When it comes to HR software for large enterprises, Oracle and SAP are two of the top vendors you’ll see recommended. Oracle’s HR solution, called Oracle Cloud HCM, integrates a series of HR cloud software tools for payroll and talent management.
SAP SuccessFactors started as performance management software and has evolved over time into a comprehensive and sophisticated cloud-based HR solution. The SAP SuccessFactors Human Experience Management (HXM) suite includes tools for HR analytics and employee experience management.
In this guide, we will compare the two platforms to discover the differences between Oracle and SAP’s HR solutions.
See also: best HR payroll software.
Bob
Number of employees by company size
Micro (0-49), small (50-249), medium (250-999), large (1,000-4,999), enterprise (5,000+)
Small (50-249 employees), Medium (250-999 employees), Large (1,000-4,999 employees)
Small Medium Large
feature
Payroll management, onboarding, payroll, etc.
ADP Human Resources
Number of employees by company size
Micro (0-49), small (50-249), medium (250-999), large (1,000-4,999), enterprise (5,000+)
any size company
any size company
feature
360-degree feedback, applicant tracking, benefits management, etc.
share
Number of employees by company size
Micro (0-49), small (50-249), medium (250-999), large (1,000-4,999), enterprise (5,000+)
any size company
any size company
feature
Benefits management, salary management, global payroll, etc.
SAP vs. Oracle: comparison table
| SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite | Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Customized quotation | Customized quotation |
| Most suitable | Large and medium-sized enterprises | Enterprise business |
| Product settings | Smaller product in the suite | Main products can be customized as modules |
| Payslip | Yes, as its own product | Yes, as its own product |
| employee experience | Yes | Yes |
| workforce analysis | Yes | Yes |
SAP vs. Oracle: Pricing
SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite
Products in the SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite are customized and companies need to contact SAP for a more comprehensive quote. Additionally, SAP does not offer a free trial.
Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM
Likewise, Oracle does not publicly disclose pricing for its human capital management cloud service software on its website. Interested parties must contact Oracle sales to obtain a customized quote, and Oracle does not offer a free trial.
See: Here’s how to protect those pennies and cents The best free HR software.
SAP vs. Oracle: Features Comparison
Core HR Characteristics
SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite covers all core HR functionality including global benefits administration, payroll, time management, document management and HR service delivery. SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central is SAP’s primary HRIS software, while other solutions such as payroll and time tracking are provided through separate but fully integrated products.
Oracle Human Resources software forms the core of HCM applications. Features include centralized employee records management, document management, advanced workforce insights and a self-service portal. Oracle also offers other HR tools, such as payroll and benefits management, as separate solutions.
employee experience
Oracle and SAP both offer employee experience platforms within their HCM solutions.
SAP’s employee experience management solution includes many high-end tools. Human resources teams can increase employee engagement through SAP Qualtrics Employee Engagement, collect feedback through SAP Qualtrics 360 Development, improve digital experience through SAP Qualtrics Employee Technology Experience, and communicate through Manage the entire process of employees from onboarding to departure through SAP Qualtrics employee life cycle.
Oracle’s employee experience platform, Oracle ME, is part of Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM and has native employee listening tools built into the platform. Other features include a flexible audience builder, visual editor, automated engagement, and insights.
people analysis
SAP also offers analytics solutions in the form of workforce planning and people analytics, which you might also call extended planning and analytics. SAP’s expanded planning and analysis tools combine human resources, financial and operational data to give your business the information it needs to make evidence-based decisions. The tool incorporates machine learning technology to identify insights 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 deeper into talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, career mobility, and retention and turnover. Choose from more than 600 pre-built talent KPIs, or add non-Oracle data from external sources.
See: We’ve rounded up Best HRIS Tools for Small Businesses.
SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite Pros and Cons
SAP Expert
- Comprehensive HR feature set.
- Excellent performance management module.
- Sound salary system.
- Accurate reports can be easily produced.
See: take a look Oracle and Workday In HR Software Comparison.
Disadvantages of SAP
- Pricing is not transparent.
- The user interface isn’t as updated as some competitors.
- Data loading and refreshing may lag.
- Workflow configuration could be improved.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM
Oracle Expert
- Detailed talent management capabilities.
- An employee self-service portal is available to users.
- Easy expense management.
- Oracle Transaction Business Intelligence integration for reporting.
Disadvantages of Oracle
- Complex to use and difficult to navigate.
- Old fashioned user interface.
- The mobile app isn’t that useful.
- The system may be loading slowly or failing to load.
review method
To compare these two HR software suites, we examined product documentation, watched demos and videos, and consulted user reviews. We considered factors such as user interface and experience, core HR functionality, advanced tools, customer support and security.
Should your organization use Oracle or SAP?
Both brands are quite similar in terms of services and products, so it’s difficult to choose between the two. We’ve put together brief recommendations for each option to help you choose:
If the following conditions are met, select Oracle Cloud HCM. . .
- You are a business with thousands of employees.
- You already use or plan to use other products in the Oracle software stack.
- You love picking out mods in every product.
If the following conditions are met, please select SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite. . .
- You are a medium to large business with hundreds or fewer employees.
- You plan to grow in the near future.
- You already use or plan to use other SAP products.
- You like to combine products in kits.
Still not sure which HR solution to choose after comparing SAP and Oracle? In addition to Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM and SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite, there are many other high-performance HR software platforms. Check out our roundup of the best HR software to see what else is out there.
