Paylocity vs Workday
Compare Paylocity and Workday on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
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
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between Paylocity and Workday. Choose Paylocity when US mid-market companies (roughly 100–1,000 employees) that want payroll+HR in one modern platform. Choose Workday when Enterprises (typically 1,000+ employees) that want one HCM system of record. Criterion scores come from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments and first-party research — not hands-on lab testing.
Workday is better for
- ✓ Integrations
Choose Paylocity if: US mid-market companies (roughly 100–1,000 employees) that want payroll+HR in one modern platform
Choose Workday if: Enterprises (typically 1,000+ employees) that want one HCM system of record
Workday
Enterprise HCM default — custom PEPM quote (no published seat $); implementation-led. Landscape only vs SMB HRIS/payroll.
Best for
- • Enterprises (typically 1,000+ employees) that want one HCM system of record
- • Global HR + payroll programmes comparing Workday as the default shortlist
- • Orgs that will fund a multi-month SI implementation
No free plan
Paylocity vs Workday at a glance
Criterion-level leaders from verified research.
Scorecard preview
Criterion leaders based on verified research — open the Scorecard tab for evidence detail.
- Starting pricingDepends
Paylocity
Workday
- Free planDepends
Paylocity
Workday
- User / licence minimumDepends
Paylocity
Workday
- IntegrationsWorkday
Paylocity
Workday
Which HR software is better for you?
Quick picks based on fit — not a universal ranking.
- → Workday
Best for integrations
Workday leads on integrations (8/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
The biggest differences
Where the products diverge most clearly on verified criteria.
Starting pricing
DependsPaylocity
Paylocity starting price was not verified in current research — confirm on the vendor pricing page; Workday starting price was not verified in current research — confirm on the vendor pricing page. Better value depends on plan rungs, currency, and add-ons.
Workday
Paylocity starting price was not verified in current research — confirm on the vendor pricing page; Workday starting price was not verified in current research — confirm on the vendor pricing page. Better value depends on plan rungs, currency, and add-ons.
Which should you choose?
Choose Paylocity if
- 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
Choose Workday if
- Enterprises (typically 1,000+ employees) that want one HCM system of record
- Global HR + payroll programmes comparing Workday as the default shortlist
- Orgs that will fund a multi-month SI implementation
Related comparisons
Alternatives to consider
Gusto
US SMB payroll + benefits + light HR — Simple from $49/mo + $6/person; Plus $80 + $12; Premium $180 + $22.
ADP Workforce Now
Mid-market payroll + HR (Select / Plus / Premium packaging) — custom PEPM quote; no published seat $. Landscape vs Gusto.
Paycor
HR + payroll HCM (Paychex-owned since 2025) — custom quote; WISE AI. Landscape vs Gusto / Paylocity.
Oracle Cloud HCM
Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM — modular enterprise suite (Global HR, payroll, talent, WFM); custom quote, no published PEPM.
How we compare
A short look at the comparison process. Full methodology
1
Collect
Collect official product information, pricing, and product evidence.
2
Normalize
Map evidence to the same category evaluation criteria for both products.
3
Compare
Evaluate both products against identical criteria — ties and depends are allowed.
4
Explain
Show why each product wins, loses, or ties, with evidence behind the outcome.
Still deciding between Paylocity and Workday?
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- Independent criterion outcomes
- No invented scores or prices
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