Quick Overview
- 1#1: UKG Pro - Delivers comprehensive workforce management with advanced forecasting, scheduling, and labor costing to minimize expenses and maximize efficiency.
- 2#2: Dayforce - Integrates real-time workforce scheduling, payroll, and analytics to control labor costs dynamically across enterprises.
- 3#3: Workday - Provides AI-driven workforce planning and HCM tools that optimize staffing levels and reduce overall labor expenditures.
- 4#4: ADP Workforce Now - Combines time tracking, scheduling, and payroll to manage and forecast workforce costs with robust reporting.
- 5#5: Oracle HCM Cloud - Offers workforce management modules for strategic scheduling, budgeting, and cost allocation in large-scale operations.
- 6#6: WorkForce Software - Specializes in real-time workforce optimization with budgeting and labor cost controls for complex industries.
- 7#7: SAP SuccessFactors - Enables precise workforce scheduling and analytics to align labor costs with business performance goals.
- 8#8: Infor Workforce Management - Supports industry-specific scheduling and time management to drive down labor costs through predictive insights.
- 9#9: Verint Workforce Management - Forecasts and manages workforce engagement with cost-focused scheduling for contact centers and back-office.
- 10#10: NICE Workforce Management - Optimizes employee scheduling and adherence with analytics to control operational labor costs effectively.
Tools were selected based on advanced cost-control features, seamless integration of core functions (scheduling, payroll, analytics), user experience, and overall value, with ranking prioritizing impact across operational scales.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores key features and functionalities of leading workforce management software, including UKG Pro, Dayforce, Workday, ADP Workforce Now, Oracle HCM Cloud, and more. Readers will discover how each solution aligns with their organizational needs, from scalability to integration capabilities, to guide informed selection.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UKG Pro Delivers comprehensive workforce management with advanced forecasting, scheduling, and labor costing to minimize expenses and maximize efficiency. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Dayforce Integrates real-time workforce scheduling, payroll, and analytics to control labor costs dynamically across enterprises. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Workday Provides AI-driven workforce planning and HCM tools that optimize staffing levels and reduce overall labor expenditures. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | ADP Workforce Now Combines time tracking, scheduling, and payroll to manage and forecast workforce costs with robust reporting. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Oracle HCM Cloud Offers workforce management modules for strategic scheduling, budgeting, and cost allocation in large-scale operations. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 6 | WorkForce Software Specializes in real-time workforce optimization with budgeting and labor cost controls for complex industries. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | SAP SuccessFactors Enables precise workforce scheduling and analytics to align labor costs with business performance goals. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 6.9/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | Infor Workforce Management Supports industry-specific scheduling and time management to drive down labor costs through predictive insights. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | Verint Workforce Management Forecasts and manages workforce engagement with cost-focused scheduling for contact centers and back-office. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | NICE Workforce Management Optimizes employee scheduling and adherence with analytics to control operational labor costs effectively. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
Delivers comprehensive workforce management with advanced forecasting, scheduling, and labor costing to minimize expenses and maximize efficiency.
Integrates real-time workforce scheduling, payroll, and analytics to control labor costs dynamically across enterprises.
Provides AI-driven workforce planning and HCM tools that optimize staffing levels and reduce overall labor expenditures.
Combines time tracking, scheduling, and payroll to manage and forecast workforce costs with robust reporting.
Offers workforce management modules for strategic scheduling, budgeting, and cost allocation in large-scale operations.
Specializes in real-time workforce optimization with budgeting and labor cost controls for complex industries.
Enables precise workforce scheduling and analytics to align labor costs with business performance goals.
Supports industry-specific scheduling and time management to drive down labor costs through predictive insights.
Forecasts and manages workforce engagement with cost-focused scheduling for contact centers and back-office.
Optimizes employee scheduling and adherence with analytics to control operational labor costs effectively.
UKG Pro
enterpriseDelivers comprehensive workforce management with advanced forecasting, scheduling, and labor costing to minimize expenses and maximize efficiency.
