Compare/Head to head

Netchex vs OnPay

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Starting price

Netchex

Sales-quoted

US cloud payroll and HCM for hourly and multi-location employers. Core, All-In, and Flex are all sales-quoted.

Where Netchex fits

  • US hourly and multi-location employers that want payroll plus time in one HCM
  • Teams that want earned wage access inside Core, not as a fintech add-on
  • Buyers who prefer Employee Navigator for benefits rather than a native-only stack
  • Mid-market desks comparing Netchex to ADP Run or Paylocity on service, not price

OnPay

$49/mo

US full-service payroll with optional HR, time tracking and benefits. Payroll Essentials is $49/mo base plus $6 per worker.

Where OnPay fits

  • US small businesses that want payroll without a quote
  • Employers paying W-2 staff and 1099 contractors
  • Teams with workers in several states
  • Owners who want benefits admin with payroll

At a glance

DetailNetchexOnPay
Starting priceSales-quoted$49/mo
Free tier–No–No
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underATS, HRIS, PayrollPayroll
Capterra4.5 from 165 reviewsNot enough reviews

Where they pull apart

Netchex

Stands out: All-In bundles hiring, scheduler, benefits (Netchex or Employee Navigator), performance, LMS, and Netchex AI on top of unlimited payroll runs.

Watch out: The pricing page names Core, All-In, and Flex and then sends every CTA to Request a Quote. There is no PEPM on the page.

Not the right fit for

  • SMBs that need a printed $49/mo payroll rate before a demo
  • Global EOR hiring outside US payroll

OnPay

Stands out: Published pricing with unlimited pay runs, multi-state filing and year-end forms in the $49 base plan.

Watch out: The $49 is a base fee: each paid worker adds $6/mo. HR ($15 base plus $2/worker) and time tracking ($15 base plus $4/worker) cost extra.

Not the right fit for

  • Companies hiring employees abroad
  • Enterprises that need a full HCM suite

Pros and cons

Netchex

  • Unlimited payroll runs called out on Core, not metered
  • Employee Navigator as a first-class benefits option on All-In and Flex
  • Netchex AI included on All-In rather than a vague roadmap slide
  • No public dollar amounts on any package
  • Hiring, LMS, and AI are All-In, not Core
  • US-only payroll, not a global HCM

OnPay

  • Published $49 base plus $6 per worker
  • Unlimited pay runs and multi-state filing
  • Free setup and data migration
  • Per-worker fee adds up on larger teams
  • HR and time tracking cost extra
  • US payroll only

What each one costs

Netchex

Sales-quoted

Core, All-In, and Flex are quoted. Core includes onboarding, time, unlimited payroll runs, earned wage access, engagement, HR, and reporting. All-In adds hiring, scheduler, benefits (Netchex Benefits or Employee Navigator), performance, LMS, and Netchex AI. Flex is Core plus a la carte modules. There is no public PEPM on the vendor page. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

OnPay

$49/mo

Payroll Essentials is $49 a month base plus $6 per worker, billed monthly. Add-ons: HR $15 base plus $2 per worker, time tracking $15 base plus $4 per worker, compliance resources $10, live HR support $65. Bundles start at $70 base plus $10 per worker. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Can you try Netchex or OnPay for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

Not the pair you wanted?

All Netchex alternatives All OnPay alternatives Every ATS tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?