Ceridian Reviews: Pricing, Pros, Cons, and User Insights

Uncover Ceridian Dayforce's features and pricing with OutSail: ideal for mid-enterprise, strong in payroll and workforce management, but less advanced in talent management

Brett Ungashick
OutSail HRIS Advisor
July 4, 2023
user comparing HRIS systems

Ceridian

Overview

Ceridian Dayforce is a full suite HRIS system that can serve as a one-stop-shop for companies, covering everything from payroll, benefits and HR to recruiting, onboarding, performance and learning. Ceridian Dayforce HCM is utilized by companies as small as 100 employees and as large as 100,000, but has developed a strong presence in the Mid-Enterprise. Ceridian is known for it's strengths around Payroll and Workforce Management. Ceridian has long been a top competitor to ADP in the payroll space, and in 2012, they acquired Dayforce, a leading Workforce Management platform. Since then, Dayforce HCM has become their flagship offering and is a great solution for companies with complex payroll, time & attendance, scheduling and tax needs.

In 2024, Ceridian changed their name to Dayforce and will operate under that brand going forward.

Market Segment

Ceridian is considered a Mid-Enterprise HRIS, which means the system works best for companies with between 350 and 10,000 employees. Mid-Enterprise solutions are designed to be all-in-one HRIS's for companies with a moderate-to-high degree of complexity. Mid-Enterprise solutions typically take about 4-6 months to implement and only occasionally require external consultants to successfully implement and manage the solutions. Mid-Enterprise solutions have more custom workflow tools and rules engines to support a business's growing complexity.

Ceridian pricing

Ceridian charges companies on a per employee per month basis. Ceridian is typically price in the mid-to-high range for their competition. A typical Ceridian Dayforce HCM subscription can cost anywhere from $21-29 PEPM, depending on the size of your company and the modules included in your scope.

In addition to the software fees, Ceridian will typically charge a one-time implementation fee. Ceridian's implementation fees are typically about 40-70% of the annual software fees (i.e., $40-70K implementation fee on a $100K annual purchase)

Key Strengths of Ceridian

Integrated Single Database Solution

Ceridian's unique strength lies in its integrated single database architecture. This design facilitates greater accuracy, efficiency, and reduced manual re-entry, ultimately leading to improved reporting. Unlike competitors that rely on acquisitions or third-party integrations, Ceridian has developed its platform on a unified database, resulting in a seamless user experience.

Ceridian Wallet

One standout feature of Ceridian is the Ceridian Wallet, which is particularly beneficial for businesses with hourly workers. The industry-leading Daily Pay tool allows employees to access a portion of their earned wages before the official payday. This enhances financial flexibility for employees and boosts engagement and satisfaction, making Ceridian Wallet a true differentiator.

International Capabilities

Ceridian isn't just limited to domestic operations. With its robust global payroll network, Ceridian empowers multinational companies by providing a unified system for processing payroll across different regions. The platform supports payroll processing in 15 countries, making it a powerful tool for businesses with a global footprint.

Integration Abilities

Ceridian's product architecture allows seamless integration with third-party systems that offer open APIs. This flexibility ensures businesses can connect Ceridian with other tools they rely on, creating a holistic ecosystem tailored to their needs.

Versatile Offerings

Ceridian's Dayforce HCM platform covers various HR functionalities, making it a versatile solution for businesses with complex HR requirements. From Core HR processes to compensation management and recruiting capabilities, Ceridian offers a comprehensive suite tailored to various organizational needs.

Unlock Full HRIS Insights: Get comprehensive insights on Ceridian Dayforce and others—unlock detailed reviews, pricing, pros, and cons by signing up for our HRIS Marketplace.

Areas of Consideration with Ceridian

User Interface

While Ceridian's interface is navigable and functional, it might not be considered the sleekest or most modern interface in the market. However, it's important to note that Ceridian is actively working on improving the user experience to meet users' evolving expectations.

Complex Functionality

Ceridian's comprehensive offerings might provide more functionalities than required for businesses with relatively straightforward HR needs. Smaller organizations could find that certain features are not fully utilized, leading to a potential mismatch between needs and offerings.

Implementation Rigidity

Ceridian implementations might be longer and more rigid compared to some competitors. Businesses adopting Ceridian might need to adapt their processes to align with the platform's structure and workflows, potentially impacting existing practices.

Potential Costs

While Ceridian offers robust features, certain configurations or additional professional services might come with extra costs. It's essential for businesses to carefully assess their requirements and budget constraints when considering Ceridian's offerings.

Deciding if Ceridian is the Right Fit for Your Business

Ceridian's strengths lie in its robust Core HR capabilities, international payroll capabilities, and integrated architecture. Ceridian could be an ideal solution for companies with complex HR needs, particularly those with a global presence. The platform's real-time data synchronization and Ceridian Wallet feature can significantly enhance workforce management.

However, businesses should weigh these benefits against considerations such as the user interface and implementation process. While Ceridian offers a powerful suite, businesses with simpler HR requirements might find the platform more extensive than necessary.

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Meet the Author

Brett Ungashick
OutSail HRIS Advisor
Brett Ungashick, the friendly face behind OutSail, started his career at LinkedIn, selling HR software. This experience sparked an idea, leading him to create OutSail in 2018. Based in Denver, OutSail simplifies the HR software selection process, and Brett's hands-on approach has already helped over 1,000 companies, including SalesLoft, Hudl and DoorDash. He's a go-to guy for all things HR Tech, supporting companies in every industry and across 20+ countries. When he's not demystifying HR tech, you'll find Brett enjoying a round of golf or skiing down Colorado's slopes, always happy to chat about work or play.

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