Workday vs Rippling: A Comprehensive Comparison for Enterprise HR Software Buyers

In this article, we’ll look at each platform side by side, comparing their features, functionality, and pricing plans to help you decide which suits your company. Let’s get started.

Overview of Workday and Rippling

Founded in 2005, Workday provides businesses with cloud-based access to a suite of applications that can improve efficiency and productivity. From Human Capital Management tools to Financial Management platforms and Analytics capabilities, this platform is the one-stop shop for your organizational needs. Workday's core offerings include HCM, payroll, benefits administration, and talent management. With over 4,000 customers and a focus on larger enterprises, Workday is a popular choice for companies with complex HR needs.

Founded in 2016, Rippling is an innovative HR, payroll, and benefits platform that simplifies tedious administrative tasks for businesses of all sizes. With this intuitive technology at your fingertips, managing employee data has never been easier. Rippling's core offerings include HR management, payroll, benefits administration, time and attendance, and IT management. With over 1,000 customers and focusing on small to mid-sized businesses, Rippling is known for its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing.

Pricing and Plans

Workday uses a subscription-based pricing model, which varies depending on the number of employees and the specific modules selected. According to a Gartner report, Workday's annual cost for a 5,000-employee organization is around $2.2 million for HCM and financial management. This high price point makes Workday more suitable for larger enterprises.

Rippling offers a base price for its core HR features, with additional costs for payroll and benefits management and other add-on services. For example, Rippling's base price for HR management is $8 per user per month, while its payroll and benefits administration features cost an additional $8 per user. According to Rippling's website, the total cost for a 50-employee organization is around $550 per month. This affordable pricing makes Rippling more suitable for small to mid-sized businesses.

Both platforms require custom quotes, making direct pricing comparisons difficult. However, Rippling is generally considered more affordable for smaller businesses. It's important to note that implementation, training, and integration factors may affect both solutions' total cost of ownership.

Blog: How Much Does Workday Cost?

Features and Functionality

When comparing Workday and Rippling's features and functionality, it's essential to consider core HR and ancillary features.

Core HR features:

Workday offers employee self-service, organizational management, and time tracking. Rippling provides employee onboarding, PTO tracking, and document management. Both platforms offer similar core HR features, though Workday's focus on organizational management may appeal more to larger enterprises.

Payroll and benefits management:

Workday supports global payroll, benefits administration, and tax compliance. This makes Workday more suitable for organizations with employees in multiple countries. Rippling, on the other hand, offers US-based payroll, benefits administration, and tax filing. This makes Rippling a more suitable choice for small to mid-sized businesses based in the US.

Talent management:

The Workday includes recruiting, performance management, and learning management. Rippling offers applicant tracking, performance management, and integrations with leading learning management systems. Workday's talent management features are more comprehensive and may be more suitable for larger enterprises with complex talent management needs.

Reporting and analytics:

Workday provides advanced reporting, custom dashboards, and predictive analytics. Rippling offers standard reports, custom reporting, and data visualization tools. Workday's reporting and analytics features are more advanced and may be more suitable for larger enterprises with complex reporting needs.

Integration and Customization Capabilities

Integration and customization capabilities are essential features of any HR software. Workday offers extensive integration with third-party applications and flexible customization options. On the other hand, Rippling offers a robust API and marketplace with over 500 integrations. Rippling's API is easy to use and lets businesses quickly connect their HR software with other applications.

Rippling's marketplace offers integrations with various software applications, including accounting software, applicant tracking systems, learning management systems, and many more. These integrations enable businesses to create a more streamlined HR software ecosystem by connecting their HR software with other business tools they use daily.

User Experience and Interface

Workday's user-friendly interface was thoughtfully designed to ensure all employees can easily navigate the platform. Its homepage features personalized dashboards that display important information and tasks, including upcoming deadlines, recent activity, and key performance indicators. Workday also offers a centralized search bar, allowing users to navigate the platform and find what they need quickly. However, some users have reported a steep learning curve, particularly for non-HR professionals who may need to become more familiar with industry-specific terminology and processes.

Rippling's user-friendly interface simplifies HR processes and automates administrative tasks. Its clean and intuitive design features a centralized dashboard that displays essential information at a glance, including employee data, PTO balances, and compliance status. Rippling offers easy navigation and access to critical features like onboarding and payroll processing. Its interface is particularly well-suited for small to mid-sized businesses that may need dedicated HR professionals on staff.

Customer Support and Resources

Workday and Rippling both provide outstanding customer service and resources. Workday offers 24/7 customer support and a comprehensive knowledge base, which includes webinars, training, and certifications. It also has an online community where users can share best practices and connect with peers.

Rippling offers a variety of resources, such as a help center, live chat, phone support, and email support, with extended support hours for US-based customers. It also has an online community and user groups to facilitate peer-to-peer support and share best practices. While Workday's support is known for its responsiveness and expertise, Rippling's personalized support is praised for its accessibility and ease of use.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Workday and Rippling are two leading enterprise HR software solutions that offer different HR software options, catering to different business sizes and industries. Workday is a more comprehensive suite that targets larger enterprises with more complex HR needs, while Rippling offers a streamlined and simplified solution for small and mid-sized businesses. Both platforms have unique strengths and weaknesses, and the right choice depends on a business's specific HR software needs and budget.

When making a decision, businesses should consider several factors, including pricing, features and functionality, user experience and interface, and customer support and resources. Ultimately, the best choice for a business will depend on its unique needs, budget, and preferences.

We hope this comprehensive comparison of Workday and Rippling has provided helpful insight into the two leading enterprise HR solutions. If you need additional help, please get in touch with us for a personalized consultation. We can assess your HR needs and recommend the best enterprise HR software to meet those needs.

We look forward to helping you make an informed decision!