Paylocity vs OnPay
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Paylocity
Paylocity is a modern HR and payroll platform designed for mid-market businesses. It combines payroll processing with employee engagement tools, learning management, and workforce analytics. Paylocity stands out for its strong mobile experience and focus on building connected, engaged workplaces.
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.
Pros
- ✓Strong employee engagement and communication tools
- ✓Excellent mobile app for both managers and employees
- ✓Modern UI with good user adoption rates
- ✓Robust payroll with strong compliance features
Cons
- ✗Pricing requires a sales call and is not published online
- ✗Implementation can be complex for larger organizations
- ✗Some advanced features require additional modules at extra cost
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
Paylocity vs OnPay: Side by Side
| Factor | Paylocity | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | $40/mo + $6/person |
| Best For | Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees | Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Paylocity Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent management
- ✓workforce management
- ✓analytics
- ✓employee self-service
OnPay Features
- ✓Unlimited payroll runs
- ✓automatic tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee self-service
- ✓HR tools
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓PTO management
- ✓integrations
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees.
Best For
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Best For
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees
Also Consider
If neither Paylocity nor OnPay is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Paylocity and OnPay?
Paylocity is best for mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. OnPay is best for small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees.
Which is better, Paylocity or OnPay?
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees.
How much does Paylocity cost?
Paylocity starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does OnPay cost?
OnPay starts at $40/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Paylocity?
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Who should use OnPay?
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees