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UKG Versus the Competition

As a merger of two leading companies in HR solutions, UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) builds on 70 years of experience in People tech with their UKG Pro HR solution. The latter is their Core HR offering people analytics and benefits administration.

If you're ready to get a UKG demo, we suggest getting in touch for a look at the product and quote. Otherwise, read on!

Ratings

4.1

Ease of Use

Best For

Key Differentiator

Price

Custom Pricing

Free Trial

No

PROS

  • Super robust product, packing years of experience with HCM and Workforce Management technology 
  • Since they offer UKG Pro for HRMS and UKG Ready for workforce management, you could arrive at a combination of products that suits many of your HR needs from the same set of tools.

CONS

  • Compared to newer tools, UKG Pro and UKG Ready tend to miss a unique selling point or a specific focus on a certain type of business. While they work great for bigger companies in all sorts of industries, very niche operations might have a hard time adapting to the tool. 
  • Similarly, ​​UKG offers many solutions under one umbrella, so it's not the best fit if you're looking for only a handful of specific use cases.

UKG Alternatives:

1

Paylocity

Paylocity’s comprehensive and user-friendly HRIS offers a wide range of features to support the entire employee lifecycle. With its strong focus on automation, customization, and compliance, their platform is a great choice for businesses looking to optimize their HR operations.
Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.3 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5
Visit Website

Paylocity

Paylocity’s comprehensive and user-friendly HRIS offers a wide range of features to support the entire employee lifecycle. With its strong focus on automation, customization, and compliance, their platform is a great choice for businesses looking to optimize their HR operations.
Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.3 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5
Learn More
2

BambooHR

BambooHR has been one of the go-to HR software for SMBs for years: It comes with stellar customer support, is easy to use, and gives companies some flexibility in purchasing the modules they want.
Popularity Score
4.5 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5
Visit Website

BambooHR

BambooHR has been one of the go-to HR software for SMBs for years: It comes with stellar customer support, is easy to use, and gives companies some flexibility in purchasing the modules they want.
Popularity Score
4.5 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5
Learn More
3

HiBob

Bob is a global platform that can streamline pretty much everything an HR department needs to do, in a highly customizable manner. It’s particularly well-suited for small and midsize companies, including those based in the US and UK, that need flexibility as they grow and manage global operations.
Popularity Score
4.5 / 5
User Score
4.4 / 5
Product Score
4.3 / 5
Visit Website

HiBob

Bob is a global platform that can streamline pretty much everything an HR department needs to do, in a highly customizable manner. It’s particularly well-suited for small and midsize companies, including those based in the US and UK, that need flexibility as they grow and manage global operations.
Popularity Score
4.5 / 5
User Score
4.4 / 5
Product Score
4.3 / 5
Learn More
4

Deel

Deel is a fantastic (did we mention free?) HRIS for remote and international teams that need a way to compensate their employees, and a system for record.
Popularity Score
4.4 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.5 / 5
Visit Website

Deel

Deel is a fantastic (did we mention free?) HRIS for remote and international teams that need a way to compensate their employees, and a system for record.
Popularity Score
4.4 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.5 / 5
Learn More
5

APS

APS has nearly 3 decades of experience providing payroll and attendance services to U.S. SMBs and also offers core HR for those who prefer a one-stop suite. Our favorite about this vendor, though, is their support. They’re easy to work with, attentive, and have solid experience in service-based industries.
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5
Visit Website

APS

APS has nearly 3 decades of experience providing payroll and attendance services to U.S. SMBs and also offers core HR for those who prefer a one-stop suite. Our favorite about this vendor, though, is their support. They’re easy to work with, attentive, and have solid experience in service-based industries.
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5
Learn More

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UKG Review

Ultimate Software was mainly known for its core HR tech product, UltiPro. Now that they’ve merged with Kronos, UltiPro has been rebranded as UKG Pro. The new company behind it, the Ultimate Kronos Group, aims to combine HCM capabilities with robust people data and analytics. Further, thanks in part to the merger, the word is that the service delivery of the HR teams that use UKG has improved considerably. 

This combination of features and tools is what makes UKG a noteworthy mention in so many HR tech categories. Arguably, UKG Pro can be an HRIS, HCM suite, and HRMS. It has a payroll tool, which also relates nicely to its workforce management offering, UKG Ready. 

The UKG Ready solution, for instance, allows teams to effectively manage the entire time and attendance process. With UKG Ready, it’s easy to punch in and out, manually edit timestamps or change billing coding for different departments. This is a great solution for full comprehensive workforce management.

It’s also worth mentioning that the platform has an ACA compliance tool within the UKG Pro offering. UKG's ACA manager can help with filing compliance documents on your behalf, like 1095-C forms. This part of their tool includes features like a healthcare eligibility dashboard, automatic generation of forms, and pre-delivered reports for identifying ACA compliance.

UKG also offers payroll services for their Workforce Ready users. Aside from the software tools, you can get expert assistance with tax filing, garnishment processing, and distribution of checks and payroll documentation. 

UKG’s products and expertise have been tested throughout the years and built out to the point where they have modules for just about everything you could imagine: payroll, benefits management, onboarding, time-tracking, and countless other HR functions.

What users think of UKG

Reviewer's Rating
8/10

We use UKG for HR, payroll, and benefits administration. We plan to use it for training and recruitment later on. I added fleet management once the core modules were in place. We also added the recruitment module, which easily integrates with all the major hiring platforms. This feature allows you to follow an applicant from application to hire.

What do you like about this tool?

It is multifaceted. It can be used to monitor your fleet, issue ID cards, and handle many other HR functions. It is excellent for a larger-sized workgroup.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We bought this tool to replace our existing platform, ADP. ADP was cumbersome and outdated. They no longer provided user support for the version we had been using. After completing an RFP, we decided on UKG, which had many more features. We have utilized this tool continuously and still do. I have used this tool for one year. I am always adding and testing new functionality within the system, such as fleet management.

What do you dislike about this tool?

It is so robust that many of the screens are unnecessary. It is difficult to customize screens to meet the organization's needs. Implementation was difficult and time-consuming.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

It is different in that it offers a variety of screens that help you track everything from ID cards issued to company cars assigned to keys issued.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Consider the size of your organization. This product is not suitable for a small organization. Additionally, you need extra staff to implement it properly.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Although I no longer use it, I believe that, due to market competition, they have improved.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

It is ideal for larger organizations with a broad spectrum of tracking needs and multiple locations. A moderate level of computer proficiency is also recommended.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Smaller groups with fewer than 2,000 employees won’t find UKR to be the right fit.

Reviewer's Rating
6/10

UKG is used for all HRIS functions such as onboarding/offboarding, PTO requests, employee reviews, and processing company payroll. I use the system daily as part of my HR function. Whether uploading employee documents or tracking employee reviews, it is the core of our documentation and payroll needs. We also use it for other various needs, such as open enrollment management and carrier feeds to various vendors. It is also easy to use and learn.

What do you like about this tool?

Pro one: The system is easy to use and learn. Pro two: It can grow with your organization and accommodate a range of different employer sizes. Pro three: It has mobile functionality, allowing employees and administrators to access leave requests or review documents via a mobile app.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

The organization already had PlanSource, which was owned by UKG. We expanded the use of the product since it already housed our HRIS and payroll information. It is fairly inexpensive with many add-on options, making it a good option for growth, which the company was experiencing. At that time, we had approximately 300 employees with plans to grow to 500.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Con one: UKG is fairly basic compared to other products I've used (ADP, Paychex, Workday). There are no big bells and whistles, but it gets the job done. Con two: You will have to pay a significant amount for full functionalities of the products if needed. I don't have cons other than these.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

UKG offers a wide range of products, making it a good option for growing employers that don't have a lot of needs initially but will as they grow. Their backend helpdesk is also helpful because you can contact a person on many issues versus submitting a request/ticket for assistance and waiting for a response.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Consider your initial needs and your growth potential. If you have fewer than 100 employees, you can find other services that are more economical. If you plan to grow to a few hundred employees and beyond, this is a good long-term investment.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

They are continually expanding their options. As previously mentioned, they have nice app capabilities. They also, like any other HRIS service, are continually adding or enhancing their offerings, such as benefits services, carrier feed setups, and reporting options.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

UKG is a good fit for any private sector employer with 100 or more employees. I would not recommend it to employers smaller than this unless they will grow quickly beyond this number.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Employers with a lot of specialized needs, such as government contractors or those with special tracking needs, may find this software not as compatible as others on the market.

Reviewer's Rating
5/10

I use UKG daily. It serves as our ATS, onboarding, full HRIS, and payroll system. Our applicants apply on our career page, and we can process the applications, complete the offer letters, and conduct initial onboarding all within UKG. The system also functions as our timekeeping and payroll system, allowing our staff to use the mobile app to clock in and out. Their timesheets are approved in UKG and submitted to payroll for processing.

What do you like about this tool?

Some of the pros of UKG are that we can easily transfer information from the applicant profile to create the employee profile with no additional steps. Another pro is the ability for our employees to clock in and out easily from their mobile devices. Lastly, our benefits and payroll are also processed within UKG, making it a more convenient process for our organization.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We purchased UKG in 2019 to help streamline our hiring process, onboarding, and payroll system. Some of the benefits of UKG include being an all-in-one hiring, onboarding, and payroll system. I am one of the administrators of our UKG system, so I use it extensively. I am very proficient in what the system can offer, along with its downsides. The tool has significantly improved our operational efficiency since its implementation.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Some cons we have found with UKG include not being fully HR compliant; for a couple of years, we have not been able to properly run our EEO-1 reports. We use UKG to complete our I-9s and E-Verify, but that is not without constant issues. Some reporting capabilities hinder us from gathering information conveniently, often requiring us to manually maneuver the reports. Lastly, the system undergoes quarterly updates; however, each update often causes another issue in UKG, which we are not notified about until we submit a ticket. This causes many problems and makes us lose faith in new updates.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Many of their competitors are now all-in-one systems, so there isn't much difference in that aspect. Some improvements are needed to make it a perfect system, but the mobile ability for employees makes it very convenient for our staff to clock in and out from various work locations, differentiating it from its competitors.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

The criteria that people should think about when buying this tool include the price; it is not an inexpensive tool, especially if purchasing all of the extended platform options such as the advanced scheduler and the leave or training modules. If a full HR compliance system is needed without manipulating the data, this system may be problematic.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

UKG consistently updates its system to make improvements. They try to listen to their customers and work on ensuring they meet our needs.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

UKG is best for an organization that needs a basic HRIS system.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

UKG would not be suitable for an organization that needs to do extensive HR reporting or extensive compliance procedures.

Reviewer's Rating
7/10

We use many of the UKG modules, but not all of them. At this time, we utilize Recruiting, Onboarding, Payroll, Benefits Administration, and Learning. We rely on the recruiting module to post jobs and source candidates. Using the recruiting module allows us to easily process new hires into onboarding. We process weekly and bi-monthly payrolls through three different operating companies. The benefits administration is used during open enrollment and new hire onboarding. We recently purchased the Learning system, so we haven't fully utilized that module yet.

What do you like about this tool?

UKG is fairly user-friendly once you get used to the system. The recruiting module feeds into the onboarding, making hiring candidates simple. The community boards in UKG Community are very helpful when you're looking for tips and tricks on how to do something.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

Our organization was looking for an HRIS as we were currently only using Ceridian for payroll. We purchased the UKG software about seven years ago. We were sold on the capabilities that were described to us during their sales pitch. The main objective was to streamline our HR processes and integrate various functions like recruiting, onboarding, payroll, benefits administration, and learning into one platform. Since implementing UKG, we have improved our HR efficiency and overall employee management.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Since it's a SAAS system, there is very limited customization despite what their sales team says. For example, we don't like to use the term "review," and their sales team said we could change that to "coaching," but we actually can't.

In the recruiting module, once a requisition is approved, you can't change the job title. For example, if we decided to upgrade an assistant manager role to a manager, we would need to put in a whole new requisition or change it on the back end once the employee is hired.

Time and Attendance can be a challenge depending on how you run your payroll. We've run into problems with showing the correct amount of PTO for our weekly payroll employees.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

I've used SilkRoad for recruiting in previous organizations, and I definitely prefer that to the recruiting module in UKG. UKG doesn't let you save your view preferences, so every time you log in to look at jobs, you see everyone's jobs and not just yours.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Organizations need to think about how much customization they really need. If it's minimal, then UKG would be a good option. You should also consider your end user—tech-savvy employees will have little issues learning and navigating the system, while those who aren't as tech-savvy may struggle.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Yes, UKG makes updates based on customer feedback. For example, there used to be no option for new candidates to "sign and accept" their offer letter. Now there is.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

UKG is good for a mid-size organization.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

UKG would not be good for a large, complex organization.

Reviewer's Rating
7/10

I use UKG daily. It is used for performance reviews and performance improvement plans. Grievances and corrective actions are tracked in the system. UKG provides a way to send out employee communications or policies and then obtain employee certification that they have read and understood them. The survey tool is beneficial for targeted or company-wide surveys as well as exit interviews. The ticketing system is used to address any related questions or needs.

What do you like about this tool?

I appreciate how easy it is to complete the I-9 verification process through UKG. Employee communications are streamlined and can be sent to targeted audiences using employee attributes. The survey tool comes with survey templates that are easy to modify for our needs.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

It was important to have a tool that could easily allow us to conduct and track performance reviews, manage employee grievances or corrective actions, collect and submit government-required information (EEOC), automate onboarding, and conduct I-9 verification. We lacked a way to track HR-related requests, identify who was responsible for addressing them, and monitor how long it took HR to respond. We did not have an easy way to track or schedule people-related communications. Our employees had to go to multiple areas to access people-related information. UKG addressed all of these needs and more. I have used UKG for more than a year now.

What do you dislike about this tool?

It is not easy to modify certain areas of UKG to fit our needs. UKG is designed to be very standardized and somewhat basic, which can be a problem for companies that need a more agile system. The survey tool is a bit clunky, and the data reporting is harder than I would like it to be. Reports from the system in general are difficult to run. Responses to issues or needs are sometimes lacking.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

UKG is a great mid-range tool. It provides enough flexibility and automation to be helpful but isn’t overwhelming in its offerings either.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Evaluate what systems you wish to link to UKG. Some of these are easy and some are not. Make sure you understand your HR workflows and the gaps you’re trying to fill. This will make the startup process with UKG much smoother.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

We are relatively new in our use of the tool, so its evolution over time is not yet obvious.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

UKG is perfect for small, medium, or large organizations that would benefit from automation, templates, and a ticketing system.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

UKG would likely be too robust for very small organizations or those that do not have an established HR department.

Reviewer's Rating
9/10

My department uses several of the UKG Modules. Starting with employee onboarding, all of our new team members go through online onboarding. With a large hourly workforce, we use the employee timekeeping system, which feeds to HRIS and payroll. We also use Benefits Prime for benefits enrollment. This past year, we used Employee Voice/Perception for our annual engagement survey, and we use the LMS for deploying training to our 1300+ employees.

What do you like about this tool?

UKG is ideal for complex organizations with multiple entities; payroll can be done with the click of a button. UKG is also optimal for organizations with complicated reporting structures, including dual reporting and multi-location reporting. Lastly, UKG is investing heavily in connecting all of their systems to create a seamless user experience.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

My organization selected UKG as our HCM when comparing it against all mid-market products on the market. As a rapidly growing company via acquisition, our primary reason for selecting UKG was that we needed an HCM that allowed us to set up new component companies, new states, and new PTO and benefits plans independently without having to engage a UKG consultant.

The enterprise version of the UKG product allows us the flexibility to move as quickly as our business development team welcomes new partners into the fold. My team of HRIS and payroll experts leads the majority of the setup. We also selected UKG due to its focus on R&D and staying ahead of industry trends. With their robust network of partners, even if they aren't able to accommodate our needs directly, they have prebuilt integrations with many of the best boutique HR applications.

Three years after selecting them, I continue to be pleased with how our implementation and ongoing build-out of the system has gone.

What do you dislike about this tool?

As with all large organizations, getting in touch with customer service can be challenging, i.e., getting issues to the right department to be solved. Second, I wish that UKG Talk was fully integrated with UKG Pro so that our employees would have one interface. Third, I wish the text message functionality was more versatile.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

UKG can handle complexity better than most of the other systems that I have used. The only platform that would compare would be Workday, but that's materially more expensive than UKG.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

When making this investment, leaders should consider the size and complexity of their organization and have a good handle on all of their system requirements. Knowing how the company will grow or shrink is also important in determining whether UKG is the right price point for the company's trajectory.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

For the three years that my team has used UKG, we have seen them invest in several areas. First, they are working to connect disparate modules on the backend to ease the user experience. Second, they have launched new systems in response to generational changes in the workplace. Third, in response to customer feedback, they have overhauled their approach to account management and customer care.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

UKG is best for US-based companies with a minimum of 500 employees.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

UKG likely would not be the best fit for a large global organization.

Reviewer's Rating
8/10

I use UKG to process payroll. As the payroll admin, I handle employee data storage and benefit enrollment through UKG. This year, I launched employee self-service benefit enrollment, allowing employees to manage their benefits directly through the platform.

What do you like about this tool?

