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Most buyers should pick OnPay.
Choose OnPay if free data migration and payroll plus HR options are priorities. Its payroll is $49 per month plus $6 per worker, and the pricing page lists a one-month trial. Choose Gusto if you want clearly tiered plans, Plus features such as time tracking and scheduling, or contractor management. Simple is $49 plus $6 per person monthly; Plus is $80 plus $12 per person. Neither has a free plan, and Gusto lists no free trial.
01Side by side
| OnPay | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $49/month + $6 per worker; $55 for one worker | $49/month + $6/person on Simple; $55 for one person |
| Free plan | No free plan; one-month trial listed | No free plan; no trial listed |
| Best for | Switchers wanting free migration and payroll/HR options | Teams wanting tiered payroll, HR, and contractor tools |
| Core strength | Payroll, HR, benefits, and time tracking in one service | Tiered payroll, HR, benefits, and contractor management |
| Learning curve | Not published | Not published |
| Integrations/data | Integrations listed; free data migration | Integrations not specified on the vendor's site |
| Team/seat costs | $6 per worker; HR and time add-ons cost extra | Simple $6/person; Plus $12; Premium $22 monthly |
| Support | Live HR help by phone, chat, and email | Premium account support and HR guidance on Premium |
OnPay Choose OnPay if
- Choose OnPay if you want free data migration when switching.
- Choose OnPay if a one-month trial matters before committing.
- Choose OnPay if live HR help by phone, chat, email matters.
Gusto Choose Gusto if
- Choose Gusto if Plus's time tracking and scheduling fit your team.
- Choose Gusto if you manage contractors alongside employee payroll.
- Choose Gusto if you need multi-state payroll on Plus.
02Pricing compared
OnPay lists payroll at $49 per month plus $6 per worker, or $55 for one worker, and includes a one-month trial. Its pricing page shows monthly rates, not annual pricing. HR and time tracking cost extra: HR is $15 plus $2 per worker, while HR + Time Tracking is $21 plus $4 per worker. OnPay has no free plan.
Gusto Simple is $49 per month plus $6 per person and covers basic payroll in one state. Plus is $80 plus $12 per person, with time tracking, scheduling, and multi-state payroll. Premium is $180 plus $22 per person. Gusto says plans are month-to-month and cancellable anytime; it lists no free trial or free plan. Compare the full per-person bill and add-ons, not just the base price.
03Features and depth
Both services cover payroll, tax filings, hiring, and benefits. OnPay says it automates payroll calculations, filings, and payments, supports payroll in multiple states, and includes year-end filings. Its hiring tools include onboarding workflows, e-signature templates, and personnel management. Benefits administration covers medical, dental, and vision plans; time tracking can send employee hours and overtime into payroll. OnPay also lists accounting, 401(k), HR, and compliance integrations.
Gusto offers payroll tax filings and AutoPilot for automated payroll runs. Its time tools cover hours, PTO, holidays, and schedules, with time synced to payroll. Hiring features include recruiting, offer letters, checklists, and digital signatures. It also lists health, dental, vision, and 401(k) benefits, compliance tools, and contractor management alongside employee payroll. The clearest plan distinction is that Gusto Plus includes time tracking and scheduling, while OnPay prices time tracking as an add-on or bundle. OnPay lists multi-state payroll with payroll; Gusto includes it in Plus.
04Ease of use and learning curve
The available materials do not establish which product is easier to use, so we would not treat the feature lists as proof of a simpler setup. OnPay says it offers free data migration for businesses switching providers, plus live HR guidance by phone, chat, and email. That may matter if moving payroll records and support access are key parts of the change.
Gusto lays out three priced tiers, with time tracking and multi-state payroll in Plus and HR guidance and tools in Premium. Its pricing page lists premium account support for Premium, but the published plan details do not specify support channels for every tier. Before switching, map your current payroll, time, benefits, and contractor needs to the plan and add-ons each vendor lists.
Questions people ask
Which is cheaper, OnPay or Gusto?
For basic payroll, both list a $49 monthly base plus $6 per worker or person. OnPay's one-worker total is $55 before add-ons; Gusto Simple uses the same listed base and per-person rate. Gusto Plus costs more, at $80 plus $12 per person, and includes time tracking and scheduling.
Does OnPay or Gusto offer a free trial?
OnPay lists a one-month free trial. Gusto's pricing information lists no free trial. Neither product has a free plan, according to the published pricing details. Check the vendor's current terms before signing, since trial eligibility and terms can change.
Which service supports multi-state payroll?
Both list multi-state payroll. OnPay includes paying workers in any number of states with its payroll offering. Gusto lists multi-state payroll as a Plus feature; its Simple plan is for basic payroll in one state. Confirm plan fit for your state setup before switching.
Can I manage contractors and migrate payroll data?
OnPay says it provides free data migration for businesses switching providers. Gusto lists contractor management and contractor invoice management on Plus; its Simple plan is described as basic payroll in one state. The published details do not specify Gusto migration terms, so ask Gusto what it will transfer.