Sigma vs Ontop: Transparent Fees, Faster Onboarding
No complex flows. No fee surprises. Onboard and pay global contractors in under 15 minutes.
Side-by-Side on What Really Matters
Compare real costs, speed, and experience between Ontop and Sigma.
$49/month per contractor + 1% payment commission
$18/month per active contractor - reduced rates for teams of 20+
Currency conversion rates include 1% payment commission and a hidden markup on top of the mid-market rate.
0% FX with USD wallets; ~1% FX only if converting to local currency
May incur $0-45 in SWIFT/intermediary fees, depending on country and rail.
$0 with USD wallet (no forced conversions)
ACH to local bank takes 3-5 days; timing can vary by region and bank route.
1-2 business days, or instant with USDC. Optimized infrastructure
No hidden wallet fees, but $10 inactivity fee after two months of inactivity.
Contractors hold USD wallet, choose when and how to convert
Portal-based setup; sales consult required; billing/contract details locked pre-payment.
<15 min mobile onboarding
Inconsistent response times. Contractors report slow issue resolution and limited access to live help.
Fast, human-first support optimized for contractor payouts
Pain Points with Ontop
What frustrates fast-moving teams and global contractors when using Ontop:
Expensive contractor SaaS model: $49/month plus 1% commission on each payment; discounts only apply at scale.
Hidden FX behavior: Payment fees and FX markups embedded in unlabeled conversion rates-not clearly disclosed pre-payment.
Unpredictable bank fees: Contractors in some markets lose $0-$45 to SWIFT or intermediary deductions.
Delayed payout flow: Self-reported 3-5 day delay in fund arrival, even with nominal intra-US transfers.
Limited contractor control: No universal USD wallet; contractors rely on platform-directed payout methods.
Heavy onboarding friction: Sales-driven setup, manual contract/legal handling, slow quote cycle.
Inconsistent support experience: Delayed responses for payment issues, limited access to live help, and no dedicated account managers for small teams. Contractors may face long resolution times via email-only support.
Why Sigma Wins
Key advantages that make Sigma the smarter choice for global payroll.
Flat Fees, No Surprises: $18/month per active contractor - reduced rates for teams of 20+. 0% FX on USD wallet payments; ~1% FX when currency conversion is required.
USD Wallets Built In: Contractors keep 100% of what you send - no forced conversion.
Faster Payouts, Globally: 1-2 business day transfers or instant stablecoin delivery via USDC/USDT.
Better for LATAM, Africa, Asia: Mobile-first onboarding, crypto-native infrastructure, and wallet support.
No Shutdown Surprises: Real human support helps your team stay paid - fast.
FAQ
See Common Question and Answer
Everything you need to know before switching to Sigma.
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