OnPay vs ZenBusiness: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of OnPay and ZenBusiness — 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 7.2/10).
| Scored on | OnPay | ZenBusiness |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 9 | 7 |
| Ease of use | 7 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 6 |
| Customer support | 7 | 6 |
| Features | 8 | 8 |
| Base Monthly Fee | $40.00 | — |
| Per Employee Fee | $6.00 | — |
| Setup Fee | $0.00 | — |
| Year-end W-2/1099s | Included | — |
| Starter Tier | — | $0 + State Fees |
| Pro Tier | — | $199/year |
| Premium Tier | — | $299/year |
| Registered Agent (Standalone) | — | $199/year |
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.
ZenBusiness in one paragraph
ZenBusiness is a top-tier choice for effortless LLC formation, provided you are vigilant about disabling the expensive annual subscription add-ons.
Skip it if: You are comfortable navigating your state's Secretary of State website and want to avoid high-margin recurring compliance fees.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, OnPay or ZenBusiness?
On our five-axis scorecard, OnPay scores higher (8.1/10 vs 7.2/10). 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 OnPay?
Skip it if you need to pay international contractors or require a native mobile app to run payroll from your phone.
Who should skip ZenBusiness?
You are comfortable navigating your state's Secretary of State website and want to avoid high-margin recurring compliance fees.