When you’re considering OnPay versus Patriot, ratings and reviews are just one piece of the puzzle. It’s also important to check out the capabilities of each payroll platform and the features included alongside those that require additional fees. Here’s a closer look at how features and associated costs stack up for each provider.
| OnPay | Patriot | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Monthly fee | Starting at $49 per month + $6 per person | Starting at $17 per month + $4 per person for basic payroll |
| Account setup and data migration | Included | Included |
| Full-service payroll | ||
| Automated federal, state, and local tax filings and payments | Included | Requires upgrade |
| Unlimited pay runs | Included | Included |
| Edit or cancel a pay run | Included | Included |
| Multiple pay rates and schedules | Included | Included |
| Multi-state payroll | Included | Additional fees |
| Garnishments | Included | Included |
| Accounting and time tracking integrations | Included | Included |
| New hire reporting | Included | Additional fees |
| Year-end filings, W-2s, and 1099s | Included | Included |
| Accuracy guarantee | Included | Requires upgrade |
| Onboarding and employee self-service | ||
| Employee self-onboarding | Included | Included |
| Employee self-service portal | Included | Included |
| Document e-sign for I-9s and W-4s | Included | Not available |
| Send and sign offer letter electronically | Included | Not available |
| Employee lifetime account access | Included | Included |
| HR and team management | ||
| PTO accrual tracking | Included | Included |
| Org charts and employee directory | With HR add-on | Additional fees |
| Company documents and audits | With HR add-on | Additional fees |
| Custom onboarding workflows | With HR add-on | Additional fees |
| Benefits and compliance | ||
| Integrated workers' comp plans | Pay premiums only | Pay premiums only |
| Medical, dental, and vision plants | Pay premiums only | Not available |
| Integrated 401(k) plan | Pay premiums only | Pay premiums only |
| Broker of record | Available | Not available |
| Customer support | ||
| Expert phone support | Included | Included |
| Chat support | Included | Included |
— Brittany, B Michael Consulting, LLC
Though employers should always consider more than pricing, OnPay starts at a base price of $49 a month, plus $6 per month for each worker. Patriot begins at $37 for full-service payroll, but a number of add-ons beyond the base price can quickly increase this number
Both OnPay and Patriot offer different options for employers to distribute wages to employees. Some ways companies can pay their workers are direct deposit, pre-paid debit card, or payroll card.
Businesses that have their sights set on building their team should look for a payroll service that bundles HR functionality that makes onboarding new hires easier, includes a self-service platform where employees can log in, and offers modules that help human resource departments save time. Both OnPay and Patriot offer HR tools as part of their services. OnPay includes HR functionality in its base price, while Patriot offers HR tools as a premium add-on feature.
Many businesses know that offering a competitive benefits package can be a difference-maker when it comes to getting the attention of talented job seekers. OnPay partners with various providers to help businesses offer perks such as retirement savings, health insurance, and paid time off. Patriot focuses on core payroll processing and tax compliance, and provides tools for setting up employee deductions for benefit contributions. Unlike OnPay, Patriot does not have a department dedicated to employee benefits administration or handle the remittance of benefit deductions to providers.
Employers can set up workers’ compensation insurance policies through either OnPay or Patriot Software. Both providers offer a “pay-as-you-go” option for workers’ compensation premiums. This approach allows businesses to pay their insurance premiums in smaller, more manageable increments with each payroll run, rather than large lump-sum payments upfront or quarterly. The premium amounts are calculated based on actual payroll data, including job classifications and wages paid, so businesses only pay for the coverage they need as their workforce fluctuates.
Customer support is available by phone, email, or online chat whether choosing OnPay or Patriot.
Both OnPay and Patriot have integrations depending on a business’s needs. Patriot does offer some integrations, such as QuickBooks Desktop and online, that can sync payroll with workers’ compensation plans, as well as retirement plan withholdings.
Based on the numbers, OnPay offers more integrations that businesses may be looking for. Similar to Patriot, OnPay integrates with both Quickbooks Desktop and online. But employers may also be interested in synching tools such as Xero, TurboTax, and QuickBooks Time. OnPay also has integrations with Deputy, When I Work, and PosterElite.
Try OnPay out yourself to see how easy payroll and HR can be. To get started, just share a few basic details about your business. Our team of pros will set everything up and import your employees’ information for you.
The right payroll provider should make it easier to pay and manage your team. Consider what features you’ll need to run your business more efficiently — and what price point will give you the best value.
OnPay’s monthly pricing starts at just $49 plus $6 per worker for payroll and hiring essentials. If your business needs additional HR functionality — like PTO management, org charts, or document audits — the HR add-on is $15 base plus $2 per worker. You’ll know exactly what your business will pay, because OnPay’s pricing is transparent and upfront. There are never hidden or surprise fees. You also get your first month free, plus free onboarding support and account migration.
Yes! We file Form 941 quarterly and Form 940 at the end of each year, so you’ll have one less thing on your plate.
Experts and clients say OnPay is the best, but it’s important to weigh your options. Start by making a list of top payroll features you’d like to have in a payroll service, and compare providers. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, look for a provider that offers easy setup, automated tax filings, and reliable support. OnPay checks all these boxes, making it a top choice for business owners who want hassle-free payroll software.
OnPay streamlines payroll tax compliance by managing all required filings at every level — federal, state, and local. This includes taxes from counties, cities, commonwealths, townships, and any other government tax authorities where you do business. Additionally, all filing documentation is automatically stored in your account dashboard, giving you full transparency into what’s been filed and when. These records remain accessible indefinitely through our lifetime access guarantee, so you can always have your payroll tax history at your fingertips — even after your business no longer uses our services.
Whether you have one pay schedule or multiple, you’ll need a payroll platform that can support how often you plan to pay workers. It should handle all of the calculations, withholdings, and deductions, including those for special pay types like tips, commissions, or bonuses. OnPay offers unlimited pay runs and schedules at one low monthly price. You can even run an off-cycle payroll, and cancel or edit a pay run as needed. And with our accuracy guarantee, you can relax knowing that all of the calculations are done right.
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