Why choose Oracle HCM over Workday?
Maintaining a competitive advantage and adapting to change requires organizations to be agile, operationally efficient, and innovative. That’s why organizations across the globe are moving to Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM. Oracle offers a complete cloud HCM solution that doesn’t burden IT or rely on third-party products to fill gaps. Oracle’s unified cloud connects processes and data across HR, finance, sales, and beyond, so you get one source of truth to make confident decisions, one employee experience that’s easy to scale, and the ability to quickly adjust your processes in uncertain times.
See how much simpler it is to implement Oracle Cloud HCM vs. Workday
Your HCM solution should make your life easier—not harder. We know implementations can be stressful, but the right provider can help make it a much smoother process. Learn why organizations trust Oracle
- Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM vs. Workday
- Oracle ME vs. Workday
- Oracle Cloud HCM Skills vs. Workday Skills
Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM vs. Workday
Compare Workday to Oracle Cloud HCM and see why Oracle is the better choice for you.
Business benefit |
Workday HCM |
Oracle Cloud HCM |
Why this matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovative next-generation cloud | Built primarily for a more first-generation cloud; relies on multiple public cloud partners for innovation.1 | On Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, a best-in-class second-generation cloud platform designed to run enterprise apps. | Benefit from autonomous services that can automatically secure, tune, and scale applications, and get integrated security and superior performance. |
| Unified HCM solution | HCM data may be on multiple platforms due to acquisitions.2 | All HCM modules are unified by a single data source. | Disjointed and disparate applications can be expensive and complex to maintain and more difficult for employees to use. |
| Dedicated generative AI models | Models trained using data from all customers who have opted into sharing.3 | Custom models trained on a customer’s data can only be used by that customer. | By giving customers control of the data used by generative AI, it can help keep sensitive and proprietary information safe. |
| Minimal planned downtime | Weekly, monthly, and quarterly planned downtime windows for updates, meaning 68 hours total reserved for maintenance per quarter for Planning and 55 hours for the rest of Workday.4 | Quarterly updates with a planned downtime window of less than nine hours. | New updates should happen with minimal disruption to the application’s users. |
| Compliant global payroll | Only five built-in global payroll solutions in US, Canada, UK, Australia, and France; still yet to fulfill its investment in Germany.5 | Payroll natively available in 60 countries, Local Payroll in 14 countries, and International Payroll Core in 46 countries. | A global payroll solution should be equipped to help meet data sovereignty requirements, be updated regularly to meet regulatory requirements, align with business strategy, and help reduce risk when natively linked with workforce management tools in as many territories as possible. |
| Comprehensive talent acquisition/recruiting | Standard configurable recruitment system, but lacks a candidate-facing digital assistant and only supports SMS candidate communication.6 | Robust recruitment platform that unifies recruiting with the rest of the business, with a digital assistant that simplifies hiring for candidates and supports both SMS and email communication. | An innovative hiring solution provides better candidate experiences, drives internal mobility, and improves recruiter efficiency. |
| Native health and safety functionality | No full native functionality; requires third-party integrations, such as Intelex.7 | Full workforce health and safety application native to HCM. | Native health and safety embeds itself into the daily processes of all employees, promoting a culture of workplace safety, risk mitigation, and cost reduction. |
| Advanced HCM controls designed for HR | Basic controls available in areas such as audit and fraud prevention, but only through Financial Management.8 | Deep segregation of duties analysis, secure role design, sensitive access certification, and more, all built into the HCM. | Automated advanced HCM controls can help reduce fraud, breaches, and cash leakage, which will help save on remediation costs. |
| Full work-life functionality | Limited wellness programs available.9 | Full work-life functionality with wellness programs, brand development, and volunteer recommendations. | Wellness, volunteering, and personal brand opportunities encourage employee engagement and overall well-being. |
| Value-driven TCO | TCO can be expensive, particularly at renewal, with Consumer Price Index–driven renewal lifts and innovation index fees at up to 5%.10 | Low TCO while driving business value through better engagement and adoption. | As HR teams take on a more strategic role in the business, they need a modern cloud HCM solution that will help them find ways to enhance productivity, increase revenue, and reduce costs. |
See how Oracle ME compares with Workday for employee experience.
Product comparison as of July 2024.