I like the ease of the search feature in UKG. The knowledge center is very helpful. I appreciate how customizable the platform is.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

UKG was selected before I joined the organization. From what I understand, the goal was to streamline processes and utilize an employee-facing platform. While the primary focus was on payroll, there was also an interest in electronic forms and digital onboarding of new hires. I have been using the software for one year. During that time, I have converted many processes to digital ones.

What do you dislike about this tool?

The interface is confusing and not very user-friendly. Processes such as checklists do not make sense. The integration with other platforms is lacking. Data cannot always be easily extracted from forms.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

I feel other platforms like Rippling or ADP are more user-friendly. Their interfaces are more intuitive and less confusing. However, I do think UKG offers better support.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

The biggest criterion is ease of use for the end user, which includes both administrators and employees. Integration, file feeds, and overall system ease are also important factors to consider. Make sure the tool can seamlessly integrate with existing systems and workflows.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

I have not seen significant changes over the year I have been on the platform. There have been small rollouts, such as e-verify, which have been added to our account for free. These features are nice but not significantly impactful.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

UKG is suitable for small but growing companies and entry-level HRIS users.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

UKG may not be suitable for smaller organizations or those that are new to digital platforms.

Reviewer's Rating
9/10

We use UKG in 24 hour operations. The company I worked for used UKG for absence and time tracking system. The absence module is moderated by managers. The time keeping for hourly employee is time clocks. Salary employees manage time and absences themselves in the system.

What do you like about this tool?

It integrates with many systems. It is clear and nice layout. It is end user friendly.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

My organization used UKG for time keeping. They wanted time clocks around the entire 7 Arce property. There were a lot of hourly staff and they wanted time to be easily captured. The goal was to have a time clock that integrated with the payroll system. The payroll system was supposed to pay incumbents accurately based on live time clock punches.

What do you dislike about this tool?

It is not easy to fix errors for end users. Tickets can take a long time to remedy. Interfaces can be buggy.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

UKG is developed and large. It is used in integration with a lot of other systems. It stacks up well to similar tools.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

The two criteria that people should think about when buying this type of tool is the size of the organization and the amount of user they would need to function their operation. The reason I say this is because UKG sells their product based on licenses needed for operation.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

yes, their interface is more end-user friendly

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

I believe it is best for organizations with a lot of hourly time punch employees

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

I don't not believe it would be good for a lot of FLSA employees, for example, ones in corporate offices.

Reviewer's Rating
8/10

We used UKG as our HRIS primary system of record to feed all other systems that relied on employee data. It was used for payroll, performance management, and compensation management. Again, a selling point of this tool for the transportation company was the multi-state tax calculations it was able to deliver.

What do you like about this tool?

UKG is a comprehensive solution when looking for an HRIS. It also has favorable integration capabilities with other systems. I also appreciate that UKG is a scalable system that allows your business to expand as needed.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

I used UKG with a past employer in the transportation industry. We implemented it and used it for several years. We selected UKG due to the fact that the transportation company I worked for had a few separate subsidiaries in different states under the primary corporate umbrella. UKG was able to handle the complexity that came with managing a distributed workforce under multiple EINs. The taxation functionality was particularly helpful for their mobile and transient 1099 workforce.

What do you dislike about this tool?

UKG would benefit from expanding its reporting and data analytics capabilities. Other competitors have more robust tools and functionality In this area. The cost for this platform has also been an obstacle for smaller organizations.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

No HRIS is perfect and has the solution for all employer pain points and needs. That said, UKG is very versatile and flexible to customize and modify to the needs of different types and sizes of businesses.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

People should consider scalability, integration, cost, and ease of use. These will be critical, especially for companies planning on growing and expanding their workforce. Also important not to “over buy” modules that the business may not be ready to utilize yet. Scale its functionality as the business grows and matures.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

UKG has moved to a cloud-based platform and developed a mobile app

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

UKG would be a great HRIS platform for companies of all sizes but especially for those looking for flexibility and to scale.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Companies not looking to grow and scale would not maximize the use of a tool like UKG.

Reviewer's Rating
9/10

Firstly, UKG helps us manage our payroll and benefits administration, to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time. Secondly, it streamlines recruiting and onboarding processes, making it easier to find and hire new talent. Thirdly, it provides a performance management tool, allowing us to set goals, evaluate employee progress, and provide feedback. Fourthly, it offers learning and career development modules, for our employees to upskill and advance in their careers. Lastly, it helps us remain compliant with HR regulations and mitigate risks related to workforce management. I used the system a few times a week.

What do you like about this tool?

