OnPay vs Workday Recruiting
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.
Workday Recruiting
Workday Recruiting is an enterprise-grade applicant tracking system built into the broader Workday HCM suite. It offers end-to-end recruiting from sourcing to offer management within a unified platform.
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
- ✓Seamlessly integrated with Workday HR and Payroll
- ✓Strong reporting and analytics
- ✓Excellent for large enterprises
- ✓Unified candidate and employee data
- ✓Configurable workflows
Cons
- ✗Very expensive for small businesses
- ✗Complex implementation process
- ✗Requires dedicated admin
- ✗Overkill for teams under 500 employees
OnPay vs Workday Recruiting: Side by Side
| Factor | OnPay | Workday Recruiting |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Payroll Software | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $40/mo + $6/person | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees | Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data |
| Our Pick | — | — |
OnPay Features
- ✓Unlimited payroll runs
- ✓automatic tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee self-service
- ✓HR tools
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓PTO management
- ✓integrations
Workday Recruiting Features
- ✓Applicant tracking
- ✓interview management
- ✓candidate sourcing
- ✓onboarding
- ✓analytics
- ✓compliance
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees. Choose Workday Recruiting if large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data.
Best For
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees
Best For
Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data
Also Consider
If neither OnPay nor Workday Recruiting 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 Workday Recruiting?
OnPay is best for small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees. Workday Recruiting is best for large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data.
Which is better, OnPay or Workday Recruiting?
Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees. Choose Workday Recruiting if large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data.
How much does OnPay cost?
OnPay starts at $40/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Workday Recruiting cost?
Visit Workday Recruiting website for current pricing.
Who should use OnPay?
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees
Who should use Workday Recruiting?
Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data