1. Evans, Bob, “Workday Goes Public Cloud with Google, AWS—Also Add Oracle, Microsoft?,” Acceleration Economy, June 27, 2024, https://accelerationeconomy.com/cloud-wars/workday-goes-public-cloud-with-google-aws-also-add-oracle-microsoft/.
2. “Workday Adaptive Planning Integration,” Workday, accessed July 12, 2024, https://www.workday.com/content/dam/web/en-us/documents/datasheets/enus-pln-da-workday-adaptive-planning-integration.pdf.
3. Bersin, Josh, “Why I’m Bullish on Workday: News From the Innovation Summit,” Josh Bersin, April 19, 2024, https://joshbersin.com/2024/04/why-im-bullish-on-workday-again-the-innovation-summit/; Reed, Jon, “Workday Rising ’23, Workday Reveals Its Approach to Generative AI and Customer Data Privacy,” Diginomica, October 2, 2023, https://diginomica.com/workday-rising-23-workday-reveals-its-approach-generative-ai-and-customer-data-privacy.
4. “Workday Production Support and Service Level Availability Policy,” Workday, accessed July 23, 2024, https://www.workday.com/content/dam/web/en-us/documents/legal/workday-productsupport-SLA.pdf; “Workday Production Support and Service Level Availability Policy for Planning,” Workday, accessed July 23, 2024, https://www.workday.com/content/dam/web/en-us/documents/legal/workday-planning-SLA.pdf.
5. “Workday Announces General Availability of Workday Payroll for Australia,” Workday Newsroom, March 12, 2024, https://en-au.newsroom.workday.com/press-releases?item=122805; “Workday Announces Plans to Deliver Workday Payroll,” Globe Newswire, June 8, 2021, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/06/08/2243685/0/en/Workday-Announces-Plans-to-Deliver-Workday-Payroll-for-Australia-and-Workday-Payroll-for-Germany.html.
6. “Workday Recruiting,” Workday, accessed July 12, 2024, https://www.workday.com/content/dam/web/en-us/documents/datasheets/datasheet-workday-recruiting.pdf; “Workday Messaging,” Workday, accessed July 12, 2024, https://www.workday.com/en-us/products/platform-product-extensions/workday-messaging.html.
7. “Intelex-Workday Gateway,” Workday Marketplace, accessed July 12, 2024, https://marketplace.workday.com/en-US/apps/414802/intelex-workday-gateway.
8. “Audit and Internal Controls,” Workday, accessed July 12, 2024, https://www.workday.com/en-us/products/financial-management/audit-internal-controls.html.
9. “Workday Benefits,” Workday, accessed July 12, 2024, https://www.workday.com/content/dam/web/en-us/documents/datasheets/datasheet-workday-benefits.pdf.
10. “State of Nebraska Service Contract Addendum,” Nebraska State Purchasing Bureau, accessed July 12, 2024, https://das.nebraska.gov/materiel/purchasing/contracts/pdfs/92458(o4)awd.pdf.
Oracle ME vs. Workday
Oracle ME, part of Oracle Cloud HCM, is the only complete employee experience platform, giving business leaders the power to orchestrate tailored experiences from a comprehensive understanding of each employee—empowering talent to connect, grow, and thrive.
Compare SAP SuccessFactors to Oracle ME and see why Oracle is the better choice for you.
