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Gusto vs OnPay

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Our analysts compared Gusto vs OnPay based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Payroll Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Overview Pricing Benefits & Features Analyst Ratings Comparison Charts User Ratings Analyst Summary Screenshots
Gusto Software Tool
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OnPay Software Tool
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Product Basics

Analyst Rating

80 Detailed Analysis

User Sentiment

Excellent User Sentiment (2802 Reviews)

Analyst Rating

75 Detailed Analysis

User Sentiment

Excellent User Sentiment (616 Reviews)
Gusto is a web-based payroll system for medium-sized organizations. It handles benefits, compliance, direct deposit, employee self-service, employee management, payment processing and taxes. Using automation, calculators and other administrative and HR modules, users can streamline the entire process of paying employees. It integrates with other technologies to offer expanded services such as accounting, bookkeeping, POS, time tracking and other business operations. In addition to filing taxes, it scans the laws of over 50 states to ensure accurate state and federal payments, helping organizations avoid penalties.
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OnPay is designed to address core payroll needs for small businesses and handles basic HR functions as well. It integrates with a variety of other HR systems to enhance HR processes that include time tracking, accounting, benefits and compliance software integrations.

It requires no more than a few minutes to set up and features an easy-to-use interface. It also offers assistance with data migration for new users, making the transition even easier.
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$40 Monthly
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$46 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Product Assistance

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Product Insights

  • Flexible and Easier to Use: Guides admins through set-up and features a user-friendly interface. Let employees account for unexpected expenses, up to 40% of their paycheck, by automatically taking the amount out of their next check.
  • More Cost-Effective: Take advantage of a one-month free trial before full implementation. Subscribe on a monthly basis or based on a price quote, depending on the business’s needs.
  • Better Compliance: Check for updated tax law ensures that the proper documents are filed on time and follow the most recent legislation. Help users keep in compliance with ACA, ERISA and HIPAA standards. Record tests to comply with nondiscrimination policies from the IRS or benefits programs such as FSAs.
  • Timer Saver: Cut down on busy work and manual data entry to save valuable employee hours in payroll processing and tax filing. Manage and complete administrative work by accessing premade job templates, HR guides, live harassment prevention webinars, fitness tests, handbooks, best practices, manuals and more.
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  • Automation: Automates calculation for state and federal payroll taxes and withholdings. Can also file tax forms and make tax payments. 
  • Accuracy: Guarantees tax filing accuracy and pledges to cover any fees that result from an error in tax calculation or filing. 
  • Saves Time: Eliminate the need for time-consuming tasks like data entry by integrating with other software and offering employee self-service functions. 
  • Ease of Operations: Offers health and dental benefits in all 50 states, access to major providers, integration of 401(k) retirement plans, quick employee census and the option to keep existing plans. Additionally provides life, vision, disability and more. 
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  • Payroll Processing: Automatically calculate employee checks and file taxes while using online faxing, filing and signing technologies.
    • Payroll Reports: Send money out weekly, bi-weekly, twice a month or monthly. Calculate an employee’s gross pay before taxes by simply entering the amount they should receive. Figure out overtime pay for hourly workers whether they have one or multiple pay rates. Leverage other payroll capabilities such as calculating unlimited and off-cycle payrolls, employee reimbursements, bonuses and more.
    • Automated Taxes: Calculate, file and pay all payroll taxes per local and federal legislation through direct deposit. Generate and send 940, 941, 1099, 8974 and W-2 forms for full-time employees and independent contractors. Manage deductions, garnishments and send child support in all states except for South Carolina. Make adjustments, get support and enter claims for the Federal R&D Tax Credit, FLSA minimum wage requirements and the FICA Tip Credit tax.
    • E-Signatures: Sign and file important documents and forms such as W-2’s, 1099s, 940s, 941s and 8974s. Make it easier to get everyone’s ducks in a row, even when separated by thousands of miles.
    • Leave Tracking: Set up and monitor vacation time, time off and sick time. Choose federal holidays or create other holidays for organizations that accommodate different faiths, locations or cultures.
  • Benefits: Make the necessary deductions automatically for medical insurance, 401(K) contributions and more. Give employees dental, medical and vision insurance and help them find the appropriate plan. Provide other benefits such as 529 (college) savings, commuter perks, disability insurance, FSAs, HSAs, life insurance and workers’ compensation.
  • Wallet: Manage banking accounts, emergency funds, paychecks and savings. Create as many as five saving goals, which deduct funds automatically from the correlating spending accounts — transfer funds from savings to spending easily. Put paychecks in different accounts and let workers see checks and the specifics of deductions, hours and taxes. Give access to paystubs, the Wallet app and W-2s.
  • Worker Management: Give workers digital paystubs accessible by the payday email, account or Wallet app. Let employees send money to charities, organize workers into departments and set policies for PTO and sick leave. Customize and assign various permissions to ensure users can access the appropriate content but not sensitive data.
  • Self-Service: Let employees complete tasks like adding dependents, picking out plans and scheduling changes to plans based on personal details. Let them retain access to specific account information after termination to cut down on unnecessary content. Organize reports based on teams or departments and let workers sign essential documents like I-9s and W-4s.
  • New Employees: Report new hires to the government automatically. Send out onboarding papers before new staff members start so they can fill out bank details, contact information and W-4s. Use an onboarding to-do list for tasks like adding employees to the payroll, background checks, filling out an employee’s I-9, setting up benefits and signing forms.
  • Directory: Create an address book of employees with profile pictures and contact information. Give new workers org charts to see where they fit in the organization. Organize fun facts, t-shirt or merch orders, birthdays and communal coffee dates.
  • Calendar Sync: Track deadlines, birthdays and employee anniversaries and sync with other calendars in iCalendar, Google, and Outlook.
  • Integrations: Uses closed APIs. Integrate with platforms like Accelo, Asana, Box, Clover, Dropbox, Expensify, FreshBooks, Github, G Suite, Homebase, Microsoft 365, QuickBooks Online, Receipt Bank, Slack, SpotOn, TSheets, Veryfi, When I Work, Xero, Ximble, Zoom and more. Contact the vendor for custom connections.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Generate and download reports for benefits, payment history, bank transactions, PTO, contract work, tax payments and more
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  • Payroll: Automate payroll processing, schedule unlimited pay runs, customize pay runs to match business functions, make corrections and cancel pay runs when necessary. 
  • Employee Management: Provides self-service to employees. They can go through self-onboarding, enter personal details, make changes, and access pay stubs and tax forms. 
  • Multiple Pay Rates: Supports direct deposit, check and debit card payments. Allows payment to different types of employees, including salaried employees, hourly workers and contractors. 
  • Tax Filing: Processes tax filings, including special tax filings for clergy and nonprofits. OnPay assists users with taxes by calculating, paying and filing tax forms automatically. 
  • Integrations: Connects with a variety of other systems that enable the system to complete tasks such as time tracking, benefits management, accounting and other core HR functions. 
  • Org Charts: Offers detailed employee profiles and contact info, along with a company directory and a visual org chart. Automatically updates details based on changes, organizes employees by location, department or teams. 
  • PTO Management: Provides custom paid time off policies, up to three accrual tiers, automated accrual tracking, a PTO calendar, and reminders and email notification. In-app requests and approvals are also available. 
  • Integrated Workers’ Comp: Aids in administration and includes pay-as-you-go policies and low up-front costs. Automatically updates during team changes and offers support from experienced brokers. 
  • COVID-19 Compliance: Tracks FFCRA sick or medical leaves, automated FFCRA tax credits, and PPP expenses and forgiveness. 
  • Additional HR Tools: Includes onboarding workflows, e-signing, in-app offer letters, new hire reporting and custom personnel checklists. Also offers: 
    • Online I-9 and W-4 forms.
    • Delegation and tracking of non-HR requests (like IT).
    • Built-in document templates, document storage and personnel files.
    • Direct messaging, compliance audits and an HR resource library.
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Product Ranking

