Best Workday Alternatives: List of Great HR Tools for 2025

Best Workday Alternatives: List of Great HR Tools for 2025

Workday is a powerful, comprehensive Human Capital Management (HCM) suite, known for its robust features in finance, HR, and planning, especially favoured by large enterprises. However, its complexity, cost, or specific feature set might not be the perfect fit for every organization. If you're exploring alternatives to Workday for 2025, this list highlights ten excellent options, starting with Rippling.


1. Rippling

Rippling stands out by integrating HR, IT, and Finance in one platform, offering strong automation capabilities.

Key Features:

  • Full-service payroll with automatic tax filing
  • Benefits administration (health insurance, 401k)
  • Time and attendance tracking
  • Recruiting and onboarding tools
  • IT management (app and device management)

Why Choose Rippling?
Rippling is ideal for businesses looking to unify HR and IT operations, automate administrative tasks across departments, and manage a global workforce seamlessly.


2. FeedbackPulse

FeedbackPulse is a streamlined performance management tool designed to simplify employee reviews while fostering transparency and actionable feedback.

Key Features:

  • Supports self-assessments, peer reviews, and manager feedback
  • Customizable review cycles (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annual)
  • Workflows ensure reviews are visible only after all parties complete them
  • Goal setting and tracking capabilities
  • Tools for continuous feedback and recognition

Why Choose FeedbackPulse?
FeedbackPulse is perfect for organizations seeking a straightforward, effective performance management solution focused on transparency and development, without unnecessary complexity.


3. Gusto

Gusto offers an all-in-one HR platform primarily focused on payroll, benefits, and HR basics for small to medium-sized businesses in the US.

Key Features:

  • Full-service payroll with automated tax filing
  • Employee benefits administration (health, retirement)
  • Time tracking and PTO management
  • Hiring and onboarding tools
  • Employee self-service portal

Why Choose Gusto?
Gusto is highly recommended for small to mid-sized US businesses looking for an easy-to-use, affordable solution to manage payroll, benefits, and core HR tasks efficiently.


4. BambooHR

BambooHR provides intuitive HR software focused on centralizing employee data and improving the employee experience for small and medium-sized businesses.

Key Features:

  • Centralized employee records and database
  • Hiring and applicant tracking system (ATS)
  • Onboarding and offboarding workflows
  • Performance management and employee satisfaction (eNPS)
  • Time-off tracking

Why Choose BambooHR?
BambooHR is a great fit for SMBs seeking a user-friendly, all-in-one HR platform that excels in data management, onboarding, and fostering a positive employee experience.


5. ADP Workforce Now

ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive, scalable HCM solution designed for mid-sized to large businesses, offering robust features across HR, payroll, talent, time, and benefits.

Key Features:

  • Payroll processing with tax filing and compliance features
  • Benefits administration and open enrollment support
  • Time and attendance tracking
  • Talent acquisition and management tools
  • Reporting and analytics with benchmarking

Why Choose ADP Workforce Now?
Organizations needing a scalable, reliable, and feature-rich HCM platform with strong compliance support and powerful analytics will find ADP Workforce Now a suitable alternative, particularly those with 50+ employees.


6. SAP SuccessFactors

SAP SuccessFactors is a leading cloud-based HCM suite tailored for large, global enterprises, focusing on employee experience and connecting HR across the organization.

Key Features:

  • Core HR and Payroll (Employee Central)
  • Talent Management (Recruiting, Onboarding, Performance & Goals, Compensation, Learning)
  • Employee Experience Management (EXM)
  • HR Analytics and Workforce Planning
  • Mobile access via SAP Fiori UI

Why Choose SAP SuccessFactors?
Best suited for large, complex organizations, especially those already using SAP ERP, needing a comprehensive, global HCM solution focused on talent development and employee experience.


7. Oracle Cloud HCM

Oracle Cloud HCM provides a complete cloud solution connecting every human resource process, designed for medium to large enterprises needing a unified HR system.

Key Features:

  • Global Human Resources (Core HR, Benefits, Workforce Management)
  • Talent Management (Acquisition, Development, Performance)
  • Workforce Rewards (Compensation, Payroll)
  • Oracle ME (Employee Experience Platform)
  • HCM Analytics

Why Choose Oracle Cloud HCM?
Ideal for larger organizations, particularly those using other Oracle Cloud products, seeking an integrated, AI-powered HCM suite with strong analytics and global capabilities.


8. Deel

Deel specializes in global payroll, compliance, and HR for international teams, making it easy to hire and pay employees and contractors worldwide.

Key Features:

  • Global Payroll & Payments (100+ currencies)
  • Employer of Record (EOR) services for hiring without a local entity
  • Contractor management
  • Deel HR (HRIS) with global compliance built-in
  • Visa support and background checks

Why Choose Deel?
Deel is the go-to alternative for companies focused on building and managing distributed, international teams, simplifying global hiring, payroll, and compliance complexities.


9. Zoho People

Zoho People is a flexible and affordable cloud-based HR software designed to manage core HR processes, from onboarding to exit, suitable for SMBs.

Key Features:

  • Employee Database Management & Self-Service
  • Attendance and Leave (Time off) Management
  • Timesheets for project time tracking
  • Performance Management (Appraisals, Goal Tracking)
  • HR Process Automation

Why Choose Zoho People?
Zoho People is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, especially those already using the Zoho ecosystem, looking for a customizable and cost-effective HR platform to automate core tasks.


10. Lattice

Lattice is a people success platform that focuses on performance management, employee engagement, and career development.

Key Features:

  • Performance Reviews and Check-ins
  • Goal Setting (OKRs) and Tracking
  • Engagement Surveys and Analytics
  • Continuous Feedback and Recognition (1:1s, Updates, Praise)
  • Career Development and Growth Plans (Lattice Grow)

Why Choose Lattice?
Lattice works well for businesses focused on building a strong performance and feedback culture, driving employee engagement, and supporting career development.


Conclusion

Workday is a leading HCM platform, but the HR technology landscape in 2025 offers many strong alternatives. Whether you need the integrated HR and IT approach of Rippling, the streamlined performance focus of FeedbackPulse, the SMB-friendly tools of Gusto and BambooHR, or the enterprise-grade power of ADP, SAP SuccessFactors, and Oracle HCM, there's a solution tailored to your organization's size, budget, and specific HR needs. Exploring these options can help you find the perfect fit to manage your workforce effectively.

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