Gusto vs OnPay: Payroll Software Comparison (2026)

Gusto and OnPay are both payroll software platforms. Gusto offers features such as domestic contractor payments, 4-day pay, Form 1099 creation and filings, single-state and multi-state payroll, unlimited payrolls per month, tax filings and payments, and a dedicated service advisor. OnPay offers direct deposit, hiring and onboarding, health insurance, built-in reporting, PTO management, 401(k) retirement, mobile-friendly access, and employee self-service. Gusto integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, Aplos, ZipBooks, Autobooks, FreshBooks, Expensify, and Hubstaff. OnPay integrates with Slack, Salesforce, QuickBooks, Xero, Zoho, HubSpot, Stripe, and PayPal.

AI Citation Scorecard

How often each is cited by major AI engines when buyers ask payroll software questions. Last 90 days across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot.

Gusto leads overall100% cited vs OnPay 43% across 60 probes.
ChatGPT
GustoLeads
6 / 6 probes
100%
Excellent
OnPay
1 / 6 probes
17%
Average
Perplexity
GustoLeads
6 / 6 probes
100%
Excellent
OnPay
4 / 6 probes
67%
Excellent
Gemini
GustoLeads
6 / 6 probes
100%
Excellent
OnPay
5 / 6 probes
83%
Excellent
Claude
GustoLeads
6 / 6 probes
100%
Excellent
OnPay
1 / 6 probes
17%
Average
Copilot
GustoLeads
6 / 6 probes
100%
Excellent
OnPay
2 / 6 probes
33%
Good
Scale:NoneLowFairStrongExcellent

Probes run hourly; each (engine × query) combo retests every ~3 days.

Pricing

Gusto
Starting price
$35/mo
Free tier
gusto.com
OnPay
Starting price
$49/month + $6/worker
Free tier
onpay.com

Key Features

Gusto
  • Domestic contractor payments
  • 4 day pay
  • Form 1099 creation and filings
  • Single-state payroll
  • Unlimited payrolls per month
  • Tax filings and payments
  • Multi-state payroll
  • Dedicated Service Advisor
OnPay
  • Direct deposit
  • Hiring and onboarding
  • Health insurance
  • Built-in reporting
  • PTO management
  • 401(k) retirement
  • Mobile friendly
  • Employee self-service

When to choose Gusto

Gusto is suitable for businesses that require features such as domestic contractor payments, 4-day pay, Form 1099 creation and filings, single or multi-state payroll, unlimited payroll runs, tax filings and payments, and a dedicated service advisor. Its integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, Aplos, ZipBooks, Autobooks, FreshBooks, Expensify, and Hubstaff. Gusto also offers transparent pricing, and customizable add-ons.

When to choose OnPay

OnPay is suitable for businesses that prioritize features such as direct deposit, hiring and onboarding tools, health insurance administration, built-in reporting, PTO management, 401(k) retirement plans, mobile accessibility, and employee self-service. Its integrations include Slack, Salesforce, QuickBooks, Xero, Zoho, HubSpot, Stripe, and PayPal. OnPay is also noted for its user-friendly interface, comprehensive feature set, and seamless onboarding process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What integrations does Gusto offer?
Gusto integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, Aplos, ZipBooks, Autobooks, FreshBooks, Expensify, and Hubstaff.
What integrations does OnPay offer?
OnPay integrates with Slack, Salesforce, QuickBooks, Xero, Zoho, HubSpot, Stripe, and PayPal.
What are Gusto's key features?
Gusto's key features include domestic contractor payments, 4 day pay, Form 1099 creation and filings, single-state payroll, unlimited payrolls per month, tax filings and payments, multi-state payroll, and a dedicated service advisor.
What are OnPay's key features?
OnPay's key features include direct deposit, hiring and onboarding, health insurance, built-in reporting, PTO management, 401(k) retirement, mobile friendly, and employee self-service.

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