Managing HR and recruitment is challenging enough without relying on tools that miss the mark.
Many platforms claim to simplify hiring but often fail to deliver precise matches, instead creating noise and leaving teams frustrated with slowed workflows.
That’s why more HR and recruiting teams are looking beyond Workday. All of them are choosing tools that are easier, faster, and built to reduce time-to-hire without sacrificing quality.
If you’re in the same boat, we’ve already done the homework for you.
Here are the top 10 Workday alternatives to check out in 2025.
Why HR teams shift away from Workday
Workday is an HCM platform that centralizes HR processes, offering a comprehensive suite of tools from employee profiles to performance reviews in one centralized location.
For many organizations, it serves as a single hub for managing data and streamlining HR operations.
However, not every experience is seamless.
A G2 reviewer noted that, even after two years of use, navigating Workday continues to be a struggle.
Essential features are buried deep, forcing reliance on saved shortcuts just to complete routine tasks.
The same reviewer adds that everyday actions, like planning an absence, require unnecessary clicks and lack the intuitive design found in other tools.
With such usability frustrations, especially for teams that value speed and simplicity, many HR departments begin seeking alternatives that prioritize ease of use and efficiency.
They’re looking for something smarter than legacy ATS tools like Workday, and that’s where Cohort comes in.
Key features
Some of Workday's key features include:
- End-to-end candidate pipeline management: Tracks the whole hiring process across multiple job requisitions, showing every candidate’s stage in the funnel.
- AI-driven talent search: Uses skills-based search and AI recommendations to identify top internal and external candidates for open roles.
- Internal talent marketplace: Enables employees to update skills, plan careers, and explore internal opportunities for growth and mobility.
Pros & cons
🟢 Unified platform that automates hiring and improves candidate experience.
🟢 Effective internal mobility tools to promote and retain talent.
🔴 Steep learning curve for new users.
🔴 Complex and click-heavy recruiting workflows.
Pricing
Contact Workday’s sales team to get a customized quote based on your organization’s size, modules, and specific requirements.
10 best Workday alternatives HR teams should explore in 2025
1. Cohort AI
Cohort AI is a recruitment platform that helps hiring teams find the top 3 candidates for any technical role in just a few days.
Built by engineers and recruiters who faced hiring challenges firsthand, it was created to remove guesswork and deliver the right fit every time.
By automating sourcing, outreach, screening, and engagement with AI, repetitive tasks are removed, while a Talent Architect ensures every recommendation is precisely aligned with your requirements.
No more guesswork. No more resume pileups. Just the right people, fast.
➤ How it works:
Cohort combines Generative AI while keeping human-in-the-loop to deliver precision at speed.
Its AI interprets your job requirements and company context in depth, matching them with the most relevant candidates from a dataset of over 1 million pre-vetted professionals.
Define your ideal profile, receive highly accurate matches quickly, and manage the process end-to-end on one platform with safeguards that reduce bias and protect quality.
Key features
Some of Cohort AI's key features include:
- LLM-powered talent graph: Matches with precision by combining public and private data to create detailed candidate profiles with verified skills and experience.
- Real-time fit scoring: Assigns each candidate a match score and flags, giving you a clear view of how well they fit the role.
- Multimodal candidate profiles: Consolidates resumes, project links, contributions, and screening results in one easy-to-view profile.
- Sourcing agent (Sally the Scout): Searches platforms like GitHub, LinkedIn, and Stack Overflow, surfacing only the most relevant talent based on real skill indicators.
- Outreach agent (Pete the Prospector): Sends personalized messages and automated follow-ups to keep top candidates engaged.
- Screening agent (Eva the Evaluator): Runs asynchronous, role-specific AI assessments that provide precise insights into job fit and team compatibility.
- Engagement agent (Charlie the Closer): Maintains candidate communication, answers questions, and nudges them through the final hiring stages.
- Built-in collaboration tools: Lets team members comment, tag, and share candidate profiles directly on the platform to stay aligned.
Pros & cons
🟢 Delivers the top 3 pre-vetted candidates who precisely fit your needs in just a few days.
🟢 Automates sourcing, outreach, and screening through AI agents, reducing manual work.
🟢 Uses enriched data and skill graphs to ensure accurate, high-quality matches.
🔴 Slightly longer for very niche or specialized roles.
Pricing
For pricing details and plan options, contact us directly.
2. Rippling
Rippling is an all-in-one workforce management platform that combines HR, IT, payroll, and finance into a single system.
It streamlines onboarding, benefits, device management, and global payroll through automated workflows and integrations.
Key features
Some of its key features include:
- Customizable recruiting pipelines: Build tailored workflows with custom stages, structured feedback, and automated scheduling to reduce manual tasks.
