UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) is a human capital management (HCM) and workforce management (WFM) platform, helping organizations manage payroll, attendance, talent, insights, and engagement.
However, this fact doesn’t conceal the struggles that HR and L&D leaders often encounter. For example, limited visibility into skills, difficulty aligning talent to roles, generic learning programs, and identifying future skill gaps across the workforce. As per Future of Job Reports 2025, the skills gap is the biggest barrier for organizations.
Here is when addressing these challenges becomes essential, so does enabling data-driven talent decisions, enhanced internal mobility, and improved workforce performance. By leveraging AI-driven insights and structured skills frameworks, HR processes can be transformed and ensure that employees meet evolving business needs.
Key Takeaways:
TL;DRs
- Organizations struggle with skills visibility, role alignment, and generic, one-size-fits-all training, making a shift toward skills-first talent strategies crucial.
- HCM, WFM, Skills Intelligence platforms help bridge these gaps through skills intelligence, AI-driven insights, and integrated HCM capabilities.\Key benefits include skills-led, data-driven HR solutions that enable unbiased hiring, targeted capability development, improved internal mobility, and more strategic, high-impact workforce decisions.
- Key benefits include skills-led, data-driven HR solutions that enable unbiased hiring, targeted capability development, improved internal mobility, and more strategic, high-impact workforce decisions.
In this article, we will be focusing on enlightening the features of certain UKG alternatives that provide solutions that create a long-term impact.
10 UKG Competitors and Alternatives
1. iMocha
iMocha is a skill-based platform that enables organizations to adopt a skills-first approach to talent management, emphasizing strategic upskilling, reskilling, and employee redeployment. In the era of Generative AI, iMocha has positioned itself in talent development and workforce intelligence, offering skills-based hiring using its talent acquisition platform that delivers data-driven and objective hiring insights.
Having integrated with HCM platforms like Oracle, Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, iMocha also benefits the organizations with HCM Offering.
Key Features:
- Skills Intelligence Cloud: A skills-first platform that drives upskilling, reskilling, and internal mobility by aligning employee capabilities with business needs.
- Skills Assessment: A platform that provides unbiased, data-driven evaluations of candidates and employees to improve hiring quality and talent decisions.
- Skills Taxonomy: A systematic framework (Taxonomy) that categorizes and standardizes skills throughout the organization.
- Skills Ontology: A relationship-based framework that maps relationships between skills, roles, and tasks (Ontology) to support smarter workforce planning and talent decisions.
- AI Skills Inference: A powerful feature that scans résumés, projects, learning data, & certifications and identifies relevant skills for faster, more accurate candidate shortlisting.
Founded: 2015
G2 rating: 4.4/5
2. Oracle
Oracle is among the UKG competitors that offer a comprehensive enterprise technology ecosystem that extends beyond HR and workforce management. Its integrated cloud applications, data platforms, and infrastructure solutions support operations across multiple business functions. The suite enables organizations to unify processes, scale securely, and modernize their technology landscape.
Key Features:
- Enterprise Cloud Applications: A unified suite of ERP, Supply Chain, Financials, and CX applications streamline and integrate core business operations across the organization.
- Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): A secure, high-performance cloud platform that supports scalable workload migration, modern application development, and resilient enterprise IT operations.
- Oracle Database & Data Management: Industry-leading database technology with built-in AI and automation for secure, scalable, and intelligent data storage, processing, and analytics.
- Industry-Specific Cloud Solutions: Specialized cloud platforms tailored to sector-specific needs and compliance requirements to drive industry-aligned digital transformation.
Founded: 1977
G2 rating: 4.1/5
3. ADP (Automatic Data Processing)
ADP is a cloud-based HCM and payroll platform, offering integrated payroll, HR, time tracking, and benefits solutions. It enables multi-country payroll, compliance management, and HR outsourcing to streamline workforce operations. Advanced analytics provide insights for data-driven workforce planning and decision-making.
Key Features:
- Vista: Cloud payroll solution ensuring accurate processing, compliance, and self‑service.
- SecurTime: Time‑and‑attendance platform providing real‑time workforce visibility and labor compliance.
