ADP Workforce Now vs. Ascentis (discontinued)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
ADP Workforce Now
Score 8.0 out of 10
Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
ADP Workforce Now is a cloud-based HR platform for mid-sized businesses. It features customizable modules of various HR services that businesses can tailor to their specific needs, as well as regulatory monitoring and alerts to help businesses remain compliant.N/A
Ascentis (discontinued)
Score 7.5 out of 10
N/A
Ascentis HR uses web-based management programs to help automate complex HR processes. Ascentis’ other services included customizable payroll, time and attendance and recruiting modules. Ascentis was acquired by UKG in March of 2022, and will be discontinued.N/A
Pricing
ADP Workforce NowAscentis (discontinued)
Editions & Modules
Essential
Contact sales team
Enhanced
Contact sales team
Complete
Contact sales team
HR Pro
Contact sales team
Payroll Essentials
Contact sales team
HR Plus
Contact sales team
Hiring Advantage
Contact sales team
Performance Plus
Contact sales team
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ADP Workforce NowAscentis (discontinued)
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeRequiredNo setup fee
Additional DetailsPlease contact ADP for a product demo and ask about a hands-on "test drive" of Workforce Now.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ADP Workforce NowAscentis (discontinued)
Considered Both Products
ADP Workforce Now

No answer on this topic

Ascentis (discontinued)
Chose Ascentis (discontinued)
Ascentis/Nova Time is much more user friendly as far as the timekeeping and accrual side.
Chose Ascentis (discontinued)
ADP is mostly likely the status quo for HRIS systems, their CS and 24/7 support is incomparable to other systems, including Ascentis. There are often manual corrections needed, negative changes to user view, and other very odd things that happen with Ascentis that I have …
Chose Ascentis (discontinued)
Better tracking for PTO, ACA reporting, better payroll and payroll support is always wonderful!
Chose Ascentis (discontinued)
It doesn't stack up. The biggest differences are customer service and ease of implementing the system.
Chose Ascentis (discontinued)
From all the other companies mentioned above, I have found that Ascentis is the easiest product to use. I was only introduced to this program a few months ago, and it has been easy to figure out and not too complicated. I really like the fact that I can make changes easily.
Chose Ascentis (discontinued)
Ascentis beats them all. I've also worked with several smaller systems for small companies, and Ascentis has the best support and reporting functionality that I've seen thus far. Any system you pick will have its pros and cons, but being able to get a hold of support and get …
Chose Ascentis (discontinued)
Most systems would not allow us to apply and track multiple jobs with multiple pay-rates for individual employees. While we had to do some customization and had some pain with the reporting, ultimately we got it to work for us and it is going well now. So the selection …
Chose Ascentis (discontinued)
We were moving away from ADP because the reporting was so bad. When we were being sold on Ascentis, we were sold on the fact that reporting was user-friendly and even shown how easy it was to run reports. Whatever we were shown is not what we received. The reporting is even …
Chose Ascentis (discontinued)
Ascentis offers: Better pricing, better products, simplified implementations and an awesome customer support team!
Chose Ascentis (discontinued)
We did not have any online capabilities with ADP but we had some "back office" tasks that were much more automated and easier. Overall - dealing with Ascentis HR has been better and easier - we used to spend hours each month on the phone with ADP.
