Gusto vs OnPay
Quick verdict
As of 2026-08-19, Gusto is the cheaper payroll software tool, starting at $35/mo versus OnPay at $49/mo. That's $14/mo less on the entry option. Neither offers a free plan. Gusto has 4 priced options; OnPay has 1 priced option. Figures come from our maintained, dated dataset, not a paid placement.
Gusto starts at $35/mo and has no free plan. OnPay starts at $49/mo and has no free plan.
Gusto's published priced options: contractor only, simple, plus, premium. OnPay's published priced options: See what you can get when you join the Partner Program.
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Against the $44/mo median entry price across the 4 tools we track, Gusto's $35/mo is 20% below and OnPay's $49/mo is 11% above. 0 of 4 payroll software tools include a free plan.
| Gusto | OnPay | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts at | $35/mo | $49/mo |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✗ |
| Priced options | 4 | 1 |
| Pricing model | Monthly base fee plus per-person fee; stored tier prices are base fees only | Monthly base fee plus per-worker fee; stored tier price is the base fee only |
| Visit site | Visit site → | Visit site → |
Sources: gusto.com/product/pricing, verified · onpay.com/payroll/software/accountants/pricing, verified
Gusto — pros & cons
Pros
Cons
OnPay — pros & cons
Pros
Cons
Frequently asked questions
Is Gusto or OnPay cheaper?
Gusto is cheaper to start. Gusto begins at $35/mo and OnPay at $49/mo, a gap of $14/mo. Both usually bill less on an annual plan, so weigh yearly pricing before deciding. Every figure comes straight from our maintained, dated dataset, verified on 2026-08-19.
Does Gusto or OnPay have a free plan?
Gusto has no free plan and OnPay has no free plan. Neither is free, though both typically offer a limited free trial before you subscribe. Every figure comes straight from our maintained, dated dataset, verified on 2026-08-19. We source it from each vendor's own pricing page, not a paid placement.
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