Criterion vs. PAYLOCITY

Real Support, Real Solutions — From an HCM Optimized for You

Struggling with limited flexibility and poor support with your current system? With Criterion HCM, you get expert support and full access to configure your HR solution to your needs — so you never feel stuck again.

Take control of your HR and payroll with a platform that puts your success first.

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Trusted by organizations like
aN HCM PLatform built for growth

Criterion Will Grow With You. Paylocity Probably Won’t.

Your HCM software should adapt to your business, not the other way around. Criterion offers a fully configurable, unified platform that scales with your needs — whether you're facing complex payroll, HR, or recruiting challenges. Paylocity may cover payroll basics, but users report that it often lacks flexibility, forcing companies into clunky workarounds.

As your organization grows, you need more than just software. You need a partner that’s invested in your success. That’s Criterion.

With Criterion, you get a unified HCM platform for:

  • Payroll – Automate union and CBA rules, variable wage rates, multi-state compliance, and time tracking. Get seamless, error-free payroll — with zero delays.
  • HR – Manage key workflows like time off, promotions, and benefits with ease. Plus, gain real-time workforce insights with custom reports.
  • Talent Engagement – Build a better talent pipeline. Streamline hiring, onboarding, and training with configurable workflows that drive higher retention and performance.
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Why Real Construction Companies Trust Criterion

“The implementation with Criterion is lightyears ahead of the implementation that we were going through so painfully for three years [with the other vendor].”

Melanie Chandler
‍HRIS Manager
‍Goodwill Industries, Central NC.

“When we were going through vetting the other payroll companies out and even starting the implementation process we found the things [other companies] said they could do, they really couldn't do anyway — and the price is incredibly reasonable for what we're provided."

Louisa Clark
Louisa Clark
‍VP of Finance
‍Clark Service Group

“We have never, ever, ever skipped or were worried about missing payroll. We feel extremely confident…Our payroll managers said they will NEVER go back to the old system because there is no comparison.”

Patryk Kubiszyn
‍VP Systems & Process
‍Smith & Long Construction

“I think their whole implementation process is really good. It’s really well managed. We had a chance to compare it to some others … and Criterion is definitely the best.”

Adam Pinsky
‍Chief Financial Officer
Bayley Construction

“The certified rate functionality of Criterion is something that I'd highly recommend, especially if you’ve got multiple locations, multiple unions, multiple disciplines under different unions. The more complex it is, it’s worthwhile.”

Lacey Unrau, BHRLR, CPHR
‍Vice President, Human Resources
‍Des Nedhe Group

"[The customer service] has been the best service that we've experienced on any software platform that we've used — I wish my bank was like that!"

Patryk Kubiszyn
‍VP Systems & Process
‍Smith & Long Construction

A Payroll Platform Fully Configured for You

When your payroll system is flexible, your entire team wins.

Criterion is built to adapt to your unique requirements. We handle challenges like union rules, multi-state tax codes, certified rates, and more.

Paylocity has a reputation for being inflexible. Users report several payroll-related issues like improper tax codes, configuration issues — even payments going to the wrong employees.

Criterion is different. Our open API and fully configurable back-end let you set up payroll your way. Upload new CBAs in minutes, calculate multiple pay rates automatically, and scale your organization with confidence. No matter what your payroll process looks like — Criterion is up to the challenge.

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Intelligent Support From a Team That Knows You

With Criterion, you get a dedicated support team that knows your operations inside and out. From day one, our specialists tailor your setup to your exact processes. No dead ends or frustrating workarounds.

Paylocity claims “unmatched customer service.” But users and employees report shallow expertise and chaotic implementations as the norm.

Stop chasing down support for answers. Need to configure union pay rates, create custom reports — or do something totally new? Criterion is here to help you overcome any HR or payroll challenge.

Integrations Without Restrictions

Connect your HCM to any third-party software like ERP, project management, or even custom solutions — without extra hassle or fees. Enjoy seamless, unrestricted open API access to build your ideal tech stack with Criterion.

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HR and Recruiting Features That Really Work

Paylocity’s primary focus is its payroll solution. Sometimes its HR tools often feel like an afterthought.

With Criterion, we specialize in all things HR. We built our platform to help real HR professionals streamline payroll and HR, and engage employees at every stage. Keep your org charts accurate and up to date, store essential documents, simplify benefits with built-in compliance features — and much more.