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
ADP Workforce NowAscentis (discontinued)
Human Resource Management
Comparison of Human Resource Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP Workforce Now
7.6
1018 Ratings
3% below category average
Ascentis (discontinued)
7.1
150 Ratings
10% below category average
Employee demographic data8.2899 Ratings6.7137 Ratings
Employment history8.1935 Ratings7.3140 Ratings
Job profiles and administration7.9886 Ratings6.9128 Ratings
Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.7.3913 Ratings6.7126 Ratings
Organizational charting6.6639 Ratings5.290 Ratings
Organization and location management7.3700 Ratings8.0109 Ratings
Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)7.6645 Ratings8.8102 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP Workforce Now
7.9
1030 Ratings
2% below category average
Ascentis (discontinued)
7.8
125 Ratings
3% below category average
Pay calculation8.6991 Ratings7.1115 Ratings
Support for external payroll vendors7.1385 Ratings6.162 Ratings
Off-cycle/On-Demand payment7.8291 Ratings8.328 Ratings
Benefit plan administration8.0795 Ratings6.7108 Ratings
Direct deposit files8.7979 Ratings9.2100 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management7.8765 Ratings8.692 Ratings
Reimbursement management7.7464 Ratings8.851 Ratings
Leave and Attendance Management
Comparison of Leave and Attendance Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP Workforce Now
7.7
841 Ratings
5% below category average
Ascentis (discontinued)
7.8
105 Ratings
3% below category average
Approval workflow7.9763 Ratings8.099 Ratings
Balance details7.5797 Ratings7.099 Ratings
Annual carry-forward and encashment7.5645 Ratings8.484 Ratings
Employee Self Service
Comparison of Employee Self Service features of Product A and Product B
ADP Workforce Now
8.0
1011 Ratings
1% below category average
Ascentis (discontinued)
7.0
153 Ratings
15% below category average
View and generate pay and benefit information8.2974 Ratings7.8138 Ratings
Update personal information8.6965 Ratings8.6151 Ratings
View company policy documentation8.1779 Ratings5.4110 Ratings
Employee recognition7.1364 Ratings6.061 Ratings
View job history7.732 Ratings7.3108 Ratings
Asset Management
Comparison of Asset Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP Workforce Now
6.0
12 Ratings
25% below category average
Ascentis (discontinued)
5.8
33 Ratings
29% below category average
Tracking of all physical assets6.012 Ratings5.833 Ratings
HR Reporting
Comparison of HR Reporting features of Product A and Product B
ADP Workforce Now
7.1
941 Ratings
7% below category average
Ascentis (discontinued)
6.4
147 Ratings
17% below category average
Report builder7.4924 Ratings7.0144 Ratings
Pre-built reports7.6920 Ratings7.5142 Ratings
Ability to combine HR data with external data6.2547 Ratings4.673 Ratings
Onboarding
Comparison of Onboarding features of Product A and Product B
ADP Workforce Now
7.1
113 Ratings
12% below category average
Ascentis (discontinued)
5.1
98 Ratings
44% below category average
New hire portal7.5109 Ratings5.398 Ratings
Manager tracking tools6.689 Ratings4.976 Ratings
Performance and Goals
Comparison of Performance and Goals features of Product A and Product B
ADP Workforce Now
7.8
308 Ratings
4% below category average
Ascentis (discontinued)
7.2
57 Ratings
12% below category average
Corporate goal setting7.8237 Ratings6.743 Ratings
Individual goal setting7.9288 Ratings7.653 Ratings
Line-of sight-visibility7.5235 Ratings7.138 Ratings
Performance tracking7.9281 Ratings7.250 Ratings
Performance Management
Comparison of Performance Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP Workforce Now
7.3
399 Ratings
8% below category average
Ascentis (discontinued)
6.0
63 Ratings
28% below category average
Performance plans7.2358 Ratings5.659 Ratings
Performance improvement plans7.2306 Ratings5.650 Ratings
Review status tracking7.5363 Ratings5.857 Ratings
Review reminders7.3375 Ratings6.555 Ratings
Multiple review frequency7.2310 Ratings6.650 Ratings
Succession Planning
Comparison of Succession Planning features of Product A and Product B
ADP Workforce Now
6.0
7 Ratings
27% below category average
Ascentis (discontinued)
5.9
27 Ratings
29% below category average
Create succession plans/pools5.86 Ratings6.421 Ratings
Candidate ranking5.86 Ratings6.421 Ratings
Candidate search6.37 Ratings5.027 Ratings
Candidate development6.26 Ratings5.823 Ratings
Recruiting / ATS
Comparison of Recruiting / ATS features of Product A and Product B
ADP Workforce Now
6.9
418 Ratings
12% below category average
Ascentis (discontinued)
5.5
89 Ratings
34% below category average
Job Requisition Management7.6363 Ratings5.585 Ratings
Company Website Posting8.2355 Ratings5.279 Ratings
Publish to Social Media7.3284 Ratings5.759 Ratings
Job Search Site Posting7.4318 Ratings5.871 Ratings
Duplicate Candidate Prevention2.38 Ratings5.657 Ratings
Applicant Tracking7.2359 Ratings5.783 Ratings
Notifications and Alerts8.1380 Ratings5.369 Ratings
Best Alternatives
ADP Workforce NowAscentis (discontinued)
Small Businesses
Patriot Software
Patriot Software
Score 9.0 out of 10
Patriot Software
Patriot Software
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Paypro Workforce Management
Paypro Workforce Management
Score 9.5 out of 10
Paypro Workforce Management
Paypro Workforce Management
Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Infor Human Resources
Infor Human Resources
Score 7.3 out of 10
Infor Human Resources
Infor Human Resources
Score 7.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
ADP Workforce NowAscentis (discontinued)
Likelihood to Recommend
8.3
(1085 ratings)
7.2
(164 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.4
(82 ratings)
6.3
(12 ratings)
Usability
6.2
(78 ratings)
7.6
(44 ratings)
Availability
7.3
(14 ratings)
6.7
(5 ratings)
Performance
6.4
(13 ratings)
7.1
(4 ratings)
Support Rating
7.0
(462 ratings)
8.2
(150 ratings)
In-Person Training
8.1
(9 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Online Training
5.8
(17 ratings)
8.3
(4 ratings)
Implementation Rating
6.0
(34 ratings)
8.3
(5 ratings)
Configurability
6.4
(10 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Ease of integration
6.1
(8 ratings)
3.0
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
7.5
(747 ratings)
6.7
(4 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
5.2
(8 ratings)
9.6
(3 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
6.1
(8 ratings)
9.6
(3 ratings)
User Testimonials
ADP Workforce NowAscentis (discontinued)
Likelihood to Recommend
ADP
If you are looking to automate processes and have the system handle administrative, boring tasks this is the system for you. They are continuing to evolve and are coming out with improvements constantly. Have a suggestion on an improvement they will listen and consider implementing.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
In working with Ascentis in payroll, the program makes my job so much easier. I am new to this position and the learning process has been so much easier with this product than those in the past. I appreciate the patience I am given when I call in for assistance as well.
Read full review
Pros
ADP
  • HRIS that is personalized for the employee and addresses DE&I needs.
  • Payroll, of course! The system addresses all needs, such as deductions, additional pay, premium OT, and shift differentials.
  • Onboarding is an excellent way to stay in compliance and have all documents completed.
  • Tax and Banking and resolution to any issues.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • Easy to use software. I have had several new HR employees comment on how easy the system is to learn!
  • Problem Solving- Ascentis is always problem solving! When we were in the process of selecting a new payroll company, we needed unemployment claims management assistance for our locations, something Ascentis did not currently offer. The sales rep went out of his way to find a unemployment claims management company that would work with Ascentis and us. That company has helped us keep an 80% win rate for our claims!
  • User conference- Engage is an awesome way to learn more about the products Ascentis has available as well and meet up with the staff you work with every day!
Read full review
Cons
ADP
  • I would like it if better communication was sent out about new product updates. Sometimes, I go into a screen and things are different and I have to relearn it on the fly.
  • Editing the mobile app - I would like it if what is shown on the desktop version was automatically on the app. WAY more of my employees use the app, but I put the most important information on the desktop version because it is easier to update.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • Updating the system so it is one platform and not two.
  • Create changes to the benefit enrollment process and upgrade the system so hire dates do not need to be changed to trigger benefits for status changes.
  • Focus updates on HR Admin, mobile application, ATS and transitioning to one platform. Larger areas of focus have been on the payroll portion of the system with a few updates to other areas.
  • When something is broken, quicker turn time on fixing the issue.
  • System needs updates to support AAP reporting.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
ADP
Due to the lack of support from the sales and service center we are looking at other options outside of ADP. Again it is a good system, it just lacks the support it deserves from the company employees. It is just unimaginable that you will need to reach out to a service provider several times for the same issue and not get it resolved.
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Discontinued Products
This rating would be a 10 if it were not for some issues we have been having recently with the benefit carrier connections. The carrier connections are critical for us so how these issues are resolved will be key in our renewal decision.
Read full review
Usability
ADP
I would give it a 10 however I do not like when ADP does facelifts in Workforce Now which does not add any value other than having to relearn navigation. I am also not a big fan of being forced to refer to the Bridge. We have Google which gives the same results. If I understood the answer I would not contact our Account Rep.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
I'd give it a 7.5. If the modules were easier to access and not so buried (or placed in left field to find), I would give it a higher rating. As I said, as the potential to be great if ACCESS to other modules was easier.
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Reliability and Availability
ADP
ADP outages are very rare
Read full review
Discontinued Products
They normally give you notice when an update will affect the use of the system. Otherwise, when we have an error , we send a message to the support team. Sometimes someone will get right back with you and sometimes it takes a while.
Read full review
Performance
ADP
Overall, I think the functionality of the program works pretty well. Sometimes, certain browsers do not work well for the policy function of ADP, but that is the only issue thus far
Read full review
Discontinued Products
Yes, this pages do load pretty good but there are times when things are slow and I believe that's because they are sometimes trying to do updates.
Read full review
Support Rating
ADP
I have contacted support multiple times and have always been happy with the results. ADP's support staff is always helpful and makes easy work of solving problems. I love my Payroll Account Manager, as well as my Enhanced Time Account Manager.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
Support is attentive and quick to answer the call and get the answer for you. If they for any reason cannot answer right then, they are back to you within a day and always seem to have a sense of urgency. You truly get the impression that they are aiming to make you happy.