AI-driven Workforce Optimization engine that automatically generates cost-minimizing schedules while balancing compliance, demand, and employee preferences
UKG Pro is a leading enterprise-grade Human Capital Management (HCM) platform with robust workforce management capabilities focused on cost optimization. It provides real-time labor cost tracking, predictive forecasting, budgeting tools, and AI-driven analytics to help organizations control workforce expenses effectively. Integrated with payroll, scheduling, and financial systems, it enables proactive cost management across global, multi-location operations while ensuring compliance and productivity.
Pros
- Advanced AI-powered labor forecasting and budgeting for precise cost control
- Real-time dashboards and alerts for immediate visibility into workforce spend
- Seamless scalability and integrations for large, complex enterprises
Cons
- Complex implementation process requiring significant time and resources
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Premium pricing may be prohibitive for smaller organizations
Best For
Large enterprises with complex, global workforces needing sophisticated tools to optimize labor costs and drive financial efficiency.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically $15-50+ per employee per month depending on modules, employee count, and customizations; full HCM suite starts higher.
Dayforce
enterpriseIntegrates real-time workforce scheduling, payroll, and analytics to control labor costs dynamically across enterprises.
Continuous real-time payroll processing that calculates wages daily, providing instant accuracy in workforce cost tracking and forecasting.
Dayforce is a comprehensive cloud-based HCM platform from Ceridian that specializes in workforce management, offering tools for scheduling, time tracking, payroll, and analytics to optimize labor costs. It provides real-time visibility into workforce expenses, predictive forecasting, and AI-driven insights to control overtime, staffing levels, and overall budget adherence. Ideal for managing complex, hourly-dominated workforces, it integrates seamlessly across HR functions for holistic cost management.
Pros
- Robust real-time analytics and forecasting for precise labor cost control
- AI-powered scheduling optimization to minimize overtime and understaffing
- Seamless integration with payroll and HR for end-to-end workforce cost visibility
Cons
- High implementation time and costs for complex setups
- Steep learning curve for non-enterprise users
- Pricing can be prohibitive for small to mid-sized businesses
Best For
Large enterprises with hourly workforces needing integrated, scalable cost management and predictive analytics.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically $25-60 per employee per month depending on modules and scale; enterprise-focused with custom contracts.
Workday
enterpriseProvides AI-driven workforce planning and HCM tools that optimize staffing levels and reduce overall labor expenditures.
Unified data fabric providing a single source of truth for real-time workforce cost analytics across HR and finance
Workday is a comprehensive cloud-based enterprise platform specializing in human capital management (HCM), financials, and analytics, with strong capabilities in cost of workforce management. It enables organizations to plan, forecast, and optimize workforce costs through modules like Workforce Planning, Adaptive Planning, and Prism Analytics, allowing for labor cost modeling, scenario analysis, and total cost of ownership insights. The platform integrates HR data with financials for accurate budgeting and real-time visibility into expenses like compensation, benefits, and contingent labor.
Pros
- Unified data model integrating HR, finance, and workforce costs seamlessly
- Advanced AI-powered forecasting and scenario planning for precise cost optimization
- Scalable analytics with real-time dashboards for enterprise-wide visibility
Cons
- Complex implementation requiring significant time and consulting resources
- Steep learning curve despite modern UI
- Premium pricing not ideal for small or mid-sized businesses
Best For
Large enterprises with complex, global workforces needing integrated HCM, financial planning, and cost management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based enterprise pricing, typically $100-250 per employee annually plus implementation fees starting at $500K+.
ADP Workforce Now
enterpriseCombines time tracking, scheduling, and payroll to manage and forecast workforce costs with robust reporting.
Real-time labor cost tracking and predictive analytics via ADP DataCloud
ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive HCM platform designed for mid-sized to large businesses, offering integrated payroll, HR management, time and attendance tracking, and talent solutions. It excels in workforce cost management through features like labor cost analytics, scheduling optimization, shift bidding, and compliance tools that help forecast and control expenses. The platform provides real-time insights into labor costs via customizable dashboards and reporting.
