ADP Workforce Now vs UKG vs Workday comparison

Read 125 UKG reviews

8,803 Views
5,018 Comparison Views

89% willing to recommend

Read 59 Workday reviews

12,158 Views
8,389 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

ADP Workforce Now

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between ADP Workforce Now, UKG, and Workday based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Workday, SAP, Oracle and others in Cloud HCM.

To learn more, read our detailed Cloud HCM Report (Updated: May 2026).

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Cloud HCM category, the mindshare of ADP Workforce Now is 2.3%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of UKG is 5.0%, down from 5.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Workday is 9.2%, down from 18.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Cloud HCM Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Workday	9.2%
UKG	5.0%
ADP Workforce Now	2.3%
Other	83.5%

Cloud HCM

Featured Reviews

Vineeth John

Director, People & Culture at a agriculture with 201-500 employees

Custom reporting tool with field grabber, easy modules for recruitment and provides numerous options for integration

The complexity is the key challenge with a tool like ADP because it has all the bells and whistles and all the key features you can possibly think of. If it isn't there, there's always a third-party vendor you can integrate that way. But the only issue is that because it's complex, there needs to be some sort of system, at least on the back end, for the admins to understand what leads to what. We expect AI to improve multiple things with HR processes. The most obvious and common one would be the self-service function for employees, like a chatbot to help with FAQs. We are also building an AI tool that can possibly help managers make better talent management decisions. This tool will pull from the performance management tool, the talent profile, and the reports that we generally have to score employees across all different dimensions.

Read full review

Harish_Mahanta

Works

Streamlined time tracking boosts operational efficiency across multiple regions

The time tracking feature is the most effective for employee management. UKG is used in Europe, the United States, Australia, and East Asian countries for HR activities like payroll. The application is like an ERP, providing comprehensive features for organizations, simplifying their processes, and reducing the need to use multiple software solutions.

Read full review

Eslam Abo Elnaga

Senior people and systems analyst at B_labs & Mylo

Has improved HR process efficiency through intuitive workflows and responsive support

There is something that could be improved in Workday, specifically in the time tracking module. While I am not working on Workday now, I was a regional HRIS working for Egypt, Malta, India, and China. I mention these countries to relate to high population countries and companies. In our company, we use assigned work schedules for our teams. Because we work with the time tracking module, we need to assign shifts. In the manufacturing industry, we might need to change shifts every day or week. Manufacturing teams are huge, approximately 50 to 200 people in one team. If this team has one leader, the leader needs to assign a work schedule for each person individually. While there is mass upload functionality where we can load shifts for all people or specific groups, we need to select multiple people and assign them to a schedule from the interface itself. I have requested this functionality many times. When extracting business processes awaiting actions report, I can select different processes in one box, hit okay, and the report comes up. However, the same functionality does not work for work schedule assigning. If implemented, it would help many people in companies with high populations and big teams.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The way that ADP helped us improve our organization is by making the payroll process clean and efficient because if you make a mistake there, you're in big trouble."

"It is hard to go wrong with choosing ADP as a solution for nearly any company."

"The most interesting feature for me on ADP is the custom reporting tool. It's got something called a field grabber, which makes it so much easier to generate your own custom reports simply by pulling tabs from any feature."

"The most valuable features are the reporting and benefits piece."

"The most valuable feature to me is performance management because we just started using that."

"It is a scalable solution."

"In my day-to-day work, attendance tracking would be most important. That's because I have a really diverse group of employees, and I have a subset of younger folks who are struggling with their attendance. So, that's the thing that I'm most involved with currently."

"I love the integration of HR, payroll, tax filing, benefits, time and attendance, GL, ACA, employee/manager self-service, reporting and analytics."

More ADP Workforce Now pros

"Onboarding goes very smoothly."

"The most valuable element is the benefits feature."

"The payroll function is immaculate; we rely on it 100%."

"Customer service has been good."

"Improvement of processes Reduction in man hours to complete tasks Employee engagement"

"Employees love to see their paychecks as soon as payroll has processed."

"Customer service is good."

