Criterion HCM vs. Paylocity

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Criterion HCM
Score 8.4 out of 10
Enterprise companies (1,001+ employees)
Criterion provides human capital management (HCM) software for midmarket organizations in construction, financial services, nonprofits and higher education, empowering them to streamline their critical HR, payroll, talent engagement, and workforce management processes.N/A
Paylocity
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
Paylocity provides 24/7 access to your online payroll and human resource data management. Paylocity offers highly customizable payroll functionality, as well as HR, benefits administration, and time and talent management programs.N/A
Pricing
Criterion HCMPaylocity
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Criterion HCMPaylocity
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYes
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Criterion HCMPaylocity
Considered Both Products
Criterion HCM

No answer on this topic

Paylocity
Chose Paylocity
Paylocity is as good in terms of payroll processing; the reporting is lacking in terms of finding the report with the information you need; customer service is excellent; however you really don't have an account manager, except in name only.
Features
Criterion HCMPaylocity
Human Resource Management
Comparison of Human Resource Management features of Product A and Product B
Criterion HCM
5.3
1 Ratings
42% below category average
Paylocity
7.8
1507 Ratings
4% below category average
Employee demographic data5.01 Ratings8.31437 Ratings
Employment history5.01 Ratings8.21387 Ratings
Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.6.01 Ratings7.61307 Ratings
Job profiles and administration00 Ratings7.81292 Ratings
Organizational charting00 Ratings7.51201 Ratings
Organization and location management00 Ratings8.01176 Ratings
Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)00 Ratings7.61011 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
Criterion HCM
5.0
1 Ratings
48% below category average
Paylocity
8.3
1445 Ratings
2% above category average
Pay calculation5.01 Ratings8.71412 Ratings
Off-cycle/On-Demand payment5.01 Ratings8.81107 Ratings
Benefit plan administration5.01 Ratings7.6977 Ratings
Direct deposit files5.01 Ratings8.91404 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management5.01 Ratings8.21139 Ratings
Support for external payroll vendors00 Ratings8.0714 Ratings
Reimbursement management00 Ratings7.8719 Ratings
Leave and Attendance Management
Comparison of Leave and Attendance Management features of Product A and Product B
Criterion HCM
4.0
1 Ratings
68% below category average
Paylocity
7.7
1223 Ratings
6% below category average
Approval workflow4.01 Ratings7.81089 Ratings
Balance details4.01 Ratings7.51170 Ratings
Annual carry-forward and encashment00 Ratings7.8935 Ratings
Employee Self Service
Comparison of Employee Self Service features of Product A and Product B
Criterion HCM
4.0
1 Ratings
69% below category average
Paylocity
8.4
1452 Ratings
2% above category average
View and generate pay and benefit information4.01 Ratings8.61416 Ratings
Update personal information4.01 Ratings8.71440 Ratings
View company policy documentation00 Ratings8.01175 Ratings
Employee recognition00 Ratings8.21067 Ratings
View job history00 Ratings8.51266 Ratings
Onboarding
Comparison of Onboarding features of Product A and Product B
Criterion HCM
1.0
1 Ratings
155% below category average
Paylocity
8.1
1261 Ratings
2% above category average
New hire portal1.01 Ratings8.21251 Ratings
Manager tracking tools00 Ratings7.91017 Ratings
Asset Management
Comparison of Asset Management features of Product A and Product B
Criterion HCM
-
Ratings
Paylocity
7.6
467 Ratings
5% below category average
Tracking of all physical assets00 Ratings7.6467 Ratings
HR Reporting
Comparison of HR Reporting features of Product A and Product B
Criterion HCM
-
Ratings
Paylocity
7.2
1346 Ratings
4% below category average
Report builder00 Ratings7.21290 Ratings
Pre-built reports00 Ratings7.41310 Ratings
Ability to combine HR data with external data00 Ratings7.0861 Ratings
Performance and Goals
Comparison of Performance and Goals features of Product A and Product B
Criterion HCM
-
Ratings
Paylocity
7.6
714 Ratings
5% below category average
Corporate goal setting00 Ratings7.4569 Ratings
Individual goal setting00 Ratings7.7659 Ratings
Line-of sight-visibility00 Ratings7.4510 Ratings
Performance tracking00 Ratings7.8666 Ratings
Performance Management
Comparison of Performance Management features of Product A and Product B
Criterion HCM
-
Ratings
Paylocity
7.5
894 Ratings
5% below category average
Performance plans00 Ratings7.3816 Ratings
Performance improvement plans00 Ratings7.2710 Ratings
Review status tracking00 Ratings7.8823 Ratings
Review reminders00 Ratings7.8830 Ratings
Multiple review frequency00 Ratings7.6705 Ratings
Succession Planning
Comparison of Succession Planning features of Product A and Product B
Criterion HCM
-
Ratings
Paylocity
7.4
482 Ratings
6% below category average
Create succession plans/pools00 Ratings7.4330 Ratings
Candidate ranking00 Ratings7.3388 Ratings
Candidate search00 Ratings7.8436 Ratings
Candidate development00 Ratings7.3356 Ratings
Recruiting / ATS
Comparison of Recruiting / ATS features of Product A and Product B
Criterion HCM
-
Ratings
Paylocity
7.9
847 Ratings
1% above category average
Job Requisition Management00 Ratings8.1728 Ratings
Company Website Posting00 Ratings8.2756 Ratings
Publish to Social Media00 Ratings7.9590 Ratings
Job Search Site Posting00 Ratings7.9725 Ratings
Duplicate Candidate Prevention00 Ratings7.4626 Ratings
Applicant Tracking00 Ratings8.1784 Ratings
Notifications and Alerts00 Ratings7.9784 Ratings
User Ratings
Criterion HCMPaylocity
Likelihood to Recommend
1.0
(1 ratings)
8.2
(1590 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
1.0
(1 ratings)
8.8
(172 ratings)
Usability
1.0
