Home > Talent Management Systems > Cornerstone OnDemand > Cornerstone OnDemand vs SumTotal

Cornerstone OnDemand vs SumTotal

Last Updated: November 18th, 2024

Our analysts compared Cornerstone OnDemand vs SumTotal based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Talent Management Systems, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Overview Pricing Benefits & Features Analyst Ratings Comparison Charts User Ratings Analyst Summary Screenshots

Get Free Demo Demo Request Pricing Pricing

Product Basics

Cornerstone OnDemand is a cloud-based talent and performance management product. Together with its subsidiaries, it helps companies cater to their people development and management needs, handling the employee lifecycle from start to end. Five modules support recruiting, learning, performance and content management. It can be accessed from anywhere at any time, regardless of the user’s location or device type.

SumTotal is a cloud-based HR Management software catering to mid-sized to large organizations. It packs a comprehensive suite of features covering talent acquisition, learning & development, workforce management, and performance management. Users praise its robust reporting & analytics, rich learning library, and mobile-friendly accessibility. However, the extensive customization options and powerful tools come with a steeper learning curve for administrators. Additionally, SumTotal's potential for high integration costs and higher price point compared to basic solutions make it less suitable for smaller companies. While some users struggle with complex content creation tools and limited instructor-led options, SumTotal shines in its ability to scale and adapt to dynamic needs, making it a strong contender for organizations seeking a feature-rich, customizable HR management platform, especially those with substantial training requirements and a dispersed workforce.

Pros

Comprehensive learning library
Robust reporting & analytics
Scalable for large organizations
Mobile-friendly learning
Customizable user experience

Cons

Steep learning curve for admins
Limited instructor-led options
Complex content creation tools
Potentially high integration costs
Pricey for smaller companies

$6/User, Monthly

Free Trial is available →

Get a free price quote

Tailored to your specific needs

$5/User, Monthly

Free Trial is unavailable →

Get a free price quote

Tailored to your specific needs

Small

Medium

Large

Small

Medium

Large

Windows

Mac

Linux

Android

Chromebook

Windows

Mac

Linux

Android

Chromebook

Cloud

On-Premise

Mobile

Cloud

On-Premise

Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation

In Person

Live Online

Videos

Webinars

Documentation

In Person

Live Online

Videos

Webinars

Phone

Chat

FAQ

Forum

Knowledge Base

24/7 Live Support

Phone

Chat

FAQ

Forum

Knowledge Base

24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

Attract the Right Talent: Showcase brand values and company culture via interactive media. An intuitive application mechanism, along with creative media, helps attract more quality job seekers and brings the right talent.
Identify the Best Fit: Talent managers have a comprehensive view of the talent pool. They can receive suggestions and analyze candidates based on set requisition criteria to identify the best fit applicants.
Simplified Hiring Process: Create automated workflows that simplify hiring procedures. Leverage detailed insights in a central place for candidate requisition purposes.
Effective Employee Onboarding: Talent managers can create customized onboarding portals for hiring. Having a tailor-made, self-paced and interactive content platform helps eliminate challenges associated with onboarding.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Track employee performance and visualize data with configurable analytics to make faster and more informed decisions.
Optimized Employee Training: Provide a modern and optimized learning experience with automated assignments, optional and recommended content, powerful searching, self-driven browsing for employee development and more.
On-Going Performance Development: Engage, inspire, motivate and coach employees to improve performance, achieve organizational alignment and build business agility.
Easy Deployment: Easily deploy content in any form, like interactive assignments, quizzes, videos and more, using self-developed content or content curated by Cornerstone OnDemand.

Employee Retention: Provide tools for employee development, management and learning practices that encourage employee retention.
Enhanced Productivity: Talent managers can continuously onboarding to speed up overall productivity.
Organizational Stability: Learning-centered employee development builds an agile workforce that is adaptable to changing business environments.
Learning Ecosystem: Invest in research and development on the latest learning trends, which managers can leverage to enhance employees' learning experience.
Talent Engagement: Engage top talent while moving through the recruitment process, understand the workforce, identify the best talent and build a seamless experience for candidates as well as hiring teams.
Enhanced Candidate Experience: Offer smartphone-optimized sites with intelligent and automated interview tools, candidate matching, and an easy-to-use mobile app interface. Keep applicants informed about upcoming interview details via a user dashboard.
Accelerated Time-to-Performance: Seamless onboarding training helps new hires get up to speed quickly. Provide unique company policies and work culture for them to become familiar with the company.
Smooth Role Switch: Access onboarding plans for new roles that include defined goals, new teams and KPI’s that ensure a more seamless transition to new responsibilities.
Robust Manager and Admin Capabilities: Managers and administrators can easily view, schedule, filter, mark up and share reports from a mobile dashboard. Leverage reporting tools, advanced reports and dashboards at a single click.
Informed Compensation Plans: Create smart, data-driven compensation plans according to preset or custom parameters. Real-time performance insights and budget modeling make compensation informed, fair and cost-effective.

Enable an Integrated Ecosystem: Select from a range of pre-built integrations and quickly plug in to the most suitable choice. Having an integrated and holistic ecosystem helps support organizational needs effectively.
Applicant Experience: Recruiting tools include applicant tracking and an easy-to-configure website that help improve the overall experience of applicants.
Learning Management: Offers numerous learning experiences. Consists of informal learning, delivery method management and reporting, all in one place.
Machine Learning: Recommends content to learners, helping them improve self-driven development via quality content.
Robust Partner Ecosystem: Helps extend the life of systems existing at partner organizations, minimizes disruption, and maintains effective localizations and customizations.
Audit Insights: Supports administering and auditing employee record changes. Audits are carried out with minimal risk and aim to align talent management to the organization's talent strategy.

Talent Development: Provides combined functionality of talent onboarding, talent management and learning management solutions to cater to talent development requirements.
Talent Acquisition: Helps create a streamlined hiring cycle, hire the right talent, engage fresh recruits and drive productivity from day one.
Learning Management:

Helps provide a customized, personalized and engaging learning experience tailored to the skill and competency of individuals rather than the whole team.
Ease of access on all devices, along with an offline mode, ensures seamless and consistent access to content and courses.

Talent Management: Personalized and intuitive tools help employees pursue career growth and development. Capabilities include performance management, 360-degree feedback, succession planning and compensation management.
Performance Management: Provides comprehensive feedback and tools that make feedback actionable, constructive and insightful. Measures workforce productivity, progress and priorities in real time.
Succession Planning: Enables talent managers to identify and assess skill gaps, build agile talent pools, and align employee success with business goals and objectives.
Compensation Management: Simplifies and streamline compensation plans, and helps build competitive packages to attract and retain top recruits. Workflow automation and compensation management tools aid compliance with complex global policies.
Workforce Management: Bundled payroll, benefits and expense management minimize time, cost and efforts while maximizing accuracy. Features include automated scheduling, time and attendance, absence management, and compliance.
Applicant Tracking System: Includes real-time alerts and notifications for offer approvals, a unique dashboard and reports widgets, customizable requisitions, and a consolidated requisition workspace.
Mobility: Provides access to tools and reporting capabilities at all times and from any location. The dashboard can be operated using a tablet, desktop, mobile app or a phone browser.
Growth Edition: Caters to the needs of fast-growing small and medium-sized businesses. Includes webinars, instructor-led training, approvals, and additional learning resources that users can access and configure anytime.
Extended Enterprise: Helps build a brand image, accelerate growth and drive new sources of potential revenue. Facilitates an enriched and optimized learning experience for distributors, partners and customers.
Gamified and Collaborative Learning: Helps:

Assess and accelerate learning with gamification capabilities that include leaderboards, points, levels and badges.
Enhance employee engagement by identifying and rewarding the right learning behaviors.
Enrich the knowledge of new hires with collaborative learning, up-to-date content, feedback and social ratings.

