Which HR Software is Best for You?

When it comes to HR software for large and enterprise companies, Oracle and SAP are two of the top vendors you'll find recommended. Oracle's HR solution, called Oracle Cloud HCM, incorporates a suite of cloud-based HR software tools for payroll and talent management.

SAP SuccessFactors started as performance management software and has grown over time into a comprehensive and sophisticated cloud-based HR solution. The SAP SuccessFactors Human Experience Management (HXM) suite includes tools for human resources analytics and employee experience management.

In this guide, we will compare these two platforms to discover the differences between Oracle and SAP HR solutions.

SEE: The best human resources payroll software.

SAP vs Oracle: comparison table

SAP versus Oracle: Pricing

SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite

SAP products in its SuccessFactors HXM Suite are customized and require companies to contact SAP for a more complete pricing quote. Additionally, SAP does not offer a free trial.

Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM

Similarly, Oracle does not publicly disclose pricing on its website for its human capital management cloud service software. Interested parties should contact Oracle's sales team for a custom quote and Oracle does not offer a free trial.

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SAP vs. Oracle – Feature Comparison

Main functions of human resources

SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite covers all core HR functions, including global benefits administration, payroll, time management, document management, and HR service delivery. SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central is SAP's flagship HRIS software, while other solutions, such as payroll and time tracking, are offered through separate, but fully integrated, products.

Oracle Human Resources software forms the core of the HCM application. Features include centralized employee records management, document management, high-level workforce insights, and self-service portals. Oracle also offers other HR tools, such as payroll and benefits management, as standalone solutions.

Employee experience

Both Oracle and SAP offer employee experience platforms within their HCM solutions.

SAP employee experience management solution includes many advanced tools and HR teams can increase employee engagement with SAP Qualtrics Employee Engagement, collect feedback with SAP Qualtrics 360 Development, improve digital experience with SAP Qualtrics Employee Technology Experience and manage employees from their incorporation to their departure with SAP. Qualtrics Employee Lifecycle.

Oracle's employee experience platform, Oracle ME, is part of Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM and has a native employee listening tool built into the platform. Other features include a flexible audience builder, visual editor, automated engagement, and insights.

People analysis

SAP also offers an analytics solution in the form of workforce planning and people analytics, which can also be called extended planning and analytics. SAP's expanded planning and analytics tools combine operational, financial, and human resources data to give your business the information it needs to make evidence-based decisions. The tool incorporates machine learning technology to identify information that users may have missed on their own.

Oracle Fusion HCM Analytics is a pre-built cloud-native solution for Oracle Cloud HCM. It provides a comprehensive overview of the entire workforce and allows users to drill down into analytics for talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, career mobility, and retention and turnover. Choose from over 600 pre-built talent KPIs or add non-Oracle data with external sources.

SEE: We have gathered the The best HRIS tools for small businesses..

Advantages and disadvantages of SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite

SAP professionals

• Complete set of HR functions.
• Excellent performance management module.
• Solid payroll system.
• Accurate reports are easy to generate.

SEE: Watch Oracle and work day in this HR software comparison.

Disadvantages of SAP

• The price is not transparent.
• The user interface is not as up-to-date as some competitors.
• Loading and updating data may be delayed.
• Workflow configurations could be improved.

Pros and cons of Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM

Oracle Advantages

• Detailed talent management features.
• The employee self-service portal is available to users.
• Easy expense management.
• Oracle Transactional Business Intelligence integration for reporting.

Oracle Cons

• Complicated to use and difficult to navigate.
• Outdated user interface.
• The mobile app is not that useful.
• The system may take a long time to load or may not load at all.

Review methodology

To compare these two HR software packages, we examined the product documentation, watched demos and videos, and consulted user reviews. We consider factors such as user interface and experience, core HR functions, advanced tools, customer support, and security.

Should your organization use Oracle or SAP?

These two brands are quite comparable in services and offerings, so it can be difficult to decide between the two. We've put together brief recommendations for each to help you choose:

Choose Oracle Cloud HCM yes. . .

• You are a company with thousands of employees.
• You already use or plan to use other products in the Oracle software stack.
• Prefers to choose modules within each product.

Choose SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite if. . .

• You are a medium or large company with hundreds of employees or fewer.
• You are planning to grow in the near future.
• You already use or plan to use other SAP products.
• Prefers to combine several products within the suite.

Still not sure which HR solution to choose after comparing SAP and Oracle? There are many other high-performance HR software platforms besides Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM and SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite. Check out our roundup of the best HR software to see what else is available.