OnPay vs Smartsheet
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.
Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a work management platform that combines the familiarity of spreadsheets with powerful project management and collaboration features. It is widely used by enterprise teams for project tracking, resource management, and automated workflows. Smartsheet is particularly popular with teams comfortable with Excel who need more collaboration and automation capabilities.
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
- ✓Familiar spreadsheet interface reduces learning curve for Excel users
- ✓Powerful automation and workflow capabilities
- ✓Strong enterprise security and compliance features
- ✓Excellent for managing large portfolios of projects
Cons
- ✗Pricing is higher than many competitors
- ✗Interface feels dated compared to modern tools
- ✗No free plan — 30-day trial only
- ✗Less intuitive for teams unfamiliar with spreadsheet-style tools
OnPay vs Smartsheet: Side by Side
| Factor | OnPay | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Payroll Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $40/mo + $6/person | $9/user/mo |
| Best For | Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees | Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation |
| Our Pick | — | — |
OnPay Features
- ✓Unlimited payroll runs
- ✓automatic tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee self-service
- ✓HR tools
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓PTO management
- ✓integrations
Smartsheet Features
- ✓Spreadsheet-style project management
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓automation
- ✓dashboards
- ✓resource management
- ✓forms
- ✓integrations
- ✓reporting
- ✓enterprise security
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Best For
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees
Best For
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation
Also Consider
If neither OnPay nor Smartsheet 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 Smartsheet?
OnPay is best for small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees. Smartsheet is best for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Which is better, OnPay or Smartsheet?
Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
How much does OnPay cost?
OnPay starts at $40/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Smartsheet cost?
Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use OnPay?
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees
Who should use Smartsheet?
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation