Workday Recruiting vs Paylocity
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Workday Recruiting
Workday Recruiting is an enterprise-grade applicant tracking system built into the broader Workday HCM suite. It offers end-to-end recruiting from sourcing to offer management within a unified platform.
Paylocity
Paylocity is a modern HR and payroll platform designed for mid-market businesses. It combines payroll processing with employee engagement tools, learning management, and workforce analytics. Paylocity stands out for its strong mobile experience and focus on building connected, engaged workplaces.
Pros
- ✓Seamlessly integrated with Workday HR and Payroll
- ✓Strong reporting and analytics
- ✓Excellent for large enterprises
- ✓Unified candidate and employee data
- ✓Configurable workflows
Cons
- ✗Very expensive for small businesses
- ✗Complex implementation process
- ✗Requires dedicated admin
- ✗Overkill for teams under 500 employees
Pros
- ✓Strong employee engagement and communication tools
- ✓Excellent mobile app for both managers and employees
- ✓Modern UI with good user adoption rates
- ✓Robust payroll with strong compliance features
Cons
- ✗Pricing requires a sales call and is not published online
- ✗Implementation can be complex for larger organizations
- ✗Some advanced features require additional modules at extra cost
Workday Recruiting vs Paylocity: Side by Side
| Factor | Workday Recruiting | Paylocity |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Applicant Tracking | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data | Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Workday Recruiting Features
- ✓Applicant tracking
- ✓interview management
- ✓candidate sourcing
- ✓onboarding
- ✓analytics
- ✓compliance
Paylocity Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent management
- ✓workforce management
- ✓analytics
- ✓employee self-service
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Workday Recruiting if large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data. Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees.
Best For
Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data
Best For
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Also Consider
If neither Workday Recruiting nor Paylocity is the right fit, Manatal is worth evaluating.
Manatal
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price
From $15/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Workday Recruiting and Paylocity?
Workday Recruiting is best for large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data. Paylocity is best for mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees.
Which is better, Workday Recruiting or Paylocity?
Choose Workday Recruiting if large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data. Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees.
How much does Workday Recruiting cost?
Visit Workday Recruiting website for current pricing.
How much does Paylocity cost?
Paylocity starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Workday Recruiting?
Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data
Who should use Paylocity?
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees