Getting started · LessonReviewed by Arjun, SAP Solution Architect · Updated · Published · SAP S/4HANA 2023 · all levels
SAP vs Workday
SAP and Workday compete most directly in cloud HR and finance. Workday is a cloud-native leader in HCM and increasingly finance; SAP counters with SuccessFactors (HR) and S/4HANA (finance and full ERP).
Key takeaways
- Watch out: Workday is strongest in HR and finance, so the comparison narrows quickly outside those areas.
How they differ
- HR: Workday HCM versus SAP SuccessFactors, both leading cloud HR suites.
- Finance/ERP: Workday offers cloud financials; SAP offers the full ERP breadth of S/4HANA well beyond finance.
- Architecture: Workday is purely cloud-native SaaS; SAP spans on-premise, private and public cloud.
- Breadth: SAP covers the entire enterprise (manufacturing, supply chain, logistics); Workday concentrates on people and finance.
Which to choose
For organisations wanting best-of-breed cloud HR/finance, Workday is a strong choice; for a single integrated platform across the whole enterprise including operations and manufacturing, SAP’s breadth wins. Many run SuccessFactors or Workday alongside SAP ERP.
Common pitfalls
- Assuming one is universally better, fit depends on your needs.
- Comparing on price alone, capability and fit matter more.
- Ignoring integration with your existing systems.