OnPay vs Asana
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
OnPay
OnPay is a full-service payroll and HR platform designed for small and mid-size businesses. It offers unlimited payroll runs, automatic tax filing, and built-in HR tools at an affordable flat rate. OnPay is consistently rated as one of the best value payroll solutions for small businesses and supports a wide range of industries including restaurants, farms, and nonprofits.
Asana
Asana is a leading project management platform that helps teams organize, track, and manage their work. It offers multiple views including lists, boards, timelines, and calendars to suit different working styles. Asana is trusted by over 130,000 organizations worldwide for managing everything from daily tasks to complex cross-functional projects.
Pros
- ✓Excellent value — flat monthly pricing with no per-run fees
- ✓Supports multiple pay schedules and unlimited payroll runs
- ✓Strong industry-specific features for restaurants, farms, and nonprofits
- ✓US-based customer support included on all plans
Cons
- ✗US-only — no international payroll support
- ✗Mobile app is less polished than competitors
- ✗Limited advanced HR features compared to full HRIS platforms
Pros
- ✓Intuitive interface that teams adopt quickly with minimal training
- ✓Multiple project views including list, board, and Gantt timeline
- ✓Strong automation features to reduce manual work
- ✓Generous free plan for small teams
Cons
- ✗Can feel overwhelming for simple use cases with too many features
- ✗Pricing jumps significantly from free to paid plans
- ✗No built-in time tracking on lower tiers
- ✗Limited native reporting on free plan
OnPay vs Asana: Side by Side
| Factor | OnPay | Asana |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Payroll Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $40/mo + $6/person | Free |
| Best For | Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees | Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool |
| Our Pick | — | — |
OnPay Features
- ✓Unlimited payroll runs
- ✓automatic tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee self-service
- ✓HR tools
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓PTO management
- ✓integrations
Asana Features
- ✓Task and project management
- ✓timeline view
- ✓board view
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓reporting dashboards
- ✓goals tracking
- ✓integrations
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees. Choose Asana if teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool.
Best For
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees
Best For
Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool
Also Consider
If neither OnPay nor Asana is the right fit, Multiplier is worth evaluating.
Multiplier
Startups and SMBs hiring internationally on a budget
From $40/contractor/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between OnPay and Asana?
OnPay is best for small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees. Asana is best for teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool.
Which is better, OnPay or Asana?
Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees. Choose Asana if teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool.
How much does OnPay cost?
OnPay starts at $40/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Asana cost?
Asana starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use OnPay?
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees
Who should use Asana?
Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool