Rippling vs. Workday HCM: Comparison & Expert Reviews For 2025
Rippling offers a streamlined approach to managing your HR tasks, while Workday HCM provides robust solutions for enterprise-level human capital management. Both tools aim to enhance your HR processes, but they differ in scalability and customization options.
In this article, you'll discover a detailed comparison of these HR management software solutions, examining their features, pros and cons, pricing, and more.
Rippling vs. Workday: An Overview
Rippling
Workday
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Rippling vs. Workday Pricing Comparison
| Rippling | Workday | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free demo available | Free demo available |
| Pricing | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Pricing upon request |
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Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowRippling vs. Workday HCM Pricing & Hidden Costs
Rippling pricing is based on a per-employee-per-month model, which can include additional costs for added features or integrations.
Workday HCM pricing follows a subscription model that often requires a long-term commitment, with potential extra fees for implementation and customization.
To choose the right tool, evaluate your team's specific needs and anticipate future growth to ensure the pricing structure aligns with both your current and future requirements.
Rippling vs. Workday Feature Comparison
With Rippling’s automation capabilities, you can efficiently manage payroll and onboarding, making it ideal for fast-paced environments where time-saving is crucial.
Alternatively, Workday HCM’s comprehensive analytics tools are great for large organizations needing deep insights into workforce data.
While Rippling excels in automating routine tasks, Workday HCM provides valuable strategic insights, both of which are essential in different contexts of HR operations.
| Rippling | Workday | |
|---|---|---|
| API | ||
| Application Tracking | ||
| Attendance Tracking | ||
| Compliance Tracking | ||
| Employee Database | ||
| Employee Engagement | ||
| Employee Incentive Management | ||
| Employee Onboarding | ||
| Employee Training | ||
| Expense Tracking | ||
| External Integrations | ||
| Feedback Management | ||
| Payroll | ||
| Time Management | ||
| Timesheets | ||
| Vacation & Absence Calendar |
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Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowRippling vs. Workday HCM Integrations
| Integration | Rippling | Workday HCM |
| QuickBooks | ✅ | ❌ |
| Salesforce | ✅ | ✅ |
| Slack | ✅ | ✅ |
| Google Workspace | ✅ | ❌ |
| Microsoft Teams | ✅ | ✅ |
| NetSuite | ❌ | ✅ |
| Zoom | ✅ | ❌ |
| ServiceNow | ❌ | ✅ |
| API | ✅ | ✅ |
| Zapier | ✅ | ❌ |
Rippling's integration with Slack lets you streamline team communications, which is especially valuable in remote work settings where instant collaboration is key. Similarly, Workday HCM's integration with Salesforce is great for aligning HR and sales data, providing seamless access to employee and customer insights in one place.
While Rippling enhances day-to-day operations through communication tools, Workday HCM supports strategic decision-making with its CRM connections.
Rippling vs. Workday HCM Security, Compliance & Reliability
| Factor | Rippling | Workday HCM |
| Data Privacy | Uses encryption to protect sensitive data and ensures compliance with U.S. standards. | Offers advanced encryption and is compliant with GDPR and other international standards. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Provides tools to manage compliance with U.S. labor laws but lacks true global functionality. | Supports compliance with various global regulations, including HIPAA and GDPR. |
| Reliability | Offers robust automation features to minimize errors in HR processes. | Known for its consistent uptime and reliable performance for large enterprises. |
While Rippling excels in automating compliance tasks, Workday HCM offers broader global compliance support. To choose between them, evaluate your organization's specific compliance needs and consider the regions you operate in, ensuring the chosen software meets all necessary regulatory standards.
Rippling vs. Workday HCM Ease of Use
| Factor | Rippling | Workday HCM |
| User Interface | Offers a clean, intuitive UI that's easy to navigate for quick task management. | Provides a comprehensive interface that can be overwhelming for new users but offers in-depth customization. |
| Onboarding Experience | Simplifies customer onboarding with guided setup processes for new users. | Requires more time and training for onboarding due to its complex features. |
| Setup | Allows for quick setup with minimal IT involvement. | Setup is more involved, often requiring dedicated IT support and training. |
Rippling is easier to use day-to-day due to its straightforward interface, but Workday HCM offers more depth and customization, which can be challenging at first. Rippling shines in user-friendliness, while Workday HCM's complexity can be a hurdle, but ultimately provides more powerful capabilities for those who master it.