- Employee referral management: Generate referral links, track bonuses, and automate payouts directly through payroll.
- Automated candidate outreach and communication: Send personalized emails, use SMS, and segment candidates with dynamic tagging for better engagement.
Pros & cons
🟢 Unified platform with deep HR, IT, and recruiting integrations.
🟢 Highly customizable and scalable for organizations of any size.
🔴 Costs can rise quickly with add-ons.
🔴 No phone support, and workflows can be complex for new users.
Pricing
For an exact quote tailored to your needs, contact their sales team directly.
3. Hirevue
HireVue is an AI-powered hiring platform that streamlines recruitment with video interviews, automated scheduling, and structured evaluations.
It also provides skill assessments, including coding tests and job simulations, to objectively measure candidate fit.
Key features
Some of its key features include:
- AI-powered skill validation and assessments: Uses AI video interviews, game-based tests, and coding challenges to verify candidate fit and reduce bias.
- Intelligent video interviewing: Supports live and on-demand interviews with flexible scheduling and structured evaluations.
- Automated talent engagement: Uses conversational AI to keep candidates engaged and moving through the hiring funnel.
Pros & cons
🟢 Saves time and reduces administrative work with automation.
🟢 Delivers a flexible, mobile-friendly experience for candidates.
🔴 Can be complex to implement and adopt for smaller teams.
🔴 Relies heavily on AI, which may require oversight to avoid bias.
Pricing
Contact HireVue’s sales team to receive a customized quote based on your hiring volume, required features, and organization size.
4. hireEZ
hireEZ is an AI-driven talent acquisition platform that combines sourcing, CRM, ATS, analytics, and internal mobility into a single system.
Its agent-based AI automates tasks like resume screening, candidate outreach, and interview scheduling to help recruiters work more efficiently.
Key features
Some of its key features include:
- AI-powered talent sourcing: Searches profiles across platforms to find the best active and passive candidates.
- Automated candidate outreach and scheduling: Uses AI to send personalized campaigns, invites, and reminders while handling interview scheduling automatically.
- Smart candidate matching: Connects job postings with the right candidates using machine learning, advanced filters, and Boolean search.
Pros & cons
🟢 Efficient sourcing at scale, finding quality candidates quickly.
🟢 Automated, personalized engagement that boosts response rates.
🔴 Candidate data may require extra vetting for accuracy.
🔴 Integration with some ATS systems and onboarding can be challenging.
Pricing
Contact hireEZ’s sales team for a customized quote based on your sourcing needs, selected modules, and team size.
5. Manatal
Manatal is an AI-powered recruitment platform designed for HR teams and staffing agencies, combining applicant tracking, CRM, and social profile enrichment into a single system.
It features drag-and-drop pipelines, AI candidate scoring, branded career pages, and integrations with job boards and HR tools.
Key features
Some of its key features include:
- AI-powered candidate recommendations: Scores and recommends candidates based on job requirements to speed up screening.
- Multi-channel candidate sourcing: Sources talent from job boards, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms to reach active and passive candidates.
- Automated job posting and resume parsing: Posts jobs to multiple boards with one click and automatically parses resumes into searchable profiles.
Pros & cons
🟢 User-friendly interface with automation and AI scoring to save time.
🟢 Affordable and feature-rich, ideal for agencies and in-house teams.
🔴 Advanced features and integrations may require a learning curve.
🔴 Data exporting and support options could be improved for larger needs.
Pricing
Manatal’s pricing starts at $15/user/month for small teams, $35/user/month for growing teams, and $55/user/month for advanced features, with custom plans available on request.
6. Fetcher
Fetcher.ai is an AI-driven sourcing platform that automates candidate discovery, matching, and outreach.
It helps recruiters find and engage top talent quickly with personalized campaigns and analytics.
Key features
Some of its key features include:
- Automated candidate sourcing: Uses AI to identify and source profiles from multiple platforms based on job descriptions, reducing manual search time.
- Personalized outreach and engagement: Automates tailored email campaigns and follow-ups to keep candidates engaged and improve response rates.
- Diversity sourcing and analytics: Supports diversity hiring by incorporating diversity goals into search strategies and tracking representation using analytics.
Pros & cons
🟢 Saves significant time with automated sourcing and outreach.
🟢 Provides strong analytics for data-driven hiring decisions.
🔴 Candidate data quality can vary and requires vetting.
🔴 Full use of features may require training and onboarding.
Pricing
Fetcher pricing starts at $379/month for the Growth plan, with the Amplify plan at $649/month offering full-service talent sourcing and dedicated support.
