Workday Singapore Review 2025
Enterprise cloud HCM platform for unified HR and talent management
Workday is the leading enterprise cloud platform for human capital management, offering a comprehensive suite including HRIS, payroll, talent management, time tracking, and workforce analytics. Designed for mid-to-large enterprises, Workday provides a single unified system replacing multiple HR applications with intuitive user experience, powerful analytics, and continuous innovation through bi-annual feature releases.
Best For:
Compare Workday Singapore with other providers
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best-in-class user experience and interface
- Comprehensive unified platform reduces multiple vendors
- Excellent analytics and reporting capabilities
- Continuous updates with no version upgrades
- Strong for mid-to-large enterprises and MNCs
- Reliable cloud infrastructure
Cons
- Premium pricing - most expensive HRIS option
- Requires minimum 250 employees
- Complex implementation (9-18 months)
- Configuration requires trained administrators
- May be overkill for companies with simple HR needs
Key Features & Services
Unified Cloud Platform
Single system of record for all HR data eliminating data silos across HRIS, payroll, talent, time, and benefits. Real-time data with no batch processing enables immediate insights and decision-making.
Superior User Experience
Intuitive, consumer-grade interface with mobile-first design. Over 70% of Workday transactions completed on mobile. Minimal training required due to familiar user patterns.
Powerful Analytics
Advanced people analytics with predictive modeling, attrition forecasting, skills gap analysis, and executive dashboards. Real-time reporting with drag-and-drop custom report builder.
Continuous Innovation
Bi-annual feature releases with automatic updates. No expensive upgrades or version migrations. Always on latest version with newest capabilities and security enhancements.
Global Compliance
Built-in compliance for 150+ countries including Singapore CPF, IRAS, MOM regulations. Multi-currency, multi-language support for regional operations managed from Singapore.
Scalable Architecture
99.9% uptime SLA with enterprise-grade security. Scales from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of employees without performance degradation.
Pricing & Plans
Pricing Model: Annual Subscription per Employee | Starting From: From $100 per employee/year
Core HCM
- HR core & employee data
- Organization management
- Payroll (Singapore & regional)
- Time & attendance
- Employee self-service
- Minimum 250 employees
HCM + Talent Suite
- All Core HCM features
- Performance management
- Talent acquisition & recruiting
- Learning management
- Succession planning
- Compensation planning
Enterprise Platform
- All HCM + Talent features
- Advanced people analytics
- Workforce planning
- Benefits administration
- Extended enterprise (contingent workers)
- Dedicated CSM
What Clients Say
"Workday transformed our HR operations across 8 Asia-Pacific countries. Implementation was intensive but the unified platform and analytics are game-changing. Best HRIS investment we've made."
"Employees love the mobile experience and managers appreciate the real-time analytics. Implementation took 12 months but post-go-live support has been excellent. Premium pricing justified by capabilities."
"Powerful platform but steep learning curve for administrators. Worth it for comprehensive features but budget for dedicated Workday admin and ongoing training."
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Workday cost for Singapore companies?
Workday pricing ranges $100-$400+ per employee/year depending on modules. For 500 employees: Core HCM ($50K-$75K), HCM + Talent ($90K-$125K), Enterprise Platform ($125K-$200K+) annually. Minimum 250 employees. Implementation adds $200K-$1M one-time cost. Total 3-year TCO for 500-employee company: $500K-$1M. Premium pricing but eliminates need for multiple point solutions.
How long does Workday implementation take?
Implementation timelines: Core HCM (6-9 months), HCM + Talent (9-12 months), Full Suite (12-18 months). Factors affecting timeline: data migration complexity, integrations, customizations, change management needs. Most implementations use certified partners (Deloitte, Accenture, IBM). Plan 15-20% of annual subscription cost for implementation services.
Is Workday suitable for SMEs in Singapore?
Workday requires minimum 250 employees and is best suited for 500+ employee companies. SMEs under 250 should consider BambooHR, JustLogin, or Talenox. Investment (subscription + implementation + admin resources) makes sense for mid-to-large enterprises or fast-growing companies expecting to exceed 500 employees within 2-3 years.
Does Workday handle Singapore payroll and CPF?
Yes, Workday payroll fully supports Singapore requirements including CPF calculations, IRAS submissions (IR8A, IR21), SDL contributions, and local tax compliance. Also supports multi-country payroll for regional operations. Integration with bank GIRO for payments. Payroll module included in Core HCM subscription.
How does Workday compare to SAP SuccessFactors?
Workday vs SAP SuccessFactors: Workday has superior user experience, unified architecture, better analytics. SAP has broader global footprint, better for companies with SAP ERP, slightly lower cost. Both require 250+ employees and similar implementation complexity. Workday better for companies prioritizing UX and innovation; SAP better for existing SAP customers. Most enterprises evaluate both.
What integrations does Workday support?
Workday integrates with: (1) Payroll/benefits providers, (2) Time clocks and biometric systems, (3) Learning management systems, (4) Background check providers, (5) Productivity tools (Slack, Teams), (6) SSO providers, (7) Business intelligence tools. Uses REST API, Workday Studio, and Enterprise Interface Builder (EIB). Pre-built connectors available for common systems. Custom integrations require development.
Does Workday require dedicated administrators?
Yes, Workday requires trained HR systems administrators (1-3 FTEs depending on company size). Administrators handle: security roles, business process configuration, report creation, integration monitoring, testing, and user support. Workday offers certification training ($2,000-$5,000 per person). Budget for ongoing admin costs in addition to subscription fees.
What ongoing costs should we expect with Workday?
Ongoing costs beyond subscription: (1) Dedicated admin staff (1-3 FTEs), (2) Annual subscription increases (3-5%), (3) Integration maintenance, (4) Training for new admins/managers, (5) Optional consulting for optimizations, (6) Additional modules as needed. Total operational cost typically 120-150% of subscription fee when including admin salaries and support.
Alternative Providers
Looking for alternatives to Workday Singapore? Consider these providers:
Ready to Find Your Perfect HR Solution?
Get personalized quotes from Workday Singapore and other top providers
Start Free Comparison