# Workday HCM vs QuickBooks Payroll: Features and Cost Comparison 2026 | Capterra > Workday HCM vs QuickBooks Payroll: Which payroll tool is right for you? Dive into our detailed comparison of their features, costs, and user experience to make your decision. Source: https://www.capterra.com/compare/66908-174981/Workday-HCM-vs-QuickBooks --- # Workday HCM vs QuickBooks Payroll Features and Cost Comparison Last updated May 15th, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team.[Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) Your comparison: Workday HCMQuickBooks Payroll2/4 selected [Workday HCM](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/)[4.5 (1749)](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/reviews/) [QuickBooks Payroll](https://www.capterra.com/p/174981/QuickBooks/)[4.5 (983)](https://www.capterra.com/p/174981/QuickBooks/reviews/) [## Workday HCM](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/)[4.5 (1749)](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/reviews/) [## QuickBooks Payroll](https://www.capterra.com/p/174981/QuickBooks/)[4.5 (983)](https://www.capterra.com/p/174981/QuickBooks/reviews/) Starting Price Contact vendor Starting Price Contact vendor for pricing Value-for-Money 4.3 Functionality 4.4 Ease of Use 4.3 Customer Service 4.3 Starting Price $3.50/month Starting Price $3.50/month Value-for-Money 4.3 Functionality 4.5 Ease of Use 4.4 Customer Service 4.2 Reviews Sentiment Based on [1,749 reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/reviews/) Positive 1,580 Neutral 129 Negative 40 Positive 1,580 Neutral 129 Negative 40 Reviews Sentiment Based on [983 reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/174981/QuickBooks/reviews/) Positive 864 Neutral 59 Negative 60 Positive 864 Neutral 59 Negative 60 Best for (according to reviews) - **Business size**: Enterprise organizations account for 858 reviews (52%), suggesting strong market traction among large-scale businesses, with notable adoption also in small and midsize companies. - **Industry**: Information technology, computer software, and hospital & health care collectively represent 21% of reviews, indicating diverse industry utilization without a single dominant sector. - **Use cases**: Payroll (36%), human resources (36%), and employee vacation & PTO tracking (21%) are key functions, highlighting a focus on workforce management and HR operations. Best for (according to reviews) - **Business size**: Small businesses account for 90% of reviews (849), reflecting high usage rates among this segment. - **Industry**: Construction, accounting, and medical practice together represent 26% of reviews, indicating broad adoption across these sectors. - **Use cases**: Payroll (78%), tax management (25%), and time tracking (13%) are the main applications, highlighting a focus on core financial operations. ## Send this comparison chart to my inbox ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox. ## Reviewer verdict Workday HCM Workday HCM users find it best for organizations seeking comprehensive HR and payroll management, appreciating its integration of payroll, benefits, and talent management in a single platform. Reviewers value its real-time analytics, customizable payroll reporting, and global capabilities, though they mention the interface can be complex and setup time-consuming. They note that Workday HCM offers transparent pricing and cost-saving features, which they say makes it a good fit for medium to large companies looking for detailed payroll control and compliance. QuickBooks Payroll QuickBooks Payroll users consider it ideal for small businesses needing reliable, automated payroll and tax compliance, highlighting its integration with QuickBooks Online and straightforward setup. Reviewers appreciate its affordability, ease of use, and practical payroll reporting, mentioning that it saves time and simplifies direct deposit management. They note that while it is cost-effective and user-friendly, some experience drawbacks with customer service and additional fees for certain features. ## Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs. ## Features comparison Beyond cost, assessing the specific features and benefits of Workday HCM and QuickBooks Payroll within the payroll space can help ensure the best fit for your needs. A well-matched option can enhance productivity while avoiding extra spending on functionalities that won't be used. Here's an overview of the key considerations and how these choices compare. \[[1](#source-item-1)\] Key features rated by users Features selected based on 66,938 reviews from Payroll users. about the Fit Score methodology. Fit Score methodology To calculate the Fit Score, our proprietary methodology factors in the following: - The importance level for each feature. By default, this is determined by user reviews. They can rate a feature Critical, High, Low, or Not Used. - Feedback from real users on how the product performs for each key feature, derived from verified user reviews and ratings. Please note: - To calculate the Fit Score, the number of reviews for those features and the actual rating carry the same weight. You might see that, in some cases, even though the ratings are the same, we still determine a winner because it had more reviews. - If the Fit Score is not shown for a specific product, that only means there are currently not enough relevant data points to develop a meaningful score. It does not indicate that the product should be excluded from further evaluation. Workday HCM 82%Fit Feature ratings Payroll Management 4.5 Direct Deposit 4.7 Payroll Reporting 4.6 Tax Compliance 4.5 QuickBooks Payroll 82%Fit Feature ratings Payroll Management 4.6 Direct Deposit 4.7 Payroll Reporting 4.5 Tax Compliance 4.5 Payroll Management 4.5 (348) 4.6 (224) Workday HCM users appreciate its comprehensive payroll management features, which they say include streamlined processes, real-time insights, and compliance with regulations. They value the ability to manage direct deposits, track pay slips, and configure payroll elements. However, some users find the interface complex and the splitting of salaries into multiple accounts confusing. QuickBooks Payroll users, on the other hand, highlight its integration with QuickBooks Online, ease of setup, and time-saving capabilities. They appreciate the ability to manage various payroll needs, including taxes and deductions, but they note that additional costs for certain features can be a downside. Overall, users find Workday HCM robust for detailed payroll management, while they value QuickBooks Payroll for its integration and ease of use. Direct Deposit 4.7 (164) 4.7 (180) Workday HCM users find the direct deposit feature convenient and efficient, saying that it allows them to deposit paychecks into multiple accounts and manage their finances easily. They appreciate the security and cost savings, although some users mention that setting up direct deposits can be complex. QuickBooks Payroll users value the straightforward setup and management of direct deposits, noting its convenience and time-saving benefits. They appreciate the ability to process payroll quickly and the option for same-day deposits, though some users report issues with direct deposit limits. In general, users find Workday HCM's direct deposit feature secure and flexible, while they praise QuickBooks Payroll for its ease of setup and efficiency. Payroll Reporting 4.6 (147) 4.5 (181) Workday HCM users value its customizable and real-time payroll reporting features, which they say help them track payroll data and ensure compliance with regulations. They appreciate the ability to generate detailed reports and access historical data, though some find the reporting capabilities limited. QuickBooks Payroll users highlight the robust and customizable reporting options, which they say facilitate financial analysis and tax compliance. They find the reports practical and easy to generate, with the ability to export in various formats. Overall, users think both platforms offer valuable payroll reporting features, noting that Workday HCM provides detailed insights and QuickBooks Payroll offers practical and customizable reports. Tax Compliance 4.5 (107) 4.5 (193) Workday HCM users appreciate its comprehensive tax compliance features, which they say include automated tax updates, real-time reporting, and flexible tax configuration. They find it helpful for managing employee tax information and ensuring compliance with global tax laws. Some users, however, mention that the tax-related explanations could be more detailed. QuickBooks Payroll users value its automated tax calculation, filing, and payment features, which they say simplify tax compliance. They appreciate the reminders for tax deadlines and the ease of tracking tax liabilities, though some users report issues with migration and specific filings. In summary, users think Workday HCM offers robust tax compliance features, while they praise QuickBooks Payroll for its automation and ease of use. ## Pricing comparison ### Starting prices Workday HCM Contact vendor for pricing QuickBooks Payroll $3.50 Flat Rate (Per Month) Free Trial Free Version [View pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/174981/QuickBooks/pricing/) ### Value-for-money analysis 4.3 (1749) 4.3 (983) A comparison of how reviewers evaluate the value for money provided by both Workday HCM and QuickBooks Payroll indicates that Workday HCM reviewers find it offers competitive pricing and transparent costs, while QuickBooks Payroll reviewers appreciate its affordability and cost-effectiveness for small businesses. Reviewers indicate that Workday HCM provides good value for money, citing its free trial and cost-saving features. They appreciate its competitive pricing and transparency, mentioning that it is affordable for various company sizes. However, some users note that the high licensing and implementation costs can be prohibitive for smaller organizations, and the initial setup can be time-consuming. As for QuickBooks Payroll, reviewers find it also provides good value for money, highlighting its affordability and ease of use. They mention that it is cost-effective compared to outside payroll services and suitable for small businesses. However, some users feel that the frequent price increases and additional fees for certain features can be a drawback, especially for smaller businesses with