Salesforce vs OnPay
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Salesforce
Salesforce is the world's leading CRM platform used by over 150,000 businesses of all sizes. It offers a highly customizable suite of sales, service, marketing, and analytics tools. Salesforce is the gold standard for enterprise CRM but has solutions for businesses of all sizes through its Starter and Pro plans.
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
- ✓Most powerful and customizable CRM on the market
- ✓Massive ecosystem with 3,000+ AppExchange integrations
- ✓Industry-leading reporting and analytics
- ✓Strong community and support resources
Cons
- ✗Expensive and complex for small teams
- ✗Long implementation timelines for enterprise deployments
- ✗Requires dedicated admin resources to get the most out of it
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
Salesforce vs OnPay: Side by Side
| Factor | Salesforce | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | CRM Software | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | $40/mo + $6/person |
| Best For | Mid to large enterprises needing a highly customizable CRM | Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Salesforce Features
- ✓Contact and lead management
- ✓opportunity tracking
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓AI insights
- ✓reporting and dashboards
- ✓AppExchange integrations
- ✓mobile app
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 Salesforce if mid to large enterprises needing a highly customizable crm. Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees.
Best For
Mid to large enterprises needing a highly customizable CRM
Best For
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees
Also Consider
If neither Salesforce nor OnPay is the right fit, Monday.com CRM is worth evaluating.
Monday.com CRM
Teams that want CRM and project management combined in one visual platform
From $12/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Salesforce and OnPay?
Salesforce is best for mid to large enterprises needing a highly customizable crm. OnPay is best for small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees.
Which is better, Salesforce or OnPay?
Choose Salesforce if mid to large enterprises needing a highly customizable crm. Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees.
How much does Salesforce cost?
Salesforce 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 Salesforce?
Mid to large enterprises needing a highly customizable CRM
Who should use OnPay?
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees