ADP SmartCompliance vs. Dayforce

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
ADP SmartCompliance
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
ADP SmartCompliance is a tax and regulatory compliance platform for midsize or larger companies using an ERP or non-ADP platform for HR and HRMS services.N/A
Dayforce
Score 7.9 out of 10
Enterprise companies (1,001+ employees)
Dayforce HCM is a cloud-based platform encompassing HR, payroll, benefits, and talent and workforce management. It provides companies with a scalable framework and real-time data, such as continual pay calculations, to enable efficient decision-making.N/A
Pricing
ADP SmartComplianceDayforce
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ADP SmartComplianceDayforce
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesYes
Entry-level Setup FeeRequiredOptional
Additional DetailsPricing varies based upon modules deployed and features enabled.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ADP SmartComplianceDayforce
Considered Both Products
ADP SmartCompliance
Chose ADP SmartCompliance
SmartCompliance is much more robust and inclusive than the previous tax vendor
Chose ADP SmartCompliance
I have used ADP for 30+ years. Nothing in my book stacks against ADP.
Chose ADP SmartCompliance
ADP offers much better training and management support, throughout implementation and during legislation updates and at any time.
Chose ADP SmartCompliance
ADP is a much better product, especially if you use all their products together to create a seamless payroll system that works much better when all the products work together.
Dayforce
Chose Dayforce
Every module within Ceridian Dayforce talks to each other. The real time live data is beneficial to the team when trying to troubleshoot. And the ability to ease integrations
Chose Dayforce
My experience with the other companies I have used is very similar. ADP also had a single platform with modules like Ceridian Dayforce has and it worked better with the tax integration. However, Ceridian Dayforce does have a very easy-to-use and simple payroll processing …
Chose Dayforce
There is no need to pull hours from another platform and upload them into the system, like with ADP TimeSaver.
Chose Dayforce
It's great having everything in one place, but we do have to have excellent coordination to avoid stepping on each other's toes. For example, backdating changes on the HR side has real-time consequences on the payroll side. It's wonderful - just be careful that all users are …
Top Pros

No answers on this topic

Top Cons

No answers on this topic

Features
ADP SmartComplianceDayforce
Type of tax
Comparison of Type of tax features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
8.9
9 Ratings
5% above category average
Dayforce
-
Ratings
Sales and Use Taxes9.53 Ratings00 Ratings
Cross-border Taxes8.07 Ratings00 Ratings
VAT / GST Taxes9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
Energy and Fuel Taxes9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
Tax Reporting & Compliance
Comparison of Tax Reporting & Compliance features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
7.7
40 Ratings
8% below category average
Dayforce
-
Ratings
Geolocation for Tax Assessment7.111 Ratings00 Ratings
3rd-Party Software Integrations8.121 Ratings00 Ratings
Tax Data Reporting7.939 Ratings00 Ratings
Compliance Administration Management7.232 Ratings00 Ratings
Tax Exemption Processing8.015 Ratings00 Ratings
Tax Document Management7.332 Ratings00 Ratings
Complex Tax Scenario Management8.124 Ratings00 Ratings
Human Resource Management
Comparison of Human Resource Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Dayforce
7.9
582 Ratings
1% above category average
Employee demographic data00 Ratings8.1505 Ratings
Employment history00 Ratings8.4540 Ratings
Job profiles and administration00 Ratings8.0530 Ratings
Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.00 Ratings7.8532 Ratings
Organizational charting00 Ratings7.4483 Ratings
Organization and location management00 Ratings7.7528 Ratings
Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)00 Ratings7.5352 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Dayforce
8.4
582 Ratings
5% above category average
Pay calculation00 Ratings9.0568 Ratings
Support for external payroll vendors00 Ratings7.5283 Ratings
Off-cycle/On-Demand payment00 Ratings8.9132 Ratings
Benefit plan administration00 Ratings8.0457 Ratings
Direct deposit files00 Ratings9.0553 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management00 Ratings8.5437 Ratings
Reimbursement management00 Ratings8.1294 Ratings
Leave and Attendance Management
Comparison of Leave and Attendance Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Dayforce
8.0
528 Ratings
1% below category average
Approval workflow00 Ratings8.3496 Ratings
Balance details00 Ratings7.7510 Ratings
Annual carry-forward and encashment00 Ratings7.9417 Ratings
Employee Self Service
Comparison of Employee Self Service features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Dayforce
8.1
594 Ratings
0% below category average
View and generate pay and benefit information00 Ratings8.5565 Ratings
Update personal information00 Ratings8.7578 Ratings
View company policy documentation00 Ratings8.0398 Ratings
Employee recognition00 Ratings7.1206 Ratings
View job history00 Ratings8.0474 Ratings
Asset Management
Comparison of Asset Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Dayforce
7.5
97 Ratings
3% below category average
Tracking of all physical assets00 Ratings7.597 Ratings
HR Reporting
Comparison of HR Reporting features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Dayforce
7.2
581 Ratings
5% below category average
Report builder00 Ratings7.6572 Ratings
Pre-built reports00 Ratings7.7572 Ratings
Ability to combine HR data with external data00 Ratings6.3400 Ratings
Onboarding
Comparison of Onboarding features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Dayforce
7.8
374 Ratings
3% below category average
New hire portal00 Ratings7.8364 Ratings
Manager tracking tools00 Ratings7.9320 Ratings
Performance and Goals
Comparison of Performance and Goals features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Dayforce
7.7
241 Ratings
6% below category average
Corporate goal setting00 Ratings7.5202 Ratings
Individual goal setting00 Ratings7.9221 Ratings
Line-of sight-visibility00 Ratings7.6189 Ratings
Performance tracking00 Ratings7.9226 Ratings
Performance Management
Comparison of Performance Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Dayforce
7.8
265 Ratings
2% below category average
Performance plans00 Ratings7.5246 Ratings
Performance improvement plans00 Ratings7.6210 Ratings
Review status tracking00 Ratings7.9248 Ratings
Review reminders00 Ratings7.9244 Ratings
Multiple review frequency00 Ratings8.0219 Ratings
Succession Planning
Comparison of Succession Planning features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Dayforce
7.0
119 Ratings
12% below category average
Create succession plans/pools00 Ratings7.294 Ratings
Candidate ranking00 Ratings6.9102 Ratings
Candidate search00 Ratings6.6107 Ratings
Candidate development00 Ratings7.194 Ratings
Recruiting / ATS
Comparison of Recruiting / ATS features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Dayforce
7.3
287 Ratings
6% below category average
Job Requisition Management00 Ratings7.5271 Ratings
Company Website Posting00 Ratings7.5265 Ratings
Publish to Social Media00 Ratings7.5222 Ratings
Job Search Site Posting00 Ratings7.5254 Ratings
Duplicate Candidate Prevention00 Ratings6.6217 Ratings
Applicant Tracking00 Ratings7.4264 Ratings
Notifications and Alerts00 Ratings7.3258 Ratings
Best Alternatives
ADP SmartComplianceDayforce
Small Businesses
Canopy
Canopy
Score 9.5 out of 10
Patriot Software
Patriot Software
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
LOVAT
LOVAT
Score 10.0 out of 10
Paypro Workforce Management
Paypro Workforce Management
Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Vertex
Vertex
Score 8.5 out of 10
Infor Human Resources
Infor Human Resources
Score 7.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
ADP SmartComplianceDayforce
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(134 ratings)
8.0
(622 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.8
(29 ratings)
8.7
(86 ratings)
Usability
7.8
(37 ratings)
6.2
(60 ratings)
Availability
8.9
(12 ratings)
10.0
(12 ratings)
Performance
8.5
(12 ratings)
5.0
(13 ratings)
Support Rating
5.6
(37 ratings)
7.7
(65 ratings)
In-Person Training
4.6
(4 ratings)
7.0
(11 ratings)
Online Training
8.3
(9 ratings)
7.3
(18 ratings)
Implementation Rating
4.8
(22 ratings)
6.6
(43 ratings)
Configurability
7.9
(10 ratings)
8.8
(13 ratings)
Ease of integration
6.9
(9 ratings)
8.0
(8 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.7
(11 ratings)
9.9
(14 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
5.5
(9 ratings)
8.9
(18 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
6.4
(8 ratings)
9.9
(12 ratings)
User Testimonials
ADP SmartComplianceDayforce
Likelihood to Recommend
ADP
There has been much end user improvement on this site over the 3 years that I have been using it. I really appreciate the focus and attention ADP has place on making this a user friendly site so that their customers can better navigate their payroll tax issues. I look forward to the additional features that will be added in another three years time. I really am able to be quite efficient within my role because of the ease of use of this site.
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Dayforce
Ceridian is well suited for transferring time data between systems to ensure employees are accurately compensated based on their time. Ceridian is not ideal when an employee has transferred to a different country. (As previously mentioned, we are required to create a new user record which with our setup requires the existing employee to be hired in the new location).
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Pros
ADP
  • It helps us identify our employees who entered their account information incorrectly and get the payment reissued to them as quickly as possible.
  • It helps us quickly and securely issue payment to employees who terminate.
  • We efficiently get our garnishments processed to remain compliant.
Read full review
Dayforce
  • Reporting. It has an extensive report builder with stock reports, ad-hoc reports, and the ability to build your own custom reports.
  • Payroll. The continuous payroll engine makes processing complex payrolls much easier and faster.
  • Forms. The stock forms are a great jumping off point to start creating custom forms that work better for your processes and organization.
  • Documentation. Every module is well documented, and you're always bound to learn something if you read through them properly!
Read full review
Cons
ADP
  • ADP should have their SC employees better trained to give consistent answers about how to handle certain tax issues relating to the states. I seem to get a different answer multiple times.
  • It's difficult to distinguish between which cases/letters goes through ADP Workforce Now Service Connect and which cases go through SmartCompliance. I have been told differently on many occasions and will find a case in both places.
  • While many of the agency notices of tax rate changes, etc. are a very quick process and ADP "resolves" the case, I find other notices get lost in the shuffle when it doesn't fit exactly into the rate change bucket or the past due bill that says "Just Pay It". Some letters aren't that straightforward.
Read full review
Dayforce
  • In payroll, there are sometimes issues with calculating pay when people’s rates change mid-pay period
  • Would love to see an option to assist with building SQL or XML statements in the future (maybe co-pilot AI?)
  • Would love an easy way to store pre-hire documents with candidates that syncs over to their HR profile when hired
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Likelihood to Renew
ADP
There is no other option on the table for us at the moment to go with a different vendor. We also have had very little issues processing with ADP that would make us want to look for a new vendor.
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Dayforce
We are highly invested in Ceridian's Dayforce product. It give us the flexibility and scaling that our growing company needs. Its potential reaches beyond the basic HR functions to the decision making that our Management Team needs. Ceridian is always innovating the employee and employee experiences to offer cutting edge options.
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Usability
ADP
For the most part, one can get in and learn how to navigate the system by just clicking on one of the suject areas. If you have a good clientrepresentative, they will inform you of new features/functionality and give you a quick demo. This is helpful for one to go back in and navigate to learn how it works and usefulness.
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Dayforce
I think it's very usable for the employee. I don't think it is as easy for the HR/PR admins - especially if there is an issue. There are so many setup screens that need to be looked at to try to figure out why payroll isn't calculating properly, hours aren't feeding over correctly, or benefits are not calculating properly. For the most part, they can't do their own troubleshooting. The same is true for the managers. Our managers find it cumbersome to go into make any schedule changes after the schedules have been generated.
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Reliability and Availability
ADP
We have never experienced unavailability with ADP. They communicate promptly when there is a holiday or if the system is down for maintenance. The maintenance schedule is during times when it is least used
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Dayforce
We have never experienced a total/unplanned outages that effected our ability to process payroll. However, there are times when the application's speed is significantly effected - and processing a payroll may take up to twice as long as normal.
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Performance
ADP
If ADP is having issues, they communicate the problem within the solution once you log in. They also communicate that the issue will be fixed promptly. Reports run efficiently and in a reasonable amount of time. Also, the reports allow for various reporting types to be produced like a PDF or a Microsoft Excel file.
