OnPay vs. Patriot Payroll: Which payroll software should you choose?
OnPay and Patriot are both low-cost, transparent-pricing payroll providers. OnPay is usually the better fit for multi-state employers and businesses that want a more polished, feature-complete platform. Patriot is usually the better fit for very small, single-state businesses that want the lowest published price.
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- You run payroll in more than one state
- You want a more polished platform with broader features
- You need niche industry payroll handled (clergy, agriculture, restaurants)
- You value benefits/HR integration alongside payroll
- You're a very small, single-state employer
- You want the lowest published base price
- You only need core payroll, no extras
- You're comfortable adding tax filing as a paid upgrade
If you're single-state and the only goal is the lowest sticker price, Patriot wins. The moment you cross a second state — or want benefits, niche industry support, or a more polished platform — OnPay's flat-rate model becomes the better value.
OnPay vs. Patriot Payroll at a glance
A scannable summary. Always confirm current pricing and features directly with each provider before buying.
OnPayMulti-state, slightly larger SMBs
PatriotSingle-state micro-businesses
OnPay$49 base + $6/person (flat, single plan)
PatriotLower base; tax filing on the Full Service tier
OnPayIncluded by default
PatriotAvailable, can add cost
OnPayIncluded
PatriotIncluded on Full Service tier
OnPayHealth, 401(k) integrations
PatriotLight — payroll-focused
OnPayStrong (clergy, ag, restaurants)
PatriotStandard
OnPayClean, slightly more polished
PatriotFunctional, no-frills
OnPayResponsive, accessible team
PatriotSolid, responsive team
OnPayMulti-state SMBs wanting predictable cost
PatriotSingle-state micro-employers
OnPay vs. Patriot Payroll: Quick winners
Different businesses weigh trade-offs differently. Here's where each platform tends to come out ahead.
Pricing
Patriot has the lower headline base price for single-state employers, especially on its Basic tier (which doesn't include tax filing). OnPay's flat $49 + $6 per person includes full-service payroll, multi-state, and tax filings without tier decisions.
For a single-state micro-employer with 1-3 people, Patriot can be the cheaper option. As soon as you add a second state or upgrade Patriot to Full Service, the gap closes — and OnPay's single-plan simplicity often wins on total cost and total brainpower.
Patriot is cheaper on the lowest tier; OnPay's flat plan is cheaper once complexity rises.
Payroll features
Both handle full-service payroll, direct deposit, multi-state, contractors, and year-end forms. OnPay is the more feature-complete platform — better handling for niche industries (clergy housing allowances, agricultural payroll, restaurant tip credits) and more polished workflows for off-cycle runs.
OnPay is the more feature-complete platform.
Ease of use
Both are designed to be runnable by non-payroll-specialists. OnPay's interface is the more polished of the two; Patriot's is functional and no-frills.
OnPay is marginally more polished; both are easy enough.
If you've narrowed your choice, check current pricing and details directly with each provider.
Tax filing and compliance
Both file federal, state, and local payroll taxes on their full-service tiers. Patriot's Basic tier doesn't include tax filing — you handle it yourself. OnPay includes tax filing by default and handles multi-state without per-state surcharges.
OnPay's tax filing is included and multi-state-friendly by default.
HR and benefits
OnPay supports benefits administration (health, 401(k)) and offers a lightweight HR layer. Patriot is payroll-focused, with HR and time tracking as separate add-on products.
OnPay is the more complete payroll-plus-benefits platform.
Integrations
Both integrate with QuickBooks Online and Xero. OnPay's broader integrations ecosystem covers time-tracking and benefits more deeply.
OnPay's integrations are broader.
If you've narrowed your choice, check current pricing and details directly with each provider.
Scalability
OnPay scales comfortably as you add states, employees, and benefits without changing plans. Patriot's natural ceiling is small, single-state employers; once you grow into multi-state or want benefits administration, you'll likely move to OnPay or Gusto.
OnPay has more headroom without changing tiers.
Customer support
Both have strong reputations for responsive support. Both have small, accessible teams. There's no clear winner here.
Both deliver consistent, accessible support for low-cost payroll buyers.
OnPay pros and cons
- Flat $49 + $6/person — single plan, multi-state included
- Niche industry payroll handled well
- Benefits administration integration
- Polished platform with strong support
- Higher base price than Patriot's lowest tier
- No dedicated S-corp owner plan
- Smaller integrations marketplace than Gusto
Patriot Payroll pros and cons
- Lowest published base price on Basic tier
- Simple, no-frills payroll interface
- Strong fit for single-state micro-employers
- Solid responsive support
- Basic tier doesn't include tax filing
- Lighter on benefits and HR
- Less polished platform than OnPay
- Less ideal as you grow multi-state
Which businesses should choose OnPay?
- Multi-state employers
- Niche-industry employers (clergy, agriculture, restaurants)
- SMBs that want benefits with payroll
- Owners who want a more polished platform without paying for HR depth
Which businesses should choose Patriot Payroll?
- Single-state micro-employers (1-5 people)
- Owners chasing the lowest sticker price
- Businesses that only need core payroll
- Buyers comfortable adding tax filing as an upgrade
OnPay vs. Patriot by business type
Final verdict: OnPay vs. Patriot Payroll
Patriot wins on pure sticker price for single-state micro-employers. That's a real and defensible win.
OnPay wins almost everywhere else — multi-state, niche industries, benefits, platform polish — without changing tiers as you grow.
If you're a one-person S-corp, neither of these is the right answer. Gusto Solo is PayrollSignal's Green Light pick for that exact use case.
OnPay for most; Patriot for single-state micro-employers chasing lowest price
Pick your provider and check current pricing
Visit each provider directly to confirm current pricing, packages, and features for your business.
Frequently asked questions
Is Patriot cheaper than OnPay?+
On Patriot's Basic tier (no tax filing) for a single-state employer, yes. Once you add Full Service tax filing or a second state, OnPay's flat plan often costs the same or less.
Does Patriot file payroll taxes?+
Only on the Full Service tier. The Basic tier hands tax filing back to you.
Which is better for multi-state?+
OnPay. Multi-state is included in its single plan without surcharges.
Which is better for restaurants or churches?+
OnPay. Its handling of tip credits and clergy housing allowances is a known strength.
Which is better for one-person S-corps?+
Neither — Gusto Solo is PayrollSignal's Green Light pick for one-person S-corp owners.
Can I switch between OnPay and Patriot?+
Yes, and the cleanest time to switch is at the start of a quarter or year.
