Sterling vs UKG Ready Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

Sterling

0.0 (0 reviews)

Sterling provides comprehensive background screening and identity verification services to help you build a foundation of trust and safety for your global workforce and customers.

Starting at --
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL
VS

UKG Ready

0.0 (0 reviews)

UKG Ready is an all-in-one human resources solution designed to help small to mid-sized businesses manage the entire employee journey from recruitment and onboarding to payroll and retirement.

Starting at --
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL

Quick Comparison

Feature Sterling UKG Ready
Website sterlingcheck.com ukg.com
Pricing Model Custom Custom
Starting Price Custom Pricing Custom Pricing
FREE Trial ✘ No free trial ✘ No free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment saas mobile saas mobile
Integrations Workday Oracle SAP SuccessFactors iCIMS Greenhouse Lever SmartRecruiters Jobvite Bullhorn UKG Microsoft Outlook Google Calendar Dell Boomi NetSuite Microsoft Dynamics Uber for Business HealthcareSource PayActiv
Target Users small-business mid-market enterprise small-business mid-market
Target Industries healthcare retail financial-services manufacturing healthcare retail
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 1975 2020
Headquarters New York, USA Lowell, USA

Overview

S

Sterling

Sterling helps you hire with confidence by providing fast and reliable background screening and identity verification. You can streamline your entire hiring process, from criminal record checks and employment verification to drug and health screening. The platform is designed to integrate directly into your existing HR tech stack, allowing you to manage candidates globally while maintaining compliance with local regulations.

You can reduce manual paperwork and speed up your time-to-hire using their mobile-first candidate experience. Whether you are a small business making your first hire or a global enterprise managing thousands of employees, the software provides the tools you need to verify identities and maintain a safe workplace. By automating the collection of candidate data, you can focus on making better hiring decisions rather than chasing documentation.

strtoupper($product2['name'][0])

UKG Ready

UKG Ready provides you with a single, unified platform to handle all your essential people operations. Instead of jumping between different systems for hiring, scheduling, and paying your team, you can manage everything from one dashboard. This integration ensures your data stays consistent across the entire employee lifecycle, reducing manual entry errors and saving your HR team significant time every week.

You can empower your employees with a mobile app that lets them check schedules, request time off, and view pay stubs on their own. The platform is specifically built for mid-sized organizations that need sophisticated tools—like automated compliance tracking and labor cost analytics—without the overwhelming complexity of enterprise-level systems. It helps you stay compliant with local labor laws while giving you the insights needed to manage your workforce more effectively.

Overview

S

Sterling Features

  • Criminal Background Checks Access automated searches of national and local criminal databases to identify potential risks before you extend a job offer.
  • Identity Verification Verify candidate identities in real-time using biometric technology and government-issued ID scanning to prevent sophisticated identity fraud.
  • Employment Verification Confirm your candidate's professional history and education credentials automatically to ensure they have the experience they claim.
  • Drug and Health Screening Manage employee drug testing and occupational health screenings through a massive network of collection sites with digital results.
  • Mobile Candidate Hub Give your candidates a mobile-friendly way to submit information and track their screening status from any device.
  • Global Compliance Tools Stay compliant with built-in tools that adapt to local privacy laws and industry-specific regulations across different countries.
strtoupper($product2['name'][0])

UKG Ready Features

  • Automated Payroll. Process your payroll accurately and on time with automated tax filings and direct deposit management to keep your team happy.
  • Smart Scheduling. Create balanced staff schedules in minutes based on real-time demand and employee availability to avoid costly overtime and gaps.
  • Recruiting and Onboarding. Find top talent faster and welcome new hires with digital paperwork and guided checklists that create a great first impression.
  • Time and Attendance. Track employee hours accurately with digital timeclocks and geofencing to ensure you only pay for the time actually worked.
  • Benefits Administration. Manage open enrollment and life event changes digitally so your employees can select their own plans with minimal HR intervention.
  • Performance Management. Set clear goals and conduct regular reviews within the platform to keep your team aligned and growing with your business.

Pricing Comparison

S

Sterling Pricing

U

UKG Ready Pricing

Pros & Cons

M

Sterling

Pros

  • Extensive global reach for international background checks
  • Seamless integration with popular applicant tracking systems
  • User-friendly interface for both recruiters and candidates
  • Comprehensive reporting that simplifies compliance audits

Cons

  • Turnaround times can vary by jurisdiction
  • Customer support response times can be slow
  • Pricing structure is complex for smaller organizations
A

UKG Ready

Pros

  • Single database eliminates the need for manual data syncing
  • Highly customizable reporting provides deep insights into labor costs
  • Mobile app is intuitive for employees to use remotely
  • Strong compliance tools help manage complex state labor laws

Cons

  • Initial implementation process requires significant time and effort
  • Customer support response times can be slow during peak periods
  • Advanced configuration options have a steep learning curve
×

Please claim profile in order to edit product details and view analytics. Provide your work email @productdomain to receive a verification link.