Software · head to head
SAP SuccessFactors vs Workday
Workday
Software
Enterprise cloud applications for finance and HR
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: SAP SuccessFactors complex configuration and customization required; Workday high implementation costs equal to or exceeding annual software fees
- They diverge on capability: SAP SuccessFactors covers Core HR, Workday covers Human capital management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which SAP SuccessFactors and Workday actually diverge.
| Attribute | SAP SuccessFactors | Workday |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, Cloud | Cloud/Web |
| Founded | 2001 | 2005 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (quote), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in SAP SuccessFactors
- Core HR
- Talent Management
- Learning
- Recruiting
- Performance
- Succession Planning
- SAP ERP
- Microsoft 365
Only in Workday
- Human capital management
- Financial management
- Planning
- Time tracking
- Talent management
- Procurement
- Microsoft
Both cover
- Payroll
- Analytics
- Salesforce
- ServiceNow
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
SAP SuccessFactors
No use cases recorded yet. See the SAP SuccessFactors review.
Workday
- HR managementnot SAP SuccessFactors
- Financial planningnot SAP SuccessFactors
- Workforce planningnot SAP SuccessFactors
- Compliancenot SAP SuccessFactors
- Analyticsnot SAP SuccessFactors
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
SAP SuccessFactors
- Complex configuration and customization required
- Steep pricing for enterprise implementations
- Implementation requires extensive project timelines
Workday
- High implementation costs equal to or exceeding annual software fees
- Long deployment timelines (12-18 months standard) before ROI
- Steep per-employee pricing at enterprise scale ($408-504 PEPM)
- Limited pre-built templates and customization; often requires extensive configuration
- Requires significant IT and change management resources during implementation
Pricing, plan by plan
SAP SuccessFactors
On request- SuccessFactors HXM$undefined/month
- Core HR
- Payroll
- Talent Management
Workday
On request- Small Business$undefined/month
- Core HR
- Payroll
- Time tracking
- Medium Enterprise$undefined/month
- Full HCM suite
- Financial management
- Advanced analytics
- Large Enterprise$undefined/month
- Complete platform
- Custom configurations
- Dedicated support
Which should you pick?
Choose SAP SuccessFactors if
- You need core hr.
- You work on Web, Cloud.
- You also want talent management.
Choose Workday if
- You need human capital management.
- You work on Cloud/Web.
- You also want financial management.
Questions people ask
- Is SAP SuccessFactors or Workday better?
- Neither clearly leads. SAP SuccessFactors starts at On request and Workday at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, SAP SuccessFactors or Workday?
- SAP SuccessFactors starts at On request and Workday at On request.
- Does SAP SuccessFactors or Workday run on more platforms?
- SAP SuccessFactors runs on Web, Cloud. Workday runs on Cloud/Web.
- What can SAP SuccessFactors do that Workday cannot?
- SAP SuccessFactors covers Core HR, Talent Management, Learning, Recruiting. Workday covers Human capital management, Financial management, Planning, Time tracking. Both handle Payroll, Analytics, Salesforce, ServiceNow.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
SAP SuccessFactors: What is SAP SuccessFactors used for?
SAP SuccessFactors is a cloud-based HCM solution for talent management, recruitment, learning, and onboarding. It helps organizations manage employee data, recruiting workflows, performance management, learning programs, and succession planning.
SourceWorkday: What is Workday GO and what market is it designed for?
Workday GO is a product designed for small and midsize organizations, bringing together HR and finance solutions with transparent pricing and fast activation in 30 to 60 days. It includes HCM, benefits, payroll, talent, and more at a lower price point than standard Workday.
SourceSAP SuccessFactors: Can SAP SuccessFactors integrate with other systems?
Yes. SAP SuccessFactors can integrate with SAP HCM S/4HANA, other SAP ERP systems, and third-party HRIS, background check providers, and sourcing tools through APIs and integration adapters.
SourceWorkday: What is Workday Skills Cloud and how does it fit into HCM?
Workday Skills Cloud is an intelligent skills foundation built into Workday HCM. It is described as the world's most open intelligent skills foundation and fuels data-driven talent strategies across recruiting, learning, and workforce planning.
SourceWorkday: Does Workday include payroll and benefits management?
Yes. Workday HCM includes benefits administration and payroll capabilities as part of its core suite. Global payroll processing is available across multiple countries and tax jurisdictions.
SourceWorkday: What is the typical pricing model for Workday HCM?
Workday HCM uses per-employee (PEPM) annual subscription pricing. Companies at scale typically pay $34-42 PEPM. Enterprise organizations with 5,000+ employees typically pay $408-504 per employee annually. Pricing decreases with larger commitments and longer contract terms.
SourceWorkday: How long does Workday implementation typically take?
Standard implementations are lengthy, often taking 12-18 months. Workday GO promises faster activation in 30-60 days. Implementation costs typically equal 100-150% of the first year's software subscription fees.
Source