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Gusto vs Wagepoint vs OnPay vs Patriot Payroll Comparison

Last updated:

Gusto

4.4(947 reviews)

Starting at $49 /user/month

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Medium Business

Gusto is a comprehensive HR platform designed to help businesses of all sizes thrive. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling rapidly, Gusto provides the tools and guidance you need to grow and nurture your team. Tru…

Wagepoint

4.5(260 reviews)

Starting at $22 /Month

  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Medium Business

Wagepoint is a web-based payroll software that centralizes employee data and automates payroll. It is designed to minimize human involvement and with our unique and patented Smart Sync integration, it provides the most a…

OnPay

5.0(414 reviews)

Starting at $40 /Month

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

OnPay is an intuitive online payroll software designed to meet the needs of supervisors, managers, payroll specialists and people who manage pay for hourly or salaried staff. OnPay helps companies of all sizes reduce cos…

Patriot Payroll

4.9(3,151 reviews)

Starting at $14 /Month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

The Patriot's secure payroll solution is designed to lower the total cost of payroll administration, while helping you reduce your staffs' workload. With its fully integrated interface with Patriot's fund accounting and…

Wagepoint leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 260 reviews.

Gusto vs Wagepoint vs OnPay vs Patriot Payroll — at a glance

FeatureGustoWagepointOnPayPatriot Payroll
Rating4.4 / 54.5 / 55.0 / 54.9 / 5
Reviews9472604143,151
Starting price$49 /user/month$22 /Month$40 /Month$14 /Month
Free trial Yes No Yes Yes
Free version No No No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryPayroll SoftwarePayroll SoftwarePayroll SoftwarePayroll Software
Integrations10+ apps11+ apps
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPRSOC 2SOC 2, GDPR
Data residencyUSUSUSUS

Key differences between Gusto and Wagepoint

  • Pricing: Gusto starts at $49 /user/month, while Wagepoint starts at $22 /Month.
  • Free trial: Gusto offers a free trial; Wagepoint does not.
  • User satisfaction: Wagepoint scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
  • Deployment: Gusto supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Wagepoint supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Compare Gusto vs Wagepoint vs OnPay vs Patriot Payroll — and walk away knowing which one fits.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Payroll Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Gusto - Payroll Software
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Wagepoint - Payroll Software
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OnPay - Payroll Software
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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Gusto

Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing simple, integrated payroll and HR.

Choose if
  • You want an all-in-one platform combining payroll, benefits, hiring, and compliance.
  • Your team values a user-friendly interface with straightforward setup and workflows.
  • You need strong integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks Online.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your business requires highly complex or heavily customized payroll processing.
  • You are a large enterprise with extensive, process-heavy HR workflows.

Wagepoint

Best for

Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business

OnPay

Best for small businesses seeking simple, automated payroll with excellent support.

Choose if
  • You run a small business with 1-100 employees needing straightforward payroll processing.
  • You want to automate payroll calculations and tax filings to reduce errors and save time.
  • You value exceptional, responsive customer service and easy integration with accounting tools.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a large enterprise requiring complex payroll customizations and advanced features.
  • You need an all-in-one HR platform including recruitment or performance management.

Patriot Payroll

Best payroll software for small businesses needing simple, affordable solutions.

Choose if
  • You run a small to medium business with up to 100 employees.
  • You want a user-friendly, streamlined payroll system with strong US-based support.
  • You need integration with fund accounting and compliance tools for payroll automation.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require advanced, highly customizable payroll features for complex business needs.
  • You are a large enterprise scaling beyond small to medium business capabilities.

Gusto typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business. Wagepoint tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Gusto is a comprehensive HR platform designed to help businesses of all sizes thrive. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling rapidly, Gusto provides the tools and guidance you need to ... Read More about Gusto

Wagepoint is a web-based payroll software that centralizes employee data and automates payroll. It is designed to minimize human involvement and with our unique and patented Smart Sync ... Read More about Wagepoint

OnPay is an intuitive online payroll software designed to meet the needs of supervisors, managers, payroll specialists and people who manage pay for hourly or salaried staff. OnPay helps ... Read More about OnPay

The Patriot's secure payroll solution is designed to lower the total cost of payroll administration, while helping you reduce your staffs' workload. With its fully integrated interface with ... Read More about Patriot Payroll

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $49 , monthly
  • Starts from $22
  • Starts from $40
  • Starts from $14

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.7/10

8.3/10

9.4/10

8.8/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.36

(947)

4.96

(414)

4.88

(3151)

Best Company Size

1-50 employees51-100 employees
1-100 employeesSmall Business
1-100 employeesSmall to medium businesses
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Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

Gusto

  • Streamlined Payroll Processing: Gusto simplifies payroll management, allowing administrators to run payroll in just a few clicks. Managers can save valuable time and reduce errors, ensuring employees get paid accurately and on time.
  • Comprehensive Benefits Management: With Gusto, offering employee benefits becomes a breeze. From health insurance to retirement plans, you can easily manage and customize benefits packages that enhance employee satisfaction and retention.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Both managers and employees appreciate Gusto's intuitive design. This user-friendly platform means less training time for staff and more focus on what really matters – growing your business.