limited budgets. ## How does the user experience compare on Workday HCM vs QuickBooks Payroll? ### Overall rating 4.5 (1749) 4.5 (983) ### User interface Workday HCM QuickBooks Payroll ### Customer service and support Workday HCM Email/Help Desk FAQs/Forum Knowledge Base Phone Support 24/7 (Live rep) Chat QuickBooks Payroll Email/Help Desk FAQs/Forum Knowledge Base Phone Support 24/7 (Live rep) Chat ## What users say about the pros and cons of Workday HCM vs QuickBooks Payroll Both Workday HCM and QuickBooks Payroll are solutions that have been reviewed by verified reviewers on Capterra. Check out what real users have to say about their experiences to see how Workday HCM stacks up against QuickBooks Payroll and pick the one that fits best your needs. Users appreciate Workday HCM for its comprehensive HR management, noting its integration of payroll, benefits, and talent management in one platform. They value its user-friendly interface and real-time analytics, which streamline HR processes. Additionally, reviewers highlight its effective employee management features, including global capabilities and self-service options. Meanwhile, QuickBooks Payroll users find its payroll services reliable and efficient, citing its automation and compliance with tax regulations. They also appreciate its ease of use, making it suitable for beginners, and its tailored solutions for small businesses. When it comes to cons, Workday HCM users mention difficulties with navigation and a cumbersome submission process. They also report occasional software issues. As for QuickBooks Payroll, users criticize its employee payroll management and customer service, noting slow issue resolution and frequent updates. \[[2](#source-item-2)\] Pros Workday HCM Trinidad F Remote Assistance OperatorOutsourcing/Offshoring, 10,001+ employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “It's an all-in-one application that centralizes so many business needs such as internal opportunities and positions, employee referrals, and additional company information.“ December 15, 2025 Amanda M ManagerRetail, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “Its modern interface and self-service features help streamline everyday tasks and improve efficiency for both employees and managers. While there is a bit of a learning curve and some features can feel complex at times, the system’s reliability, real-time data access, and continuous updates make it a strong and effective tool for human capital management.“ April 19, 2026 QuickBooks Payroll DM Daniel M CeoConstruction, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “It works seamlessly with QuickBooks accounting software, making it easier to manage both payroll and finances in one place. And tax filing, I love that I don’t have to add all employees records one by one“ August 8, 2025 JI Jess I ControllerConstruction, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The larger our company became we had to transition to something more substantial to handle Out of state Payrolls and Certified Payrolls. But for smaller companies - Works just fine.“ March 18, 2026 Cons Workday HCM HT Hailie T RNHospital & Health Care, 10,001+ employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “If there is not a stable internet connection, the app can be glitchy at times. When necessary, changes need to be made by an associate such as address or phone number, they have to go through administration which can delay this change from processing immediately.“ April 15, 2026 CT Cameron T IT Service Desk AnalystFinancial Services, 201 - 500 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “It is very hard to be negative / suggest improvements about workday, but I would say the one thing stopping it from being a complete user friendly system is the lack of customisation, for example there is no ability to set your own theme / colour code certain things which may cause accessibility issues for some people.“ February 25, 2026 QuickBooks Payroll Alvin W OwnerAccounting, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “My client has had to turn of automatic payroll features because he can't afford to give Intuit his money for 6 weeks at a time.“ January 24, 2026 SF Sarah F Director of Human Resources and PayrollAccounting, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “I noticed that the software doesn't calculate Simple IRA deductions as it should for pre-tax deductions and I have to manually calculate and change on each payroll.“ April 6, 2025 * * * Sources 1. Our research team identified features from vendor websites based on their analysis of what users find valuable or expect from payroll software. This list is not exhaustive. For additional features, refer to the vendor’s website. 2. Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts are evaluated for positive or negative sentiment and receive a sentiment score. They represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by Capterra or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar. * * * Need Help Deciding Between Workday HCM and QuickBooks Payroll? Talk to a Capterra advisor for free and get results within 15 minutes. 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