Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Direct Deposit Payroll

OnPay vs Sage Payroll

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score OnPay #3 in Direct Deposit Payroll 8.8/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit OnPay
Sage Payroll #8 in Direct Deposit Payroll 8.2/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Sage Payroll

OnPay leads on 0 checks, Sage Payroll on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOnPay · 8.8/10
  • Free trialonly OnPay
  • Most featuresOnPay · 2 of 2

OnPay scores higher on our rubric for direct deposit payroll: 8.8 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

OnPay is the better fit for small employers with multi-state payroll needs. Sage Payroll is the better fit for UK employers seeking payroll and HMRC submissions.

  • OnPay fits best

    Small employers with multi-state payroll needs

  • Sage Payroll fits best

    UK employers seeking payroll and HMRC submissions

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature OnPay 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Sage Payroll 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.2
Ranking #3 in Direct Deposit Payroll #8 in Direct Deposit Payroll
Best for Small employers with multi-state payroll needs UK employers seeking payroll and HMRC submissions
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Phone, Email, Live chat, Docs Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 5 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market
Features OnPay 2/2 · Sage Payroll 1/2
Payroll tax filing ✓ ✓
Employee self-service ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Pay frequency Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deposit speed Not checked yet Not checked yet
Payroll countries Not checked yet Not checked yet
Employee limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Runs payroll across all 50 states with tax filings and payments
  • Supports W-2 employees, 1099 contractors, tips, and overtime
  • Offers unlimited pay runs, multiple schedules, and employee self-service
  • Calculates PAYE, National Insurance and pension contributions
  • Submits RTI electronically and retrieves HMRC notices
  • Tracks salary payments and gives employees payslip self-service
Cons
  • HR, time tracking, compliance, and live HR support are add-ons
  • No ongoing free plan is available
  • 24/7 support is not offered
  • UK tax and HMRC coverage limits suitability outside the UK
  • There is no free plan; Sage Payroll is paid software
  • Advanced scheduling and performance tools require the Premium tier
Our verdict

OnPay is a cloud-based payroll and HR service for small businesses, restaurants, and bars. It handles W-2 employees and 1099 contractors, with direct deposit, checks, and prepaid debit cards for employee payments. Payroll Essentials…

Read the review →

Sage Payroll is cloud-based payroll and HR software for UK start-ups, small businesses and growing employers. It calculates wages, PAYE, National Insurance and pension contributions, then submits RTI information electronically to HMRC.…

Read the review →
  1. OnPayDirect Deposit Payroll 8.830-day trial
  2. Sage PayrollDirect Deposit Payroll 8.2Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • OnPay — where it wins

    • Runs payroll across all 50 states with tax filings and payments
    • Supports W-2 employees, 1099 contractors, tips, and overtime
    • Offers unlimited pay runs, multiple schedules, and employee self-service

    Where it doesn't

    • HR, time tracking, compliance, and live HR support are add-ons
    • No ongoing free plan is available
    • 24/7 support is not offered

  • Sage Payroll — where it wins

    • Calculates PAYE, National Insurance and pension contributions
    • Submits RTI electronically and retrieves HMRC notices
    • Tracks salary payments and gives employees payslip self-service

    Where it doesn't

    • UK tax and HMRC coverage limits suitability outside the UK
    • There is no free plan; Sage Payroll is paid software
    • Advanced scheduling and performance tools require the Premium tier

More comparisons

All direct deposit payroll comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update