Workday vs When I Work
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.
When I Work
When I Work is an employee scheduling and time tracking platform designed for hourly and shift-based teams. It makes it easy for managers to build schedules, communicate with staff, and track attendance. When I Work is one of the most affordable scheduling tools on the market.
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
- ✓Very affordable pricing starting at just a few dollars per user
- ✓Easy-to-use scheduling with drag-and-drop interface
- ✓Good team messaging and shift swap tools
- ✓Simple time clock with GPS tracking
Cons
- ✗Limited features beyond scheduling and time tracking
- ✗No payroll processing or full HR suite
- ✗Reporting is basic compared to more comprehensive workforce tools
Workday vs When I Work: Side by Side
| Factor | Workday | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $34/user/mo | $2.50/user/mo |
| Best For | Large enterprises with 500+ employees | Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Workday Features
- ✓HR
- ✓payroll
- ✓finance
- ✓planning
- ✓analytics
- ✓learning management
When I Work Features
- ✓Shift scheduling
- ✓time clock
- ✓team messaging
- ✓attendance tracking
- ✓payroll export
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Workday if large enterprises with 500+ employees. Choose When I Work if small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers.
Best For
Large enterprises with 500+ employees
Best For
Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers
How Workday and When I Work Are Similar
- •Both are HR Software platforms designed for business teams
- •Both offer web-based access with no software installation required
- •Both provide customer support and onboarding resources
- •Both integrate with popular third-party business tools
- •Both offer a trial or demo to evaluate before purchasing
Also Consider
If neither Workday nor When I Work 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 When I Work?
Workday is best for large enterprises with 500+ employees. When I Work is best for small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers.
Which is better, Workday or When I Work?
Choose Workday if large enterprises with 500+ employees. Choose When I Work if small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers.
How much does Workday cost?
Workday starts at $34/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does When I Work cost?
When I Work starts at $2.50/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Workday?
Large enterprises with 500+ employees
Who should use When I Work?
Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers