Workiva vs Ceridian: Which Compliance Platform is Better in 2026?
Compare Workiva and Ceridian head-to-head. See pricing, features, integrations, and our expert verdict on which compliance automation platform is right for your business.
Summary
Updated February 2026Both Workiva and Ceridian are established compliance automation platforms. Your choice depends on team size, budget, and compliance scope.
Workiva
- Starting at $30,000/year
- Best for: Public companies with complex reporting requirements
Ceridian
- Starting at Contact Sales
- Best for: Enterprise organizations
Sources: G2 Crowd, Capterra, Vendor Documentation, User Interviews
Pricing Comparison
Workiva
Ceridian
Both platforms typically require a custom quote, though $30,000/year is the reported starting point. For 2026, we recommend Workiva for enterprise compliance reporting and Ceridian for undefined.
Our Verdict
Choose Ceridian if: null
Bottom Line: Workiva is designed for enterprise scale. Ceridian is a better fit for null.
Workiva Pros & Cons
Pros
- Industry leader in SOX
- Excellent for public companies
- Strong ESG capabilities
- Connected data platform
- Audit trail excellence
Cons
- Not for SOC 2/ISO
- Very high cost
- Public company focused
Ceridian Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Best-fit snapshot
Workiva
- •Best fit: Public companies with complex reporting requirements
- •Frameworks: SOX, SEC, ESG, XBRL
- •Integrations: 100+ supported systems
- •Target market: Large Enterprise
Ceridian
- •Best fit: teams prioritizing audit readiness and faster implementations.
- •Framework coverage varies by plan and auditor requirements.
- •Integration depth varies by data source and plan.
- •Commonly used by growth-stage B2B teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Workiva cheaper than Ceridian?
Pricing varies based on company size and requirements. Request quotes from both vendors for accurate comparison.
Which is better for startups: Workiva or Ceridian?
Neither platform is specifically designed for startups. Consider alternatives like Vanta, Sprinto, or Secureframe for early-stage companies.
Can I switch from Workiva to Ceridian?
Yes, most compliance platforms support data export. However, evidence migration may require manual effort. Both Workiva and Ceridian offer onboarding support for migrating customers.
Do Workiva or Ceridian include audit services?
Neither Workiva nor Ceridian include audit services in their base pricing. You will need to engage a separate auditor, typically costing $8,000-$25,000 additionally.
Alternatives to Consider
About this data: Our research team reviews and verifies platform information through vendor relationships, public documentation, and market analysis. Data is updated regularly.
Learn about our methodology →Related Comparisons
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