Sage HCM Review
Sage HCM (formerly Criterion HCM) is cloud HR, payroll and talent engagement software for mid-sized employers, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and owned by The Sage Group plc since Sage acquired Criterion HCM.
Best for
- Mid-sized employers, about 200 to 2,500 employees
- Construction, nonprofit, government, education and franchise employers
- Union or certified-rate payroll with shift differentials
Not ideal for
- Buyers who want posted prices: every price is quoted after a demo
- Small businesses: it is built for mid-sized companies
Also listed in
How we evaluated Sage HCM
This review rests on the 18 facts this page shows, each checked against the source listed under “Sources”, most recently on . We did not test the product hands-on: the score uses only those verified facts, as our methodology explains; third-party ratings, where we quote them, never count in the score.
Our verdict
Sage HCM (formerly Criterion HCM) is cloud HR, payroll and talent software built for mid-sized US employers, with payroll rules for union rates, shift differentials and certified rates. It is now owned by The Sage Group plc. Every price is quoted after a demo with a Sage HCM expert.
Strengths
Union and certified-rate payroll
Sage HCM handles union rates, shift differentials and imputed income, and updates certified rates across positions when a new collective bargaining agreement is uploaded.
Evidence
Key features: Union rates, shift differentials and imputed income in payroll, Certified rates updated across positions by uploading collective bargaining agreements3
Sage and construction integrations
It integrates with Sage Intacct and Sage 300 CRE and syncs timesheets, projects and employee data with Procore.
Evidence
Notable integrations: Sage Intacct, Sage 300 CRE, Procore, Acumatica4
HR, payroll and talent in one platform
One cloud platform covers core HR, payroll and talent engagement, with an iOS and Android app for employees.
Evidence: Modules: Core HR, Payroll, Talent engagement4
Open API and single sign-on
An open RESTful API connects it to ERP and project tools, and single sign-on covers access across locations and business units.
Evidence: API: Yes5
Weaknesses
No published prices
Sage HCM publishes no price, plan or fee: a Sage HCM expert proposes a setup and quotes it after a demo.
Evidence: Pricing model: Quote only2
Security reports not verified yet
A SOC 2 or ISO 27001 report for Sage HCM is not verified yet; buyers whose policy requires one should ask Sage for it in writing.
Less suited to very small teams
Sage HCM was built for mid-sized companies, which its About page puts at 200 to 2,500 employees.
Evidence: Best for: Mid-market companies1
Price at a glance
Pricing model
Quote only2
Quick answers
- How much does Sage HCM cost?
- Sage HCM does not publish prices, plans or fees. You book time with a Sage HCM expert, who proposes a setup for your company and quotes it.Based on Pricing model: Quote only2
- Is Sage HCM the same as Criterion HCM?
- Yes. Criterion HCM was acquired by Sage and now sells as Sage HCM.Based on Parent company: The Sage Group plc4
- Does Sage HCM integrate with Sage Intacct?
- Yes. Sage HCM integrates with Sage Intacct and Sage 300 CRE. Its Sage Intacct integration shares data both ways and posts payroll costs to the general ledger.Based on Notable integrations: Sage Intacct, Sage 300 CRE, Procore, Acumatica4
- Does Sage HCM have a mobile app?
- Yes. Sage HCM has an iOS and Android app where employees track time, request PTO and view pay stubs.Based on Mobile apps: Yes3
Coverage of core payroll software capabilities
Each core capability we evaluate in Payroll Software, checked against Sage HCM’s own documentation. “Not verified yet” means we have not confirmed it either way, not that it is missing.
7 verified of 12 core capabilities
Payroll Software
- Gross-to-net calculation6
- Payroll tax filing3
- Overtime and regular rate · not verified yet
- Multi-state payroll6
- Deductions and garnishments · not verified yet
- Off-cycle runs · not verified yet
- Direct deposit and pay options · not verified yet
- Time and benefits integration3
- Accounting and GL export6
- Reports and audit trail6
- Employee self-service5
- Year-end forms · not verified yet
Specifications
Sage HCM integrations
Native integrations
Partner and marketplace apps
Named by the vendor
- Sage 300 CRE
Sage HCM integration coverage
The 10 apps that payroll software products document most often, and whether Sage HCM documents each.