UKG Pro offers a platform for employee recruiting, compliance, and file management, which can help businesses save time and streamline their HR processes. Additionally, its robust reporting and analytics capabilities enable data-driven decision-making, while its focus on diversity and inclusion can promote a positive workplace culture.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

Our HR team was facing an administrative burden and we aimed to streamline our HR processes. For this, we needed a tool with HR features that could be customized for a large company. Our goal was to enhance the employee experience. We also wanted to ensure compliance with HR regulations, which is where UKG came in handy. With its customizable HR features and compliance tools, UKG helped us achieve our goals. In summary, we chose UKG to reduce administrative burden, optimize the employee experience, and maintain compliance with HR regulations. I have personally used UKG for 1 year.

What do you dislike about this tool?

UGK's customer service could be improved. Currently, making even simple changes within their systems requires submitting a ticket to the helpdesk. However, there are times when it can feel like too many tickets are being submitted. It would be helpful if they streamlined the process for updating passwords so that users/admins don't have to go through so many tedious steps.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

UKG is not the best but it isn't the worst - more flexible than Workday but less flexible than Peoplesoft when it comes to reporting. I have a preference for UKG over its competitors. This is largely due to the convenience and efficiency of its payroll dashboard, open enrollment, and employee self-service features.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

When looking to buy a tool like UKG, it is important to consider criteria such as integration, installation, security, support, and features that can bring ease to the admin users and employees. These factors can play a crucial role in the overall effectiveness and usability of the software. By evaluating these aspects carefully it will ensure you’re selecting the right tool to meet your needs.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?
What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

In regards to maintaining the system, the type of user UKG would be good for is someone who is tech savvy. It could benefit a mid-size to large organization.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Someone who is not tech savvy and a smaller organization. There are too many configurations that could be time consuming.

Reviewer's Rating
9/10

I’ll use UKG Pro every working day. Our primary use for it is payroll and timekeeping. Even still, we use a myriad of the other features. This includes employee benefits administration, hiring and onboarding, compensation management, talent management, and a few others. This program also provides a lot of flexibility and freedom in its application.

What do you like about this tool?

UKG Pro’s greatest strength lies in its full-suite of payroll and HR tools. It’s all blended together in a “sandbox” environment so users can freely explore the system. In addition to these, it also includes extensive reporting tools which makes work much easier and quicker.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

My company transitioned to UKG Pro after frustrations with our former HRIS. One of UKG’s greatest strengths is the program’s ease of use. Not only is it easy for our HR representatives to use, but for our employees as well. We’ve been using UKG Pro for a little over a year now and already it’s proven to be leaps and bounds above some other systems I’ve used. With UKG Pro, you’re getting an excellent value for your money.

What do you dislike about this tool?

UKG Pro is on the expensive side and, to boot, they’re not transparent about their pricing. I also did not appreciate the lack of a free or “trial” mode to try out the product before spending so much for it. Also, scaling up (or down) can be cumbersome as a custom set up is required.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

UKG Pro is far more intuitive than other HRI Systems I’ve used in the past. It’s among my favorites for its ease of use and customizability.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

When buying this type of tool you want to pay close attention to what is important for your company. You’ll always want to take into consideration pricing. But beyond this, look at the features provided. Does it include a full-suite? Does it integrate well with other systems you’re currently using? You’ll want to really do your research.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

I can’t speak too heavily to its evolution. I can acknowledge that they have implemented a few smaller quality of life changes to make the experience run smoother.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

This is a good software for larger, very typically structured, organizations. If you’ve got more than 200 employees, this software will make your life easier.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Smaller organizations, namely those with less than 150 employees, should consider other options. UKG Pro is among the most expensive HRIS I’ve used.

Reviewer's Rating
7/10

I use UKG at least once a week. I use it for my annual goals, time management, and business intelligence reports. This system has been extremely helpful in tracking and updating strategic goals. There are many reports I run from this system that supports my week to week workload. This system has been instrumental in creating reports for EEO compliance.

What do you like about this tool?

UKG is user friendly. It enables my team to self-manage the tools within the system. It also helps hiring managers with bias awareness.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

My company has used UKG for over 2 years. We wanted a system that would enhance the recruitment process experience. I have used the system for almost 2 years and the key benefits I enjoy is that it has been a repository for my diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy that all managers can share with their teams.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Sometimes there are small glitches in the system that need technical support. I wish the pricing was cheaper. I have not been able to launch directly into timesheet mode.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

I have not used many other tools as this, however, I do like the tools that uses inclusive language to review job descriptions. It recommends specific adjectives in job postings.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

People should think about what they really want to accomplish with this tool (i.e., talent management, payroll, ease of integration, etc.). Ask yourself about the level of self-service you want this product to deliver. Does it deliver what you need?