"Hours are saved each payroll period on data entry."

More UKG pros

"It's really stable, we use it globally and have 100,000 employees, and I know that there are no big issues with the stability of the tool."

"In the process of obtaining representative sites in NaviNet, it assists us in facilitating decision-making and taking action."

"We use this solution to manage financials, payroll and recruiting."

"The business process framework is excellent."

"The scalability is amazing."

"It's easy to set up."

"The GUI is beautiful and we don't need to provide much training for the users because it is easy to navigate."

"The interface of Workday is superior; it is easy and clear, everything is organized effectively, and I enjoy using Workday extensively."

More Workday pros

Cons

"The workflow is a bit weak."

"ADP provides a quarterly Error Notification Report that allows you to check for compliance errors based on payments made to employees that quarter. The report only shows employees by their file #; however, the recent ADP upgrade has an "Archive" feature that makes it impossible to search for employees by file number so currently, there is no way to identify the employees listed on the report without calling ADP."

"The ease of developing and creating reports could definitely use some improvement."

"Support leaves a lot to be desired."

"The complexity is the key challenge with a tool like ADP ."

"Their “new and improved” message center (where you get notifications and go to approve things like time off) is actually not as easy as it used to be."

"The report functionality is not as good as competitive products."

"Its benefits portal could be user-friendly."

More ADP Workforce Now cons

"Security was difficult in that it was all from scratch - no real templates, starting points, best practices."

"Too many updates"

"Customer service is hit or miss. Some of the growth has caused a decline in the level of customer service that I have previously enjoyed."

"Customer service is hit or miss. We keep being told that Ulti wants to provide top-notch customer service, but it's not being delivered when you have to wait days, weeks, or even months to get issues worked on or resolved."

"From an implementation standpoint (not at my current organization), taking the time to truly listen and understand unique complexities that might be outside standard capabilities of the system."

"UTM and core connectivity: this should be way more straightforward!"

"Technical support is 4/10."

"We have encountered scalability issues. Only 10 clock transactions are allowed to run at once; not the best for installing 300+ global clocks."

More UKG cons

"They don't have worker payroll in the product. We have to solve our payroll. I hope one day they will be able to have their own localized standard payrolls for all countries."

"We would like to see improvement in the mobile app variant of this solution. The time sheet entry and approval, and the geo-tagging features all need to have their functionality updated, in order to be comparable with other products on the market."

"Workday does not support many Korean language features. So, it will be great if they have some development on the Korean language side – then it will be really powerful in our market."

"My only suggestion might be to include a brief description of any new fields we introduce, making it easier for people to use them. Perhaps this is something they can consider implementing."

"It's great for operational / detailed reporting and some low-level analytics, but for heavy-duty analysis against large data sets, I find it's a bit lacking."

"The solution should be more user-friendly."

"I would really like to see a more robust timekeeping solution in Workday. Currently, most organizations are using Kronos for timekeeping and Workday for HR data. They then integrate Workday with Dimensions to manage time-related activities and payroll processing."

"There were a lot of issues. There were consistency or accuracy issues with the data we had, and every time we had to pull reports in Workday, it was difficult."

More Workday cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is expensive."

"I know some of what we're currently paying. Most customers would say it's too high, but I don't have a comparison to know that."

"I give the pricing a seven out of ten."

"The solution is expensive and everyone complains about the price."

"The pricing is expensive and I would say it is below average for the value it provides based on the high cost."

"The solution is expensive."

"The platform is not affordable but also not the most expensive."

"UKG's pricing and licensing model involves ongoing expenses based on the number of employees paid. The initial implementation cost is low when UKG implements it directly. However, when partners handle the implementation, it becomes more expensive since partners don't receive the monthly recurring fees."

"The pricing depends on the number of licenses we buy."

"If you're going for the full suite, it can be fairly pricey."

"While I am unsure of the licensing cost itself, the total cost of implementation and licensing for a company with over 5000 employees would be around 6,00,000. So, there are additional costs beyond licensing."

