Criterion HCM: Reviews, Demo & Pricing

Name: Criterion HCM
Rating: 4.2 (13 reviews)

Last Updated Aug 28, 2026

Reviewed by

Ali Gohar

Key Takeaways

Generated from the text of customer reviews

Criterion HCM offers a comprehensive cloud-based platform that simplifies critical HR processes for various industries. Users frequently mention faster payroll processing, reduced duplicate entry, and easier employee record access. That said, its advanced functionality might be overwhelming for small businesses.

Our Verdict

Criterion HCM is a suitable option for mid-sized and enterprise organizations managing payroll, workforce administration, and employee records across multiple departments or locations. Many teams value its centralized workforce management structure for handling more complex payroll and compliance requirements, although implementation and reporting customization may require additional administrative effort.

Overall Rating

Based on 13 users reviews

4.2

All Reviews

Rating Distribution

Positive

92%

Neutral

Negative

Starting Price

Custom

Product Snapshot

Criterion HCM Paycheck view on mobile app

Criterion HCM Specifications

Employee Information Management
Recruitment and Applicant Tracking
Performance Management
Attendance and Time Tracking
Employee Onboarding
Training and Development
Benefits Administration
Compensation Management
Employee Self-Service Portal
Workforce Analytics

View All Specifications

What Is Criterion HCM?

Criterion HCM is cloud-based human capital management (HCM) software used by various industries. Offering a comprehensive suite of solutions, the software simplifies HR processes, including recruitment, onboarding, payroll, time, attendance, performance, and employee data management.

Automating these tasks helps with effective workforce optimization and reduces administrative burden. It provides users with everything they require to manage medium to large-sized businesses. The platform has been acquired by Sage.

Automating these tasks helps with effective workforce optimization and reduces administrative burden, making it one of the best HRIS systems in the market, as it provides you with everything you need to manage and medium to large sized business.

What Is Criterion HCM Best For?

Criterion HCM is equipped with an integrated platform that combines human resources (HR), payroll, and talent engagement modules into a single system. This integration eliminates the need for multiple providers or disparate systems, thereby simplifying workforce management processes within an organization. The platform's cohesive nature enables smooth data flow and improves data accuracy.

How Much Does Criterion HCM Cost?

Criterion HCM runs on a PEPM (per-employee-per-month) model, with the pricing/employee starting at $5/month. There are different pricings compared to the modules that you'd like to avail for your company. The breakdown of the costs for each of these modules is as follows:

Core Module: $2/employee/month
Benefits administration and HR tasks (including time and attendance, learning management system): $3/employee/month
Payroll: Additional $3/employee/month
Applicant tracking: Additional $2/employee/month
Performance reviews: Additional $1/employee/month

Additional costs organizations may incur beyond the base subscription include:

Implementation And Setup: $5,000–$30,000, depending on workforce size, payroll complexity, and organizational structure
Data Migration: $2,000–$15,000 based on employee records, historical payroll data, benefits data, and compliance requirements
Admin And HR Team Training: $1,500–$10,000 based on the number of HR, payroll, and managerial users
ERP, Accounting, And Third-Party Integrations: $3,000–$25,000 for connecting Sage Intacct, QuickBooks, NetSuite, or other finance ecosystems
Dedicated Customer Success Or Premium Support Plans: $3,000–$25,000/year for priority support and strategic account management

The software offers different pricing plans to accommodate different organizational needs and sizes. You can also request customized Criterion HCM pricing.

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.

Criterion HCM Integrations

The platform integrates with various third-party applications, including:

What Are The Key Modules Of Criterion HCM?

From the reviews of Criterion that we've managed to gather, the following are the modules loved by all users of the HRIS system:

Criterion Payroll Module:

Offers one-click integration with payroll systems
Can process payroll and taxes quickly with minimal user input
Ensures tax compliance and timely payments

Time and Attendance Module:

Includes scheduling and labor tracking for both on-site and remote employees
Supports biometric check-ins using fingerprints, which is especially useful for environments like factories and warehouses

Talent Engagement Module:

Includes applicant tracking tools with an online career portal and job postings
Offers onboarding modules for creating and distributing employee records
Provides learning management software that can be integrated with training courses and certifications

Criterion HR Module:

Provides a centralized database for employee information
Includes benefits management and tracking tools
Offers reporting capabilities for training costs, financial planning, and EEO-1 compliance

How Does Criterion HCM Work?

