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Gusto vs OnPay in 2026

The stickers match on Simple-class math. OnPay wins if multi-state is included and you want one SKU. Gusto wins if benefits and the first-hire desk are the job.

By Gregory GreensteinUpdated September 20, 2026Affiliate disclosure

Verdict

Pick OnPay if you want a single published SKU — $49 + $6 per person — with multi-state tax filings included and no “Plus for a second state” conversation. Pick Gusto if you want the first-hire desk, benefits next to payday, and a brand your next hire already knows. Do not pick Gusto Plus just to match OnPay’s multi-state story without checking OnPay first. Do not pick OnPay to impersonate a 400-person HCM.

This is not Gusto vs Paychex. OnPay publishes a rate card. Paychex does not. If you already compared ADP or Square, those pages exist.

Public pricing as of September 20, 2026

Gusto: Simple $49 + $6 per person, Plus $80 + $12, Premium $180 + $22, Contractor Only $35 + $6. Simple is single-state. Confirm gusto.com/product/pricing.

OnPay: $49 base + $6 per person on the official help article and marketing pages. They advertise unlimited runs, 50-state tax filings, and no extra fees for multi-state, off-cycle runs, or run cancellations. Confirm onpay.com and help.onpay.com. Sales tax on the SaaS bill may apply.

  • Ten people, one state, Gusto Simple: $49 + $60 = $109/month.
  • Ten people, OnPay: $49 + $60 = $109/month.
  • Ten people, two states, Gusto Plus: $80 + $120 = $200/month.
  • Ten people, two states, OnPay: still $109 if their “no extra for multi-state” language holds on your account — confirm in writing.

One SKU vs a ladder

OnPay sells one payroll product. Integrations they advertise include QBO, Desktop, Xero, Deputy, When I Work, and QuickBooks Time. That is a payroll desk, not a benefits marketplace.

Gusto sells a ladder: Simple, Plus, Premium, Contractor Only. Benefits administration, onboarding forms, and a hiring-market brand sit on that ladder. Rippling is the third fork if IT is the fire — see Rippling vs Gusto, not this page.

Who should pick which

  • First hire, one state, want benefits later: Gusto Simple.
  • Multi-state crew, want one published SKU: OnPay — confirm states in the account.
  • Already on Square POS: Square Payroll may beat both. See Gusto vs Square Payroll.
  • CPA/broker on Paychex or ADP: get a quote. Those comparisons exist.
  • You need a PEO: Justworks, not this fork.

We are not your tax preparer. Multi-state nexus belongs to a professional.

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