- Global Payroll: Multi-country payroll processing with standardized compliance and multi-currency support.
- Workforce Manager: Automates scheduling, time tracking, and performance management for global teams.
Founded: 1949
G2 rating: 4.4/5
4. Workday
Workday is a cloud platform that unifies HR, finance, and planning for streamlined operations amongst UKG alternatives. It delivers real-time insights and enhances organizational agility. AI-driven tools optimize productivity and support strategic decision-making. Its integrated ecosystem also enables seamless workforce and financial management across industries.
Key Features:
- Unified HCM Platform: Manages core HR, payroll, talent, and workforce operations within a single ecosystem.
- Financial & Planning Suite: Integrates financials, budgeting, and planning to support real-time business and workforce forecasting.
- AI: Applies AI to map skills, personalize development pathways, and improve talent mobility decisions.
- Planning: Enables strategic workforce and financial planning through scenario modeling.
- Workday Extend & Industry Solutions: Enables modular customization and industry-specific configurations to meet diverse enterprise needs.
Founded: 2005
G2 rating: 4.2/5
5. Dayforce
Dayforce is a modern, cloud-native HCM and workforce management platform recognized as a strong UKG competitor for organizations with large, hourly, shift-based, or compliance-heavy workforces. Its real-time payroll engine, combined with intelligent labor planning, is ideal for businesses that need accurate pay, flexible scheduling, and strong regulatory governance.
Key Features:
- Human Resources: Simplifies employee data management and core HR processes.
- Payroll: Ensures accurate, real-time payroll and regulatory compliance.
- Workforce Management: Optimizes scheduling, time tracking, and labor costs.
- Talent & Learning: Enables recruiting, onboarding, performance, and skills development.
- People Analytics & Strategic Workforce Planning: Provides actionable insights and workforce forecasting to align talent with business goals.
Founded: 1992
G2 rating: 4.2/5
6. SAP SuccessFactors
SAP SuccessFactors is a cloud-based HCM suite that streamlines end-to-end HR processes, from core HR and payroll to talent, learning, and workforce planning. It enables organizations to enhance employee experience, strengthen talent development, and make data-driven workforce decisions.
Key Features:
- Core HR & Payroll Management: Centralizes employee data and automates global HR and payroll operations with built-in compliance.
- Talent Acquisition & Onboarding: Simplifies recruiting and onboarding with integrated tools that enhance candidate and new-hire experience.
- Performance, Learning & Development: Aligns goals, performance, and learning programs to drive continuous employee growth and productivity.
- Compensation & Succession Planning: Optimizes rewards, pay planning, and leadership pipelines to retain top talent and ensure future readiness.
- Workforce Planning & Analytics: Provides data-driven workforce insights and forecasting to enable strategic HR and business decisions.
Founded: 2001
G2 rating: 3.9/5
7. Rippling
Rippling is a cloud-based HR and IT management platform that unifies workforce management, payroll, benefits, and IT operations in a single system. It helps organizations streamline employee onboarding, payroll processing, benefits administration, and device/app provisioning, reducing manual work and improving efficiency. Rippling is particularly valued for its ability to connect HR and IT workflows, allowing new hires to be set up across apps, devices, and systems instantly.
Key Features:
- Human Resource Management: Unifies core HR functions, employee data, benefits, policies, and compliance into a single platform for streamlined workforce management.
- Payroll: Automates payroll processing with accurate calculations, deductions, and tax handling in one system.
- IT: Manages employee devices, apps, access, and security through centralized provisioning and control.
- Finance: Centralizes expenses, vendor payments, and workforce-related financial operations for better cost visibility.
- Global: Supports cross-border hiring, payroll, and workforce compliance through a unified global employment framework.
Founded: 2016
G2 rating: 4.8/5
8. Infor
Infor is a cloud-based enterprise software company that offers human capital management (HCM), ERP, and industry-specific solutions. Its HCM suite helps organizations manage HR, payroll, talent, workforce scheduling, and employee engagement while integrating with operational and financial systems. It also provides industry-tailored solutions that align workforce management with sector-specific requirements and compliance needs.
