees?
No implementation or integration fees are stated on the pricing page. Contract terms are not specified there either.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from OnPay's own pricing, product or documentation pages, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Unknown values are left out instead of estimated.