OnPay vs QuickBooks Online: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of OnPay and QuickBooks Online — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: OnPay wins on our scorecard (7.9/10 vs 7.3/10).
| Scored on | OnPay | QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 9 |
| Ease of use | 7 | 7 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 6 |
| Customer support | 7 | 5 |
| Features | 8 | 9 |
| Base Monthly Fee | $40 | — |
| Per Employee Fee | $6 | — |
| W-2 / 1099 Filing | $0 | — |
| Setup Fee | $0 | — |
| Simple Start Tier | — | $35/mo |
| Essentials Tier | — | $60/mo |
| Plus Tier | — | $90/mo |
| Advanced Tier | — | $200/mo |
OnPay in one paragraph
OnPay is the most transparent full-service payroll provider for small teams that hate hidden fees and need expert setup help.
Skip it if: You are a solo freelancer who only needs to run payroll once a quarter and finds the $40 monthly base fee too high.
QuickBooks Online in one paragraph
The undisputed industry standard that justifies its high price through massive time savings and CPA compatibility.
Skip it if: You are a micro-business with fewer than 10 transactions a month and don't mind manual spreadsheets.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, OnPay or QuickBooks Online?
On our five-axis scorecard, OnPay scores higher (7.9/10 vs 7.3/10). OnPay is the most transparent full-service payroll provider for small teams that hate hidden fees and need expert setup help.
Who should skip OnPay?
You are a solo freelancer who only needs to run payroll once a quarter and finds the $40 monthly base fee too high.
Who should skip QuickBooks Online?
You are a micro-business with fewer than 10 transactions a month and don't mind manual spreadsheets.