Criterion vs. UKG

Meet the Flexible HR Platform that works for you — Not the other way around.

If you’re tired of being treated like a second-class citizen by your current HCM provider, we should talk. Criterion HCM is a fully configurable, unified platform tailored to your needs. Manage HR, payroll, and talent engagement all in one place.

Leave behind clunky processes and slow support for an HCM that puts your people at the center of everything.

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a best-in-class hcm

Criterion: A Unified System You Can Count On

Users have spoken: UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) doesn’t always provide satisfactory service — especially to midsize customers.

Criterion is different. We deliver a truly unified HCM platform you can configure to your exact needs. No more re-sending support tickets — with Criterion, you’ll have a dedicated success manager who knows your business inside and out.

Get the attention you need to manage your most complex HR, payroll, and talent engagement processes

With Criterion, you can tackle your HR team’s biggest challenges:

Streamline complex payroll across multiple states and unions, with variable wage rates, CBAs, and more.‍
Manage all employee data in a single, secure database.‍
Engage talent at every level with custom recruiting, onboarding, and performance incentive workflows.
‍Generate custom reports from ANY data field for deeper insights across platforms.‍
Leverage AI to automate repetitive tasks and reduce admin work.

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Get Support From a Team That Cares

Criterion support is personal. As our customer, you get a dedicated support rep to help you learn new features, configure the system to your liking, and solve complex HR challenges unique to your organization.

We actively listen to feedback and even implement new feature requests, so your HR solution evolves around your needs.

On the other hand, UKG Pro users often don’t get resolutions in a timely manner. The reviews are clear:

“Customer service is terrible and when we create [a] service request they go unanswered and unworked. We only get attention when we escalate and its payroll critical and even then, we get responses too late.” (G2 Review)

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Unified Data From Day One

Unlike UKG, which was built from a collection of acquired products, Criterion was purpose-built on a single database. We’ve been refining our software for more than 20 years with one goal in mind: streamlining HR-related processes.

Our unified structure means everything syncs instantly, with no need for workarounds. Plus, any field can become the basis for a custom report, so you can gain new insights into your workforce in seconds.

The result is a unified, stable HCM solution that scales and adapts exactly the way you need, not a patchwork system.

Integrations That Really Work

Criterion offers an open API, so you can connect your HCM to any third-party software or database (even custom, in-house software). No callback limits or fees — you get full API access at no extra cost.

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A Database You Can Trust

Criterion has never lost customer data. Our system backs up your information every 60 seconds and retains a rolling 35-day version history to ensure virtually no downtime.

Compare that to UKG Pro’s 24-hour Recovery Point Objective, which can mean a full day of work lost if systems crash. Plus, multiple major breaches from UKG in 2021 and 2024 make their system difficult to trust.

With Criterion, you get industry-leading security and a proven track record of zero breaches since day one.

A Platform That’s Easy To Configure

Criterion offers a flexible, user-friendly interface that’s easy to configure. That way, you can adapt every workflow and data field to your unique business needs. Administrators have access to all backend tables and settings to make changes on the fly — no advanced IT expertise or extra fees required.

With Criterion, you remain in full control of your HCM software without the unnecessary complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Criterion different from UKG?

The difference is in our approach: Ultimate Kronos Group (established in 2020) has acquired multiple software solutions and repackaged them under one brand, but their system connectivity remains spotty. By contrast, Criterion was purpose-built on a single, unified database, providing real-time data continuity plus seamless API integrations. Over two decades, we’ve refined our platform to handle complex HR needs, offering extensive configurability and dedicated support to create solutions that customers never thought possible.

How scalable is Criterion HCM compared to UKG Pro?

Criterion’s modular, “pod-style” infrastructure naturally grows with your business while remaining connected via a single database. This allows for unlimited additions of employees, data, workflows, reports, and more without compromising functionality.

What kind of customer support can we expect — do we get a dedicated rep or a generic call center?

As a Criterion customer, you are assigned a dedicated customer support rep who’s deeply familiar with your account and your business. This way, you don’t have to waste time repeating information or chasing down different departments. Human capital management is complicated. Get the personalized support you need from a partner that knows your business.

What service-level agreements (SLAs) and uptime guarantees are in place, and what happens if those SLAs aren’t met?

At Criterion, our Service Level Agreement includes a 90% or more Customer Satisfaction level. If your satisfaction level remains at 90% or below for a year, you get a 1% annual subscription refund. We also promise a 99.9% uptime (compared to UKG’s 99.75%).

What does implementation look like for Criterion HCM?

Our implementation process is built around your goals for using Criterion. From the first day, you’ll be guided by experienced implementation specialists who work closely with your team to tailor the system to your unique processes. We provide hands-on training, clear timelines, and ongoing support so you can get up and running in a matter of months.

What is Criterion’s reporting function like?

Criterion’s built-in reporting features allow any field to become the basis for a new custom report. With an open API for integrations, you can seamlessly generate detailed analytics across departments and platforms for virtually endless insights.

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Criterion: An HCM That Has Your Back

Stop wrestling with unwieldy systems that compromise your data or your time. Criterion HCM delivers enterprise power in a unified, user-friendly platform — no more patchwork integrations or unanswered support tickets.

Want limitless scalability, real-time backups, and a team that treats your successes like their own? Now is the time to upgrade.

Book your demo today and experience a streamlined HCM solution designed to work for you.