ADP vs Criterion

A Best-In-Class HCM

With Sage HCM, You’re Not Just an Account. You’re a Partner.

Tired of impersonal service? Want more control over your HR and payroll processes? Sage HCM’s all-in-one HCM unifies HR, payroll, and talent engagement in one intuitive platform, so you can stop juggling disconnected systems. Plus, our dedicated support team always learns your business inside and out, so we can deliver direct, personalized help.

Built with real customers in mind, Sage HCM helps your team:

Streamline Time Tracking to Payroll – Automate complex payroll processes with zero delays while employees track time from anywhere.‍
Configure All Your Workflows – Tailor HR, payroll, and talent engagement tools to suit your unique processes.
‍Improve Recruiting – Sort resumes, request background checks, and manage hiring decisions from one interface.
Generate Powerful Custom Reports – Leverage any field (and create custom fields) to build unique reports and gain deeper insights.

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Why Real Construction Companies Trust Criterion

“We have never, ever, ever skipped or were worried about missing payroll. We feel extremely confident…Our payroll managers said they will NEVER go back to the old system because there is no comparison.”

Patryk Kubiszyn

VP Systems & Process of Smith & Long Construction

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“The implementation with Sage HCM is lightyears ahead of the implementation that we were going through so painfully for three years [with the other vendor].”

Melanie Chandler

HRIS Manager of Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina

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“We used to go all the way to the end of our direct deposit timeline deadlines. Now, we are able to process a live payroll within two business days. So they shaved off like a day and a half [of the payroll process].”

Eric Ogawa

Controller of BAPKO Metal, Inc.

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“There is a high degree of customization with custom fields [in Sage HCM]. So if there are additional data points that I need to be able to capture, I can do that.”

Lacey Unrau, BHRLR, CPHR

Vice President, Human Resources of Des Nedhe Group

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“[Sage HCM is] always very responsive, super descriptive, and if something can’t be discussed over chat, they always schedule a video call … they share screens and show me MY payroll module and MY employees and guide me step-by-step how to do something — that’s been the most helpful thing ever.”

Emily Kraft

Accounting Assistant of Mount Hermon Association, Inc.

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"[The customer service] has been the best service that we've experienced on any software platform that we've used — I wish my bank was like that!"

Patryk Kubiszyn

VP Systems & Process of Smith & Long Construction

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Criterion Is Built on One Unified Database. ADP Is Not.

Sage HCM unifies HR, payroll, and talent engagement in a single database. Every update instantly syncs across all modules — with no delays or errors. You get real-time visibility and data you can rely on.

Over the years, ADP has patched together various acquired products. Today, users report disconnected databases and poor communication between tools.

With Sage HCM, all your data is connected in one place, as any HCM should be.

“There are some issues with ADP Workforce Now's underlying architecture which make it so that certain data and fields can only be transferred manually” - Brett Ungashick (Outsail).

A man in a suit stands confidently, holding a tablet computer in his right hand.

Your Very Own HCM System — Configured for You

Sage HCM’s cloud-based platform puts payroll, HR, and talent engagement fully in your hands.

Along with in-house control, you get direct access to all backend tables, so every detail can be tailored to suit your unique processes. No third-party approvals needed.

While ADP does provide software, they are known for offering payroll and HR services. These functions are effectively outsourced, leaving critical changes and configurations in the hands of ADP customer service reps. This results in limited control, slower updates, and less flexibility.

With Sage HCM, you can run your own procedures and put your best employees in charge of your workflows.

Integrate Sage HCM With Any Third-Party Software

Connect all your data to ERP, project management, and even custom, in-house software for advanced reporting and fewer data silos.

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Get Dedicated Support.

As a Sage HCM customer, you get a dedicated support rep who truly understands your business needs. We’ll help you solve problems, configure workflows, and sustain a seamless operation long after implementation.

You won’t waste time re-explaining issues to random call-center agents with long wait times.

“[Sage HCM] support is very reliable, and it’s nice to know that your issue will be resolved quickly.” - Dan Beards, Computer Generated Solutions

Sage HCM Grows With Your Business

As you grow, so do your HR challenges. Sage HCM’s modular, “pod-style” infrastructure naturally expands with your business, allowing unlimited additions of employees, data, workflows, and reports.