Once you have logged in, here's how you can navigate the dashboard and use the Criterion HCM platform features:

Navigate to the 'Employee Management' section and click on 'Add Employee' to input employee information, such as personal details, job information, and compensation
Configure payroll settings, including pay rates, deductions, benefits, and tax information
Then, initiate payroll processing by entering pay period details and reviewing employee hours and earnings
Access payroll reports to review detailed payroll information, including earnings, deductions, and tax withholdings
Utilize the Criterion timesheet tracking features to record employee work hours, breaks, and time off requests
Review and approve employee timesheets, ensuring accuracy before processing payroll
Manage employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other offerings, by navigating to the 'Benefits Management' tab
Create customized reports by selecting specific data fields, applying filters, and choosing the desired report format
Inform employees about the self-service Criterion employee portal, where they can view and update their personal information, access pay stubs, request time off, and enroll in benefits

Schedule a free Criterion HCM demo and learn more about its functionality.

Who Is Criterion HCM For?

Criterion HCM caters to the following industries and sectors:

Education
Government
Non-profit
Construction
Engineering
Financial
Franchise

Criterion Use Cases

Based on our analysis of user feedback and Criterion HCM capabilities, we have identified several workforce management situations where the platform is commonly used by HR and payroll teams:

Organizations Managing Payroll Across Multiple Pay Structures

Companies handling overtime calculations, union rules, multiple pay rates, or employees working across different states often face challenges maintaining payroll accuracy across departments. Criterion HCM helps centralize payroll processing, employee records, and workforce data within one system instead of relying on disconnected workflows. This is especially useful for organizations managing large employee populations where payroll adjustments and compliance requirements frequently change.

Construction Companies Coordinating Workforce Turnover And Rehiring

Construction businesses regularly manage project-based staffing, employee movement between job sites, and recurring rehiring cycles throughout the year. Criterion HCM helps HR teams maintain employee history, payroll information, and workforce records without repeatedly rebuilding employee profiles during rehiring periods.

Organizations Requiring Consistent Workforce Reporting

Sage HRMS is commonly used by HR teams that regularly prepare workforce reports for finance leaders, operations managers, or executives. Businesses managing staffing growth, labor costs, or long-term workforce planning benefit from having payroll and employee data connected within the same system. Reviewers also praise the platform for its easy and quick process to generate reports.

Companies Prioritizing Employee Self-Service And Workforce Visibility

Criterion HCM is well-suited for organizations that want employees to manage routine HR tasks independently. Employees can review payroll information, track PTO balances, access timesheets, and register for internal training without relying entirely on HR staff for updates. This can help reduce routine administrative requests in organizations managing distributed teams or larger workforces.

Is Criterion HCM Right For You?

Are you looking for HR software that provides comprehensive workforce management functionality? If yes, look no further than the Criterion HCM cloud platform. The software is available in several countries through a global partner network and offers extensive security and compliance protocols.

The Criterion HCM client data is protected through advanced data encryption methods and Amazon Web Services (AWS). It includes backups and data recovery services. Moreover, the software also provides scalability, accommodating the needs of growing businesses with multiple entities and locations.

With Criterion HCM, businesses can leverage add-ons such as benefits administration, time and attendance tracking, and analytics and reporting tools to further enhance their HR processes.

Still unsure about the platform and want to learn more about its functionalities? Contact us at (661) 384-7070 today, and we will help you make an informed decision.

Criterion HCM Features

Benefits Management

Criterion HRIS helps managers conduct every aspect of benefits administration, including open enrollment, carrier connectivity, ACA and government filing features, and compliance management. This feature simplifies benefits administration and ensures compliance with regulations.