Product features |
Workday |
Oracle ME |
Business benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unified employee experience platform | Products such as Workday Peakon require integration.1 | Unified platform. | No integrations needed usually means fewer cybersecurity risks. |
| Communication tool with employee event capabilities | Basic employee communication tool, separate event tool only available on Extend.2, 3 | Management of company-wide initiatives and events by HR and managers natively built into the communication tool. | Creation of internal events and communications can help shape the culture and behaviors that matter to an organization by connecting communications and event management with people data and processes. |
| Native listening tool | Acquired and added tool.4 | Listening tool is natively built within Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM. | Natively built solutions use critical data more effectively to help improve employee-manager relations. |
| Engaging help desk | Less robust functionality, third-party integrations are common substitutes. 5 | Intelligent case management with quick and consistent HR service. | Effective case management helps reduce HR calls, increase employee satisfaction, and drive down costs. |
| Interactive employee directory | Standard searchable organizational talent profile with skills and interests available.6 | Consumer-grade profile to showcase interests, expertise, and social media links, with powerful tagging search capabilities. | Workplace relationships are enriched by an interactive directory that helps people find expertise and mentorship while sharing interests and feedback. |
| Generative AI-powered employee profiles | Not currently offered.7 | Uses generative AI to create an “about me” section based on information such as employer, department, and skills. | A strong profile enables employees to build their network and promote their personal brand by highlighting their skills, accomplishments, and career experience. |
| Unifying growth solution | Has skills, career, and learning features, but no single solution to fully connect them all.8, 9 | Growth solution that unifies learning, skill development, and career mobility in one hyperpersonalized experience. | When learning, career growth, and talent mobility come together in one place and are connected to individual and business goals, the entire organization can thrive and adapt to change. |
| Tailored, peer-to-peer recognition | Limited feedback and gift card solution built on Extend.10 | Personalized peer-to-peer recognition with a generative AI messaging assistant, active recognition social feed, real-time engagement data, and more, all part of the Oracle ME employee experience platform. | To effectively address employee needs and drive engagement and core values, organizations must make peer-to-peer recognition meaningful, timely, and continuous. |
Product comparison as of March 2025.
1 “Workday Peakon Employee Voice Integration Datasheet”, Workday, Accessed 17 March 2025, https://www.workday.com/content/dam/web/en-us/documents/datasheets/workday-peakon-employee-voice-integration-datasheet-enus.pdf
2 “Workday Messaging”, Workday, Accessed 17 March 2025, https://www.workday.com/en-us/products/platform-product-extensions/workday-messaging.html
3 “Create a Work Event,” Workday Marketplace, Accessed 17 March 2025, https://marketplace.workday.com/en-US/apps/425531/create-a-work-event
4 Somers, David, “Workday to Acquire Peakon: Why Employee Engagement Matters”, Workday Blog, 28 January 2021, https://blog.workday.com/en-us/2021/workday-acquire-peakon-employee-engagement.html
5 “HR Service Delivery Integration with Workday”, ServiceNow Product Documentation, 29 January 2025, https://www.servicenow.com/docs/bundle/yokohama-employee-service-management/page/product/human-resources/concept/w-integration.html
6 “Workday Talent Optimization”, Workday, Accessed 17 March 2025, https://www.workday.com/content/dam/web/en-us/documents/datasheets/datasheet-workday-talent-management.pdf
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid.
9 “Workday Learning”, Workday, Accessed 17 March 2025, https://www.workday.com/content/dam/web/en-us/documents/datasheets/datasheet-workday-learning-us.pdf
10 “Employee Recognition”, Workday Solutions Marketplace, Accessed 17 March 2025, https://marketplace.workday.com/en-US/apps/414229/employee-recognition/overview
Oracle Cloud HCM Skills vs. Workday Skills.
Compare Workday Skills to Oracle HCM Skills and see why Oracle is the better choice for you.
Business benefit |
Workday HCM |
Oracle Cloud HCM |
Why this matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native skills infrastructure and skills library management | Can import external data sources into Skills Cloud, view the overall list of skills, and verify suggested skills.1 | Creates a single source of truth for all skills by bringing in external transactional data or a third-party skills catalog. Delivers complete control over the skills library by allowing users to add, remove, and modify skills. | Native skills infrastructure and library management enable access to an accurate system of record with skills data at its core, empowering HR to improve job architecture, better align skills development and resource investments, and make better decisions. |
