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Head-to-head · Direct Deposit Payroll

OnPay vs SurePayroll

  • 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

OnPay leads on 0 checks, SurePayroll 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

OnPay scores higher on our rubric for direct deposit payroll: 8.8 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

OnPay is the better fit for small employers with multi-state payroll needs. SurePayroll is the better fit for small restaurants paying tipped employees.

  • OnPay fits best

    Small employers with multi-state payroll needs

  • SurePayroll fits best

    Small restaurants paying tipped employees

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Side by side

Feature OnPay 8.8/10 Visit ↗ SurePayroll 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.5
Ranking #3 in Direct Deposit Payroll #5 in Direct Deposit Payroll
Best for Small employers with multi-state payroll needs Small restaurants paying tipped employees
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — $20/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Phone, Email, Live chat, Docs Phone, Live chat
Built for Small business, Mid-market Small business, Solo
Features OnPay 2/2 · SurePayroll 2/2
Payroll tax filing ✓ ✓
Employee self-service ✓ ✓
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
  • Supports tipped wages, tip reporting and multiple employee pay rates
  • Full Service includes tax filing and free 2-day direct deposit
  • Employees can access paystubs and tax forms through 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
  • Plans have monthly base and per-employee charges
  • No Tax Filing excludes payroll tax filing and deposits
  • Restaurant POS integration is not established
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 →

SurePayroll is an online payroll service from Paychex for small businesses, including restaurants that pay tipped employees. Its restaurant payroll support includes tip reporting and multiple pay rates for different roles. Employees can…

Read the review →
  1. OnPayDirect Deposit Payroll 8.830-day trial
  2. SurePayrollDirect Deposit Payroll 8.5Paid

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
  • SurePayroll — where it wins

    • Supports tipped wages, tip reporting and multiple employee pay rates
    • Full Service includes tax filing and free 2-day direct deposit
    • Employees can access paystubs and tax forms through self-service

    Where it doesn't

    • Plans have monthly base and per-employee charges
    • No Tax Filing excludes payroll tax filing and deposits
    • Restaurant POS integration is not established

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update