Workday Payroll
Compare Workday Payroll to ADP Workforce Now, Gusto, and TriNet Zenefits. Includes a detailed review with pros and cons, pricing information, and FAQs.
Updated on January 6th, 2023
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Updates:
Updated 16th of February 2022
We updated mentions of Zenefits to TriNet Zenefits.
Updated 12th of November 2021
We updated the review format and added comparisons to ADP Workforce Now, Gusto, and Zenefits.
Workday Payroll is a cloud-based payroll solution. The software allows users to transform their hire-to-pay process with an effective time tracking and payroll management system.
Also Consider
Gusto Payroll Software
Set up an account free.
Try GustoNo extra fees.
Made for mobile.
Auto tax filing and digital paystubs.
Pricing:
Workday Payroll does not make pricing readily available on the website. Contact the Workday sales department to request a quote.
Review:
Workday Payroll comes with all of the standard features payroll administrators would expect from a payroll platform, such as W2 and 1099 form preparation, flexible payment schedules, garnishments, and reimbursements. However, the platform does not feature contractor payments or integrated pre-tax benefits.
Pros:
- Workday offers country-specific payroll solutions as well as global payroll integrations.
- The compliance dashboard makes it easy for businesses to keep track of regulatory changes and maintain compliance.
- Employees can access the employee self-service portal online or from a mobile device.
- The Workday Global Payroll Cloud Partner Program helps businesses process payroll for internationally-based employees.
- Users can schedule recurring audits and track global spending on workers.
- The platform is available in multiple languages.
Cons:
- There is no contractor payments feature.
- The software is designed for medium to large-sized businesses and may be less ideal for small businesses.
Reputation:
Workday is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an F rating on the platform. On G2, however, Workday received a 4 out of 5-star rating based on more than 1,100 reviews. While many users described the platform as user-friendly and reliable, some suggested the software could be more intuitive.
At-a-Glance:
Feature | Workday Payroll |
---|---|
Automated taxes | ✓ |
Contractor payments | x |
W-2s and 1099s preparation | ✓ |
Direct deposits | ✓ |
Employee self-service portal | ✓ |
Year-end processing | ✓ |
Payroll reports | ✓ |
Lifetime accounts | x |

Workday Payroll vs. ADP Workforce Now:
ADP Workforce Now and Workday Payroll are both feature-rich and reasonably user-friendly, although users may face more of a learning curve with Workday Payroll. Between the two solutions, ADP Workforce Now caters best to the needs of small and midsized businesses, while Workday Payroll is a good option for larger enterprises.
Workday Payroll vs. ADP Workforce Now Comparison:
Feature | Workday Payroll | ADP Workforce Now |
---|---|---|
Payroll tax administration | ✓ | ✓ |
Contractor payments | x | x |
Direct deposits | ✓ | ✓ |
Employee self-service portal | ✓ | ✓ |
Mobile access | ✓ | ✓ |
Lifetime accounts | x | x |

Workday Payroll vs. Gusto:
Gusto offers a wider range of payroll software features than Workday Payroll, including lifetime accounts, the ability to process contractor payments, and banking information management. While Gusto's software is tailored to small businesses' payroll and HR needs, Workday Payroll is better suited for larger companies.
Workday Payroll vs. Gusto Comparison:
Feature | Workday Payroll | Gusto |
---|---|---|
Payroll tax administration | ✓ | ✓ |
Contractor payments | x | ✓ |
Direct deposits | ✓ | ✓ |
Employee self-service portal | ✓ | ✓ |
Mobile access | ✓ | ✓ |
Lifetime accounts | x | ✓ |

Workday Payroll vs.TriNet Zenefits:
TriNet Zenefits, like Gusto, is better suited for small to midsized businesses, while Workday Payroll is a good solution for medium to large organizations. Unlike TriNet Zenefits, which caters solely to businesses in the U.S., Workday Payroll offers several country-specific solutions and integrations with global payroll partners.
Workday Payroll vs. TriNet Zenefits Comparison:
Feature | Workday Payroll | TriNet Zenefits |
---|---|---|
Payroll tax administration | ✓ | ✓ |
Contractor payments | x | ✓ |
Direct deposits | ✓ | ✓ |
Employee self-service portal | ✓ | ✓ |
Mobile access | ✓ | ✓ |
Lifetime accounts | x | ✓ |
Key Information:
Legal Name | Workday, Inc. |
Founder | |
Founding Date | Mar 01, 2005 |
Address | 6110 Stoneridge Mall Rd., Pleasanton, CA 94588 |
Number of Employees | 12200 |
Number of Customers | 7900 |
Telephone | |
Website |
FAQs:
What is Workday Payroll?
Workday Payroll is a cloud-based payroll solution for midsized businesses and large enterprises.
Can Workday be used for payroll?
Yes, Workday offers enterprise payroll solutions for businesses in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and France, as well as integrations with global payroll partners.
What companies use Workday Payroll?
- Target.
- AstraZeneca.
- PUMA.
- CarMax.
- BDO Canada.
- Simmons Bank.
- Ryan LLC.
- Acxiom.
How much does Workday Payroll cost?
Pricing for Workday Payroll is not made readily available online. Contact Workday directly to request a quote.
Is there a Workday Payroll free trial?
No, Workday Payroll does not offer a free trial. However, users can visit their website to watch a free demo.
Where is Workday Payroll located?
Workday Payroll's headquarters is based in Pleasanton, California.