ADP vs Workday

Detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs

A

ADP

Payroll and HR solutions for all sizes

4.1
Editorial Rating
W

Workday

Enterprise HR and finance cloud

4.0
Editorial Rating

Quick Comparison

Rating

4.1
vs
4

Starting Price

$79
vs
$null

Pricing Model

paid
vs
enterprise
Feature
ADP
Workday
Payroll processing
Tax filing
Benefits admin
Time tracking
HR management
Compliance
HCM
Payroll
Workforce planning
Learning
Talent management
Analytics

ADP Pros

  • Massive scale and reliability
  • Comprehensive compliance and tax expertise
  • Processes payroll for millions of workers
  • Strong benefits administration
  • Available for all company sizes
  • Decades of payroll expertise

ADP Cons

  • Dated user interface
  • Customer service frequently criticized
  • Contracts can be difficult to exit
  • Pricing lacks transparency
  • Nickel-and-dime approach to add-ons
  • Implementation can be painful

Workday Pros

  • Industry standard for large enterprise HR
  • Unified HR and finance platform
  • Strong workforce planning and analytics
  • Global payroll in many countries
  • Continuous innovation with AI features
  • Large implementation partner ecosystem

Workday Cons

  • Extremely expensive enterprise-only pricing
  • Implementation takes 6 to 18 months
  • Requires dedicated admin team
  • Overly complex for mid-market companies
  • Limited customization without consultants
  • User interface has a learning curve

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