OnPay vs Trello
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.
Trello
Trello is a visual project management tool based on the Kanban board methodology. It uses cards, lists, and boards to help teams organize tasks and workflows in a simple, visual way. Owned by Atlassian, Trello is one of the most widely used project management tools in the world, known for its simplicity and ease of use.
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
- ✓Extremely easy to learn and use — teams are productive within minutes
- ✓Generous free plan with unlimited cards
- ✓Familiar Kanban interface that most people already understand
- ✓Large library of power-ups and integrations
Cons
- ✗Limited project management features beyond Kanban boards
- ✗Not suitable for complex projects with dependencies
- ✗Reporting and analytics are basic
- ✗Timeline and calendar views require paid plan
OnPay vs Trello: Side by Side
| Factor | OnPay | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management |
| Our Pick | — | — |
OnPay Features
- ✓Unlimited payroll runs
- ✓automatic tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee self-service
- ✓HR tools
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓PTO management
- ✓integrations
Trello Features
- ✓Kanban boards
- ✓cards and checklists
- ✓power-ups and integrations
- ✓automation
- ✓timeline view
- ✓calendar view
- ✓mobile app
- ✓templates
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees. Choose Trello if small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management.
Best For
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees
Best For
Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management
Also Consider
If neither OnPay nor Trello 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 Trello?
OnPay is best for small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees. Trello is best for small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management.
Which is better, OnPay or Trello?
Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees. Choose Trello if small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management.
How much does OnPay cost?
OnPay starts at $40/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Trello cost?
Trello starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use OnPay?
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees
Who should use Trello?
Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management