Workday vs Insightly
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Workday
Workday is an enterprise-grade HCM platform used by large organizations worldwide. It covers HR, payroll, finance, and planning in a deeply integrated suite. Workday is the gold standard for enterprise HR but requires significant implementation resources and budget.
Insightly
Insightly is a CRM and project management platform designed for growing businesses. It uniquely combines sales pipeline management with post-sale project delivery so teams can manage the full customer lifecycle in one place. Insightly is popular with professional services firms and companies that need to track complex projects alongside their sales pipeline.
Pros
- ✓Extremely powerful and configurable for complex enterprise needs
- ✓Best-in-class financial and workforce planning tools
- ✓Strong compliance and audit capabilities
- ✓Extensive global payroll coverage
Cons
- ✗Very expensive with long implementation timelines of 6-12 months
- ✗Overkill and unaffordable for companies under 500 employees
- ✗UI can feel dated and complex for everyday users
Pros
- ✓Unique combination of CRM and project management in one tool
- ✓Good free plan for up to 2 users
- ✓Strong workflow automation on paid plans
- ✓Good fit for professional services businesses
Cons
- ✗Interface feels dated compared to modern CRM tools
- ✗Customer support can be slow on lower tiers
- ✗Mobile app is less polished than competitors
Workday vs Insightly: Side by Side
| Factor | Workday | Insightly |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $34/user/mo | Free |
| Best For | Large enterprises with 500+ employees | Growing businesses that need CRM and project management in one platform |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Workday Features
- ✓HR
- ✓payroll
- ✓finance
- ✓planning
- ✓analytics
- ✓learning management
Insightly Features
- ✓Contact and lead management
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓project management
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓email marketing
- ✓reporting
- ✓integrations
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Workday if large enterprises with 500+ employees. Choose Insightly if growing businesses that need crm and project management in one platform.
Best For
Large enterprises with 500+ employees
Best For
Growing businesses that need CRM and project management in one platform
Also Consider
If neither Workday nor Insightly is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Workday and Insightly?
Workday is best for large enterprises with 500+ employees. Insightly is best for growing businesses that need crm and project management in one platform.
Which is better, Workday or Insightly?
Choose Workday if large enterprises with 500+ employees. Choose Insightly if growing businesses that need crm and project management in one platform.
How much does Workday cost?
Workday starts at $34/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Insightly cost?
Insightly starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Workday?
Large enterprises with 500+ employees
Who should use Insightly?
Growing businesses that need CRM and project management in one platform