OnPay vs Paychex
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both OnPay and Paychex are credible payroll tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose OnPay if you want a lower starting price (from $40/mo) and a higher overall rating (4.8/5). Simple, affordable payroll.
Choose Paychex if you'd rather have broader platform coverage. Payroll and HR services.
OnPay vs Paychex: side by side
| Dimension | OnPay | Paychex |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $40/moWinner | Custom |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best for | Smb | Smb, Mid Market |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Ios, AndroidWinner |
| Rating | 4.8/5Winner | 4.1/5 |
OnPay key facts
- Vendor
- OnPay
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $40/mo
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web
- Best for
- Smb
- Editor rating
- 4.8 / 5
- Founded
- 2007
- Headquarters
- Atlanta, GA, USA
Paychex key facts
- Vendor
- Paychex
- Pricing
- Subscription — Custom
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Smb, Mid Market
- Editor rating
- 4.1 / 5
- Founded
- 1971
- Headquarters
- Rochester, NY, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is OnPay better than Paychex?
Neither is universally better — OnPay edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is OnPay or Paychex cheaper?
OnPay is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $40/mo. OnPay starts at from $40/mo; Paychex starts at custom.
Can OnPay replace Paychex?
Yes for most teams — both are payroll tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.