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.

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 19 Sep 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 19 Sep 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 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?