15Five vs Workday

Detailed side-by-side comparison

15Five

From $4/mo

15Five is a performance management platform focused on continuous feedback, employee engagement, and goal tracking through weekly check-ins, 1-on-1s, and OKRs. It's designed to strengthen manager-employee communication and streamline performance reviews with an intuitive, best-practices approach.

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Workday

Workday is a comprehensive enterprise-grade HCM and financial management system that unifies HR, payroll, recruiting, learning, and workforce planning in one cloud platform. Built for medium to large organizations, it offers deep integration across modules with powerful analytics and AI-driven insights.

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Feature Comparison

Feature	15Five	Workday
Performance Management	Specialized focus on continuous feedback with weekly check-ins, 360-degree feedback, and performance reviews integrated with OKRs	Performance management as part of broader talent suite, with goal setting, reviews, and calibration tied to compensation and succession planning
Goal Setting & Tracking	Dedicated OKR tracking with alignment visualization and progress updates tied to weekly check-ins	Goal management integrated across performance, compensation, and workforce planning with enterprise-wide cascading goals
Employee Engagement	Purpose-built engagement surveys, pulse checks, and recognition features with engagement analytics dashboard	Engagement surveys available but as part of broader HCM suite, with insights connected to retention and workforce analytics
HR Core & Payroll	Not included; integrates with external HRIS and payroll systems	Full-featured core HR, payroll processing, compensation management, and benefits administration in unified system
Talent Acquisition	Not included; focuses on performance and development post-hire	Comprehensive recruiting platform with applicant tracking, candidate management, and onboarding workflows
Implementation & Ease of Use	Quick setup with minimal training needed; intuitive interface designed for rapid adoption	Extended implementation timeline (often 6-12+ months) with significant training requirements but powerful capabilities once deployed

Pricing Comparison

15Five starts at $4 per user per month, making it accessible for small to mid-sized teams seeking focused performance management. Workday pricing is not publicly disclosed and requires custom enterprise quotes, typically involving substantial licensing and implementation costs suited for larger organizations.

Verdict

Choose 15Five if...

Choose 15Five if you're a small to mid-sized organization looking for an affordable, easy-to-implement solution focused specifically on performance management, employee engagement, and strengthening manager-employee relationships without needing full HCM functionality.

Choose Workday if...

Choose Workday if you're a medium to large enterprise needing a comprehensive, unified HCM platform that handles everything from recruiting and core HR to payroll, learning, and workforce planning with deep analytics and integration across all people management functions.

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Pros & Cons

15Five

Pros

+ Intuitive interface that encourages consistent manager-employee communication
+ Reduces administrative burden of performance management processes
+ Strong integration capabilities with HRIS and collaboration tools
+ Evidence-based approach with built-in best practices for people management

Cons

- Can be overwhelming for teams new to structured performance management
- Pricing can be steep for smaller organizations
- Some features require training to maximize value

Workday

Pros

+ Comprehensive all-in-one HCM platform with deep integration across modules
+ Intuitive user interface with strong mobile experience
+ Powerful analytics and reporting capabilities with real-time insights
+ Regular updates and innovation without disruptive upgrades

Cons

- High implementation costs and long deployment timelines
- Primarily designed for large enterprises, may be overwhelming for smaller companies
- Requires significant training and change management for adoption