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OnPay vs Patriot Payroll Comparison

Last updated:

OnPay

5.0(434 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(2,950 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…

OnPay leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 434 reviews.

Spotsaas Analysis

OnPayPatriot Payroll

The core difference between OnPay and Patriot Payroll lies in their pricing and focus on automation versus simplicity; OnPay offers a more comprehensive automated payroll solution at a higher price point, while Patriot Payroll emphasizes affordability and ease of use. Ideal buyers for OnPay are small businesses prioritizing automated payroll processes, whereas Patriot Payroll is best suited for small to medium businesses seeking a budget-friendly payroll system.

- Best for small businesses with 1-100 employees - Focuses on automated payroll processing - Excellent customer support - Ideal for various industries including healthcare and nonprofits - Priced at $40 - Suitable for HR and payroll professionals

- Best for small to medium businesses with 1-100 employees - Emphasizes affordability and simplicity - Strong US-based customer support - Ideal for industries like retail and construction - Priced at $14 - Suitable for small business owners and accountants

OnPay vs Patriot Payroll — at a glance

FeatureOnPayPatriot Payroll
Rating5.0 / 54.9 / 5
Reviews4342,950
Starting price$40 /Month$14 /Month
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryPayroll SoftwarePayroll Software
Integrations10+ apps11+ apps
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPR
Data residencyUSUS

Key differences between OnPay and Patriot Payroll

  • Pricing: OnPay starts at $40 /Month, while Patriot Payroll starts at $14 /Month.
  • Target audience: OnPay is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises, while Patriot Payroll targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • User satisfaction: OnPay scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
  • Deployment: OnPay supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Patriot Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

OnPay vs Patriot Payroll — find the better fit before you commit.

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.

OnPay - Payroll Software
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Patriot Payroll - Payroll Software
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OnPay vs Patriot Payroll: Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

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.

OnPay: Best for small businesses seeking simple, automated payroll with excellent support. Patriot Payroll: Best payroll software for small businesses needing simple, affordable solutions.

Description

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 $40
  • Starts from $14

Free Trial Availability

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.4/10

8.8/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.96

(434)

4.87

(2950)

Best Company Size

1-100 employeesSmall Business
1-100 employeesSmall to medium businesses
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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.

Strengths

Key strengths

OnPay

  • OnPay simplifies payroll processing, saving hours each week by automating calculations and filings—so you can focus on running your business.
  • With a user-friendly interface and intuitive dashboards, your team can easily manage payroll, benefits, and taxes without needing extensive training.
  • OnPay integrates smoothly with popular accounting tools, improving efficiency and eliminating manual data entry.

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

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

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 OnPay and Patriot Payroll Compare on Features?

Total Features

13 Features

10 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare 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

      • $40
      • $14

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      OnPay pricing
      Patriot Payroll pricing

      OnPay vs Patriot Payroll: Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • 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)

      Modes of support

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

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      OnPay vs Patriot Payroll Security & Compliance

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

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🇺🇸 US

      OnPay User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      379

      4

      2

      0

      1

      2925

      164

      24

      15

      22

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      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

      • 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

      Used OnPay or Patriot Payroll? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      Integrations

      OnPay and Patriot Payroll Customers

      Customers

      BlueBird

      BlueBird

      Cartecay

      Cartecay

      Evergreen

      Evergreen

      No Customers information available.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      OnPay Dashboard

      7 Screenshots

      Patriot payroll

      4 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      Top Alternatives to OnPay and Patriot Payroll in 2026

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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, OnPay or Patriot Payroll?
      OnPay edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 4.9). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do OnPay and Patriot Payroll offer a free trial?
      Yes, both OnPay and Patriot Payroll offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of OnPay vs Patriot Payroll?
      OnPay starts at $40 /Month. Patriot Payroll starts at $14 /Month.
      What are the top alternatives to OnPay?
      Top alternatives to OnPay include Square Payroll, APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, Justworks.
      What are the top alternatives to Patriot Payroll?
      Top alternatives to Patriot Payroll include APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll.