Dayforce vs Paylocity
Compare Dayforce and Paylocity on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
Dayforce
AI-powered HCM (HR, pay, time, talent) with continuous payroll calculation — custom quote; formerly Ceridian.
Best for
- • Mid-to-enterprise teams that want HR, pay, and time in one app with continuous payroll calc
- • Retail/manufacturing orgs comparing Dayforce vs UKG Pro
- • Buyers who will take a Gartner-HCM-leader shortlist quote
No free plan
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between Dayforce and Paylocity. Choose Dayforce when Mid-to-enterprise teams that want HR, pay, and time in one app with continuous payroll calc. Choose Paylocity when US mid-market companies (roughly 100–1,000 employees) that want payroll+HR in one modern platform. Criterion scores come from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments and first-party research — not hands-on lab testing.
Tie
- • Integrations
Choose Dayforce if: Mid-to-enterprise teams that want HR, pay, and time in one app with continuous payroll calc
Choose Paylocity if: US mid-market companies (roughly 100–1,000 employees) that want payroll+HR in one modern platform
Paylocity
US mid-market HR + payroll (+ finance/IT) — custom quote (‘Explore Payroll Pricing’); Ignite AI. Landscape vs Gusto.
Best for
- • US mid-market companies (roughly 100–1,000 employees) that want payroll+HR in one modern platform
- • Teams comparing Paylocity vs ADP Workforce Now vs Paycor
- • Orgs that may add finance/IT and Ignite AI later
No free plan
Comparison scorecard
Criterion-by-criterion results for Dayforce and Paylocity. Numeric bars appear only when both products have approved scores.
- Depends
Starting pricing
Published floor price and what that floor actually includes.
Dayforce starting price was not verified in current research — confirm on the vendor pricing page; Paylocity starting price was not verified in current research — confirm on the vendor pricing page. Better value depends on plan rungs, currency, and add-ons.
DayforceDependsPaylocityDepends - Depends
Free plan
Whether a usable free plan is published, and what it gates.
Dayforce does not research a free plan; Paylocity does not research a free plan.
DayforceDependsPaylocityDepends - Depends
User / licence minimum
Seat floors, per-employee minimums, and small-team pricing traps.
Check employee or licence minimums for Dayforce and Paylocity on current vendor packaging.
DayforceDependsPaylocityDepends - Tie
Integrations
Important third-party integrations.
Dayforce and Paylocity are close on integrations (8/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Dayforce8/10Paylocity8/10
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