Rippling vs Workday: Pros & Cons
Rippling
- Users find the interface intuitive and easy to navigate.
- The platform is highly scalable, making it ideal for growing businesses.
- Rippling automates administrative tasks, saving your team time and reducing errors.
- Rippling does not offer dedicated account managers.
- Customer support can be slow with complex issues.
- New users face a steep learning curve due to its extensive functionality.
Workday
- The user-friendly interface makes it easy for your team to navigate and manage HR tasks efficiently.
- It offers advanced talent management tools that enhance your team's capabilities.
- Workday HCM is highly configurable, allowing you to tailor HR processes to fit your needs.
- Mid-market companies might find the premium pricing challenging due to high costs.
- Its Applicant Tracking System and Payroll modules might not match specialized third-party solutions.
- The implementation process can be complex and may require full-time consultants.
Best Use Cases for Rippling and Workday
Rippling
- Tech Startups Rippling helps tech startups automate HR and IT tasks, saving time for innovation.
- Mid-Sized Enterprises The platform scales well, handling growing teams and complex operations efficiently.
- HR Departments Rippling centralizes HR functions, simplifying payroll and benefits management.
- IT Teams It manages devices and access, making IT operations smoother and more secure.
- Finance Departments Rippling integrates payroll with other financial systems, streamlining financial workflows.
- Remote Teams The platform supports remote work by centralizing tasks and communications.
Workday
- Large Enterprises Workday HCM’s scalability and robust features support your complex HR needs across global locations.
- Healthcare Organizations The system’s compliance tools help you manage regulatory requirements in your HR processes.
- Finance Sector Workday HCM’s analytical tools can enhance your workforce planning and decision-making.
- Technology Companies Its talent management features can help you attract and retain top tech talent in a competitive market.
- Human Resources Departments The intuitive interface and comprehensive tools streamline HR tasks for your team.
- Multinational Corporations Workday HCM supports multi-currency and multi-language capabilities, crucial for your global operations.
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Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowWho Should Use Rippling and Workday HCM?
In my opinion, Rippling is best for small to medium-sized businesses that need a user-friendly platform to manage HR tasks without the complexity of enterprise-level features. It's ideal for teams looking for quick setup and straightforward integrations.
On the other hand, Workday HCM is suited for large enterprises that require comprehensive HR solutions with extensive customization and global compliance capabilities. If your organization has the resources for a more involved setup and training, Workday HCM could be a better fit.
Differences Between Rippling and Workday
| Rippling | Workday | |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | Automates routine HR tasks for time efficiency. | Offers advanced automation for complex enterprise processes. |
| Compliance | Focuses on U.S. labor law compliance, but offers compliance checks for some other countries. | Supports compliance with global regulations, including GDPR. |
| Integrations | Integrates easily with tools like Slack and Zoom. | Excels in CRM integration with Salesforce and global systems. |
| Pricing | Uses a per-employee-per-month model that is suitable for growing teams. | Follows a subscription model, often requiring long-term commitments. |
| User Interface | Offers a simple, clean UI that's easy to navigate. | Offers a simple, clean UI that's easy to navigate. |
| Visit RipplingOpens new window | Visit WorkdayOpens new window |
Similarities Between Rippling and Workday
| Automation | Automation is a key feature in streamlining HR tasks. Rippling focuses on routine task automation, while Workday HCM automates more complex processes for large-scale operations. |
|---|---|
| Cloud-Based | Both Rippling and Workday HCM are cloud-based, offering flexibility and remote access for your team. Rippling simplifies this with an intuitive interface, while Workday HCM provides robust security for large enterprises. |
| Employee Self-Service | The platforms offer employee self-service features, allowing your staff to manage their own information. Rippling makes it user-friendly, whereas Workday HCM provides deeper customization options. |
| Mobile Usability | Both solutions provide mobile apps, ensuring your team can access HR functions on the go. Rippling focuses on ease of use, while Workday HCM offers comprehensive features for detailed management. |
| Scalability | They both scale with your business needs, from small teams to large enterprises. Rippling is ideal for growing startups, while Workday HCM supports complex global organizations. |
| Visit RipplingOpens new window Visit WorkdayOpens new window | |