7. PCRecruiter
PCRecruiter is an ATS and CRM platform designed for recruiters and staffing teams, providing comprehensive end-to-end management of candidates and clients.
It features customizable pipelines, automation, advanced search, and API integrations to support scalable hiring.
Key features
Some of its key features include:
- Sequencing for automated workflows: Automates outreach and follow-up across multiple channels with tracked activity and outcomes.
- PCR Capture browser extension: Imports candidate data directly from external sources, such as LinkedIn, into the database without manual entry.
- Advanced search and database management: Offers Boolean search, tagging, and duplicate detection for efficient management of candidate records.
Pros & cons
🟢 Highly customizable platform suitable for all recruitment sizes.
🟢 Strong communication tools for managing candidate and client interactions.
🔴 Limited AI-driven candidate matching at present.
🔴 Can be complex for new users to set up and navigate fully.
Pricing
Contact PCRecruiter’s sales team for a customized pricing quote.
8. Bullhorn
Bullhorn is a cloud-based recruitment platform that combines ATS, CRM, and automation for staffing firms.
It offers AI sourcing, engagement tools, and integrations to streamline the hiring process.
Key features
Some of its key features include:
- Automated recruitment workflows: Automates resume parsing, candidate tracking, and communications to reduce administrative work.
- AI-powered candidate matching: Uses AI search and semantic matching to find the best-fit candidates quickly.
- Integrated ATS and CRM capabilities: Combines applicant tracking with CRM tools to manage both candidate and client relationships in one platform.
Pros & cons
🟢 Improves efficiency by automating routine recruitment tasks.
🟢 Strong CRM features to manage client relationships alongside candidate pipelines.
🔴 Comprehensive features may require training and onboarding.
🔴 Pricing is not transparent and can increase with add-ons.
Pricing
Contact Bullhorn’s sales team directly to receive a customized pricing quote based on your business size and feature requirements.
9. Recooty
Recooty is an AI-powered applicant tracking system designed for startups and SMEs.
It simplifies recruitment by combining job posting, candidate tracking, branded career pages, and team collaboration into one intuitive platform.
Key features
Some of its key features include:
- AI-powered candidate matching and resume parsing: Uses AI to score candidates quickly and parse resumes, reducing manual screening work.
- Visual hiring pipeline and applicant tracking: Offers a drag-and-drop pipeline with automated scheduling and a centralized database for candidate management.
- Talent pool management: Organizes sourced and applied candidates for current and future hiring needs.
Pros & cons
🟢 User-friendly interface that is easy to adopt and boosts productivity.
🟢 Affordable and scalable, with plans ideal for startups and SMBs.
🔴 Limited integrations and customization on lower-tier plans.
🔴 Occasional technical issues and slower support, with analytics less robust for large enterprises.
Pricing
Recooty’s pricing starts at €79/month for the Starter plan, €149/month for the Standard plan, and custom quotes are available for the Premier plan.
10. GoHire
GoHire is an ATS for SMBs and startups that centralizes job posting, branded career pages, and candidate screening.
It streamlines hiring with automation, scheduling, and multi-channel sourcing.
Key features
Some of its key features include:
- One-click job posting to multiple boards: Posts jobs to various boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn with a single click to maximize reach.
- Applicant tracking system (ATS): Manages job openings, tracks applications, and moves candidates through the pipeline from one dashboard.
- Interview scheduling tool: Syncs with calendars and lets candidates self-schedule interviews, saving time for recruiters.
Pros & cons
🟢 Easy to use with automation that saves time and speeds up hiring.
🟢 Strong branding tools and communication features that enhance candidate experience.
🔴 Limited integrations for more complex HR setups.
🔴 Occasional bugs and performance issues reported by users.
Pricing
GoHire’s pricing starts at £89/month for the Starter plan, £149/month for the Growth plan, and £249/month for the Pro plan, which includes unlimited users and additional features.
Choosing the best Workday alternative to streamline HR and recruiting
Choosing the right Workday alternative comes down to your HR needs, budget, and how much flexibility you require in managing recruitment and employee data.
Platforms like Rippling and Bullhorn excel at combining HR, IT, and recruiting tools with strong integrations and automation.
If you need AI-driven sourcing and outreach, hireEZ and Fetcher offer powerful tools to find and engage talent quickly.
For teams wanting a balance of ATS, CRM, and easy collaboration, solutions like Manatal, Recooty, and GoHire provide user-friendly, affordable options for small to mid-sized businesses.
But if you are looking for fast, high-quality matches without dealing with complex systems, Cohort AI stands out by delivering top candidates in just days with smart, targeted automation.
Still buried in resumes? Let Cohort show you a faster way. Book a free demo, and see your top 3 candidates by next week.