(1 ratings)
8.1
(400 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
8.9
(40 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
8.4
(39 ratings)
Support Rating
1.0
(1 ratings)
6.7
(156 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
8.1
(6 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
8.1
(33 ratings)
Implementation Rating
1.0
(1 ratings)
6.7
(98 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
7.1
(31 ratings)
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
-
(0 ratings)
8.1
(28 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
7.4
(32 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
8.3
(39 ratings)
Professional Services
-
(0 ratings)
8.6
(20 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
7.7
(37 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.6
(35 ratings)
User Testimonials
Criterion HCMPaylocity
Likelihood to Recommend
Criterion HCM
We have not been happy with the functionality or reporting reports with this software. Numerous issues with employees not being able to clock in and out of the system. Employees' time sheets disappearing. Quarterly reports not matching to totals on batch payroll reports. Does not have the capability to electronically submit w-2's to state reporting agencies.
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Paylocity
As a medium sized restaurant group, I think Paylocity has been really helpful in allowing us to streamline some of our processes. We are very seasonal and do a ton of onboarding and offboarding and Paylocity has made that easier. It also has great integration options and allowed us to eliminate systems we had before for a more all-in-one approach. With that said, there is always room for improvement and I think the biggest issue is the turn around time for some items, especially tax return amendments.
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Pros
Criterion HCM
  • changes in pay rates
  • rehiring employees
  • payroll calculations
  • assisting with PTO accruals
Read full review
Paylocity
  • Payroll is made pretty easy. I love that we have the ability to log into payroll, we just upload the information from commissions, things like that where there are exceptions to a regular payroll run. It may make it very easy to do that, just a quick upload. Additionally, when we're in the payroll grid, it gives us the ability to just make quick changes to people's pay or their tax schedule, tax withholdings, things like that without having to go through a lot of different screens. It's just very easy to access just for the click of a button. Love that.
  • We talked about performance reviews, talked about payroll with benefits administration, it allows us to utilize EDI feeds with our benefit vendors so it creates a seamless, but we just enter the information into Paylocity and then it seamlessly provides that information to our vendors. That's been really helpful. And adjusting benefits is also very easy within Paylocity. I love the recent edition of compensation analysis information, so I'm able to go into the compensation module and look for jobs that are similar to a job title at our company. I can enter the job description, I give them what state that the person or the job is in, and it pops out compensation data. It gives me different options, so titles that might be similar. So if there's not something that's an exact fit, I'm able to find something really, really close. It's been a huge upgrade because before that I was having to use a different vendor and paying $400 per job and now it's significantly less expensive to Paylocity and I'm still getting great quality data. It's been very helpful.
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Cons
Criterion HCM
  • payroll reports
  • state filing of W-2s
  • support
  • implementation
  • employees access to W-2
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Paylocity
  • I'd like to see a forum in which users could discuss the platform, raise both questions and concerns. I feel that changes are done without enough input from users.
  • Improving hold time recently with customer service.
  • Accuracy of new 'graphic' payroll report - the new report is not complete when payroll is done, so it is unusable from my perspective. I rely on the preprocess payroll register. This is one of those 'improvements' that have not been positive in my experience.
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Likelihood to Renew
Criterion HCM
We are changing to another payroll/HR vendor.
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Paylocity
There are several technical issues we have experienced this past year with the employee onboarding process that we are still waiting to have resolved. Overall our experience with Paylocity has been positive, and we love how user-friendly and easy to navigate the system is. It has made all of our HR processes much more streamlined and efficient.
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Usability
Criterion HCM
too many instances of errors, unable to access program/time sheets
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Paylocity
I simply love Paylocity! We have run into some issues, but no company is going to be perfect. The flow of the modules is really nice, no double entry of data. The Time & Labor flows into Payroll nicely and Benefits flows into the employees Pay Setup which goes onto the employees paycheck with little to no issues.
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Reliability and Availability
Criterion HCM
No answers on this topic
Paylocity
Over the last 3 years, we've only had one major service issue that rendered Airbase unusable for us for about 24 hours. That said, they navigated the SVB bank crisis very well and made sure funds were available during that time.
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Performance
Criterion HCM
No answers on this topic
Paylocity