"I wasn't involved in the pricing part. I'm a user, and I believe it is based on the user count. One thing that is nice about Ultimate is that you can learn how to use the system without additional fees. The learning aspect is the life of a product, and the training was a huge reason why we went with Ultimate. We did have some integration costs. They were a part of the implementation because of the integrations to other systems that we included in our implementation."

"I would rate the solution’s pricing a six out of ten."

"With a bigger budget, I would recommend SAP."

"The solution is flexible in terms of pricing."

"I need to pay for a license. It is expensive."

"Workday is moderately priced - I'd rate its pricing three out of five."

"I rate the product’s pricing a ten out of ten."

"It's very, very expensive."

"The pricing for this solution is fairly high. It is not affordable for small and mid-sized companies."

More Workday pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Construction Company

Outsourcing Company

Financial Services Firm

11%

Construction Company

10%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

University

Healthcare Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	4

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	48
Midsize Enterprise	43
Large Enterprise	48

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	17
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	43

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for ADP Workforce Now?

The licensing is on the pricer side, given that there aren't a lot of other tools out there that are applicable, we j...

What needs improvement with ADP Workforce Now?

The complexity is the key challenge with a tool like ADP because it has all the bells and whistles and all the key fe...

What advice do you have for others considering ADP Workforce Now?

Overall, I would rate the solution an eight out of ten. It's got a lot of features. The reason I'm not giving it a fu...

What needs improvement with UKG?

UKG needs more publicity. It is a productive ERP ( /categories/erp ) application, but many people in the IT market ar...

What is your primary use case for UKG?

I worked for a healthcare organization and a university. Most organizations use UKG ( /products/ukg-reviews ) to trac...

What advice do you have for others considering UKG?

Publicity is very important for any software. If people aren't aware of UKG, despite its productivity, they won't use...

What are the biggest differences between Workday, Oracle Cloud and SAP SuccessFactors?

Differences between Workday, Oracle Cloud,w and SAP SuccessFactors:w Oracle: "simple interface and deep customizatio...

How easy is to maintain Workday, Oracle Cloud, and SuccessFactors?

I implemented Workday in 2024 and without having previous Workday experience, it was very challenging. I spent most o...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Workday?

If you go with the launch implementation approach, the solution is generally not very expensive. If you want to add m...

SAP SuccessFactors vs ADP Workforce Now

Comparisons

Compared 4% of the time

ADP GlobalView Payroll vs ADP Workforce Now

Compared 4% of the time

Dayforce HCM vs ADP Workforce Now

Compared 4% of the time

MHR iTrent vs ADP Workforce Now

Compared 3% of the time

Sage People vs ADP Workforce Now

Compared 3% of the time

More ADP Workforce Now Competitors

SAP SuccessFactors vs UKG

Compared 7% of the time

Dayforce HCM vs UKG

Compared 5% of the time

SAP HCM vs UKG

Compared 5% of the time

PeopleSoft vs UKG

Compared 3% of the time

Paylocity vs UKG

Compared 2% of the time

More UKG Competitors

SAP SuccessFactors vs Workday

Compared 22% of the time

Oracle HCM Cloud vs Workday

Compared 7% of the time

SAP HCM vs Workday

Compared 6% of the time

BambooHR vs Workday

Compared 4% of the time

Sage People vs Workday

Compared 1% of the time

More Workday Competitors

Product Reports

ADP Workforce Now

Download ADP Workforce Now product report

Download UKG product report

Download Workday product report

Also Known As

No data available

UKG Pro, UKG Dimensons, UKG Ready

No data available

Overview

ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive platform offering robust payroll and HR integrations, minimal IT support needs, and seamless management tools, all through an intuitive, customizable interface with mobile access.

ADP Workforce Now facilitates efficient management of payroll and human resources functions with features such as secure cloud storage, custom reporting, performance management, and diverse analytics. Despite having strong integration options through ADP's marketplace and applications, users report limitations in workflow, admin security, and customer support. The absence of international payroll capabilities, complex reporting systems, and insufficient talent management are also noted challenges. There is a demand for better data management, position control, and an enhanced benefits portal.

What are the most important features?

