Zenefits vs OnPay vs Payroo vs Patriot Payroll Comparison
Zenefits
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Medium Business
- Small Business
Zenefits Payroll handles all your company's payroll needs. The software is automatically updated with payroll tax tables, so there's no need for you to manually file quarterly updates. Zenefits helps you manage employees…
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…
Payroo
Starting at $2 /User/Month
- Medium Business
- Small Business
Payroo is a cloud based software to manage payrolls. The user can access their records from anywhere and at anytime. It is very simple to use, fast and accurate payroll tool that provides the functionality of professiona…
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…
OnPay leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 414 reviews.
Zenefits vs OnPay vs Payroo vs Patriot Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | Zenefits | OnPay | Payroo | Patriot Payroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 | 1.5 / 5 | 4.9 / 5 |
| Reviews | 1,605 | 414 | 41 | 3,151 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $40 /Month | $2 /User/Month | $14 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No | No |
| Best for | Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll 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 |
| API | Available | — | — | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online | Online | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR | — | — |
| Data residency | US | US | Global | US |
Key differences between Zenefits and OnPay
- Pricing: OnPay starts at $40 /Month. Zenefits pricing is not publicly listed.
- Target audience: Zenefits is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while OnPay targets Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises.
- User satisfaction: OnPay scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: Zenefits supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; OnPay supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Compare Zenefits vs OnPay vs Payroo vs Patriot Payroll — 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 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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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for medium businesses needing streamlined, all-in-one payroll and HR management.
- You want automated payroll tax updates and compliance tracking.
- Your team values a user-friendly interface on both desktop and mobile.
- You need robust integrations with productivity and applicant tracking systems.
- You require highly customizable payroll features beyond standard options.
- You need rapid, responsive customer support with minimal wait times.
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.
Medium Business, Small Business
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.
Zenefits: Best for medium businesses needing streamlined, all-in-one payroll and HR management. OnPay: Best for small businesses seeking simple, automated payroll with excellent support.
Description | Zenefits Payroll handles all your company's payroll needs. The software is automatically updated with payroll tax tables, so there's no need for you to manually file quarterly updates. ... Read More about Zenefits | 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 | Payroo is a cloud based software to manage payrolls. The user can access their records from anywhere and at anytime. It is very simple to use, fast and accurate payroll tool that provides ... Read More about Payroo | 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 |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||||
Best Company Size | 50-500 employeesMedium businesses | 1-100 employeesSmall Business | — | 1-100 employeesSmall to medium businesses |
Get pricing help | 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
- Zenefits streamlines HR processes by bringing payroll, benefits administration, compliance, and employee onboarding into one intuitive platform—saving you valuable time and reducing paperwork headaches.
- With its user-friendly dashboard, you'll gain clear visibility into your workforce data, helping you make smarter decisions faster and improve overall organizational efficiency.
- Zenefits automates compliance tracking to keep you confidently ahead of changing regulations, so you can focus less on administrative tasks and more on strategic initiatives.
- 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.
No key benefits available yet.
- 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
- 50 - 500 employees
- Technology, SaaS, Consulting, Fintech, Martech, Revtech
- HR Managers, HR Directors, Payroll Administrators, Benefits Coordinators, 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
No best-fit guidance available yet.
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, construction, professional services, healthcare, nonprofit, and manufacturing
- Small Business Owners, Accountants, Payroll Managers, Office Managers, and HR Coordinators
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Businesses might seek alternatives if they require more specialized HR features or deeper integrations than Zenefits currently offers, aiming for enhanced customization and flexibility.
- Users experiencing budget constraints could look for alternative solutions offering similar functionality at a lower price, ensuring cost-effective management of HR processes.
- Companies with complex payroll or compliance needs across multiple regions may explore other platforms providing stronger regional compliance support and tailored payroll management capabilities.
- 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.
No alternatives guidance available yet.
- 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
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How do Zenefits, OnPay, Payroo and Patriot Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 16 Features | 13 Features | 8 Features | 10 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Zenefits, OnPay, Payroo 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.
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Other Details
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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 | — |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ 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 | 🌐 Global |
Zenefits vs OnPay vs Payroo User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 1.5 (based on 41 reviews) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Users generally appreciate Zenefits for its comprehensive HR and payroll features and ease of use, though some express frustration with customer support and occasional performance issues. 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 Buyer sentiment is cautious across 41 reviews, with several recurring concerns in feedback. 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
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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 |  AON  Cedars-Sinai  Feedonomics |  BlueBird  Cartecay  Evergreen | No Customers information available. | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  5 Screenshots |  7 Screenshots |  2 Screenshots |
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Videos | No videos available. |  3 Videos |  1 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, Zenefits or OnPay?
- OnPay edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 4.1). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Zenefits and OnPay offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Zenefits and OnPay offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Zenefits vs OnPay?
- Zenefits starts at Contact for pricing. OnPay starts at $40 /Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Zenefits?
- Top alternatives to Zenefits include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Freshbooks, BambooHR.
- What are the top alternatives to OnPay?
- Top alternatives to OnPay include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, SurePayroll, Square Payroll.