| Breadth of native skills-driven business processes | Skills are embedded across recruiting, talent, learning, journeys, people analytics, compensation, and projects.2 | Skills are embedded across recruiting, learning, strategic upskilling, career mobility, scheduling, and planning. | Being skills-informed can unlock the performance, potential, and adaptability of the workforce and leads to better business and talent decisions for all stakeholders, including HR teams, managers, and individuals. |
| Skills intelligence as part of a full, native HCM suite | Leverage non-native Workday People Analytics to understand skills gaps: the difference between the skills already within the workforce and the skills needed for a desired business outcome.3 | Reports on skills gaps, skill hot spots, developing skill trends, plus many aspects of skills across careers, gigs, jobs, learning, and hiring. | With insights into the supply of and demand for skills, HR can identify where pockets of need exist, which resources are being used to fill skills gaps, and where there’s a growing demand for unique skills to drive specific outcomes. |
| Multilanguage skills solution | Delivers Skills Cloud in 15 languages.4 | Enhances the skills library with full support for 30 languages. | Plan and react to current and future global demands with multilanguage skills translations. |
| No use of customer skills data to build the solution | Built Skills Cloud using customer data.5 | Does not use customer data. | Keeping customers’ data only available to them can help keep sensitive and proprietary information safe. |
| AI-powered skills library enrichment | Unclear if it supports AI-powered skills library enrichment. | Oracle’s AI continuously enriches the skills library with new, relevant skills by analyzing transactional data in Oracle and other relevant third-party applications and learning from user skill behaviors. | AI-powered skills library enrichment allows HR to have an up-to-date skills library. |
| Cost to purchase the solution | Part of Workday Talent Optimization.6 | No additional cost. | Move fast and unlock the power of skills with an immediately available skills solution. |
February 6, 2025
1. ”Workday Skills Cloud—What Is It?,” Commit Consulting, accessed December 17, 2024, https://commitconsulting.com/blog/workday-skills-cloud
“The Evolution of Workday Skills Cloud,” Commit Consulting, accessed December 17, 2024, https://commitconsulting.com/blog/the-evolution-of-workday-skills-cloud
“The world’s most open skills intelligence foundation,” Workday, https://www.workday.com/en-us/products/human-capital-management/skills-cloud.html.
2. “Putting Your Skills Strategy into Action,” Workday, accessed December 17, 2024, https://forms.workday.com/en-us/ebooks/skills-strategy-into-action/form.html?step=step2_hr.
3. “Make better people decisions, faster,” Workday, https://www.workday.com/en-us/products/analytics-reporting/augmented-analytics.html.
4. “The Evolution of Workday Skills Cloud,” Commit Consulting, accessed December 17, 2024, https://commitconsulting.com/blog/the-evolution-of-workday-skills-cloud.
5. “The Foundation of the Workday Skills Cloud,” Workday Blog, accessed December 17, 2024, https://blog.workday.com/en-us/foundation-workday-skills-cloud.html.
6. “Cloud Solutions 2016–2026 Workday, Inc.,” Naspo ValuePoint, accessed December 17, 2024, https://www.naspovaluepoint.org/portfolio/cloud-solutions-2016-2026/workday-inc/.
Hear what our customers are saying
-
Watch the video (5:37)Custom Fleet unifies its back office
Hear how Custom Fleet automated HR, financial, and planning tasks with Oracle to process month-end closing in half the time and reduce their HR administrative workload by up to 50%.
-
Watch the video (1:54)Providence St. Joseph Health modernized its HR and finance systems
Hear how Providence St. Joseph Health simplified internal processes with Oracle, retiring 14 disconnected systems and providing self-service to 125,000 caregivers.
-
Watch the video (2:21)TrueBlue brings HR and finance together in the cloud
Hear how TrueBlue consolidated more than 20 disparate systems and eliminated more than 300 redundant integrations to connect the enterprise and meet their employee expectations by deploying a mobile-responsive, consumer-like enterprise experience.
Discover Oracle Cloud HCM
We relentlessly innovate on behalf of our customers to ensure their success with 80% of our updates based on customer feedback. Our innovation is also focused on disruptive technologies—such as AI to simplify and automate processes and blockchain to improve process accuracy—helping our customers stay ahead. Here are 3 key reasons to choose Oracle Cloud HCM:
Complete & Unified Solution
Unlike solutions made from acquired products and external partnerships. Oracle provides one cloud that unifies the entire enterprise across HR, finance, supply chain, and customer experience. This means you get one solution with a consistent look and feel built for the cloud, from the ground up.
Elevated Employee Experience
Oracle improves and modernizes the processes that define each employee’s personalized experience - from initial onboarding to collaborating with colleagues to long-term skills development. Other solutions that are made up of numerous acquired technologies and external partnerships struggle to deliver simple, consistent, and self-service tools.
Total Cost of Ownership
Oracle provides an intuitive experience and a common data model, giving you a single source of truth and real-time visibility into the rest of the business – without having to pay for expensive middleware and consultants. You also don’t need to pay for or integrate products from other vendors for advanced functionality.
Evaluating other options?
Check out these comparisons to see why Oracle Cloud leads where it matters.