See How It Works

Workforce Management

The platform enables strategic decision-making regarding time off, scheduling, job assignments, and task management. You can utilize the platform's complete learning management system (LMS) to assign and track employee training and development.

See How It Works

Analytics And Reporting

This software provides access to a range of standardized and customizable reporting tools. You can generate real-time insights, metrics, goals, and key performance indicators to make informed decisions and monitor HR-related data.

See How It Works

Employee Self-Service

Criterion self-service functionality lets employees update personal details, submit time-off requests, and review performance evaluations. Employees can handle routine HR tasks independently, which minimizes errors and encourages a more engaged and informed workforce.

See How It Works

Payroll Management

The software automates payroll processing, tax calculations, and direct deposits, ensuring timely and accurate payments for employees. By eliminating manual payroll processing, it reduces errors, saves time, and ensures compliance with tax regulations. Additionally, Criterion HCM helps managers streamline their administrative tasks by handling multiple pay rates, overtime, union fringes, holidays, and similar conditions.

See How It Works

Pros And Cons of Criterion HCM

A quick look at Criterion HCM's strengths and weaknesses to
help you decide if it's the right fit

Pros

Comprehensive workforce management services
Simplifies critical HR processes efficiently
Provides easy navigation from desktop or mobile devices
Extensive talent engagement functionality
Self-service features geared towards users' convenience

Cons

Some users experienced advanced functionality as overwhelming
The mobile app could use more features, as per some Criterion HCM reviews

Criterion HCM Reviews

Insights from real users on Criterion HCM’s features,
performance, and overall experience.

Total 13 reviews

4.2

All reviews are from verified customers

Rating Distribution

Stars

38%

Stars

54%

Stars

Share your experience

Mac

Graphic Design, 51-100 employees

More than a year

4.0

November 2023

“Amazing HR Software for Teams”

Pros

I find the course/lesson registration functionality on Criterion really convenient for company requirements. Registering for classes is easy, and it syncs seamlessly with my calendar. I appreciate the time management feature, which keeps track of my remaining PTO days for the year.

Cons

Personally, I perceive the UI as somewhat outdated becauseit has an old-fashioned appearance, but perhaps we can address that internally.

Rating Distribution

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer Support

Functionality

Joel Neil

Manufacturing, 500+ employees

More than a year

4.0

August 2023

“Effective Talent Engagement Solution”

Pros

Once you get used to it, the interface looks appealing and functions well. It provides a comprehensive history and generates real-time graphs swiftly.

Cons

Initially, it's not very user-friendly and there are many features we rarely utilize. Simplification is necessary.

Rating Distribution

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer Support

Functionality

Angie

IT, 500+ employees

More than a year

5.0

August 2023

“A great System Overall”

Pros

I really like how simple it is to customize and generate reports.

Cons

Customer service system could use some improvement, as the response times are quite slow.

Rating Distribution

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer Support

Functionality

View All 13 Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions to help you better understand the product, features, and services.

Does Criterion HCM offer an API?

Yes, Criterion HCM offers an API.

What language does Criterion HCM support?

The software supports several languages, including English, French, and Spanish.

What other apps does Criterion HCM integrate with?

The platform provides seamless integrations with many tools, including Quickbooks, Okta, Sage Intacct, SAP, and Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Does Criterion HCM support mobile devices?

Yes, Criterion HCM supports mobile devices.

What types of pricing plans does Criterion HCM offer?

The platform offers varying pricing plans catering to different organizational needs. It follows a PEPM model with price starting at $5/month. You can also request a personalized Criterion HCM cost.

Who are the typical users of Criterion HCM?

The software caters to several industries, including non-profit, financial, education, construction, and government.

What level of support does Criterion HCM offer?

Criterion HCM offers a help desk, knowledge base, email, chat, and phone support.

Are there any Criterion HCM alternatives?

Yes, Calamari, JazzHR, and ApplicantPRO are some of the Criterion HCM alternatives.

How does Criterion HCM handle employee record versus other HR software?

Criterion HCM stands out with its integrated platform that combines HR, payroll, and talent engagement modules into a single system. It allows for detailed input of employee information, such as personal details, job information, and compensation.