Product Ranking

#38

among all
Talent Management Systems

#62

among all
Talent Management Systems

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

100

Show More Show More

AI-based Capabilities

Employee Communication

Learning Management

Onboarding

Performance Management

Employee Communication

Learning Management

Onboarding

Performance Management

Succession Planning

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Cornerstone OnDemand

SumTotal

+ Add Product + Add Product

100%

89%

11%

60%

40%

100%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

100%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

100%

94%

100%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

86%

14%

86%

14%

User Sentiment Summary

84%

of users recommend this product

Cornerstone OnDemand has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 84% when considering 1252 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

69%

of users recommend this product

SumTotal has a 'fair' User Satisfaction Rating of 69% when considering 132 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

5.0 (21)

n/a

4.1 (464)

3.2 (39)

4.3 (211)

2.7 (7)

4.3 (157)

4.0 (56)

4.2 (399)

2.9 (30)

Awards

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Reporting: The reporting feature is simple to use and intuitive, with several options to choose from, according to 90% of reviews on reporting.

Robust Learning Module: It constantly stays up-to-date with the latest and effective learning trends to provide a better user experience, as indicated by 100% of reviews mentioning learning features.

All-in-One Solution: Cornerstone OnDemand is a complete solution for all performance management needs of companies in all industries, according to all reviews on this aspect.

Regular Updates: The platform consistently releases updates to serve users better, according to all reviews on software updates.

Robust Tools: All reviews on this feature suggest that SumTotal provides a robust set of talent development and management, payroll, and workforce management solutions.

Effective Tracking: According to 80% of reviews on tracking, the software optimizes talent management by tracking development and career growth.

Self-Service: Managers and employees can access and complete training courses at their convenience, according to all reviews on self-service.

Customer Service: All reviews on customer service indicated that the response and resolution times are slow.

Learning Curve: According to 80% of reviews on this feature, there’s a steep learning curve and adapting to the system is time-consuming and complex for new users.

Mobile App: It has a slow and underdeveloped mobile app compared to the web platform, according to all reviews referring to this feature.

Outdated Course Content: About 70% of reviews on course content reported that some modules aren’t frequently updated, resulting in an outdated learning experience.

Non-Intuitive Functions: Most features and functions aren’t intuitive, making it difficult to navigate, according to all reviews on this aspect.

Access to Reports: Accessing and pulling reports is extremely tedious and slow, according to 100% of reviews on reporting.

Customer Service: All reviews on customer support suggest that customer service is very slow and unresponsive.

Cornerstone OnDemand’s cloud-based talent and performance management solutions deliver robust learning capabilities alongside comprehensive performance tools. Slow customer service, a steep learning curve and an underdeveloped mobile application are some of the most repeated cons among user feedback. However, users thought highly of its regular updates and simple, intuitive reporting. Those, along with the learning and performance features make it a good option for companies with a high priority in those particular areas.

SumTotal users paint a mixed picture, praising its robust functionality and mobile accessibility while critiquing its clunky interface and steep learning curve. Many laud its comprehensive suite, encompassing everything from onboarding to performance management, finding it a one-stop shop for HR needs. One user gushes, "It's like having a whole HR department in the cloud!" However, ease of use seems to be a major sticking point. Comments like "The interface feels outdated and unintuitive" and "Learning curve is a mountain, not a hill" pop up frequently. This is often contrasted with praise for competitors like Workday, lauded for its sleek design and user-friendliness. One user sums it up: "SumTotal has the depth, Workday has the polish." Mobile accessibility shines as a bright spot, with users appreciating the ability to manage tasks on the go. This stands out compared to some competitors, making SumTotal a good fit for companies with a mobile workforce. Ultimately, SumTotal seems to be a powerful tool for organizations willing to invest the time and effort in mastering its complexities. As one user puts it, "It's not perfect, but it's incredibly versatile. If you can handle the initial climb, the view from the top is pretty good."

