Paycom vs Criterion

A BEST-IN-CLASS HCM PARTNER

All the Power of a Leading HCM—With the Support To Make It Work

A 95% client satisfaction rate doesn’t happen by accident.

Criterion HCM delivers enterprise-grade functionality with the flexibility and support mid-sized businesses need. Unlike Paycom, which can feel rigid and difficult to customize, Criterion offers an open API, easier configuration, and a hands-on support team that helps clients get the most out of their system.

Criterion provides the same features as Paycom, but with more adaptability and a customer-first approach. Get faster deployment, expert guidance in tailoring the system, and a dedicated team committed to your success.

Why choose Criterion?

Payroll Configured to You – Handle complex union rules, collective bargaining agreements, prevailing wages, and multi-state taxes easily. Access all backend tables to customize payroll to your needs.
HR Connected to Everything – With a single database and an open API, all employee data seamlessly integrates into every other process. Update information once, and it automatically syncs across payroll, benefits, and beyond.
Powerful Recruiting Workflows – Manage the entire talent lifecycle (from hiring and onboarding to training and retention) with your entire recruiting team aligned.
Advanced, Customizable Reporting – Generate reports from any dataset in one place. Use any field (including custom fields) to track and analyze anything you want.

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More Powerful Features, Less Frustration

Software is only as good as its user experience. If no one can use it, what’s the point?

Criterion delivers enterprise-grade functionality without the frustration. We offer a modern, intuitive interface that simplifies complex HR and payroll tasks.

Streamlined navigation means fewer clicks for common tasks.
Flexible setup adapts to your unique workflows.
Intuitive design makes adoption easy, even for non-technical teams.

With Criterion, you get all the features you need — hassle-free.

Dedicated Experts, Real Solutions

Criterion’s highly responsive, knowledgeable support team ensures you never feel stuck. You get a dedicated rep who understands your business and helps configure the system to fit your needs.

Enjoy fast, expert responses — without waiting weeks for assistance. We’ll help you develop real solutions tailored to your workflows.

"Criterion’s support is easy to talk to, responsive, and super helpful—exactly what you need for payroll and HR." — Emily Kraft, Accounting Assistant, Mount Hermon Association, Inc.

**An HCM Designed for Integration with Anything**

Our open API lets you integrate Criterion with any system — ERP, project management, accounting, and more. You can even integrate Criterion with custom, in-house applications.

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Straightforward Service, No Hidden Charges

With Paycom, extra charges can pile up fast. Users report feeling "nickel and dimed at every turn" with surprise costs for services that should be standard. Even when Paycom makes an error, customers often bear the cost of fixing it.

At Criterion, support is part of the package, not an upsell. That means no surprise fees when you ask for help. If there’s an issue on our end, we fix it — without passing the cost on to you.

In some cases, we’ll even build custom features to fit the needs of your organization and industry.

That’s how a true HCM partner should work.

A Configurable System That Adapts to Your Needs

Users report that Paycom’s rigid structure makes it hard to customize payroll processes. But Criterion is built for flexibility. Admin users get full access to backend tables, so you can configure payroll and HR to fit your needs.

Easily manage complex wage rules, multi-state taxes, union regulations, and compliance requirements — no tech experience required. Our team is here to help with setup and special configurations whenever you need them.

With Criterion, you get a system that works your way, without compromise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Criterion superior to Paycom?

Criterion HCM is a unified HCM platform that automates key HR, payroll, and recruiting tasks. But unlike most HCM platforms, Criterion is designed to be configured. We provide access to the entire backend, so you can configure workflows to accommodate complex payroll rules (CBAs, union rules, prevailing wages, etc.). We also offer an open API to provide unlimited integration capabilities. Rather than force the rest of your tech stack to work with your HCM, Criterion adapts to your tech stack. We offer personalized support from dedicated reps for each account. That way, when you contact us, you don’t get lost in a queue of support tickets.

Can our team access Criterion’s open API?

Yes. Every Criterion account gets unlimited API access for integration with any third-party platform — no data limits or API call fees. This offers more than just flat file integrations. You get seamless data transfer between platforms.

What is Criterion’s customer service like?

As a Criterion customer, you have a dedicated support representative that knows your business, so you get the service you need to make the platform work for you. You don’t get passed around a call center or paired with an amateur rep that doesn’t understand the platform or your industry. You get knowledgeable, helpful, creative support to overcome all your payroll, HR, and recruiting challenges.

Has Criterion ever had a data breach?

No. Criterion’s systems are secure and have never been affected by a data breach. Paycom, on the other hand, did have a data breach between May and June 2023 where personal info and social security numbers were exposed. There is now a class action lawsuit as a result of Paycom’s security issues, alleging a zero day vulnerability.

Can I use just one Criterion module?

Yes. Criterion is a unified database with 3 usable modules. You can purchase modules individually, and if you choose to add more modules later, all your data remains connected.

What AI features does Criterion offer?

Criterion’s AI assistant, ch.ai, streamlines HR, payroll, and talent management with features like an HR chatbot, predictive analytics, automated offer letters, policy creation, resume parsing, and facial recognition for time tracking. Criterion’s roadmap for future enhancements includes AI-powered onboarding, personalized learning paths, payroll analysis, and more.

How easy is it to switch from Paycom to Criterion?

Implementation shouldn’t be harder than it needs to be. When you switch from Paycom to Criterion, you’ll get full support from a dedicated implementation team to transfer all of your data, workflows, and processes into Criterion so that the system works exactly how you need it to. We handle the heavy lifting and make sure your team is up and running smoothly.

Criterion: An HCM Partner You Can Count On

Struggling with an awkward HR solution that doesn’t offer the support you need? Criterion HCM is built to be flexible, so you can make the solution meet your needs, not the other way around.

Create unique workflows, custom fields, generate new powerful reports, and manage all your HR, payroll, and recruiting workflows in one place.

Get everything you need — backed by a customer support team dedicated to your success.

That’s more than software — that’s a partnership.

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Experience an HCM That Makes Work Easier — Not Harder