FreshBooks vs OnPay: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of FreshBooks and OnPay — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: OnPay wins on our scorecard (8.1/10 vs 7.8/10).
| Scored on | FreshBooks | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 9 |
| Ease of use | 9 | 7 |
| Fees & pricing | 7 | 9 |
| Customer support | 7 | 7 |
| Features | 8 | 8 |
| Lite Plan (Monthly) | $19.00 | — |
| Plus Plan (Monthly) | $33.00 | — |
| Premium Plan (Monthly) | $60.00 | — |
| Additional Team Member | $11/mo | — |
| Base Monthly Fee | — | $40.00 |
| Per Employee Fee | — | $6.00 |
| Setup Fee | — | $0.00 |
| Year-end W-2/1099s | — | Included |
FreshBooks in one paragraph
FreshBooks is the best-in-class choice for service-based owners who value their time over a low monthly bill.
Skip it if: You have a high volume of low-paying clients that would trigger the expensive Premium tier caps.
OnPay in one paragraph
OnPay is the best value-for-money payroll provider for U.S. small businesses that want flat, predictable pricing and full-service tax compliance.
Skip it if: Skip it if you need to pay international contractors or require a native mobile app to run payroll from your phone.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, FreshBooks or OnPay?
On our five-axis scorecard, OnPay scores higher (8.1/10 vs 7.8/10). OnPay is the best value-for-money payroll provider for U.S. small businesses that want flat, predictable pricing and full-service tax compliance.
Who should skip FreshBooks?
You have a high volume of low-paying clients that would trigger the expensive Premium tier caps.
Who should skip OnPay?
Skip it if you need to pay international contractors or require a native mobile app to run payroll from your phone.