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Talent Management Systems

ADP Workforce Now

Ascentis

cegid

ClearCompany

Dayforce

Deltek HCM

Deltek Talent Management

Eightfold

iMocha

Oracle HCM Cloud

Oracle Talent Management

PageUp

Paycom

Paylocity

PeopleFluent

Rival

SuccessFactors Talent Management

SumTotal

TalentGuard

TalentQuest

Related Categories

Applicant Tracking Systems

Assessment Software

Background Check Software

Behavioral Assessment Tools

Benefits Administration Software

Candidate Relationship Management Software

Certification Tracking Software

College Recruiting Software

Compensation Management Software

Computer Based Training Software

Corporate LMS

Course Creation Software

Deep Learning Software

E-Learning Software

Educational Software

Elearning Authoring Tools

Employee Engagement Software

Employee Feedback Software

Employee Goal Setting Software

Employee Pulse Survey Tools

Employee Retention Software

Enterprise LMS

Healthcare LMS

Hospitality LMS

HR Case Management Software

HR Management Software

HR Software For Nonprofits

HRIS Systems

Human Services Software

Interview Scheduling Software

Job Board Software

LMS For Manufacturing

LMS For Nonprofits

LMS For Retail

LMS For Schools

LMS Software

Onboarding Software

Online Course Platforms

Online HR Software

Online Learning Platforms

Online Training Software

Performance Management Systems

Pre-Employment Assessment Tools

Recruiting CRM Software

Recruitment Software

Sales Commission Software

Sales Performance Management Software

Social Learning Platforms

Succession Planning Software

Talent Acquisition Software

Talent Intelligence Software

Training Management System Software

Tutoring Software

Video Interview Software

Virtual Classroom Software

Workforce Management Software

Applicant Tracking Systems

Assessment Software

Background Check Software

Behavioral Assessment Tools

Benefits Administration Software

Call Center Workforce Management Software

Candidate Relationship Management Software

Certification Tracking Software

College Recruiting Software

Computer Based Training Software

Corporate LMS

Course Creation Software

Deep Learning Software

E-Learning Software

Educational Software

Elearning Authoring Tools

Employee Engagement Software

Employee Feedback Software

Employee Goal Setting Software

Employee Pulse Survey Tools

Employee Retention Software

Enterprise LMS

Healthcare LMS

Hospitality LMS

HR Case Management Software

HR Management Software

HR Software For Nonprofits

HRIS Systems

Human Services Software

Interview Scheduling Software

Job Board Software

LMS For Manufacturing

LMS For Nonprofits

LMS For Retail

LMS For Schools

LMS Software

Mobile Workforce Scheduling Software

Onboarding Software

Online Course Platforms

Online HR Software

Online Learning Platforms

Online Training Software

Pre-Employment Assessment Tools

Recruiting CRM Software

Recruitment Software

Social Learning Platforms

Succession Planning Software

Talent Acquisition Software

Talent Intelligence Software

Training Management System Software

Tutoring Software

Video Interview Software

Virtual Classroom Software

Workforce Management Software

Compare other software products using the SelectHub platform

Head-to-Head Comparison

Cornerstone OnDemand VS ADP Workforce Now

Cornerstone OnDemand VS Ascentis

Cornerstone OnDemand VS BambooHR

Cornerstone OnDemand VS ClearCompany

Cornerstone OnDemand VS Dayforce

Cornerstone OnDemand VS Infor HCM

Cornerstone OnDemand VS Justworks

Cornerstone OnDemand VS Oracle HCM Cloud

Cornerstone OnDemand VS PDS Vista

Cornerstone OnDemand VS Paycom

FAQ

How can I do a in-depth comparison of Cornerstone OnDemand and SumTotal? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

What are the top-rated propducts for Talent Management Systems? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Which Talent Management Systems is rated the highest by users? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Is there a requirement template for Talent Management Systems? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

SelectHub Products Reporting and Analytics

Build Your Requirements

SelectHub Products Cost and Pricing Guide

Get Your Free Comparison Report

Table settings

Expand all details

Expand all scores

Collapsed view

Priority order