Payroll and HR Integrations: Seamless handling of payroll with solid HR support.
Mobile Access: Enables management on the go through intuitive interfaces.
Customizable Reporting: Generate reports tailored to specific needs.
Secure Cloud Storage: Safeguard sensitive data with secure cloud solutions.
Diverse Analytics Tools: Utilize insightful analytics for informed decision-making.
General Ledger Interface: Streamline financial reporting and analysis.

What benefits or ROI should users look for?

Efficient Payroll Processing: Streamlined management of payroll operations.
Enhanced HR Automation: Simplified HR tasks through automation.
Cost Efficiency: Reduced operational costs with integrated solutions.
Improved Data Security: Strengthened protection for organizational data.

ADP Workforce Now is deployed in cloud-based environments and often integrated with systems like SAP SuccessFactors. Companies rely on it to manage payroll, track time and attendance, and administer benefits. It supports applicant tracking and benefits integration, proving essential for diverse industry applications.

ADP

UKG offers a comprehensive suite for payroll processing, HR management, and business intelligence, integrating seamlessly with systems like PeopleSoft and Workday. Its cloud-based service enhances workforce management across industries with advanced customization and intuitive use.

UKG's extensive features include payroll processing, business intelligence reporting, and self-service options for employees and managers. The platform is designed for ease of integration, providing a user-friendly experience with extensive onboarding tools and robust data management. While UKG excels in configuration and reporting capabilities, it requires improvements in customer support and benefits administration flexibility. Implementation can be complex, and areas such as real-time support and automated processes need refinement.

What are UKG's most valued features?

Payroll Processing: Streamlined for accurate and efficient transactions.
Business Intelligence Reporting: Offers insightful data analytics to inform decision-making.
Employee and Manager Self-service: Empowers users with access to essential tools and information.
Benefits Administration: Manages employee benefits with ease.
Data Integration: Ensures seamless interaction with other systems, enhancing performance.

What benefits should users consider in reviews?

Improved Employee Satisfaction: Cloud-based updates foster an engaging environment.
Streamlined HR Activities: Integrates with existing systems to enhance operation efficiency.
Ease of Use: Users appreciate its intuitive design and customization options.

UKG is leveraged across multiple industries for its robust functionalities in payroll and HR management, supporting recruitment, onboarding, and workforce dynamics. The platform's integration with time management and learning modules supports comprehensive employee management and compliance across global deployments.

Workday provides a cloud-based platform offering robust human capital management features, emphasizing security, user-friendliness, and operational efficiency through workflow automation.

Workday is utilized by organizations for human capital management, supporting everything from employee recruitment to retirement, payroll processing, and performance tracking. It centralizes HR operations to increase efficiency and manage employee data effectively. Its business process framework allows for drag-and-drop functionality, which along with real-time reporting, enriches the user experience. Workday's modules cover talent, compensation, benefits, and learning, enhancing the workforce management approach. Though integration with external systems can be complex, its usability and flexible configuration support adaptability. Users seek enhancements in customization, reporting, interface usability, and speed, particularly in financial, timekeeping, and payroll modules. Expanding automation, API connectors, language support, and introducing country and industry-specific modules would significantly boost its capabilities. Pricing remains a concern among users.

What are Workday's most important features?

Security: Ensures data protection with robust measures.
User-Friendliness: Intuitive design for ease of use.
Centralized Data Management: Consolidates employee information in one platform.
Real-Time Reporting: Delivers up-to-the-minute insights for decision-making.
Workflow Automation: Streamlines processes to reduce manual tasks.

What benefits should be evaluated when considering Workday?

Operational Efficiency: Automation streamlines HR processes and reduces redundancies.
Enhanced Usability: Integrated modules improve user interaction and efficiency.
Scalability: Adaptable configurations meet diverse business requirements.
Integration Capabilities: Connections with other systems bolster functionality.

Workday is implemented in a range of industries, including finance, healthcare, and technology, offering specialized HR management solutions tailored to each sector's unique requirements. These implementations improve workforce management and align HR strategies with organizational goals, showcasing its adaptability across different business landscapes.