#7

among all
Payroll Software

#20

among all
Payroll Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

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75
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89
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40
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Benefits Management
Expense Management
Payroll and Tax Management
Platform Capabilities
Security and Compliance
Benefits Management
Payroll and Tax Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Gusto
OnPay
+ Add Product + Add Product
Benefits Management Dashboard And Reporting Expense Management Mobile Capabilities Payroll And Tax Management Platform Capabilities Security And Compliance Time And Attendance Management 95 40 90 54 89 87 80 63 89 60 40 69 88 83 100 52 0 25 50 75 100
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75%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

71%
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57%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 2802 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 616 reviews
93%
of users recommend this product

Gusto has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 93% when considering 2802 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

98%
of users recommend this product

OnPay has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 98% when considering 616 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

4.2 (23)
5.0 (16)
4.3 (305)
4.9 (195)
4.7 (2474)
4.9 (377)
n/a
4.6 (28)

Awards

Gusto stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

OnPay stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Easy to Use: Just under 70% of all reviewers found this product easy to use with 10% specifically praising the design.
Great Conflict Resolution: The customer service was noted for being helpful, knowledgeable and excellent at resolving errors.
Helpful Features: Around 40% of reviewers said they appreciated the functionality, particularly praising the tax system, deductions, payroll processing and multiple payment options.
Appropriate Pricing: Over 30% of users felt that the price was well worth the system.
Good for Small Business: This was called a good choice for small businesses in over 10% of reviews.
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Customer Support: The service team is well-versed with the product and responds quickly, as noted by 93% of users referencing support.
Budget-Friendly: OnPay’s cost has good value against the features offered, according to 91% of users mentioning price.
User-Friendly: The application is easy to adapt to and use, suggested 82% of users who reviewed usage and interface.
Payroll Updates: Gantt Charts provide management with a rich visualization of project workflows and data depiction that helps solve scheduling problems, as observed by approximately 100% of users who talk about its visualizer tool.
Workflow Management: Of users mentioning workflow management, 85% suggested the platform simplifies and organizes workflows to make operations easy.
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Issues with Certain Functionality: While around 40% felt the solution worked well, another 40% reported issues, especially with the time tracking and integration features.
Slow/Pushy Customer Support: Around 10% of users reported negative experiences with customer service. Of them around 50% felt the staff was pushy and trying to upsell them and 50% felt they had to wait too long for answers or couldn't get in touch with them online.
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Unstable Mobile App: The mobile app doesn’t offer optimum usage and lacks functionality compared to the web and desktop versions, according to 66% of reviews referring to this feature.
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Gusto is a well-reviewed payroll solution which many users enjoy for its good design and easy-to-use features. It’s UI and payroll processing abilities in particular make it a popular choice for automating payroll. Many also feel it handles benefits and PTO well. Some say it's an affordable choice given what it does while others note that it’s on the pricey side. The time tracking features aren’t universally loved. Users are split on the integration abilities with around 10% satisfied and around 10% dissatisfied. All in all, it appears to be a good solution for small and medium-sized businesses looking to streamline their payroll. Keep an eye on the price and, as always, demo extensively before buying.

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OnPay is a payroll and HR management software ideal for small businesses. It offers various robust features such as workflow management, automated payroll updates, taxations and billings. It’s also easy to use and good for small budgets. The one notable drawback users cited was the mobile app’s functionality and speed. Overall, small businesses looking for an economic payroll solution with plenty of functionality should consider OnPay.

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Screenshots

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