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

I have only used the product for less than two years and currently cannot compare if it has changed or evolved over time.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Technology industry

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Not good fit for large companies

Reviewer's Rating
3/10

I personally use the tool every day. The main thing I use the tool for is pulling reports about employee information. I use these reports to provide talent metrics to our executive leadership team. I also use the tool daily to review the org chart. This assists in integrating employees into other programs we use, like Officevibe and Linkedin Learning, which UKG does not directly integrate into. One other workflow we use UKG for is assigning HR tasks. You can create custom tasks, so we use it to keep track of tasks that are not related to UKG, like removing people from other programs when they are offboarded.

What do you like about this tool?

Honestly, I do not like UKG, but these are 3 pros:

  1. The org chart is nice to be able to see who each person reports to (although only HR is able to see it)
  2. The HR checklist tasks are useful to keep track of tasks.
  3. The ability to filter reports before exporting is useful.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

Our organization bought UKG to replace our old HRIS. We previously were with BambooHR but moved to UKG so that we could move payroll internally. We have been using the tool for one year. This tool provides the bare minimum needed for an HRIS as we have the basic version. We have used the tool for one year, but we are already looking for a new HRIS to move to because we have had a very bad experience with both the tool and customer support. I personally use the tool daily to run reports and review the organization chart.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  1. Pulling reports is so complicated. It is not streamlined at all.
  2.  When conducting payroll, we get LOTS of error flags that we have to go through (and by LOTS I mean 75-100)
  3. The org chart is only accessible by the HR dept.
  4. It is just not user-friendly. I often have to hold the hands of our employees to show them how to submit a PTO request, change their personal info, etc.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

This tool is much worse than similar tools in my opinion. The reason we switched was so that we could have an internal payroll solution, but after just 1 year we are already looking for a different tool.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

The first criteria people should consider is whether the tool meets all of their requirements. That is the reason we switched to UKG because our old system did not meet our new requirements. Next, people should consider whether it has add-ons that support their business. We are looking for a system that has a built-in performance management solution, as well as L&D functions.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

No. The customer support has not been helpful to us.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Small companies that want to do internal payroll but do not need all of the bells and whistles (and who do not mind spending a lot of time on payroll and pulling reports). I do not recommend the tool.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Most organizations. Any org that wants additional tools beyond the bare minimum. Any org that is big enough to need an org chart. We are at 250 and it is already an inefficient tool for us.

Who shouldn't buy UKG

UKG offers many solutions and modules within its platform. Hence it's not the best fit for companies in need of only a handful of specific use cases. For example, it has no standalone ACA module. Therefore, it is best for large or enterprise companies looking for an entire HR suite plus many other perks.

UKG Customers

Through the years, UKG has been trusted by organizations like Tesla, Marriott, Yamaha, Aramark, Puma, Sony Music, Samsung, Mammoth, Temple University, MGM Grand, The YMCA, The Salvation Army, and Feeding America.

UKG: HRIS with Abundant Features
visit UKG

UKG Key Features

  • People analytics: Gather intel on everything workforce-related and use it to make strategic, AI-supported decisions. 
  • Compensation management: UKG Ready can automate and streamline the entire compensation management process. This add-on supports annual, nonannual, cycle-based, and off-cycle merit and promotion-based salary increases.
  • People center: With UKG Pro, you get a complete picture of your entire employee population. This instant access to business intelligence can drive decision-making.
  • Benefits administration: Employees can learn about, compare, and enroll in the compensation plans of their choosing. This part of the platform also provides educational tools and personalized recommendations.

UKG has capabilities for:

  • Payroll
  • Benefits administration
  • Open enrollment and life events
  • Tax management
  • Talent management
  • Document manager
  • Onboarding
  • Compensation management
  • Succession planning
  • Mobile app (Android & iOS)

UKG Key Integrations

While their integrations are limited, UKG does have API capabilities. UKG’s products can integrate with tools like LinkedIn, Branch, Workday, Jostle, and many more. There are more integrations for other HR, payroll, ERP, patient information systems, and other back-office applications. If once you look into it you realize that they don’t integrate with a particular part of your tech stack, you should know that they sometimes provide custom solutions on a case-by-case basis.

