Dayforce Review (Formerly Ceridian Dayforce): Unified Payroll Data

A Brief Company History

Dayforce was originally founded as Ceridian, an information services and HR technology company with roots dating back to 1992. Over time, the platform became the company’s flagship product, growing into a globally recognized cloud-based HCM solution used by thousands of organizations worldwide.

On January 31, 2024, Ceridian officially changed their corporate name to Dayforce, Inc. The rebrand unified the company, product suite, and market identity under a single name. This transition did not alter leadership, ownership, contracts, pricing, or product functionality. It was a brand alignment reflecting the central role Dayforce plays in the company’s technology and long-term strategy.

Today, they operate globally, supporting organizations across North America, Europe, and other international markets, with a strong focus on compliance-driven industries and complex workforce environments. While Dayforce is known for its broad range of services, it currently holds a B rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is not BBB-accredited.

Company Offerings

Dayforce provides a unified cloud HCM platform that combines payroll, HR, workforce management, talent tools, and analytics into a single application. The system is built around continuous payroll calculations, meaning employee data changes are reflected in real time rather than batch-based payroll runs.

Core services are designed to reduce manual work, improve data accuracy, and help organizations manage compliance across jurisdictions.

Payroll software

Payroll is a central component of their platform. The system supports real-time calculations, allowing administrators to see the financial impact of changes as they occur rather than waiting for payroll processing cycles.

Key capabilities include:

• Automated payroll processing with continuous calculation
• Payroll tax filing and compliance support
• Garnishment handling and deductions management
• Multi-country and multi-currency salary support
• Integrated time, attendance, and scheduling data

Because payroll, HR, and workforce data live in the same system, the company reduces the need for manual reconciliation between platforms.

Additional features and services

Beyond payroll, Dayforce offers a wide range of workforce and HR tools:

• Employee self-service: Employees can view pay statements, update personal information, manage tax forms, and access schedules
• Dayforce Wallet: Provides earned wage access, allowing employees to access pay before payday
• Workforce management: Scheduling, time tracking, PTO management, and labor forecasting
• Reporting and analytics: Dashboards and workforce insights covering payroll costs, compliance, and trends
• AI-powered tools: Workforce planning, skills mapping, learning, and talent development features
• Global payroll management: Centralized oversight of operations across multiple countries
• Integration tools: Dayforce Integration Studio supports connections with third-party systems
• Training and education: Structured onboarding, training programs, and customer education resources

The platform is modular, allowing organizations to license only the components they need.

Pricing & Plans

Dayforce does not publish pricing publicly. Costs are quote-based and vary depending on company size, number of employees, selected modules, and geographic scope.

The company states that there is no setup fee, but prospective customers should confirm implementation costs, contract terms, add-on pricing, and long-term commitments during the sales process. Pricing transparency remains one of the most common concerns raised by prospective buyers.

Advantages

• Employee self-service tools that reduce HR administrative workload
• On-demand pay through Dayforce Wallet, supporting employee financial flexibility
• Global payroll capabilities suitable for multinational organizations
• Highly configurable platform adaptable to complex workforce structures
• Mobile access for payroll, scheduling, and workforce data

Disadvantages

• Lack of publicly available pricing, which may slow early-stage evaluation
• Platform complexity, particularly for small businesses with simple needs

User Experience

Customer reviews exhibit a mixed sentiment. On the BBB, they have a B- minus rating for failing to respond to 2 complaints, highlighting concerns such as billing issues and unauthorized withdrawals from customers' accounts. On G2, they have a 4 out of 5 rating and an 8.1 out of 10 on TrustRadius, with most reviews being positive. On the other hand, they have a 1.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, reflecting complaints from some customers.

Many reviewers describe Dayforce as a powerful all-in-one platform that can replace multiple HR tools once it is fully set up. Positive feedback commonly highlights the breadth of modules (payroll, time, HR, benefits, workflows) and the convenience of having data and processes in one place, especially for organizations that need more than basic wage management. Some teams also praise how the system supports structured approvals and manager-to-employee workflows, which can reduce manual back-and-forth when it is configured well.

At the same time, critical reviews often point to a steep learning curve and a level of complexity that can feel excessive for smaller teams or companies that only need straightforward payroll. Complaints frequently mention slow or inconsistent customer support, outdated or insufficient training resources, and frustration when small changes require back-end support rather than quick self-service adjustments.

Pricing transparency comes up as a pain point too, with reviewers noting that costs are not always clear upfront. Several reviewers also describe updates as a mixed bag: they can signal continuous improvement, but some users say frequent changes sometimes introduce bugs, disrupt workflows, or require extra support that is not always easy to get.

Customer Support & Resources

You can reach Dayforce support at 1-800-729-7655 or via social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn). Educational resources, including video tutorials, FAQs, and webinars, empower users to maximize the platform’s potential.

Conclusion

Dayforce stands out as a robust, enterprise-grade payroll and HCM platform built for organizations with complex workforce needs. The company’s transition from Ceridian to Dayforce clarified its brand identity without disrupting customers, products, or contracts.

For mid-sized and large businesses seeking a unified system that combines pay processing, HR, workforce management, and analytics, their platform offers a powerful and scalable solution. Its real-time payroll engine, global capabilities, and expanding AI-driven tools make it particularly well-suited for compliance-heavy and multi-location organizations.

That said, businesses prioritizing simple salary processing or transparent, entry-level pricing may find Dayforce more extensive than necessary. As with any enterprise platform, a detailed demo and pricing discussion are essential before committing.

Depending on your business size and needs, Dayforce could be your strategic workforce management partner. Read our review, blog, and comparison pages to help you make a better decision regarding your payroll provider.