Quick verdict: Both Workday HCM and Patriot Payroll are strong HR platforms targeting different business sizes and use cases. If you hire internationally, Workday HCM is the clear winner.
At a Glance
Workday HCM
Finance and HR built for a changing world
G2
★★★★☆
4.0/5
Capterra
★★★★☆
4.5/5
Contact for pricing
Patriot Payroll
Simple, affordable payroll for micro and small businesses
G2
★★★★☆
4.8/5
Capterra
★★★★☆
4.8/5
$17/mo + $4/employee
Free trial
Feature Comparison
| Feature |
Workday HCM |
Patriot Payroll |
| Payroll processing |
✓ |
✓ |
| Automated tax filing |
✓ |
✓ |
| Direct deposit |
✓ |
✓ |
| Benefits administration |
✓ |
✗ |
| Time tracking |
✓ |
✓ |
| Employee onboarding |
✓ |
✗ |
| PTO management |
✓ |
✗ |
| Contractor payments |
✗ |
✓ |
| International payroll |
✓ |
✗ |
| Mobile app |
✓ |
✗ |
| API access |
✓ |
✓ |
| Starting price |
Contact for pricing |
$17/mo + $4/employee |
| Countries supported |
US, CA, UK, AU, DE, FR, 100+ countries |
US |
| Best for |
Enterprise, Large Business, 1000+ Employees |
Micro Business, Small Business, 1-25 Employees |
Pros & Cons
Workday HCM
- Industry-leading analytics
- True global HCM
- Unified finance + HR
- Continuous updates
- Extremely expensive
- Not suitable for SMB
- Long complex implementation
- Requires dedicated admin
Patriot Payroll
- Cheapest full-service payroll
- Highest rated for simplicity
- Great for very small teams
- Free trial available
- No HR features
- US-only
- No mobile app
- Very basic feature set
Who Should Use Each?
Workday HCM
You have remote employees or contractors in multiple countries.
Patriot Payroll
User satisfaction matters most — Patriot Payroll holds a higher G2 rating (4.8 vs 4.0).
Patriot Payroll
You want to try before you buy — only one of them offers a free trial.
Patriot Payroll
You work with freelancers or contractors and need to pay them through the platform.
Ready to decide?
Try both and pick what works best for your team.
* Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you sign up through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Workday HCM better than Patriot Payroll?
It depends on your needs. Workday HCM is generally better for enterprise, large business, while Patriot Payroll shines for micro business, small business. Both have strong ratings on G2 and Capterra.
How much does Workday HCM cost compared to Patriot Payroll?
Contact for pricing vs $17/mo + $4/employee. Always check each vendor's official pricing page as rates may have changed.
Can I switch from Workday HCM to Patriot Payroll?
Yes, both platforms support data export. Most businesses complete a migration in 2–4 weeks. It's best to run both in parallel for one payroll cycle before fully switching.
Does Workday HCM or Patriot Payroll offer a free trial?
Workday HCM does not currently offer a free trial. Yes, Patriot Payroll offers a free trial.
Which is better for international payroll — Workday HCM or Patriot Payroll?
Workday HCM supports international payroll; Patriot Payroll is primarily US-focused.