To adapt to new challenges, your growing business needs a scalable HCM solution with a high degree of configurability. But with ADP, you’ll feel the limits of their service once you reach 200 or more employees — especially if you’re outsourcing payroll and HR functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Sage HCM different from ADP?

While ADP provides a collection of acquired products with call-center-style customer service, Sage HCM is built on a single, unified database and provides personalized customer service. Our platform eliminates syncing delays and ensures real-time updates with a purpose-built HCM system. With 20 years of experience refining our product for real HR teams, Sage HCM focuses on truly understanding each client’s operation and tailoring the software to solve problems.

How do the core HR capabilities compare between Sage HCM and ADP?

Sage HCM delivers robust applicant tracking, onboarding, payroll, and benefits administration all within one platform, so data flows seamlessly among modules. On the other hand, users report that ADP’s loosely connected systems can lead to data-entry redundancies and synchronization issues, making Sage HCM’s integrated solution more efficient and user-friendly.

What does implementation look like for Sage HCM?

While exact timelines vary depending on company size and complexity, we offer a well-managed, structured approach to implementation. We start with a thorough discovery of your needs, then employ a dedicated team to guide configuration, training, and data migration. During the whole process, we are constantly taking in feedback about new features and unique configurations to make Sage HCM work for you.

How does Sage HCM’s unified system really work?

Sage HCM’s platform is built on a single database, so any update instantly reflects across all modules. For example, if you add a new union affiliation to an employee record, that change automatically appears in payroll, time-tracking, and reporting — applying new union rates immediately. This approach eliminates the need for manual re-entry or syncing, and allows for comprehensive analytics from a single source of truth. Plus, Sage HCM modules can be purchased individually and still maintain a seamless connection if you decide to add more modules to your solution later on.

What kind of customer support can we expect — do we get a dedicated rep or a generic call center?

Every Sage HCM customer is assigned a dedicated customer success representative who knows your company’s specific Sage HCM configuration and history. We’ll help you solve problems, learn your system, develop reports, and more. We can even develop new features just for you. This way, you get a faster resolution with more personalized support and avoid the frustrating cycle of waiting on hold and reporting the same issue to multiple reps.

What level of control do we have over system configurations?

Unlike ADP’s service bureau model, Sage HCM allows you to own your HCM platform by giving you direct access to back-end tables and settings. Administrators can configure payroll rules, customize reports, and manage workflows and other changes in-house as needed. However, you can always ask for help from Sage HCM’s support team to make new configurations.

What service-level agreements (SLAs) and uptime guarantees does Sage HCM have in place?

At Sage HCM, we guarantee 99.9% uptime and commit to maintaining at least a 90% or higher customer satisfaction rate. If satisfaction dips below 90% for a full year, we’ll provide a 1% annual subscription refund. That’s our commitment to accountability and transparency with all our customers.

Discover A Unified HCM That Puts You First

With Sage HCM, You’re Not Just an Account. You’re a Partner.

Why Real Construction Companies Trust Criterion

Patryk Kubiszyn

Melanie Chandler

Eric Ogawa

Lacey Unrau, BHRLR, CPHR

Emily Kraft

Patryk Kubiszyn

Criterion Is Built on One Unified Database. ADP Is Not.

Your Very Own HCM System — Configured for You

Integrate Sage HCM With Any Third-Party Software

Get Dedicated Support.

Sage HCM Grows With Your Business

How Other Companies Are Using Criterion HCM to Tackle Big Challenges

How Commissionaires Modernized Their Operations With Sage HCM

How Goodwill Industries Is Achieving Big Recruiting Goals With Sage HCM

How Des Nedhe Group Transformed Their Organization With Sage HCM

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Sage HCM different from ADP?

How do the core HR capabilities compare between Sage HCM and ADP?

What does implementation look like for Sage HCM?

How does Sage HCM’s unified system really work?

What kind of customer support can we expect — do we get a dedicated rep or a generic call center?

What level of control do we have over system configurations?

What service-level agreements (SLAs) and uptime guarantees does Sage HCM have in place?

The Future of HR is Unified

Transform your workforce with Sage Copilot