1 of the 10 most-connected apps documented by Sage HCM; median of the 23 products compared: 3
- QuickBooks · documented by 15 of 23
- Checkr · documented by 7 of 23
- Vestwell · documented by 7 of 23
- Sage Intacct · documented by 6 of 23
- Xero · documented by 6 of 23
- Employee Navigator · documented by 5 of 23
- Indeed · documented by 5 of 23
- Okta · documented by 5 of 23
- Clover · documented by 4 of 23
- Deputy · documented by 4 of 23
Integrations each vendor documents (native, marketplace, Zapier, API or named by the vendor), 23 live payroll software products. Not documented does not mean not possible.
Sage HCM alternatives
Paycor44% similar
Netchex43% similar
ADP RUN Powered by ADP33% similar
Paychex Flex28% similar
QuickBooks Payroll28% similar
OnPay25% similar
Security and compliance
About Sage HCM
Official profiles
Sage HCM: frequently asked questions
Does Sage HCM use AI?
Yes. Its ch.ai assistant generates offer letters, drafts policies and parses resumes.
What is Sage HCM used for?
Sage HCM, on the market since 2014, is a payroll software product built for mid-market companies. Its modules include Core HR, Payroll, and Talent engagement.
Is Sage HCM legit?
Sage HCM is sold by the company of the same name, which was founded in 2014, is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and is part of The Sage Group plc.
What are the best alternatives to Sage HCM?
In our payroll software ranking, the highest-scored products other than Sage HCM are Patriot Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, and Gusto. Compared side by side, by reason to switch: Sage HCM alternatives.
What are the pros and cons of Sage HCM?
Strengths documented on the vendor’s own pages: union and certified-rate payroll, sage and construction integrations, and HR, payroll and talent in one platform. It is less suited to buyers who want posted prices: every price is quoted after a demo and small businesses: it is built for mid-sized companies.
Does Sage HCM have an API?
Yes. Sage HCM offers an API.
Is Sage HCM secure?
Sage HCM states a GDPR program. It supports single sign-on.
How this page was made
What it is built from
18 verified facts, each checked against the vendor's own pages or another primary source, most recently on Nov 10, 2026.
Method
Scored and compared with the LeadChange methodology, version 1.5. Read the methodology
Independent review
Not reviewed yet by our independent reviewer. How we review
Hands-on testing
We have not tested Sage HCM hands-on: this page uses public information only.
Who made it
The LeadChange Research Team, following a written research process. No named expert has reviewed this page. About us
Independence and errors
Who pays us never changes a score or a rank. If something here is wrong, tell us and we correct it publicly. Request a correction
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How we make money
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Sage HCM
Sources
The 8 pages this page's facts come from, with the day we last checked each one. The numbers beside the figures above link here.
Quotes from the sources
- Sage HCM hcm.sage.com/about“our focus has always been to meet the unique needs of Mid-sized companies (200 to 2,500 employees)” “with a simple, best-in-class user experience that yields both power and simplicity — from a single, unified cloud platform.”
- Sage HCM hcm.sage.com/request-a-demo“Book some time with one of our Sage HCM experts who can propose a unique HCM solution for your company and answer any of your questions.”
- Sage HCM hcm.sage.com/solutions/payroll-managers“Handle union rates, shift differentials, imputed income, and much more. Upload new collective bargaining agreements to update certified rates across positions in minutes.” “Empower your workforce with Sage HCM’s iOS and Android mobile app.”
- Sage HCM hcm.sage.com/news/sage-acquires-criterion-hcm-to-modernize-human-capital-management-for-mid-sized-businesses“Criterion HCM already integrates with Sage Intacct and Sage 300 CRE” “Criterion HCM’s unified solution, covering Core HR, Payroll, and Talent Engagement, eliminates silos”
- Sage HCM hcm.sage.com/employee-self-service-system“Built on a unified database with an open RESTful API, Criterion ESS can sync instantly with your ERP, project management, and other key systems.” “Single sign-on (SSO) ensures secure access across locations and business units.”
- Sage HCM hcm.sage.com/products/payroll
- Sage HCM hcm.sage.com/news/criterion-hcm-unveils-new-artificial-intelligence-capabilities-at-shrm-2024“Offer Letter Generation: Automate personalized offer letters. • Policy Creation: Develop comprehensive policies with ease. • Resume Parsing: Quickly extract and analyze resume data.”
- Sage HCM hcm.sage.com/gdpr“Sage HCM (formerly Criterion HCM), as your data processor, is fully equipped to meet and exceed the requirements of the regulation.”
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