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Most buyers should pick OnPay.
Choose OnPay if you want published payroll pricing, automated tax filings, and free data migration; its listed plan is $49 base plus $6 per worker monthly. Choose Paylocity if you want HR, payroll, finance, and IT in one configurable platform and can work from a custom quote. Neither lists a free plan. Paylocity does not publish a starting price, seat limits, or usage limits, so compare a written quote and service terms before switching.
01Side by side
| OnPay | Paylocity | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $49 base + $6 per worker monthly | Quote-based; starting price not published |
| Free plan | No free plan | No free plan |
| Best for | Businesses wanting payroll, HR, benefits, and time tools | Organizations wanting HR, payroll, finance, and IT |
| Core strength | Automated payroll calculations, tax filings, and payments | Unified HR, payroll, finance, and IT platform |
| Learning curve | Review ease score: 7/10 | Review ease score: 6/10 |
| Integrations/data | Accounting, 401(k), compliance integrations; free data migration | Specific integrations and migration terms not published |
| Team/seat costs | Per-worker pricing listed; add-on costs vary | Seat limits and module costs not published |
| Support | Live HR guidance by phone, chat, and email | Expert support mentioned; service terms not published |
OnPay Choose OnPay if
- Choose OnPay if you want published per-worker pricing.
- Choose OnPay if you need automated tax filings.
- Choose OnPay if free data migration matters.
Paylocity Choose Paylocity if
- Choose Paylocity if you want HR, payroll, finance, and IT together.
- Choose Paylocity if you need configurable modules.
- Choose Paylocity if you can evaluate a custom quote.
02Pricing compared
OnPay publishes a Payroll Essentials rate of $49 per month plus $6 per worker, with unlimited pay runs and federal, state, and local tax filings. The pricing page lists monthly pricing; it does not publish an annual rate. HR and time tracking are add-ons: HR is $15 base plus $2 per worker, while HR + Time Tracking is $21 base plus $4 per worker. OnPay also lists a one-month free trial, but no free plan.
Paylocity pricing is quote-based. Its starting price, seat and usage limits, add-on costs, and billing terms are not published. Neither product lists a free plan. Before switching to Paylocity, ask for a written quote that spells out module fees, limits, and service terms; OnPay’s published price makes a direct cost comparison easier, but not automatic.
03Features and depth
OnPay combines payroll, HR, benefits, and time tracking. Its Payroll Essentials plan lists unlimited pay runs, multi-state payroll, tax filings, and year-end forms. OnPay also offers onboarding workflows, eSignature templates, benefits administration, and mobile time clocking, with hours and overtime available to import into payroll. HR guidance is available by phone, chat, and email. Some capabilities cost extra: for example, HR + Time Tracking is listed at $21 base plus $4 per worker monthly.
Paylocity covers a wider set of departments in one configurable platform: HR, payroll, talent, and finance modules, plus IT tools for asset management, access control, and service support. It also lists spend management, analytics, and a mobile app. That breadth may suit organizations looking to consolidate more than payroll and HR, but the pricing page does not publish module limits or add-on costs. Compare the specific modules and terms in a quote rather than assuming every capability is included.
04Ease of use and learning curve
The available information does not establish which product is easier to learn. OnPay describes payroll automation and lists live HR support by phone, chat, and email; it also says it offers free data migration for businesses switching providers. Those details may help with setup, but they do not tell us how long a migration takes or what support covers.
Paylocity describes an intuitive payroll platform and a mobile app, but its materials do not publish onboarding requirements or training details. Its broader mix of HR, payroll, finance, and IT modules could mean more decisions during setup; confirm which modules you need and what implementation includes. Ask both vendors about data transfer, training, support response commitments, and any fees before signing.
Questions people ask
How much does OnPay cost compared with Paylocity?
OnPay lists Payroll Essentials at $49 per month plus $6 per worker, with monthly pricing and no published annual rate. Paylocity uses custom quotes and does not publish a starting price, seat limits, or add-on costs. Request a written, like-for-like quote before comparing totals.
Is OnPay or Paylocity better for a small business?
OnPay publishes payroll pricing and lists payroll, HR, benefits, and time tracking. Paylocity says it serves small, midsize, and enterprise employers, and combines HR, payroll, finance, and IT. The better fit depends on the modules you need and Paylocity’s quote; its public pricing does not show a small-business rate.
Does OnPay offer free migration from another payroll provider?
OnPay’s homepage says it offers free data migration for businesses switching providers. The published information does not specify which data is transferred, how long migration takes, or whether every source system is supported. Confirm those details with OnPay before you set a switch date.
Does Paylocity publish seat limits or a free trial?
No. The available Paylocity pricing information lists a custom quote and does not publish seat limits, usage limits, add-on costs, or a free trial. Ask the sales team to put applicable limits and any trial or implementation terms in writing.