Harvest vs OnPay vs Patriot Payroll vs Paychex Flex Comparison
Harvest
Starting at $10.80 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Harvest makes time tracking effortless so you can get back to doing the work that you love. It is easy to use, makes nearly all accounting and tax prep software integration a breeze, and is less expensive than most alter…
OnPay
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
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…
Paychex Flex
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Paychex Flex is a cloud-based payroll software for mid- to large-sized employers, delivering the tools you need to run your business and support your people. This payroll system provides everything you need in just one s…
OnPay leads on user satisfaction with a 4.8-star rating across 822 reviews.
Harvest vs OnPay vs Patriot Payroll vs Paychex Flex — at a glance
| Feature | Harvest | OnPay | Patriot Payroll | Paychex Flex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 |
| Reviews | 909 | 822 | 3,876 | 3,034 |
| Starting price | $10.80 /User/Month | $40 /Month | $14 /Month | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | Time Tracking Software | Payroll Software | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Integrations | — | 10+ apps | 11+ apps | — |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | Available | — | Available | — |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep) |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR | — | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US | US | US |
Key differences between Harvest and OnPay
- Pricing: Harvest starts at $10.80 /User/Month, while OnPay starts at $40 /Month.
- User satisfaction: OnPay scores higher with a 4.8-star average.
- Deployment: Harvest supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; OnPay supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Compare Harvest vs OnPay vs Patriot Payroll vs Paychex Flex — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Time Tracking 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.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for simple, integrated time tracking and invoicing in small to mid-sized teams.
- You need easy-to-use time tracking with minimal setup for marketing or consulting teams.
- You want seamless integration with accounting and project management tools like QuickBooks and Jira.
- You require combined time tracking and invoicing within a single streamlined platform.
- Your organization demands advanced reporting and complex data analysis capabilities.
- You need highly customizable user interfaces and notification settings for your workflows.
Best for small businesses seeking simple, automated payroll with excellent support.
- 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.
- 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.
Best payroll software for small businesses needing simple, affordable solutions.
- 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.
- You require advanced, highly customizable payroll features for complex business needs.
- You are a large enterprise scaling beyond small to medium business capabilities.
Best for mid-sized businesses needing integrated payroll and HR compliance.
- You manage a company with 51-1000 employees requiring streamlined payroll and tax filing.
- You want a cloud-based platform with employee self-service for paystubs and tax forms.
- You value integrated payroll and HR management with strong customer support.
- You are a freelancer or very small business needing transparent, upfront pricing.
- You require highly customizable payroll workflows to fit unique business processes.
Harvest: Best for simple, integrated time tracking and invoicing in small to mid-sized teams. OnPay: Best for small businesses seeking simple, automated payroll with excellent support.
Description | Harvest makes time tracking effortless so you can get back to doing the work that you love. It is easy to use, makes nearly all accounting and tax prep software integration a breeze, and is ... Read More about Harvest | 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 | Paychex Flex is a cloud-based payroll software for mid- to large-sized employers, delivering the tools you need to run your business and support your people. This payroll system provides ... Read More about Paychex Flex |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.6/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||||
Best Company Size | 1-50 employees51-500 employees | 1-100 employeesSmall Business | 1-100 employeesSmall to medium businesses | 51-500 employees501-1000 employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
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.
Key strengths
- Streamlined Time Tracking: With Harvest, I can easily track time across multiple projects and tasks, ensuring every hour is accounted for. This means you can confidently bill clients and manage resources without the stress of guesswork.
- Intuitive Invoicing: Harvest allows us to create professional invoices in just a few clicks. I appreciate how it automates reminders and payment tracking, giving you peace of mind and allowing your team to focus on what really matters – delivering exceptional work.
- Robust Reporting Tools: The reporting features in Harvest provide valuable insights into project performance and team productivity. As a manager, you can quickly identify trends and make informed decisions to optimize workflows and enhance overall efficiency.
- 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.
- 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.
- Streamlined HR Management: With Paychex Flex, managers can effortlessly handle payroll, benefits, and compliance all in one platform. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of errors—ensuring you can focus on strategic initiatives.
- Employee Empowerment: Employees appreciate the self-service capabilities that allow them to access pay stubs, manage benefits, and request time off at their convenience. This not only boosts engagement but also fosters a culture of responsibility and ownership.
- Scalable Solutions: Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Paychex Flex grows with you. Its flexible architecture allows you to tailor features that fit your company’s unique needs, ensuring you’re always equipped for what lies ahead.
Best fit
- 1-500 employees
- Martech, SaaS, Consulting, Creative Agencies, Marketing Agencies
- Project Managers, Account Managers, Finance Managers, Team Leads, Operations Managers
- 1-100 employees
- Healthcare, SaaS, Consulting, Professional Services, Nonprofits, Financial Services, Marketing Agencies
- HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Office Managers, Finance Managers, Small Business Owners
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, construction, professional services, healthcare, nonprofit, and manufacturing
- Small Business Owners, Accountants, Payroll Managers, Office Managers, and HR Coordinators
- 1 to 1,000 employees
- HR Services, Professional Services, Retail, Healthcare, and Nonprofit Organizations
- HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners, and Operations Managers
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Users may seek alternatives to Harvest due to budget constraints, as some other time-tracking tools offer similar features at a lower price point, making them more accessible for small businesses or freelancers.
- The need for more advanced project management features can drive users to consider alternatives. Some competitors provide integrated tools for task management and collaboration that may better suit specific team workflows.
- Some users may find Harvest's user interface less intuitive or customizable compared to other platforms, prompting them to explore alternatives that offer a more user-friendly experience tailored to their needs.
- 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.
- 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.
- Users may seek alternatives to Paychex Flex due to its pricing structure, as smaller businesses or startups often find the costs prohibitive compared to other payroll solutions that offer similar services at lower rates.
- Some businesses might require more customizable features than Paychex Flex provides, leading them to explore platforms that allow for tailored payroll configurations to better meet their unique operational needs.
- Integration capabilities with existing accounting or HR systems can be a concern; users may prefer alternatives that offer seamless connectivity to their preferred software tools for streamlined operations and data management.
Software Demo
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How do Harvest, OnPay, Patriot Payroll and Paychex Flex Compare on Features?
Total Features | 10 Features | 13 Features | 10 Features | 29 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Harvest, OnPay, Patriot Payroll and Paychex Flex 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.
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Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Harvest vs OnPay vs Patriot Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||||
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Rating Distribution | ||||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Users generally praise Harvest for its intuitive interface, seamless integrations, and efficient invoicing, though some note limitations in reporting and customization. What buyers like
Common complaints
| 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
Common complaints
| 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
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and comprehensive features, tempered by concerns about pricing transparency and some feature inflexibility. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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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. |
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List of Customers
Customers |  Amnesty International  Dell  Happy Cog |  BlueBird  Cartecay  Evergreen | No Customers information available. |  Wells Fargo  First Citizens Bank  Huntington National Bank |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |  7 Screenshots |
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Videos |  3 Videos |  3 Videos |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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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, Harvest or OnPay?
- OnPay edges out the other on user ratings (4.8 vs 4.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Harvest and OnPay offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Harvest and OnPay offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Harvest vs OnPay?
- Harvest starts at $10.80 /User/Month. OnPay starts at $40 /Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Harvest?
- Top alternatives to Harvest include clockodo, Timesheets.com, TrackingTime, Clockify, TimeTrack.
- What are the top alternatives to OnPay?
- Top alternatives to OnPay include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, SurePayroll, Square Payroll.