ADP Workforce Now vs Workday HCM
ADP Workforce Now and Workday HCM are both popular options in this category. After extensive testing, Workday HCM leads with a 8.6/10 rating, though the best choice depends on your specific needs.
Some products are sponsored. Rankings reflect our honest assessment. See our affiliate disclosure
Quick Answer
Workday HCM beats ADP Workforce Now for most users. It scores 8.6/10 vs 8.2/10 and comprehensive enterprise features. Choose ADP Workforce Now if you need industry-leading payroll.
ADP Workforce Now
Comprehensive HCM from the payroll leader
Starting from
Free
Workday HCM
WinnerEnterprise HCM for large organizations
Starting from
Free
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.2/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| User Reviews | ||
| Core HR | ||
| Payroll | ||
| Benefits Admin | ||
| Time Tracking | ||
| PTO Management | ||
| Talent | ||
| ATS/Recruiting | ||
| Onboarding | ||
| Performance Management | ||
| Features | ||
| Employee Self-Service | ||
| Compliance Tools | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Reporting | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
ADP Workforce Now
- Industry-leading payroll
- Comprehensive platform
- Strong compliance tools
- Extensive integrations
- Global capabilities
- Reliable and stable
- Complex pricing
- Interface feels dated
- Customer service varies
Workday HCM
- Comprehensive enterprise features
- Powerful workforce analytics
- Continuous updates (no versions)
- Strong compliance tools
- Global capabilities
- AI-powered insights
- Very expensive
- Complex implementation
- Designed for large companies
Key Difference
The key difference: ADP Workforce Now offers compliance while Workday HCM provides learning management. This fundamental distinction shapes who each product serves best.
Which Should You Choose?
ADP Workforce Now
Choose ADP Workforce Now if you prioritize industry-leading payroll, want to start with a free tier, or value comprehensive platform.
Workday HCM
Choose Workday HCM if you prioritize comprehensive enterprise features, want to start with a free tier, or value powerful workforce analytics.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Workday HCM is our winner with a rating of 8.6/10 compared to ADP Workforce Now's 8.2/10. Workday HCM stands out for its comprehensive enterprise features and powerful workforce analytics. Workday HCM also offers better value at its price point. However, ADP Workforce Now remains an excellent choice if industry-leading payroll is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Consider the migration effort before switching. Most services offer data export, but rebuilding workflows and configurations takes time. Evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the switching costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ADP Workforce Now better than Workday HCM?
Workday HCM scores higher in our testing (8.6/10 vs 8.2/10). Workday HCM excels at comprehensive enterprise features, while ADP Workforce Now is better for industry-leading payroll.
Which is cheaper, ADP Workforce Now or Workday HCM?
Workday HCM is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. Workday HCM offers NaN% savings.
ADP Workforce Now vs Workday HCM: which should I choose?
Choose ADP Workforce Now if you prioritize industry-leading payroll. Choose Workday HCM if you need comprehensive enterprise features. Both are solid hr software options.
What's the main difference between ADP Workforce Now and Workday HCM?
The main difference is ADP Workforce Now offers comprehensive hcm from the payroll leader, while Workday HCM focuses on enterprise hcm for large organizations.