OnPay

  • OnPay streamlines payroll processing, saving valuable hours each week by automating complex calculations and filings—so you can focus on running your business.
  • With a user-friendly interface and intuitive dashboards, your team can effortlessly manage payroll, benefits, and taxes without needing extensive training.
  • I appreciate how OnPay offers robust integration with popular accounting tools, enhancing efficiency and eliminating manual data entry headaches.

Patriot Payroll

  • Flexible Payroll Options: Choose between basic and full-service payroll, depending on whether you want to handle tax filing yourself or let Patriot do it.
  • Easy-to-Use Interface: Designed with small business owners in mind, the platform simplifies payroll processing with intuitive navigation and clear workflows.
  • Affordable Pricing & U.S. Support: Offers competitive rates with no hidden fees and access to expert, U.S.-based customer support when needed.
Best fit

Best fit

Gusto

  • 1-100 employees
  • Human Resources, Retail, Restaurants, Nonprofits, Professional Services
  • HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners, Office Managers

OnPay

  • 1-100 employees
  • Healthcare, SaaS, Consulting, Professional Services, Nonprofits, Financial Services, Marketing Agencies
  • HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Office Managers, Finance Managers, Small Business Owners

Patriot Payroll

  • 1–100 employees
  • Retail, construction, professional services, healthcare, nonprofit, and manufacturing
  • Small Business Owners, Accountants, Payroll Managers, Office Managers, and HR Coordinators
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Gusto

  • Users may seek alternatives to Gusto if they require specific features not offered by the platform, such as advanced payroll reporting or industry-specific compliance tools that better meet their unique business needs.
  • Companies with larger workforces might explore alternatives for scalability, as they may find that other solutions provide more robust support for managing high employee volumes efficiently.
  • Budget-conscious businesses might look for more cost-effective payroll and HR solutions, especially if they find Gusto's pricing structure doesn't align with their financial goals or operational requirements.

Wagepoint

No alternatives guidance available yet.

OnPay

  • Users may explore alternatives if they require more advanced HR management features, such as extensive employee onboarding, robust benefit administration, or detailed performance tracking.
  • Companies seeking greater scalability might prefer alternatives that easily accommodate rapid growth, complex payroll structures, or increased employee counts without compromising system performance.
  • Businesses operating internationally or with global teams might consider alternatives offering broader international payroll support and compliance tools for multiple regions and currencies.

Patriot Payroll

  • Small businesses looking for simple payroll solutions with affordable, transparent pricing and U.S.-based support.
  • Companies needing basic or full-service payroll options with the flexibility to manage taxes internally or outsource.
  • Businesses prioritizing user-friendly software without the complexity of enterprise-level platforms.

Software Demo

Demo

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How do Gusto, Wagepoint, OnPay and Patriot Payroll Compare on Features?

Total Features

54 Features

5 Features

13 Features

10 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare Gusto, Wagepoint, OnPay and Patriot Payroll on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

          Starting From

          • $49 , monthly
          • $22
          • $40
          • $14

          Pricing Plans

          • Simple

            $49

            /user/month

            • Full-service, single-state payroll

            • Unlimited runs & automated tax filings

            • Employee portal for paystubs & self-service

          • Plus

            $80

            /user/month

            • Everything in the Simple plan, plus

            • Multi-state payroll w/ Next-Day Direct Deposit

            • Time tracking & PTO management

            Show more +

          • Premium

            $180

            /user/month

            • All Plus features, plus:

            • Dedicated service advisor

            • Access to certified HR experts

            Show more +

          • Not Available
          • Not Available
          • Not Available

          Pricing Page

          Gusto pricing
          Wagepoint pricing
          OnPay pricing
          Patriot Payroll pricing

          Other Details

          Organization Types supported

          • Freelancers
          • Large Enterprises
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Individuals
          • Freelancers
          • Large Enterprises
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Individuals
          • Freelancers
          • Large Enterprises
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Individuals
          • Freelancers
          • Large Enterprises
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Individuals

          Platforms Supported

          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - Android
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - Android
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - Android
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - Android
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)

          Modes of support

          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online
          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online
          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online
          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online