Plus, payroll, HR, and talent engagement are completely unified on the same database. No siloed data or syncing issues.

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A User-Friendly Platform Built To Sustain Growth

If your payroll and HR software feel disjointed now, imagine how it will feel as you grow.

You need software that makes new workflows easier to adopt across teams.

Criterion’s easy-to-use interface and sandbox environment allow you to test new configurations in minutes. Several teams with little-to-no tech experience have adopted Criterion without a hiccup.

On top of that, our pod-style structure enables endless expansion as your data increases. We run automated tests, peer reviews, and thorough regression checks to make sure we’re reliably processing all your data — all the time.

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How Other Companies Are Using Criterion HCM To Tackle Big Challenges

How Goodwill Industries Is Achieving Big Recruiting Goals With Criterion

Learn how Goodwill Industries of Central NC transformed their recruiting processes with Criterion HCM, empowering their mission to help individuals find work.

Smith and Long construction fleet
How Smith and Long Construction Improved Payroll With Criterion

Discover how Smith and Long Construction used Criterion HCM and Acumatica to improve payroll efficiency and achieve full compliance with union regulations.

How Clark Service Group Transformed Their HR Processes with Criterion

Clark Service Group needed help keeping their payroll department on track (and obeying laws!) after a company split. Criterion helped them do all that and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Criterion’s software architecture like?

Criterion is built on a single, unified database, so updates happen instantly across the entire system — no syncing issues or delays. This makes the platform fully configurable from the backend and allows for seamless integration with any software via REST API. Plus, Criterion’s pod-style infrastructure enables seamless scalability, growing with your business as your data needs expand.

How does Criterion handle complex payroll scenarios?

Our HCM automates union rate calculations, multi-state tax compliance, and FLSA exemptions without workarounds. Payroll is fully configurable for certified rates, project-based structures, jurisdictional tax rules, and more (with several key calculations built in). For any unique payroll or reporting challenges you encounter, Criterion is built to accommodate it.

How does Criterion use user feedback to improve their product?

Your feedback directly shapes our roadmap. Twice weekly, our cross-department team reviews product enhancements while dedicated implementation and support reps for each account review feedback. We will even (in some cases) create new features to accommodate industry-specific needs.

Does the platform allow unlimited user-defined fields for custom reporting?

Yes. Criterion enables cross-module reporting, allowing you to pull and combine data across all modules and integrated platforms without limits. Unlike many other platforms (which are restricted to prebuilt reporting templates), Criterion gives you full control over custom reports. You can use any field within the system as the basis for a new custom report, and even create custom fields to track any data you like.

How does real-time data synchronization work with ERPs like Microsoft Dynamics?

Criterion supports bidirectional GL feeds with instant data updates — no CSV uploads, no 24–48 hour syncing delays. When connected via Criterion’s REST API, the transfer is instant. We have proven, seamless integrations with Microsoft Dynamics, Acumatica, Sage Intacct, and more.

What safeguards exist against payroll errors for different employee types?

Criterion features geofencing and automatic manager approval workflows to prevent errors. AI-powered payroll auditing is also in development to flag discrepancies and request revisions before payroll is finalized.

Can Criterion really integrate with any platform?

Yes. Criterion’s open API enables direct, configurable data sharing with any third-party software. Alongside proven integrations with Acumatica, Procore, Sage Intacct, Dynamics, and Trimble, we’ve also built custom integrations for in-house platforms — like Clark Service Group’s time-keeping system.

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Own Your Payroll and HR Processes

True growth requires more than just software — it takes intelligent HCM built for the long haul. Plug-and-play solutions might sound easy, but when they fail to deliver, they cost you time, money, and the trust of employees who depend on them every day.

Criterion gives you enterprise-level HCM functionality with the flexibility to fit your business. No matter what industry you’re in, Criterion can adapt to meet your needs.

And when you need support, you’ll get real experts who know your business, not just a script.

Leave behind limitations. Take control of your HR and payroll with Criterion.

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Paylocity and the Paylocity logo are registered trademarks of Paylocity. Criterion’s use of third party trademarks does not indicate any relationship, sponsorship, or endorsement between Criterion and the owners of these trademarks. All references by Criterion to third party trademarks are to identify the corresponding third party goods and/or services and intended to constitute nominative fair use under applicable trademark laws.

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