Updated July 2026

Workday HCM vs Zoho People

Which HR and payroll software is right for your business? We compared pricing, features, ratings, and real-world use cases.

Based on 2,700 verified reviews · Last updated July 2026
Quick verdict: Both Workday HCM and Zoho People are strong HR platforms targeting different business sizes and use cases.

At a Glance

Workday HCM
Finance and HR built for a changing world
G2 ★★★★☆ 4.0/5
Capterra ★★★★☆ 4.5/5
Contact for pricing
Zoho People
Comprehensive HR software for businesses of all sizes
G2 ★★★★☆ 4.4/5
Capterra ★★★★☆ 4.4/5
Free plan available Free trial

Feature Comparison

Feature Workday HCM Zoho People
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 Free plan available
Countries supported US, CA, UK, AU, DE, FR, 100+ countries US, CA, UK, AU, IN, 50+ countries
Best for Enterprise, Large Business, 1000+ Employees Small Business, Medium Business, Zoho Users, 1-500 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

Zoho People

  • Extremely affordable free plan
  • Great Zoho ecosystem integration
  • Highly customizable
  • Global multi-language support
  • No built-in payroll (need Zoho Payroll)
  • UI can feel dated
  • Best only for Zoho users
  • Complex configuration

Who Should Use Each?

Workday HCM You have remote employees or contractors in multiple countries.
Zoho People User satisfaction matters most — Zoho People holds a higher G2 rating (4.4 vs 4.0).
Zoho People You want to try before you buy — only one of them offers a free trial.

Related Comparisons

Workday HCM vs Rippling Zoho People vs Gusto Workday HCM vs Deel Zoho People vs BambooHR ← All HR Tool Comparisons Workday HCM alternatives → Zoho People alternatives →

Ready to decide?

Try both and pick what works best for your team.

Try Workday HCM → Try Zoho People Free →

* 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 Zoho People?

It depends on your needs. Workday HCM is generally better for enterprise, large business, while Zoho People shines for small business, medium business. Both have strong ratings on G2 and Capterra.

How much does Workday HCM cost compared to Zoho People?

Contact for pricing vs Free plan available. Always check each vendor's official pricing page as rates may have changed.

Can I switch from Workday HCM to Zoho People?

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 Zoho People offer a free trial?

Workday HCM does not currently offer a free trial. Yes, Zoho People offers a free trial.

Which is better for international payroll — Workday HCM or Zoho People?

Workday HCM supports international payroll; Zoho People is primarily US-focused.