Cezanne HR vs Workday
Last updated October 2026
Looking for a European alternative to Workday? Here's how Cezanne HR compares, on EU hosting, GDPR and what it does.
Our pick for a European buyer: Cezanne HR. We weight data residency, GDPR and EU jurisdiction above everything else — that is the constraint this directory exists to solve.
What it is
Modular UK HR software with EU hosting and payroll
Cloud-based enterprise software for finance, HR, and analytics.
Headquarters
🇬🇧 GB
🇺🇸 US · 2005
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency is available on request for certain modules and regions.
DSGVO / GDPR
Yes
Yes
Certifications
ISO/IEC 27001:2022, Cyber Essentials
ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II
Price from
$2/mo
No
Free plan
No
No
Open Source
No
No
Integrations
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Google Calendar, Slack, Microsoft Teams +8
SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, ServiceNow
Where each one wins
Cezanne HR
Strengths
- +Intuitive interface accessible to non-technical users
- +Flexible and customizable to specific HR workflows
- +Comprehensive modular coverage of core HR, onboarding, absence, performance, recruitment, payroll and analytics
- +Effective onboarding workflows and task automation reducing administrative overhead
- +Responsive, knowledgeable customer support with extensive onboarding resources
- +GDPR compliance and ISO 27001 certification for data security
Limitations
- −Occasional performance issues like slow server responses or system hangs
- −Interface sometimes described as less modern or clunky, particularly for mail merges
- −Limited filing functions, such as multi-document uploads and data deletion controls
- −Mobile app functionality lags behind the browser version
- −Pricing lacks transparency with bespoke quotes required
- −Not a turnkey global payroll or Employer of Record solution
Workday
Strengths
- +Strong analytics and reporting capabilities
- +Scalable for large enterprises
- +Unified platform for HR and finance
- +Robust compliance and security features
Limitations
- −High implementation and maintenance costs
- −Steep learning curve for administrators
- −Complex customization requirements
- −Long implementation timelines
Data residency & compliance
Cezanne HR
Workday
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency is available on request for certain modules and regions.
Transfer mechanism
Not required — data stays in the EU
not established
DPA
not established
not established
Sub-processors
not established
not established
Certifications
ISO/IEC 27001:2022, Cyber Essentials
ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II
Pricing
Cezanne HR
- People (Core HR) $2 per employee / month minimum $200 / monthCore HR module · Modular pricing · Minimum monthly fee applies
- Full Self-Service Plan $300 / month flat rateFull self-service capabilities · Expert support · Open API and integrations
- Additional Modules $2 per employee / month per moduleAbsences · Time · Performance
Pricing is modular and based on selected features and employee count. Free trial available.
Workday
No published pricing we could verify.
Pricing is customized and available on request; typically involves multi-year contracts with license costs varying by module and scale.
Features
Cezanne HR
- Core HR
- Personnel files and recordkeeping, HR portals and notifications, Custom reports and dashboards, Training management
- Recruitment and Onboarding
- Applicant tracking system, Onboarding workflows, Recruitment management
- Absence and Time Management
- Leave and time-off tracking, Timesheets, Attendance management
- Performance and Career
- Performance reviews, Goal setting, Pulse surveys, Career development tools
- Analytics and Compliance
- Advanced HR analytics and reporting, GDPR compliance, ISO 27001 certification
Workday
- Human Capital Management
- Employee lifecycle management, Talent acquisition and onboarding, Compensation and benefits administration, Time and attendance tracking
- Financial Management
- General ledger and accounting, Expense management, Revenue management, Procurement and sourcing
- Analytics and Reporting
- Customizable dashboards, Predictive analytics, Ad-hoc reporting, Data visualization