The right Workday alternative depends on your size and where you hire: HR platforms for growing teams suit small and mid-size businesses, payroll-led systems suit companies that want HR and pay in one place, and performance tools suit teams that mainly need reviews and goals. Make sure any system supports the legal checks you must do when you hire.
Workday is built for large organisations with big HR teams. For a business of twenty, fifty or two hundred people, it can feel like buying a lorry to do the school run.
Below are ten alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from smaller HR platforms to well-known names. Each description comes from the company's own website, re-checked today. If you're focused on keeping people happy as you grow, my tips to motivate employees are a good companion to whichever system you choose.
List the HR jobs that take most of your time today. For some businesses it's holiday tracking, for others it's onboarding or reviews, and the right system is the one that removes your biggest headache first.
Workday alternatives at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the company's own site describes a free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Most HR platforms offer demos or trials rather than free plans.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| BambooHR | HR software for small businesses | Core HR for growing companies | Trial only |
| Eddy | HR and payroll for local businesses | Hourly teams and local businesses | Trial only |
| Factorial | All-in-one HR software | Time off, time tracking and documents | No |
| HiBob | HR platform for modern teams | Culture and engagement in growing firms | No |
| Humaans | HR platform | Clean employee data for tech teams | No |
| Kenjo | HR software | European small and mid-size teams | Trial only |
| Lattice | People management platform | Performance reviews and goals | No |
| Paylocity | HR and payroll platform | US companies wanting HR and payroll together | No |
| PeopleForce | HR management software | Hiring through to reviews | Trial only |
| Zoho People | HR management software | Small teams starting out | Yes |
Ten HR platforms to consider instead of Workday
BambooHR
Best for: Small and mid-size businesses who want employee records, time off and onboarding in one place.
Eddy
Best for: Local businesses with hourly staff who want hiring, onboarding and HR basics together.
Factorial
Best for: Small businesses that want time off, time tracking, documents and HR admin in one tool.
HiBob
Best for: Fast-growing companies that want HR with a strong focus on culture and employee experience.
Humaans
Best for: Growing tech companies who want a tidy employee database that connects to their other tools.
Kenjo
Best for: European small and mid-size businesses who want HR, time tracking and onboarding together.
Lattice
Best for: Teams who mainly need performance reviews, goals and engagement surveys.
Paylocity
Best for: US businesses that want payroll, HR and employee self-service on one platform.
PeopleForce
Best for: Small and mid-size companies that want hiring, onboarding, time off and reviews in one system.
Zoho People
Best for: Small teams who want a free starting point for employee records, leave and attendance.
The hiring check your system should support
Here's one legal step no HR system can skip for you. GOV.UK says you must check that a job applicant is allowed to work for you in the UK before you employ them, either online with a share code or by checking their original documents. Other countries have their own versions, such as employment eligibility checks in the US.
So when you compare platforms, look at how each one handles these checks: where the evidence is stored, who can see it and how it reminds you about expiring permissions. A good system turns a legal duty into a simple step in onboarding.
What to compare in an HR platform
- Core records: one reliable profile for every employee.
- Time off: requests, approvals and balances.
- Onboarding: checklists, documents and right-to-work evidence.
- Payroll links: built in or connected to your payroll provider.
- Reviews and goals: if performance matters to you now.
Rolling out a new HR system
- Clean up your employee spreadsheet before you import it.
- Set up time off rules and approval chains.
- Upload contracts and key documents for each person.
- Invite managers first, then the whole team.
- Run one month alongside the old process before switching it off.
Signs you've outgrown spreadsheets for HR
- Holiday clashes: nobody knows who's off when.
- Lost documents: contracts in inboxes and drawers.
- Manual onboarding: every new starter gets a different experience.
- Private data in shared files: salaries visible to the wrong people.
A good first week matters as much as the software, and my ideas to break the ice with new employees help new people settle in.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Don't underestimate the change for managers, either. They're the ones approving leave and running reviews, so show them the new system first and you'll get a much smoother rollout for everyone else.
Whatever you choose, name one person as the owner of HR data. Clean records stay clean when someone's clearly responsible for them.
Do you make HR software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on Workday alternatives
Buy for the next two years, not the next ten. HR systems are easier to change than people think, and a simple tool your managers use beats a powerful one they avoid.
And ask for a demo with your own data. A tidy sample company always looks good, and your messy reality is what the system has to handle.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good alternative to Workday for small businesses?
HR platforms built for small and mid-size teams cover records, time off and onboarding without enterprise complexity.
Is there free HR software?
A few platforms offer free plans for small teams, while most offer trials.
Do HR platforms include payroll?
Some do, others connect to a separate payroll provider.
What is a right to work check?
In the UK, GOV.UK says employers must check an applicant is allowed to work for them before employing them.
How long does it take to set up HR software?
A small business can often be up and running in a few weeks.
Can employees use HR software on their phones?
Most platforms have mobile apps for time off requests and payslips.
What's the difference between HRIS and HCM?
HRIS usually means core employee records, while HCM covers wider talent and workforce management.
Do I need performance review software?
Only if reviews matter to how you run the team. Many small businesses start with core HR.
Can I move data out later?
Ask about exports before you sign, so your employee data isn't trapped.
Can HR software track holidays?
Yes. Time off requests, approvals and balances are a core feature of almost every HR platform.
Is HR software secure?
Reputable platforms use strong security, but you'll still want to control who can see salaries and personal details.
