CheckMark Payroll vs OnPay

CheckMark Payroll is desktop do-it-yourself payroll software marketed to restaurants, bars, breweries, and other tip-based businesses. It calculates and tracks tipped wages, and supports automated pay calculations, multiple pay schedules, special checks, check edits and reissues, and wage allocation. The restaurant offering advertises unlimited employees, locations, and payroll runs without extra charges for payroll frequency. Employers can print MICR checks or create ACH direct deposit files for submission to a bank or ACH provider. Listed tax and reporting functions include federal payroll form printing, W-2 and W-3 printing and e-filing, employer payroll tax filings, and access to more than 40 payroll report types. Payroll data can be exported to CheckMark MultiLedger, QuickBooks, and other accounting software. The desktop software is available for Windows and macOS, but an internet connection is required for installation, activation, and use. A 60-day trial is offered without a credit card. Pro costs $599 a year in the first year and $419 a year from the second year; Pro+ costs $669 a year in the first year and $489 a year from the second year. Both include one company and one computer.

OnPay combines payroll, HR, benefits, and time tracking for businesses. It automates payroll calculations, tax filings and payments, and year-end filings, and supports paying W-2 employees and 1099 contractors in the same pay run. HR tools include onboarding, e-signatures, personnel documents, task delegation, and six permission levels. Employees can clock in on mobile devices with geofencing, with approved hours syncing into payroll. OnPay offers access to health plans and handles ongoing plan administration at no extra cost, though premiums still apply. Listed integrations include QuickBooks Online and Desktop, Xero, TurboTax, QuickBooks Time, Deputy, and When I Work. The service says it adds no fees for unlimited pay runs, multi-state payroll, or workers inactive in a given month. It is designed for small businesses and lists industries including restaurants, farms, nonprofits, healthcare, and retail. The employee app provides access to pay stubs and tax forms, plus direct deposit features. A one-month free start is offered. Payroll costs $49 per month plus $6 per worker per month.