Workday vs Salesforce
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.
Salesforce
Salesforce is the world's leading CRM platform used by over 150,000 businesses of all sizes. It offers a highly customizable suite of sales, service, marketing, and analytics tools. Salesforce is the gold standard for enterprise CRM but has solutions for businesses of all sizes through its Starter and Pro plans.
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
- ✓Most powerful and customizable CRM on the market
- ✓Massive ecosystem with 3,000+ AppExchange integrations
- ✓Industry-leading reporting and analytics
- ✓Strong community and support resources
Cons
- ✗Expensive and complex for small teams
- ✗Long implementation timelines for enterprise deployments
- ✗Requires dedicated admin resources to get the most out of it
Workday vs Salesforce: Side by Side
| Factor | Workday | Salesforce |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $34/user/mo | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Large enterprises with 500+ employees | Mid to large enterprises needing a highly customizable CRM |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Workday Features
- ✓HR
- ✓payroll
- ✓finance
- ✓planning
- ✓analytics
- ✓learning management
Salesforce Features
- ✓Contact and lead management
- ✓opportunity tracking
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓AI insights
- ✓reporting and dashboards
- ✓AppExchange integrations
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Workday if large enterprises with 500+ employees. Choose Salesforce if mid to large enterprises needing a highly customizable crm.
Best For
Large enterprises with 500+ employees
Best For
Mid to large enterprises needing a highly customizable CRM
Also Consider
If neither Workday nor Salesforce 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 Salesforce?
Workday is best for large enterprises with 500+ employees. Salesforce is best for mid to large enterprises needing a highly customizable crm.
Which is better, Workday or Salesforce?
Choose Workday if large enterprises with 500+ employees. Choose Salesforce if mid to large enterprises needing a highly customizable crm.
How much does Workday cost?
Workday starts at $34/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Salesforce cost?
Salesforce starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Workday?
Large enterprises with 500+ employees
Who should use Salesforce?
Mid to large enterprises needing a highly customizable CRM