We had some minor hiccups throughout the year but they have all been fixable. Paylocity integrates well with our 401k provider, Principal, and our benefits, OneDigital. It makes it simple to house everything and have it all connected. It doesn't slow anything down to have Principal integrated. It makes it more efficient
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Support Rating
Criterion HCM
Support is very slow to correct issues. I have actually reported an issue then 2-3 hours later received screen shots where they were able to do what we could not as though we were doing something different that usual. They are quick to say it is user error. Took too long to correct payroll reports and reports still do not reconcile. Very difficult to complete quarterly and annual reporting.
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Paylocity
It is very hard to get answers to your questions, you cannot speak to someone without days of requesting assistance or answers and then eventually can get a call back and then it is usually resolved fairly quickly. But NOT easy to get that help.
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In-Person Training
Criterion HCM
No answers on this topic
Paylocity
I didn't have in-person training, but I'm sure it was just as great as any other training/assistance Paylocity provides. Paylocity customer service is always available. You never have to be on hold and their answers are always accurate and timely. Documents in the help section are helpful as well. My in-person training was conducted y one of our employees who was involved in the initial set-up and training of all employees. She was excellent.
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Online Training
Criterion HCM
No answers on this topic
Paylocity
Our rep was very thorough and made sure we fully understood the software before turning us loose alone. Paylocity was very good to do periodic check ins to ensure we understood the features and answered any questions we had. The training reps are very well trained and are very patient with clients.
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Implementation Rating
Criterion HCM
Had to continually repeat our information. Kept getting us confused with another client.
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Paylocity
Implementation was a bit bumpy and Paylocity team not always available for next steps and/or questions. I feel like Paylocity could have done a better job in their fact finding as far as what we were currently doing, our payroll policies and needs, etc. so that we would have run into less issues as we moved forward.
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Alternatives Considered
Criterion HCM
When reviewing the various software before selecting Criterion HCM, it appeared to be the best choice and value. During implementation (which took nine months with us having to do most of the work) we realized we were not given accurate information regarding the software
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Paylocity
ADP was very similar to the way Paylocity is, but I seem to favor Paylocity to be honest. Miter was VERY difficult to use and set up. I wouldn't ever consider using that software ever again. I didn't like a lot of aspect Miter had to offer either. Paylocity would always be my choice.
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Contract Terms and Pricing Model
Criterion HCM
No answers on this topic
Paylocity
Everyone wants a good deal of course. We thought we did ok and felt you still made your money also
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Scalability
Criterion HCM
No answers on this topic
Paylocity
We have gone from a medium sized company to a larger company with no issues whatsoever with Paylocity being able to keep up or do what we need it to do for the size of our needs. In fact, it does more than we even use at this juncture
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Professional Services
Criterion HCM
No answers on this topic
Paylocity
Some are knowledgable others not as much and sometimes instead of helping you fix the issue will just give you some directions and expect you to try to figure it out yourself. Also, when your Account Manager needs to escliate the issue to another group, it can take a long time for them to get to your issue and there's no commuication.
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Return on Investment
Criterion HCM
  • does not impact our ROI
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Paylocity
  • Paylocity has helped us with recruitment by streamlining the process and making it efficient. It is saving me time.
  • Paylocity has also helped us with compensation so we can create a fair and robust compensation plan.
  • I also like using the data insights feature, which helps me keep track of over time, payroll and benefits costs, and retention numbers. This also saves me time as it is all in one place.
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ScreenShots

Paylocity Screenshots

Screenshot of a view of real-time employee data and performance metrics used to uncover and analyze trends. This creates an impactful understanding of the business, increase retention, understand labor costs, and plan for changes.Screenshot of where to automate manual processes with Paylocity's self-serve automation engine, Workflows. Users can implement routines for time-consuming manual tasks.Screenshot of where to manage and comply with employment law. Paylocity's HR Compliance solution helps users to stay on track and view important employee compliance items, from Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), healthcare, and compensation.Screenshot of how Paylocity Recruiting can automate hiring processes. amplify outreach, showcase a company's culture, and build stronger candidate connections to swiftly fill positions.Screenshot of recognition and rewards in Paylocity.