UKG Pricing

Pricing for UKG is not available on their website. However, it is usually on a per-employee-per-month basis, either billed annually or monthly. You’d need to contact a sales representative for an accurate quote. However, our research has shown that licenses tend to start at $600.00 per year for every 5 users.

UKG is Best For

UKG Pro is mainly marketed toward companies with 75-500 employees, while UKG Ready supports companies with more than 500 employees. That being said, their software is used in all kinds of industries. Smaller teams looking for an HCM-based approach to workforce management can also do a lot with the software.

How has UKG Changed Over Time?

UKG Implementation

Implementing UKG Pro or Ready can take up to a few months for large organizations. They also have numerous third-party services out there to assist with the implementation of its software.

Now, although it can vary depending on if you’re implementing UKG Ready or UKG Pro, a typical implementation process can follow these six steps: 

  • Planning: Webinars, learning modules, timeline creation, introduction to the project manager.
  • Assess: Goal setting, provide necessary data, approve solution design, review best practices.
  • Solution Build: Build the system, integrate it with other systems, and administrator training.
  • Test & Clarify: Solution overview, internal training, workshops.
  • Deploy & Support: "Go live" additional training, transition to support team.
  • Additional Modules & Functionality: Implementation of additional solutions, for instance, the ACA module.

UKG Customer Success

Aside from having customer success managers for their clients, UKG has many resources in place for their users. They’ve got a resources & insights page, for instance, where you can browse ROI tools and ebooks or guides for each of their features. They also have a support community page where customers can get their questions answered by experts as well as community members.

About UKG

UKG stands for the Ultimate Kronos Group. As we’ve said, it’s the result of a merger that happened in April 2020 between Ultimate Software and Kronos. UKG is an American company and now they have dual headquarters in Lowell, Massachusetts, and Weston, Florida. Since the merger, the company is effective both in the workforce management and human resource management software and services space. 

After the companies merged, the former Kronos CEO, Aron Ain, became the CEO and chairperson of UKG. He stepped down as CEO on July 1, 2022, in order to become Executive Chairperson. He was succeeded by Chris Todd, who had been president of Kronos in 2018 under Ain. 

Of course, to understand the broader history of UKG one would have to look at that of each former company before the merger. 

Ultimate Software was founded in Weston, Florida in 1990 by Scott Scherr. They released the first version of their HRMS and payroll management suite in 1993. Of course, it was an on-premise tool back then. The company went public in June 1998.

Their main offering, UltiPro, was reintroduced as a cloud-based tool in 2002. This model allowed for even more growth for the company. In Q4 2017, they reported revenues of more than $940 million, they had more than 5,000 employees, and 4,100 customers in 160 countries. They were purchased by Hellman & Friedman Capital partners in 2019

Kronos Incorporated was founded in 1977 by MIT alumnus Mark S. Ain (Aaron’s brother). They were the makers of the world's first microprocessor-based time clock and made their first PC-based time and attendance tracking product in 1985. 

The time-tracking-focused company went public in 1992 and continued a steady record of profitability. They then went private again in March 2007, when it was purchased for US$1.74 billion by Hellman & Friedman as the lead investors and JMI Equity as the secondary one. 

Interestingly, the new company, UKG, has done some acquisitions of its own. The last one of these was in March 2022, when they purchased HR and Workforce Management suite Ascentis.

Company HQ

The company still keeps the headquarters from the two entities they were before the merger. That’s Lowell Massachusetts (Kronos) and Weston Florida (Ultimate Software).

Number of Employees

12,000+

Year Founded

Although the merger happened in 2020, it’s interesting to consider that Kronos Incorporated was founded in 1977 and Ultimate Software in 1990.

Amount Raised

FAQ

Is UKG Kronos? 

Kronos merged with Ultimate Software in 2020, resulting in the creation of the UKG company (Ultimate Kronos Group). Kronos Workforce Ready, the company’s flagship time tracking software product, rebranded as UKG ready.

Is UKG the same as UltiPro? 

Ultimate Software became the Ultimate Kronos Group as it merged with the company Kronos in 2020. UltiPro became UKG Pro, retaining much of the HCM software offering that made it so popular since the turn of the century with some added workforce management features. 

Does UKG do payroll? 

Whether it’s through UKG Ready or UKG Pro, their two main offerings based on the products they did before the merger, UKG is certainly able to process payroll. They offer the software tools to process it automatically, but they also provide expert assistance if needed.

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