Key Features:
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Integrates core business operations to improve efficiency and real-time decision-making.
- Supply Chain Management (SCM): Optimizes end-to-end supply chain planning, sourcing, production, and logistics.
- Human Capital Management (HCM): Manages the full HR lifecycle, from talent and payroll to workforce planning and engagement.
- Financial Management: Streamlines accounting, reporting, and compliance with real-time financial insights.
- Sustainability & ESG: Enables tracking and reporting of environmental and governance metrics to meet sustainability goals.
- Industry-Specific Solutions: Tailored HCM and operational tools for sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and retail.
Founded: 2002
G2 rating: 3.9/5
9. Paylocity
Paylocity, an alternative to UKG, is a cloud-based HR and payroll platform that helps organizations manage payroll, workforce management, and human capital processes in a unified system. It focuses on streamlining HR administration, employee engagement, payroll processing, and talent management while providing real-time analytics to improve decision-making.
Key Features:
- Human Resource Platform: Automates HR operations, including recruiting, benefits, payroll integration, and analytics in one intuitive system.
- Finance Platform: Unifies workforce spending, headcount planning, and non-payroll expense management to align HR and finance decisions.
- IT Platform: Streamlines employee lifecycle by automating provisioning, access permissions, and asset management across devices and apps.
Founded: 1997
G2 rating: 4.5/5
10. Paycom
Paycom is a cloud-based HCM and payroll platform, helping organizations simplify HR operations, maintain compliance, and improve employee experience. Its self-service tools reduce manual HR workload, enabling teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than administrative tasks.
Key Features:
- Payroll: Processes payroll in real time with built-in compliance to deliver accurate and timely employee payments.
- Talent Acquisition: Manages end-to-end hiring with unified recruitment, applicant tracking, and onboarding tools.
- Talent Management: Supports employee development through performance reviews, goal tracking, and growth programs.
- Human Resource Management: Consolidates employee records, benefits, and HR processes to simplify workforce operations.
- Time & Labor Management: Automates time tracking, scheduling, and attendance to improve labor efficiency and cost control.
Founded: 1998
G2 rating: 4.3/5
Conclusion
Modern HR platforms of the UKG competitors have certainly streamlined administrative processes, but many stop short of turning workforce data into actionable intelligence or identifying critical skill gaps.
iMocha’s Skills Intelligence platform leverages a skill-first methodology, enabling organizations to make precise, insight-driven talent decisions that align with business objectives. Complemented by Skills Assessment, it delivers unbiased, data-backed insights that inform smarter hiring, upskilling, internal mobility, and targeted skills gap analysis.
Today, talent management and acquisition are strategic drivers of efficiency, productivity, and growth, not just routine processes. By adopting iMocha, organizations can transform HR into a proactive, intelligence-driven function that maximizes workforce potential and delivers measurable business impact.
FAQs
1. How can iMocha’s Skills Intelligence platform improve workforce planning and internal mobility?
Skills Intelligence, combined with skills analytics, leverages AI-driven insights and structured skills frameworks to map employee capabilities to business needs, enabling smarter workforce planning, role alignment, and internal mobility.
2. How do Skills Assessments drive unbiased, data-driven talent management decisions?
Skills Assessments evaluate employees objectively, providing data-backed insights that guide upskilling, reskilling, and performance management decisions across the organization.
3. Why are intelligent HR solutions critical for boosting operational efficiency in modern organizations?
AI-enabled HR platforms turn workforce data into actionable insights, optimize talent deployment, and streamline HR processes, driving productivity and strategic decision-making.
4. What are the best alternatives to UKG in 2025?
Top UKG alternatives include iMocha, Oracle, and SAP SuccessFactors. These platforms enhance HR, payroll, and workforce operations for modern organizations.
5. Why should I consider iMocha as the best alternative to UKG?
iMocha is a Skills Intelligence platform that helps organizations assess, develop, and optimize workforce skills with data-driven insights. It enables unbiased skills assessments, upskilling, and internal mobility, making it ideal for companies focused on maximizing existing talent.
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