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Comparison · HR
OpenCATS vs Workyard
A side-by-side editorial comparison of OpenCATS and Workyard — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
OpenCATS vs Workyard: at a glance
| Feature | OpenCATS | Workyard |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | HR | HR |
| Velocity score | 2.5 | 7.5 |
| Sparks · 30d | 0 | 1 |
| Top themes | ats, modernisation, ui-refresh, security-hardening | construction, workforce management, ai agents, reporting |
| Last editorial update | 11d ago | 19d ago |
| Website | Visit → | — |
What is OpenCATS?
OpenCATS starts a Bootstrap 5.3 interface refresh after a year of modernisation
OpenCATS has spent 2026 rebuilding its foundations: InnoDB and CSRF protection in 0.10.0, PHP 8.4/8.5 and utf8mb4 in 0.11.0, security fixes in 0.11.1. 0.12.0 begins an interface refresh on Bootstrap 5.3 across the main screens, login, installer and Career Portal, replaces Artichow charts with bundled Chart.js and CKEditor with SunEditor, and hardens security in existing workflows.
What is Workyard?
Workyard's Reporting Agent builds any report from live crew data, matched to your format.
Workyard now has a Reporting Agent. Upload a report you already send, or describe one in a sentence, and it rebuilds it from time cards, jobs, cost codes, forms, PTO and pay periods, ready to rerun for any job, crew or date range. It's web-only and included in Autopilot and Enterprise plans at no extra cost. It follows a fall of payroll-configuration work: custom overtime rules, bulk time approval and accounting IDs everywhere.
OpenCATS vs Workyard: editorial side-by-side
OpenCATS
2.5HR
OpenCATS starts a Bootstrap 5.3 interface refresh after a year of modernisation
◆ Current state
OpenCATS has spent 2026 rebuilding its foundations: InnoDB and CSRF protection in 0.10.0, PHP 8.4/8.5 and utf8mb4 in 0.11.0, security fixes in 0.11.1. 0.12.0 begins an interface refresh on Bootstrap 5.3 across the main screens, login, installer and Career Portal, replaces Artichow charts with bundled Chart.js and CKEditor with SunEditor, and hardens security in existing workflows.
◆ Where it's heading
The modernisation has moved from runtime and database to what users see, while keeping the existing models and permissions. Old components are being replaced one by one rather than rewritten.
◆ Prediction
0.12.0 is described as the first step of the refresh, so further interface releases are likely next.
Workyard
7.5HR
Workyard's Reporting Agent builds any report from live crew data, matched to your format.
◆ Current state
Workyard now has a Reporting Agent. Upload a report you already send, or describe one in a sentence, and it rebuilds it from time cards, jobs, cost codes, forms, PTO and pay periods, ready to rerun for any job, crew or date range. It's web-only and included in Autopilot and Enterprise plans at no extra cost. It follows a fall of payroll-configuration work: custom overtime rules, bulk time approval and accounting IDs everywhere.
◆ Where it's heading
Workyard is moving from time capture toward running the back office for construction contractors. Time Assistant, event-driven Smart Forms and now an agent for reporting show AI being placed at the admin steps that eat the most hours. Bundling it into existing tiers suggests agents are meant to make the top plans more valuable rather than become a new line item.
◆ Prediction
Expect the Reporting Agent to gain scheduled delivery or mobile access, and agent-style features to extend into payroll or expense reconciliation.
Alternatives to OpenCATS and Workyard
Other HR products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either OpenCATS or Workyard.
Leapsome
Leapsome publishes another batch of HR templates and software roundups.
Ashby
Ashby adds threaded comments to AI Notetaker, so interview debriefs stay next to the transcript.
Ever Gauzy
Ever Gauzy links time logs to invoice lines so the same hours are never billed twice.
Teamtailor
Teamtailor shows every time in the reader's own time zone, for recruiters and candidates.
Workable
Workable turns its report builder on interviews, assessments and video screens.
See all OpenCATS alternatives → · See all Workyard alternatives →
Recent activity from OpenCATS and Workyard
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 22d agoOpenCATSOpenCATS v0.12.0
- 23d agoWorkyardIntroducing our new Reporting Agent. Any report, in your format, in minutes. ⚡
- 1mo agoWorkyardReview, fix, and approve time in one pass
- 1mo agoWorkyardProject Numbers and Team Member IDs now show across Workyard
- 1mo agoWorkyardCustomize your own overtime rules ⚡
- 1mo agoWorkyardExpenses: Link any US bank to fund your expense cards
- 1mo agoWorkyardExpenses: Fix "merchant not supported" declines right from the transaction
- 2mo agoOpenCATSOpenCATS v0.11.1
- 2mo agoOpenCATSOpenCATS v0.11.0 ⚡
- 4mo agoOpenCATSOpenCATS v0.10.0 ⚡
- 2y agoOpenCATSv 0.9.7.4 Bugfixes and Security fixes
- 2y agoOpenCATS0.9.7.3: RussH patch cookies (#641)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between OpenCATS and Workyard?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Workyard is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 7.5 vs 2.5), with 1 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.
Is OpenCATS better than Workyard?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Workyard is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 7.5 vs 2.5), with 1 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other HR products to evaluate alongside.
What are the best alternatives to OpenCATS?
Top OpenCATS alternatives in HR are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "OpenCATS alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/opencats for the full list with editorial commentary on each.
What are the best alternatives to Workyard?
Top Workyard alternatives in HR are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Workyard alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/workyard for the full list with editorial commentary on each.