OnPay vs Square Payroll Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

OnPay

0.0 (0 reviews)

OnPay is a cloud-based payroll and HR software providing small businesses with automated tax filings, integrated benefits administration, and personnel management tools to streamline back-office operations and ensure compliance.

Starting at $40/mo
Free Trial 30 days
VS

Square Payroll

0.0 (0 reviews)

Square Payroll is a full-service payroll software that automates tax filings, employee payments, and benefits management for small businesses using integrated time tracking and point-of-sale data.

Starting at Free
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL

Quick Comparison

Feature OnPay Square Payroll
Website onpay.com squareup.com
Pricing Model Subscription Subscription
Starting Price $40/month Free
FREE Trial ✓ 30 days free trial ✘ No free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment cloud mobile saas mobile
Integrations QuickBooks Online Xero FreshBooks Deputy When I Work TSheets Guideline Vestwell PosterElite Human Interest Square POS QuickBooks Online Xero Homebase Deputy TSheets 7shifts Guideline SimplyInsured AP Intego
Target Users small-business mid-market solopreneur small-business
Target Industries retail restaurant professional-services
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2011 2009
Headquarters Atlanta, USA San Francisco, USA

Overview

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OnPay

OnPay is a comprehensive payroll and HR solution designed to take the complexity out of managing your team. You can run unlimited payroll cycles for employees and contractors, while the platform automatically handles all federal, state, and local tax filings and payments. It simplifies your back-office by combining payroll, automated tax reporting, and HR tools into a single, intuitive interface that scales with your business needs.

Beyond just cutting checks, you can manage the entire employee lifecycle from digital onboarding to benefits administration. The platform integrates directly with popular accounting and time-tracking software to eliminate manual data entry. Whether you are a small business owner or a growing mid-sized company, you get access to licensed payroll experts and a guarantee that your tax filings are accurate and on time.

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Square Payroll

Square Payroll simplifies how you pay your team by automating the most complex parts of business ownership. You can pay employees and contractors in just a few clicks, whether they are hourly or salaried. The platform automatically calculates, files, and pays your federal and state payroll taxes, ensuring you stay compliant without manual paperwork. Because it integrates directly with Square POS, your team's hours sync automatically, eliminating the need for manual data entry or messy spreadsheets.

You can manage everything from a single dashboard, including workers' compensation, health insurance, and 401(k) plans. The system supports flexible payment options like Instant Payments, allowing you to send funds to employees the same day they work. Whether you are running a single coffee shop or managing multiple retail locations, you get a straightforward tool that handles the back-office heavy lifting so you can focus on growing your business.

Overview

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OnPay Features

  • Full-Service Payroll Run unlimited payroll cycles for employees and contractors with automated tax filings and payments in all 50 states.
  • Digital Onboarding Invite new hires to enter their own details and sign documents electronically before their first day on the job.
  • Benefits Administration Manage health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers' compensation directly within your payroll dashboard for seamless deductions.
  • HR Toolset Create custom offer letters, store personnel files securely, and track employee PTO with built-in HR management features.
  • Accounting Integrations Sync your payroll data automatically with QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks to keep your financial books perfectly balanced.
  • Employee Self-Service Give your team lifetime access to their pay stubs, tax forms, and personal information through a dedicated mobile-friendly portal.
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Square Payroll Features

  • Automated Tax Filings. Let the software calculate, file, and pay your state and federal payroll taxes automatically to ensure total compliance.
  • Time Card Sync. Import employee hours directly from Square POS or the Team App to eliminate manual data entry errors.
  • Instant Payments. Access your funds immediately and pay your team the same day they work using your Square Balance.
  • Benefits Integration. Offer and manage health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers' comp directly through your payroll dashboard.
  • Contractor Payments. Pay your independent contractors via direct deposit and let the system generate and file 1099-NEC forms.
  • Employee Mobile App. Give your team a dedicated app to track their hours, view pay stubs, and manage their tax forms.

Pricing Comparison

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OnPay Pricing

Monthly Base
$40
  • Full-service payroll in 50 states
  • Automated tax filings and payments
  • HR software and document storage
  • Software integrations
  • Employee self-service accounts
S

Square Payroll Pricing

Contractors Only
$0
  • $5 per person paid monthly
  • No monthly base fee
  • Direct deposit included
  • 1099-NEC generation and filing
  • Self-service contractor account

Pros & Cons

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OnPay

Pros

  • Transparent flat-fee pricing with no hidden costs
  • Excellent customer support from licensed payroll professionals
  • Intuitive interface makes running payroll very fast
  • Seamless integration with popular accounting software
  • Handles complex multi-state payroll without extra fees

Cons

  • No native mobile app for administrators
  • Limited advanced reporting compared to enterprise tools
  • Lacks built-in native time tracking features
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Square Payroll

Pros

  • Seamless integration with Square Point of Sale
  • Automatic tax filing saves hours of manual work
  • Simple and transparent per-employee pricing model
  • Easy setup process for new business owners

Cons

  • Customer support can be difficult to reach
  • Limited advanced HR features for large corporations
  • Account freezes can occasionally delay payroll processing
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