QuickBooks Payroll vs OnPay Comparison
QuickBooks Payroll
Starting at $49 /Month
- Free Trial
- Small Business
QuickBooks Payroll makes it easy to stay on top of your HR needs. It’s payroll software that gives you the power to handle all the payroll processing you need, from modeling an employee’s paycheck to tracking deductions…
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…
OnPay leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 434 reviews.
QuickBooks Payroll vs OnPay — at a glance
| Feature | QuickBooks Payroll | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Reviews | 55 | 434 |
| Starting price | $49 /Month | $40 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Integrations | 8+ apps | 10+ apps |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | — | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | — | US |
Key differences between QuickBooks Payroll and OnPay
- Pricing: QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month, while OnPay starts at $40 /Month.
- Target audience: QuickBooks Payroll is built for Small Business, while OnPay targets Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises.
- User satisfaction: OnPay scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: QuickBooks Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; OnPay supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
QuickBooks Payroll vs OnPay — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
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.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
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QuickBooks Payroll vs OnPay: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Small Business
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.
QuickBooks Payroll typically suits Small Business. OnPay tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | QuickBooks Payroll makes it easy to stay on top of your HR needs. It’s payroll software that gives you the power to handle all the payroll processing you need, from modeling an employee’s ... Read More about QuickBooks Payroll | 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 |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | ||
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 1–500 employees | 1-100 employeesSmall Business |
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
- Compliance and Tax Support: The platform keeps tax compliance current, automatically calculates taxes, and manages filings to reduce penalties.
- Integrated Accounting Solutions: It integrates smoothly with QuickBooks Accounting software, providing real-time financial insights and simplifying bookkeeping.
- Seamless Payroll Processing: QuickBooks Payroll automates payroll calculations, tax filings, and direct deposits, reducing manual errors and saving time.
- 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.
Best fit
- 1–500 employees
- Retail, professional services, healthcare, hospitality, construction, and nonprofits.
- Payroll Managers, HR Managers, Accountants, Business Owners, and Finance Directors.
- 1-100 employees
- Healthcare, SaaS, Consulting, Professional Services, Nonprofits, Financial Services, Marketing Agencies
- HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Office Managers, Finance Managers, Small Business Owners
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Businesses requiring industry-specific payroll features may seek specialized platforms.
- Companies looking for more robust HR management and employee benefits integration may explore other solutions.
- Organizations with complex multinational payroll needs might prefer global payroll providers.
- 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.
Software Demo
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How do QuickBooks Payroll and OnPay Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 13 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare QuickBooks Payroll and OnPay 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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QuickBooks Payroll vs OnPay: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
QuickBooks Payroll vs OnPay Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✓ Yes |
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HIPAA | — | ✗ No |
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | — | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | — | 🇺🇸 US |
QuickBooks Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 52 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. 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
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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 |
Integrations
Integration with other apps |
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QuickBooks Payroll and OnPay Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. |  BlueBird  Cartecay  Evergreen |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |  7 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  3 Videos |
Top Alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll and OnPay in 2026
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, QuickBooks Payroll or OnPay?
- OnPay edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do QuickBooks Payroll and OnPay offer a free trial?
- Yes, both QuickBooks Payroll and OnPay offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of QuickBooks Payroll vs OnPay?
- QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month. OnPay starts at $40 /Month.
- What are the top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll?
- Top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll include Heartland Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll, Patriot Payroll, SurePayroll.
- What are the top alternatives to OnPay?
- Top alternatives to OnPay include Square Payroll, APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, Justworks.