Choosing the best payroll software for Mac when you’re running a business on a Mac, isn’t just about price, it’s also about how easily the software works across devices, how well it handles compliance, and whether it actually saves you time.
Two names that come up often for small businesses in the U.S. are OnPay and Patriot Payroll.
Both are cloud-based, both are built for small teams, and both promise to simplify paying your employees and staying compliant. But they take very different approaches under the hood.
If you’re stuck choosing between them, this guide breaks down what actually matters, beyond the marketing.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison
| Feature | OnPay | Patriot Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Growing teams that want HR tools + integrations | Budget-conscious businesses that want basic payroll |
| Mac Compatibility | Excellent (web-based, works well in Safari & Chrome) | Very good (but limited UI finesse on Safari) |
| Ease of Use | Clean, modern interface | More functional than intuitive |
| Full-Service Payroll | ✅ Included | ✅ (extra charge for full service) |
| HR Features | ✅ Built-in (org charts, PTO, docs) | 🚫 Basic (limited to payroll) |
| Integrations | QuickBooks, Xero, TSheets, Deputy, more | QuickBooks, Patriot Accounting only |
| Customer Support | Excellent (phone, email, chat) | Good (phone & email, no live chat) |
| Monthly Cost | $40 base + $6 per person | $17–$37 base + $4 per person |
Platform Compatibility: Mac Users Take Note
Both OnPay and Patriot Payroll are cloud-based, which means there’s no need to install anything. If you’re using macOS, you’ll be able to access both via Safari or Chrome.
- OnPay feels more refined on a Mac, with better support for modern browsers and retina displays. It’s responsive, clean, and has no weird UI glitches when used on Safari.
- Patriot Payroll, while functional, sometimes feels like a system designed for Windows-first. Dropdowns and modal windows can occasionally stutter on Safari.
If you’re working on a MacBook or iMac full-time, OnPay simply feels smoother day-to-day.
Payroll Features: What You Actually Get
OnPay Includes It All (No Upselling)
OnPay offers full-service payroll in all 50 states, meaning:
- Automatic tax filing and payment
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Direct deposit included
- New hire reporting
- W-2s and 1099s at no extra cost
The key advantage? There’s only one pricing tier, no surprises later.
Patriot’s Pricing Is Tiered
Patriot gives you two options:
- Basic Payroll ($17/month + $4 per employee): You do the tax filing yourself.
- Full-Service Payroll ($37/month + $4 per employee): They file taxes for you.
This pricing is still competitive, especially for very small businesses, but it’s easy to accidentally choose the wrong tier. If you pick Basic, be ready to handle tax filings manually or risk non-compliance.
Integrations: What Connects Where?
If your business already runs on accounting software like QuickBooks Online or Xero, this section matters a lot.
- OnPay offers native integrations with:
- QuickBooks Online
- Xero
- TSheets/QuickBooks Time
- Deputy
- When I Work
- Think HR
These work well and don’t require weird Zapier workarounds.
- Patriot Payroll, by contrast, mostly sticks to its own accounting product (Patriot Accounting) and offers limited support for QuickBooks.
If you’re building a modern Mac-based finance stack, OnPay slots in far more cleanly.
HR & Employee Management
OnPay doubles as a lightweight HR platform, something Patriot doesn’t even try to do.
Included in OnPay:
- Org charts
- Time-off tracking
- Custom onboarding workflows
- Employee document storage
- Built-in employee self-service portal
Patriot Payroll, on the other hand, only includes basic employee portals, with no PTO tracking or HR resources unless you manually handle them outside the system.
If your team is growing, or even if you just want to avoid manually chasing W-4s, OnPay is one step ahead.
Customer Support
Both offer solid U.S.-based support, but the experience is different.
- OnPay gives you phone, email, and live chat support with real humans.
- Patriot has excellent phone/email support but lacks chat, something many Mac users rely on when multitasking.
For new users or during tax season, that real-time chat makes a difference.
Pricing Breakdown (With Examples)
Let’s say you have 5 employees.
- OnPay:
$40 base + $6 × 5 = $70/month, all inclusive
Includes all filings, forms, direct deposit, etc. - Patriot Basic:
$17 base + $4 × 5 = $37/month, but you file taxes - Patriot Full-Service:
$37 base + $4 × 5 = $57/month, tax filing included
But no HR tools, integrations, or advanced employee portals.
For most growing businesses, OnPay’s extra $13/month buys you HR tools and peace of mind.
Final Verdict: Who Should Choose What?
Go with OnPay if:
- You want HR and payroll in one tool
- You’re running a Mac-based setup and want a better user experience
- You need QuickBooks, Xero, or time-tracking integrations
- You prefer simple, transparent pricing
Choose Patriot Payroll if:
- You’re a sole proprietor or tiny team with a tight budget
- You’re comfortable filing payroll taxes yourself (or have an accountant)
- You’re already using Patriot Accounting
Conclusion
OnPay is the better long-term investment if you’re running your business from a Mac and plan to grow. It’s not just payroll, it’s a bridge into HR and automation, without the corporate bloat or enterprise price tag.
Patriot Payroll is still a great option for cost-conscious users who don’t need bells and whistles, but if you’re on a Mac and want something that just works, OnPay will probably save you more than it costs.