          API Support

          • Available
          • Not Available
          • Not Available
          • Available
          Get help choosing
          Get help choosing
          Get help choosing

          Security & Compliance

          Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

          SOC 2

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          HIPAA

          ✗ No
          ✗ No
          ✗ No

          GDPR

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          ISO 27001

          ✗ No

          Single Sign-On (SSO)

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          Data Encryption

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          Audit Logs

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          Data Residency

          🇺🇸 US
          🇺🇸 US
          🇺🇸 US

          Gusto vs Wagepoint vs OnPay User Reviews & Rating Comparison

          User Ratings

          Rating Distribution

          677

          36

          12

          15

          117

          52

          5

          1

          1

          2

          348

          2

          2

          0

          1

          2925

          164

          24

          15

          22

          Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

          Buyer sentiment

          Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and comprehensive features, tempered by some concerns over support consistency and limited advanced customization.

          What buyers like

          • Ease of use
          • Customer support
          • Integration with accounting tools

          Common complaints

          • Support communication issues
          • Limited advanced customization

          Buyer sentiment

          Buyer sentiment is very strong across 61 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

          What buyers like

          • Very user-friendly and intuitive platform, enabling easy payroll management with minimal learning curve.
          • Exceptional customer support—responsive, knowledgeable, and proactive in resolving issues.
          • Offers automation for payroll, tax remittance, direct deposits, and reporting, saving significant time and effort.

          Common complaints

          • Limited feature set, lacking advanced customizations and integrations (e.g., 401k, UX/UI enhancements, and additional accounting software linkages).
          • Some users report dissatisfaction with mobile app support and missing mobile-responsive functionality.
          • Occasional issues with tax calculations and filing errors, leading to increased administrative burden or costs for corrections.

          Buyer sentiment

          Buyers overwhelmingly praise OnPay for its ease of use, automation capabilities, and excellent customer support, especially among small businesses and nonprofits.

          What buyers like

          • Ease of use
          • Automation of payroll and tax filings
          • Customer support quality

          Common complaints

          • Limited customization for complex payroll
          • Lack of broader HR features

          Buyer sentiment

          Overall, users praise Patriot Payroll for its ease of use, affordability, and strong customer support, with minor setup challenges noted.

          What buyers like

          • Ease of use
          • Customer support
          • Affordability

          Common complaints

          • Initial learning curve
          • Limited advanced features

          Pros and Cons

          • Simplifies payroll processing and tax compliance for non-experts

          • Robust integrations with accounting platforms like QuickBooks Online

          • Responsive and efficient customer support

          • Occasional errors or inconsistencies in support communication

          • Challenging transition process from other payroll providers without guidance

          • Highly automated payroll processing saves time.

          • Centralizes employee data for easy access.

          • User-friendly interface enhances usability.

          • Customization may be limited for specific needs.

          • Training may be necessary for new users.

          • Intuitive design that simplifies payroll tasks for supervisors and managers

          • Automates payroll calculations and tax filings, reducing time and errors

          • Robust integration with popular accounting tools to eliminate manual data entry

          • Limited customization options for complex payroll needs in larger companies

          • Focuses solely on payroll, lacking broader HR functionalities like recruitment

          • User-friendly interface that simplifies payroll tasks

          • Excellent and responsive U.S.-based customer support

          • Affordable pricing with no hidden fees

          • Learning curve for newcomers during initial setup

          • Limited advanced features for larger or complex businesses

          Positive Reviews

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          Integrations

          Integration with other apps

          No Integration information available.

          No Integration information available.

          List of Customers

          Customers

          Handlebar Cyclery

          Handlebar Cyclery

          Dwg

          Dwg

          American Canning

          American Canning

          No Customers information available.

          BlueBird

          BlueBird

          Cartecay

          Cartecay

          Evergreen

          Evergreen

          No Customers information available.

          Media and Screenshots

          Screenshots

          gusto

          4 Screenshots

          Wagepoint Demo - Running your payroll

          3 Screenshots

          OnPay Dashboard

          7 Screenshots

          Videos

          video-0

          1 Videos

          video-0

          3 Videos

          video-0

          3 Videos

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          Add another option to compare side by side

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          Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

          Frequently asked questions

          Which is better, Gusto or Wagepoint?
          Wagepoint edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
          Do Gusto and Wagepoint offer a free trial?
          Gusto offers a free trial. Wagepoint does not.
          What is the starting price of Gusto vs Wagepoint?
          Gusto starts at $49 /user/month. Wagepoint starts at $22 /Month.
          What are the top alternatives to Gusto?
          Top alternatives to Gusto include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Freshbooks, BambooHR.
          What are the top alternatives to Wagepoint?
          Top alternatives to Wagepoint include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Freshbooks, SurePayroll.

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