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In-Person Training
ADP
In-person training was pretty good - I think this significantly depends on the trainer. Our trainer was really good and showed what ADP can do - but I know that all trainers are not the same - and this truly makes such as difference. Overall, our training went pretty well.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
First, to clarify our "in-person" training was done mainly through Web-X meetings and conference calls. It was the closest thing we got to as far as an "in-person" training for this software. However, for the large majority of it, this type of training worked out well. We were able to share our screens and the trainer was able to share his/her screen. We could follow along with what we were doing in our database in real time and see how different functions worked and how manipulating our information could produce different results. It was also nice in that it provided for real-time results if something hadn't been coded correctly or we were having issues as to why something wasn't working the way we thought it should be. However, it did have some downsides in that we often had to rely on a conference phone and that made it difficult to hear people on both sides. Also, sometimes the trainers had internet difficulties when working from home and that caused issues with the WebX meetings.
Read full review
Online Training
ADP
At the time training was not as expansive as it is now. If it could go wrong it did for me so the process was difficult and lengthy. I needed to have more in person walkthroughs of things to ensure the transition was done correctly. Not sure what else I can say, we were part of the initial move to Workforce Now when it was introduced.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
Ascentis HR has a number of online training videos to watch on a number of different topics. I gave it a lower rating because there is not much interactivity with the videos and it seems to cater to really only one or two learning styles. Plus, one has to be pretty motivated to go to a separate area to access the videos and then pull up a specific one to watch it and then learn. From my experience, people know that they are there, many just don't take the time and effort to go find them and actually watch them - especially since the username and password are different from their normal username and password.
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Implementation Rating
ADP
Either assign more than one specialist to the implementation process, or assign less clients to the implementation specialist. The process requires attention to detail and the ability to test and re-test as well as verify the information. It also requires a lot of back and forth between the client ant the implementation specialist, so they need to be readily available during the whole implementation process.
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Discontinued Products
It was very easy to implement, but the customization pieces should really be fleshed out in order to determine the full need of an organization at the time of implementation. I believe if a little more time was spent on the requirements, the recruiting module would not have to be customized again at a cost at a later date.
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Alternatives Considered
ADP
Although this SAS takes longer to perform the everyday functions related to payroll and HR data input, the difference in this software and our previous software is like night and day. We were on a very old server platform and had too many issues with continuous need for backup.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
Ascentis has far better customer service and the implementation experience was also better. The ability to do a lot of customization is also easier with Ascentis as it's smaller organization. The payroll has positive and negatives compared to ADP but the accuracy is the same in both. Ascentis just started their community site which doesn't have a lot of traffic but hopefully can become more like ADP's community site, which was extremely helpful to me as an administrator.
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Scalability
ADP
It handles very well with very sensitive data of a company especially of employees. Even provides HR services regarding recruitment services like recruitment, providing notification, even handles increment cycle of employee, any awards achieved by employees. All of this services are handled by them in very efficient way.
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Discontinued Products
Large acquisition would be very complicated, seems more appropriate for companies under 100
Read full review
Return on Investment
ADP
  • ADP WorkforceNow has provided a positive ROI for our company. It has saved me countless hours in the time I used to spend preparing reports, managing benefits, and annual enrollment, recruitment tracking, and much more.
  • The integration with Payscale has allowed our company to take every position in our organization and benchmark it to industries and job titles. This has allowed us to be more competitive on recruitment and retention.
  • We have used the new DE&I dashboard to provide valuable information on the landscape of our workforce, as well as areas of our organization that may not be as diverse.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • HR DPT. is much more effective, as we can assess any employee information no matter where we are, etc. This helps to provide information immediately when requested!
  • Employees have access to Ascentis, and therefore to their timecard, open enrollment, etc., from anywhere at any time!
  • Time, PTO requests, employee goals, and evaluations can be approved from anywhere at any time!
  • Recruiting can be accessed any where at any time, and this helps with hiring, internal communication, etc.
Read full review
ScreenShots

ADP Workforce Now Screenshots

Screenshot of ADP Workforce Now: a simple and complete human capital management solutionScreenshot of Benchmarking by ADP DataCloud: an application with an extensive data set ... available to ADP Workforce Now clientsScreenshot of ADP Workforce Now clients can equip their employees with the ADP Mobile self-service app

Ascentis (discontinued) Screenshots

Screenshot of Access all of your details including, paychecks, personal file, timeclock, etc via our mobile app.Screenshot of Punch-in and punch-out on the go.Screenshot of Centralized location for everything related to a user or admin.Screenshot of Every employee has access to their personal information in one location.Screenshot of Pre-built reporting along with Ad Hoc reporting gives you the ability to understand your business as a whole.Screenshot of Benefit enrollment made easy for your employees.