Pros
- Robust labor cost analytics and forecasting tools
- Seamless integration of payroll, time tracking, and scheduling
- Scalable for enterprises with strong compliance features
Cons
- High implementation costs and complexity
- Steep learning curve for non-HR users
- Pricing can be opaque and expensive for smaller teams
Best For
Mid-market to enterprise organizations needing an all-in-one HCM solution with advanced workforce cost controls.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $100-$200 per employee/month depending on modules and company size.
Oracle HCM Cloud
enterpriseOffers workforce management modules for strategic scheduling, budgeting, and cost allocation in large-scale operations.
Real-time workforce cost modeling with predictive analytics and what-if scenario simulations
Oracle HCM Cloud is a comprehensive enterprise-grade human capital management suite that excels in workforce management, including detailed labor costing, compensation planning, and payroll integration for precise cost tracking and forecasting. It enables organizations to model workforce expenses across salaries, benefits, overtime, and contingencies through advanced analytics and scenario planning tools. Designed for scalability, it supports global operations with multi-currency and compliance features tailored to complex workforce cost optimization.
Pros
- Powerful integrated costing across time, payroll, and compensation modules for accurate expense forecasting
- Advanced analytics and AI-driven insights for workforce cost optimization
- Seamless scalability for global enterprises with multi-currency and compliance support
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex implementation requiring significant customization
- High pricing that may not suit mid-sized organizations
- Overly robust for simple cost tracking needs, leading to feature bloat
Best For
Large multinational enterprises with complex, global workforces seeking deeply integrated HCM cost management.
Pricing
Subscription-based, typically $15-40 per employee per month depending on modules; custom enterprise quotes required.
WorkForce Software
enterpriseSpecializes in real-time workforce optimization with budgeting and labor cost controls for complex industries.
Hyper-local labor forecasting that predicts costs down to the shift level using machine learning and historical data.
WorkForce Software offers a comprehensive workforce management suite focused on optimizing labor costs through advanced scheduling, time and attendance tracking, and predictive forecasting. The platform provides real-time visibility into workforce expenses, enabling organizations to forecast budgets accurately, control overtime, and align staffing with demand. It integrates seamlessly with ERP, HRIS, and payroll systems to deliver actionable insights for cost management.
Pros
- Powerful AI-driven forecasting for precise labor cost predictions
- Real-time dashboards for monitoring expenses and variances
- Scalable for global enterprises with multi-location support
Cons
- Complex implementation requiring significant setup time
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Premium pricing may not suit small to mid-sized businesses
Best For
Large enterprises with complex, multi-site operations needing sophisticated labor cost forecasting and control.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $100,000+ annually, based on users, modules, and deployment scale.
SAP SuccessFactors
enterpriseEnables precise workforce scheduling and analytics to align labor costs with business performance goals.
Continuous Workforce Planning with embedded cost modeling and AI-powered simulations for dynamic budget adjustments
SAP SuccessFactors is a comprehensive cloud-based HCM suite that excels in workforce cost management through its Compensation, Workforce Planning, and Analytics modules, enabling precise labor cost forecasting, budgeting, and total rewards optimization. It integrates seamlessly with SAP ERP systems for real-time financial visibility into employee-related expenses like salaries, benefits, and overtime. Designed for enterprise-scale operations, it supports global compliance and scenario modeling to control workforce spending effectively.
Pros
- Robust integration with SAP finance and ERP for accurate cost allocation and reporting
- Advanced AI-driven analytics for workforce cost forecasting and what-if scenario planning
- Scalable compensation management with pay equity tools and global payroll support
Cons
- Complex implementation requiring significant customization and consulting
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users and admins
- High cost that may not justify value for mid-sized organizations
Best For
Large multinational enterprises with complex, global workforces needing deep integration between HR and financial systems for precise cost control.