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Dayforce
We haven't noticed any slow-down due to the integration of Dayforce WFM with our Ceridian HPL products (HRIS and Payroll). The new HTML view of the timesheets don't load as quickly as the old Silverlight view - however, we have gotten used to the change.
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Support Rating
ADP
As mentioned in the last comment, everyone and everything has been great. However sometimes you get one person that I feel can bring a score down and the current dedicated tax representative I have I do not feel is very supportive.
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Dayforce
Most of the time the support is great; it's not always super efficient but I always get the help I need. Occasionally it takes a lot longer than we had hoped or get conflicting responses. We had one ticket recently where we were told we would have to pay the service team to support us on the project and then another person called the next day with the solution to our query and was able to find a solution easily. Generally, though, the response is great and they either walk me though how to do something via a Zoom Meeting or they email step-by-step instructions on how to do it and say if I have questions we can set up a meeting to discuss further.
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In-Person Training
ADP
I haven't participated in in-person training yet.
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Dayforce
Because the training we reviewed at Insights has changed how we use the system everyday. This is a key factor in our training.
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Online Training
ADP
They have annual training for Smart Compliance, which is very helpful. We learn the most up to laws for various subject matters, like garnishments, payroll law, child support, state unemployment laws by states. We also earn credit toward certifications. The training is user friendly, and highly recommended. It can be done live or listened to at your own convenience.
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Dayforce
The online training is very good, there is a wide variety of topics offered and several dates and times. The instructors are very knowledgeable about the subjects they are teaching. There are so many ways to program Dayforce that just the basics seem to be covered in the class.
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Implementation Rating
ADP
Currently all electronic copies of our returns have to be downloaded one at a time. There should be a way to download all returns for a quarter in a zip file or single download.
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Dayforce
Have a strong internal team. Communicate with your implementation team - they are there to make it work for you. Take the time to really think about how you want the system to work for you - in some cases, you may need to rethink your own business practices to see if you are working harder when the system could do it for you
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Alternatives Considered
ADP
ADP SmartCompliance was easily integrated with WFN and all of our employee data was in one place. We saw this as an advantage instead of having to log into multiple platforms, everything was quickly accessible to respond to a VOE or claim.
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Dayforce
All of the info for Payroll, HR updates, employee updates, Time worked and PTO are in a single application, with a single login, updated in every screen or module in real time. There is no lag in data from screen to screen or from user to user, its almost instant.
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Scalability
ADP
ADP has the ability to scale across departments. This was found to be true when we rolled out the wage payment solution. ADP users are able to view their pay stubs on their phones and/or computers. This wage payment portal offers W2 storage and paystub storage for access at any time by an employee.
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Dayforce
Overall, we are extremely happy with the Dayforce WFM module. Our biggest pain point is concerning the twice annual software upgrades - which is the only reason I haven't rated them as a '10'. Because every customer is configured differently, the upgrades can sometimes have adverse effects on our current configured policies/rules. And although they roll-out the upgraded version in a test environment several weeks before go-live, not all testing is accurate in that environment. Some issues do not present themselves until you are working with live punches.
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Return on Investment
ADP
  • The customer service phone service for the ADP Wisely service is very bad. No understanding or a language barrier is a very difficult service to deal with. Also working with them to correct a situation was impossible. It is basically non existent.
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Dayforce
  • Performance Reviews/Comp used to be handled via paper and tracking/reporting was a nightmare - having all of that in the system is so much more efficient and provides huge ROI
  • Our organization used to have big problems with hiring managers going rogue and hiring positions that aren't approved by Finance - we built an approval workflow in the system that triggers before any req is approved which has completely solved this problem
  • Dayforce Wallet has been a huge perk for our employees - it's heavily used and our crew love it
Read full review
ScreenShots

ADP SmartCompliance Screenshots

Screenshot of

Dayforce Screenshots

Screenshot of Dayforce Home ScreenScreenshot of Scheduling DashboardScreenshot of Compensation DashboardScreenshot of Succession Planning - Talent MatrixScreenshot of Payroll DashboardScreenshot of Dayforce Mobile - Recruiting