Compare/Head to head

Paylocity vs UKG

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Starting price

Paylocity

Sales-quoted

US HR, payroll and workforce platform that also covers finance and IT tools. Pricing is sales-quoted.

Where Paylocity fits

  • Midsize US employers that want HR and payroll together
  • Hourly-hiring teams that want Grayscale automation
  • Companies replacing several HR point tools
  • Teams that will build on documented APIs

UKG

Sales-quoted

HR, payroll and workforce management suite, with UKG Pro for larger employers and UKG Ready for smaller ones. Pricing is by quote.

Where UKG fits

  • Large employers with shift-based frontline staff
  • Companies that need time and scheduling tied to payroll
  • Teams that will build on documented APIs
  • Buyers running a formal HR system selection

At a glance

DetailPaylocityUKG
Starting priceSales-quotedSales-quoted
Free tier–No–No
MCP server–No–No
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underATS, Benefits administration, HRIS, Payroll, Time & attendanceATS, Benefits administration, HRIS, Payroll, Time & attendance, Workforce management

Where they pull apart

Paylocity

Stands out: One platform covers HR, payroll, recruiting, finance and IT, and Paylocity added Grayscale's AI recruiting automation in 2026.

Watch out: There is no public per-employee price. You need a sales conversation, and implementation and module choice shape the total.

Not the right fit for

  • Buyers who need a published price
  • Companies that mainly need global EOR hiring

UKG

Stands out: Deep time, scheduling and labor tools for frontline workforces, backed by a developer hub with documented APIs and webhooks.

Watch out: There is no public price, and rollout is a real implementation project. Pro versus Ready is a scoping decision made with sales.

Not the right fit for

  • Small companies that want a published price
  • Teams without budget for an implementation

Pros and cons

Paylocity

  • HR, payroll, finance and IT in one
  • Grayscale recruiting automation added
  • Documented APIs for integrations
  • No public price
  • Sales process before any number
  • Aimed at US employers

UKG

  • Strong time and scheduling tools
  • Documented APIs and webhooks
  • Separate Ready product for smaller firms
  • No public price
  • Implementation takes real effort
  • Product and module choices get complex

What each one costs

Paylocity

Sales-quoted

Sales-quoted. No public rate card on the vendor site. The quote depends on headcount and the modules you choose. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

UKG

Sales-quoted

Sales-quoted. No public rate card on the vendor site. The quote depends on the product (Pro or Ready), modules and headcount. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Can you try Paylocity or UKG for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?