Gusto
Polished guided payroll; Simple $49/mo + $6/person in one state.
- $49 + $6/person
- Single state on Simple
- Month-to-month
Business
Gusto vs OnPay: which payroll service?
Short version: same starting price ($49 a month plus $6 per person), but OnPay includes multi-state payroll in its single plan, while Gusto requires its $80 Plus plan for that. Gusto is the smoother product for a single-state business.
Gusto Simple is $49 a month plus $6 per person for a single state; multi-state, time tracking and next-day pay require Plus at $80 plus $12 per person. OnPay has one plan at $49 plus $6 per worker, with payroll in as many states as you need, W-2s, 1099s and filings included, and no implementation fees.
Based on IRS · Gusto · OnPay
Which one should you buy?
OnPay
One plan at $49/mo + $6/worker with any number of states included.
- $49 + $6/worker
- Multi-state included
- No setup fees
Prices are official list prices as of October 2026 and can change. We don’t use affiliate links on this site. How we choose.
The short answer: OnPay if you have employees in more than one state, or want one simple plan. Gusto if you are in one state and want the most polished setup and employee experience.
This is a focused guide. For the full category with every pick, read the best payroll software for small business.
Gusto vs OnPay: feature by feature
Swipe the table sideways to see both →
| Spec | Best single-state experienceGusto | Best for multi-stateOnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | $49/mo Simple; $80 Plus; $180 Premium | $49/mo (one plan) |
| Per person | $6 / $12 / $22 per person | $6 per worker |
| Multi-state | Plus and up | Included, any number of states |
| Contractors | Billed only in months contractors are paid | Per worker paid |
| Terms | Month-to-month | No implementation fees |
| Best for | Single-state first hires | Remote and multi-state teams |
| Plans | See plans | See plans |
Why pick Gusto?
Gusto’s setup is the friendliest for a first payroll: it walks you through tax registrations and runs filings automatically, and employees get a clean portal for pay stubs and W-2s.
On Simple, everyone must be in one state. Add an employee elsewhere and you move to Plus at $80 a month plus $12 per person (October 2026), which can nearly double the bill for a small team.
Gusto bills month-to-month, and US contractors count toward the per-person fee only in months you pay them.
Great if you
- Have everyone in one state
- Want the smoothest setup
- Want a polished employee portal
Skip it if you
- Have remote staff in several states
- Want one all-inclusive plan
- Want the lowest multi-state cost
Key specs
- Simple
- $49/month + $6/person, single state
- Plus
- $80/month + $12/person
- Includes
- Automated filings, W-2s and 1099s
- Contractors
- Supported
GustoPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site Why pick OnPay?
OnPay’s pricing is the draw. One plan includes payroll in as many states as you need, W-2 and 1099 filings, and no implementation fees, so a remote team doesn’t trigger an upgrade.
For a five-person team spread across two states, that can mean paying roughly half what Gusto Plus would cost at list prices.
The interface is plainer than Gusto’s, and its ecosystem of integrations is smaller.
Great if you
- Pay people in more than one state
- Want predictable pricing
- Want filings included
Skip it if you
- Want the slickest interface
- Need Gusto’s wider app integrations
- Want built-in perks marketplace
Key specs
- Price
- $49/month + $6/worker
- Multi-state
- Included
- Includes
- Automated filings, W-2s and 1099s
OnPayPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site How to choose between Gusto and OnPay
Map where every employee lives and works before comparing price.
States
One state: either works, and Gusto Simple matches OnPay on price. Two or more: OnPay is cheaper.
Headcount math
Multiply people by the per-person fee and add the base. Recalculate for next year’s hiring plan.
Setup help
Both automate filings. Gusto’s onboarding is the more guided.
Your accountant
Ask which your accountant supports; it smooths year-end.
GustoPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site Gusto vs OnPay: common questions
Is OnPay cheaper than Gusto?
At the entry level they match: $49 plus $6 per person. OnPay becomes cheaper when you need multi-state payroll, which Gusto puts on its $80 Plus plan.
Does Gusto Simple support multiple states?
No. Simple covers a single state; multi-state requires Plus or Premium.
Do both file payroll taxes?
Yes. Both calculate and file federal, state and local payroll taxes and produce W-2s and 1099s.
Are there setup fees?
OnPay says no implementation fees. Gusto is month-to-month; confirm current terms.
Can I switch from Gusto to OnPay?
Yes, ideally at a quarter start. The new provider will need year-to-date payroll data.
How we compared them
We compared Gusto’s and OnPay’s official pricing pages as of October 2026 and IRS guidance on employer tax responsibilities.
We have not hands-on tested these products; we compare published specifications, independent measurements and manufacturer documentation, and we update this page when models change. Read the full methodology.
What sources did we use?
- Gusto: pricing (accessed October 23, 2026)
- OnPay: pricing (accessed October 23, 2026)
- IRS: employment taxes (accessed October 23, 2026)