Central vs OnPay: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Central and OnPay side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, OnPay leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Central
AI-native platform for payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance for startups.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly reduces time spent on HR and payroll tasks through automation
OnPay
Simplify payroll, HR, and benefits management for businesses of all sizes.
Best for you if:
- • You want comprehensive payroll, HR, and benefits in one platform
| At a Glance | Central | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $50/mo, billed monthly Base Plan plan | From $49/mo, billed monthly Partner plan |
Category | HR & Recruiting Payroll | HR & Recruiting Payroll |
Rating | n/a | 4.7/5 Capterra 4.8 · G2 4.5 883 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | No explicit mention of international payroll fees beyond contractors | n/a |
Choose Central or OnPay?
Choose Central if
- You want significantly reduces time spent on HR and payroll tasks through automation
- You want comprehensive compliance management helps avoid fines and penalties
Choose OnPay if
- You want comprehensive payroll, HR, and benefits in one platform
- You want automates tax filings and payments, reducing compliance burden
- Budget matters ($49/mo, billed monthly vs $50/mo, billed monthly)
In-Depth Analysis
Central
AI-native platform for payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance for startups.
Central's pricing, at $50/mo per person plus a $100 platform fee, is competitive for startups seeking an all-in-one HR and payroll solution.
Watch out
No explicit mention of international payroll fees beyond contractors
Strengths
- Pro: Significantly reduces time spent on HR and payroll tasks through automation.
- Pro: Comprehensive compliance management helps avoid fines and penalties.
- Pro: Integrated AI teammate in Slack provides instant access to HR functions and support.
- Pro: White-glove migration and setup ensures a smooth transition.
- Pro: Supports both US employees and international contractors.
Weaknesses
- Con: Only supports US-incorporated companies (LLCs, C-corps, S-corps).
- Con: Does not support certain Web3/crypto businesses involved in token issuance or crypto trading.
- Con: Does not handle international employees and their taxes directly, requiring EOR providers.
Key features
OnPay
Simplify payroll, HR, and benefits management for businesses of all sizes.
OnPay's Partner tier at $49/month + $6/worker seems fair for accounting firms looking to manage client payrolls, especially with the free firm payroll and 15% revenue share.
Strengths
- Pro: Comprehensive payroll, HR, and benefits in one platform
- Pro: Automates tax filings and payments, reducing compliance burden
- Pro: Supports various worker types (W-2, 1099, remote)
- Pro: Offers expert assistance for benefits and switching providers
- Pro: Highly rated by industry experts and users
Weaknesses
- Con: OnPay has no native time tracking, so hourly-heavy businesses must bolt on and pay for a third-party tool like When I Work or QuickBooks Time to capture hours.
- Con: Its integration catalog is far thinner than comparably priced rivals and it offers no public API, whereas Gusto connects to 250-plus apps, which limits automated syncing with your existing HR and accounting stack.
- Con: Reporting is limited to roughly seven pre-built reports with little customization and no deeper workforce analytics, so businesses needing custom cost or PTO reporting will find it shallow.
- Con: OnPay lacks a dedicated native mobile app for employers, and several reviewers cite setup, onboarding, and billing friction with support when resolving account-specific issues.
Key features
Plans and prices: Central vs OnPay
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Central |
| centralhq.com/pricing read Oct 28, 2026 |
| OnPay |
| onpay.com/pricing read Oct 31, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Central pricing and OnPay pricing.
Key Takeaways
Central
- Choose if you want AI-native platform for payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance for startups
OnPay
- Lower entry price: $49/mo, billed monthly vs $50/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, OnPay leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Only OnPay has a published user rating (4.7/5 from 883 reviews); Central has none we can show.
- OnPay has the lower entry price: $49/mo, billed monthly (Partner) against $50/mo, billed monthly (Base Plan) for Central.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Central and OnPay compare in 2026?
On the data below, OnPay leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only OnPay has a published user rating (4.7/5 from 883 reviews); Central has none we can show. OnPay has the lower entry price: $49/mo, billed monthly (Partner) against $50/mo, billed monthly (Base Plan) for Central.
What are Central and OnPay used for?
Central: AI-native platform for payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance for startups. OnPay: Simplify payroll, HR, and benefits management for businesses of all sizes.
What does Central cost vs OnPay?
Central's cheapest paid plan is Base Plan at $50/mo, billed monthly. OnPay's cheapest paid plan is Partner at $49/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.
What's the main difference between Central and OnPay?
Central's main strength: significantly reduces time spent on HR and payroll tasks through automation. OnPay's main strength: comprehensive payroll, HR, and benefits in one platform.