Pricing
Custom enterprise subscription pricing, typically $10-25 per employee/month plus implementation fees; annual contracts quoted via sales.
Infor Workforce Management
enterpriseSupports industry-specific scheduling and time management to drive down labor costs through predictive insights.
AI-powered predictive forecasting that anticipates demand fluctuations to optimize staffing and cut labor costs proactively
Infor Workforce Management is an enterprise-grade solution that optimizes labor costs through advanced forecasting, intelligent scheduling, time and attendance tracking, and compliance management. It provides deep analytics for workforce budgeting, variance analysis, and real-time cost visibility, integrating seamlessly with Infor's ERP and financial systems. Designed for large-scale operations, it helps minimize overtime, absenteeism, and inefficient staffing to drive down overall workforce expenses.
Pros
- Powerful AI-driven forecasting and scheduling that directly reduces labor costs
- Comprehensive analytics for cost tracking and budgeting across global operations
- Strong integration with Infor ERP for seamless financial visibility
Cons
- Complex implementation requiring significant time and expertise
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- High costs that may not suit small to mid-sized businesses
Best For
Large enterprises in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and retail needing integrated workforce cost optimization at scale.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing, typically $10-25 per employee/month depending on modules, users, and deployment.
Verint Workforce Management
enterpriseForecasts and manages workforce engagement with cost-focused scheduling for contact centers and back-office.
AI-powered forecasting engine that dynamically adjusts schedules to labor demand, delivering up to 20-30% cost savings
Verint Workforce Management is a robust enterprise solution designed to optimize workforce scheduling, forecasting, and performance to minimize labor costs across contact centers and back-office operations. It leverages AI-driven analytics for demand prediction, shift optimization, and real-time adherence monitoring, helping organizations reduce overtime and understaffing expenses. The platform integrates seamlessly with CRM and telephony systems, providing actionable insights into workforce efficiency and cost control.
Pros
- Advanced AI forecasting minimizes overstaffing and overtime costs
- Strong integration with enterprise systems for holistic cost visibility
- Real-time adherence and intraday management tools optimize daily expenses
Cons
- High implementation costs and complexity for smaller teams
- Steep learning curve requires extensive training
- Pricing lacks transparency and can be prohibitive for mid-market users
Best For
Large contact centers and enterprises with high-volume, 24/7 operations needing precise cost optimization.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing, typically starting at $100+ per user/month with additional setup fees.
NICE Workforce Management
enterpriseOptimizes employee scheduling and adherence with analytics to control operational labor costs effectively.
AI-driven prescriptive scheduling that dynamically adjusts to real-time volume fluctuations and multi-skill requirements for optimal cost savings
NICE Workforce Management, part of the CXone platform, is an enterprise-grade solution for contact centers and customer service operations, focusing on forecasting, scheduling, and real-time adherence to optimize staffing and minimize costs. It leverages AI and machine learning for accurate demand predictions, intraday adjustments, and performance analytics to drive efficiency. The software helps reduce labor expenses by preventing overstaffing or understaffing while ensuring compliance and employee engagement.
Pros
- AI-powered forecasting and scheduling for precise cost control
- Deep integration with NICE CXone ecosystem and third-party tools
- Comprehensive real-time adherence and gamification for productivity
Cons
- Complex setup and steep learning curve for non-enterprise users
- Premium pricing may not suit smaller operations
- Customization requires significant IT involvement
Best For
Large-scale contact centers and customer service teams needing advanced AI-driven workforce optimization to manage high-volume operations cost-effectively.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing, typically $100-$200+ per agent/month depending on scale and features.
Conclusion
Evaluating top cost-focused workforce management software reveals three standout tools. UKG Pro leads with its comprehensive mix of forecasting, scheduling, and labor costing to drive efficiency and minimize expenses. Dayforce and Workday follow closely, offering robust integration and AI-driven insights respectively, making them strong alternatives for varied operational needs.
To optimize workforce costs and streamline operations, exploring the top-ranked UKG Pro is a compelling first step.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison