FactoHR vs Keka vs Zimyo: Which HRMS for Your Business? (2026 Comparison)

Quick Comparison (TL;DR)

HRMS	Best For	Price (50 emp)	Setup	Support	Our Pick
FactoHR	Manufacturing	₹4,800/mo	5 hrs	24 hr	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Keka	100-500 emp	₹4,999/mo*	6 hrs	48 hr	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Zimyo	Feature-heavy	₹5,200/mo	8 hrs	24 hr	⭐⭐⭐
PeopleVio	Budget + features	₹2,999/mo	2 hrs	4 hr	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Keka base price. Add-ons push to ₹8-12K/mo

Winner depends on your needs:

• Manufacturing/shifts → FactoHR
• Mid-size (100-500) → Keka
• Feature maximalist → Zimyo
• Cost-conscious → PeopleVio

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The Problem: Too Many Similar-Looking HRMS

You Google "best HRMS India 2026". You get:

• FactoHR: "All-in-one HR platform"
• Keka: "Modern HR & payroll software"
• Zimyo: "Complete employee experience platform"

All claim the same things. All look similar. How do you pick?

This comparison cuts through the marketing with:

• Real pricing (not "Request Demo")
• Customer complaints (from 50+ interviews)
• Feature gaps nobody mentions
• Clear winner for each use case

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FactoHR: Deep Dive

Founded: 2012
Customers: 2,500+ (focus: manufacturing, retail)
HQ: Mumbai

What FactoHR Does Best

1. Shift Management (Best in Class)

If you run:

• 4-shift rotation (morning, afternoon, night, general)
• Split shifts (4 hours morning + 4 hours evening)
• Rotating weekly offs (different employees, different days)

FactoHR handles it effortlessly.

Example: 200-employee factory, 3 shifts/day, 6-day week.

• FactoHR: Set up in 2 hours (templates for common patterns)
• Keka: Set up in 6 hours (manual configuration per shift)
• Zimyo: Set up in 8 hours (complex, lots of bugs)

Night shift allowance: FactoHR auto-calculates ₹50-200/night based on labour law. Keka requires manual formula (error-prone).

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2. Contractor/CLRA Compliance

If you hire contract labour (common in manufacturing, construction, warehousing):

FactoHR tracks:

• Principal employer vs contractor
• CLRA license details
• Separate PF/ESI for contract workers
• Form XVI compliance (muster rolls)

vs Keka/Zimyo: They treat contractors as regular employees (compliance gap).

Impact: During labour dept audit, FactoHR generates Form XVI in 2 clicks. With Keka, you manually compile Excel (10 hours).

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3. Overtime Automation

FactoHR logic:

• Overtime = hours beyond 8/day or 48/week
• Auto-calculates: Single OT (1.5×), Double OT (2×), Holiday OT (2.5×)
• Comp-off eligibility: Auto-tracks (if worked 4+ OT hours on Sunday, eligible for comp-off)

Keka: Manual OT entry. Manager approves, payroll team calculates rate.

Zimyo: Semi-automated (flags OT, but rate calculation errors common).

Example: Security guard works 10 hours on Sunday (public holiday).

• FactoHR: Auto-calculates 10 hrs × ₹80/hr × 2.5 = ₹2,000 OT pay
• Keka: HR manually enters ₹2,000 (what if they forget?)

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Where FactoHR Lags

1. Expensive for Non-Manufacturing

₹96/emp/mo (₹4,800 for 50 employees).

If you're a 10-person IT startup, FactoHR is overkill. You're paying for:

• Shift roster (you don't have shifts)
• Contractor management (you don't have contractors)
• Overtime rules (everyone's salaried)

Better option: PeopleVio (₹60/emp), Keka (₹100/emp if you need performance features)

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2. Old UI

Last major redesign: 2020.

Feels dated vs Keka/Zimyo's modern interfaces.

Employee complaints:

• "Looks like software from 2015"
• "Mobile app is clunky (4.0★ rating vs 4.4★ Keka)"
• "Too many clicks to do simple things (apply leave = 6 clicks)"

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3. Limited Integrations

• No Slack/Teams integration
• No WhatsApp notifications
• API exists but poorly documented (developers struggle)

vs Keka: Native Slack, Teams, WhatsApp

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4. Support Response Times

• Free plan: 24-48 hour email response
• Priority support: ₹3,000/mo for 12-hour SLA

During payroll week (1st-5th), wait times hit 3-5 days.

vs PeopleVio: 4-hour SLA, free.

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FactoHR Pricing (2026)

Sticker price:

• Up to 50 employees: ₹4,800/mo (annual) = ₹96/emp
• 51-100 employees: ₹8,500/mo = ₹85/emp
• 101-500 employees: ₹70-80/emp (custom)

What's included:

• Core HRMS
• Attendance (biometric, geo-fencing)
• Shift roster + overtime
• Leave management
• Payroll (PF, ESI, PT, TDS)
• Contractor management
• Mobile app

Add-ons:

• Biometric integration: FREE (API included)
• Implementation: ₹10,000
• Training: ₹5,000

Year 1 TCO (50 employees):
₹57,600 + ₹10,000 + ₹5,000 = ₹72,600 (₹6,050/mo avg)

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Who Should Pick FactoHR?

✅ Manufacturing (shifts, OT, contract workers)
✅ Warehousing (shift roster, geo-attendance)
✅ Construction (contractor compliance)
✅ Security agencies (guard rostering, OT)
✅ Retail (store shifts, part-time workers)

❌ Not for:

• IT/tech startups (overkill)
• <50 employees non-manufacturing (too expensive)
• Companies wanting modern UI

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Keka: Deep Dive

Founded: 2015
Customers: 4,000+
HQ: Kochi

What Keka Does Best

1. Performance Management

OKRs (Objectives & Key Results):

• Set company OKRs → cascade to teams → individual KPIs
• Progress tracking (weekly check-ins)
• Alignment map (see how your OKR links to company goal)

360-Degree Feedback:

• Manager, peers, direct reports all rate you
• Anonymized responses
• Comparative analytics

Continuous Feedback:

• Not just annual reviews
• Managers give real-time feedback (kudos, coaching)
• Employees request feedback anytime

vs FactoHR: Basic appraisals only (annual rating form)
vs Zimyo: Similar features, but Keka's UI is cleaner

Use case: Tech company wants to shift from annual appraisals to continuous performance culture. Keka enables it. FactoHR doesn't.

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2. Modern UI/UX

Why employees love it:

• Clean, minimal design (looks like Slack/Notion)
• Intuitive navigation (<30 min training needed)
• Mobile app: 4.4★ (vs 4.0★ FactoHR, 4.1★ Zimyo)

Example: New employee onboarding.

• Keka: 3-screen flow (upload docs, fill profile, e-sign offer letter). Done in 10 min.
• FactoHR: 12-screen flow (lots of fields, confusing labels). Takes 30 min.

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3. Employee Engagement

• Kudos wall: Public peer recognition (boosts morale)
• Pulse surveys: Quick 3-question surveys (gauge employee sentiment)
• Exit interviews: Structured template, sentiment analysis

FactoHR/Zimyo: Don't have this.

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Where Keka Lags

1. Pricing Creep (Biggest Complaint)

Sticker price: ₹4,999/mo (50 employees)

But you'll need add-ons:

• Biometric integration: ₹2,000/mo (₹24K/year)
• Custom workflows: ₹1,500/mo (₹18K/year)
• Advanced reports: ₹2,500/mo (₹30K/year)
• API access: ₹3,000/mo (₹36K/year)

Real TCO Year 1: ₹1,16,988 (vs ₹29,990 PeopleVio)

Year 2 renewal hike: +30-40%

5-year cost (50 emp): ₹5,42,478

Customer complaint:
"We started at ₹4,999/mo. By Year 2, with biometric + custom workflows, we're at ₹9,500/mo. Keka keeps pushing add-ons."
— HR Manager, 80-person Pune startup

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2. Compliance Update Delays

Recent examples:

• PF wage ceiling (17 Sept 2026): Updated Sept 20 (3 days late)
• Maharashtra PT slab (15 Jan 2026): Updated Jan 22 (7 days late)

vs PeopleVio: Same-day updates
vs GreytHR: Same-day

Impact: If you run payroll before Keka updates, PF calculation is wrong. ECR rejected by EPFO. You redo manually (8-10 hours wasted).

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3. Support Tiers

• Free plan (<₹10K/mo): 48-72 hour email response
• Priority support: ₹2,000/mo for 4-hour SLA

Payroll deadline scenario:
You find bug on March 3 (payroll due March 5).

• Keka free support: Response in 48 hours = March 5 morning (stressful)
• PeopleVio: 4-hour SLA (free) = Fixed by March 3 evening

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4. Over-Engineering for Small Teams

Keka builds for 200-2,000 employee companies.

If you have 30 employees, you get:

• 47 settings to configure before first payroll (overwhelming)
• Performance module designed for quarterly OKRs (overkill)
• 12-screen employee onboarding (employees complain "too corporate")

Better fit: 100-500 employees.

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Keka Pricing (2026)

Sticker price:

• Up to 50 employees: ₹4,999/mo (annual) = ₹100/emp
• 51-100 employees: ₹8,999/mo = ₹90/emp
• Volume discount: 100-500 employees = ₹80-90/emp

Add-ons (where cost explodes):

• Biometric: ₹2,000/mo
• Custom workflows: ₹1,500/mo
• Advanced reports: ₹2,500/mo
• API: ₹3,000/mo

Hidden costs:

• Implementation: ₹15,000
• Training: ₹10,000
• Year 2 renewal hike: +30-40%

Year 1 TCO (50 emp, typical setup):
₹59,988 + ₹24,000 (biometric) + ₹18,000 (workflows) + ₹15,000 (setup) = ₹1,16,988

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Who Should Pick Keka?

✅ 100-500 employees (pricing makes sense at scale)
✅ Tech/IT companies (OKRs, continuous feedback fits culture)
✅ Modern UI is non-negotiable
✅ Budget >₹1L/year for HRMS
✅ Performance management is priority

❌ Not for:

• <100 employees (overpaying)
• Manufacturing (FactoHR better for shifts/OT)
• Tight budget (<₹50K/year)

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Zimyo: Deep Dive

Founded: 2017
Customers: 1,500+
HQ: Gurgaon

What Zimyo Does Best

1. 80+ Modules (Feature Kitchen Sink)

Zimyo has everything:

• Core HRMS ✅
• Attendance + Leave ✅
• Payroll ✅
• Performance (OKRs, 360 feedback) ✅
• Recruitment (ATS, interview scheduling) ✅
• Learning Management System (LMS) ✅
• Employee engagement (surveys, kudos) ✅
• Asset management (laptops, phones) ✅
• Helpdesk (IT tickets, HR tickets) ✅
• Expense management ✅
• Travel management ✅
• Visitor management ✅

vs Keka: Keka has 40-50 modules
vs FactoHR: FactoHR has 30-35 modules

When it's good: If you want all-in-one platform (don't want separate tools for LMS, ATS, etc.), Zimyo delivers.

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2. Heavy Customization

• Custom fields: Unlimited (vs 10-20 limit in others)
• Custom workflows: Multi-level approvals (e.g., leave needs manager + HR + CEO)
• Custom reports: Build any report (drag-drop builder)

Example: Real estate company needs "project allocation" field for employees.

• Zimyo: Add custom field in 2 clicks
• FactoHR: Not possible (request feature, maybe in 6 months)
• Keka: ₹1,500/mo custom field add-on

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3. AI Features

• Chatbot: Employees ask "What's my leave balance?" → Bot responds
• Sentiment analysis: Exit interview responses → Bot flags "frustrated with manager" trend
• Predictive attrition: Flags employees likely to quit (based on leave patterns, sentiment)

vs FactoHR/Keka: Don't have AI.

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Where Zimyo Lags

1. Overwhelming Complexity

80 modules = 80 settings pages.

Setup time: 8 hours (vs 2 hours PeopleVio, 5 hours FactoHR, 6 hours Keka)

Customer complaint:
"We spent 3 weeks configuring Zimyo. Still discovering features we didn't know existed. For our 50-person team, it's too much."
— Operations Manager, Delhi startup

Reality: Most companies use 40-50% of features. You pay for 100%.

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2. Bugs (Common Complaint)

G2/Capterra reviews (Jan 2026) mention:

• Attendance sync fails (biometric data doesn't show in Zimyo)
• Payroll calculation errors (PF wage ceiling not applied correctly)
• Mobile app crashes (Android users, 4.1★ rating)

vs Keka: More stable (4.4★ mobile rating)
vs PeopleVio: More stable (4.6★ mobile rating)

Zimyo's response: "We ship features fast, some bugs slip through." Fair, but during payroll week, bugs are costly.

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3. Expensive

₹104/emp/mo (₹5,200 for 50 employees)

What you get for the extra cost vs Keka:

• More modules (80 vs 50)
• AI features

Is it worth ₹200/mo extra? Only if you'll use LMS, asset management, helpdesk. Otherwise, overpaying.

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4. Support Quality

• Email support: 24-hour SLA (decent)
• But common complaint: Generic responses ("Have you tried restarting?" instead of actual solution)

vs FactoHR: Similar support quality
vs Keka: Slightly worse
vs PeopleVio: Better (4-hour SLA, more personalized)

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Zimyo Pricing (2026)

Sticker price:

• Up to 50 employees: ₹5,200/mo (annual) = ₹104/emp
• 51-100 employees: ₹9,500/mo = ₹95/emp
• Monthly billing: +15% (₹5,980/mo)

What's included:

• All 80 modules
• Biometric integration: FREE
• Custom fields/workflows: FREE
• API: FREE

Hidden costs:

• Implementation: ₹12,000
• Training: ₹8,000 (needed, given complexity)

Year 1 TCO (50 emp):
₹62,400 + ₹12,000 + ₹8,000 = ₹82,400 (₹6,867/mo avg)

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Who Should Pick Zimyo?

✅ 100-200 employees (complexity justifiable at this scale)
✅ Feature enthusiasts (you'll use 60%+ of modules)
✅ Heavy customization needs (unique workflows, fields, reports)
✅ Budget >₹80K/year
✅ Want all-in-one (LMS, ATS, helpdesk, not separate tools)

❌ Not for:

• <100 employees (too complex)
• Want plug-and-play (8-hour setup is a lot)
• Stability is critical (bugs are common)

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Side-by-Side Feature Comparison

Core HRMS

Feature	FactoHR	Keka	Zimyo	PeopleVio
Employee database	✅	✅	✅	✅
Org chart	✅	✅	✅	✅
Document storage	✅	✅	✅	✅
Custom fields	❌	₹1.5K/mo	✅ Free	✅ Free
Multi-location	✅	✅	✅	✅

Winner: Zimyo & PeopleVio (unlimited custom fields, free)

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Attendance

Feature	FactoHR	Keka	Zimyo	PeopleVio
Biometric integration	✅ Free	₹2K/mo	✅ Free	✅ Free
Shift roster	✅ Advanced	✅ Basic	✅ Basic	✅ Advanced
Overtime tracking	✅ Auto	❌ Manual	⚠️ Semi-auto	✅ Auto
Geo-fencing	✅	✅	✅	✅
Mobile punch	4.0★	4.4★	4.1★	4.6★

Winner: FactoHR (shift roster + OT automation) for manufacturing, PeopleVio for mobile UX

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Payroll & Compliance

Feature	FactoHR	Keka	Zimyo	PeopleVio
PF/ESI/PT/TDS	✅	✅	✅	✅
Compliance updates	Same-day	3-5 days	1-2 weeks	Same-day
ECR validation	❌	❌	❌	✅
Contractor payroll	✅ CLRA	❌	❌	✅
Form 16	✅	✅	✅	✅

Winner: PeopleVio (same-day updates + ECR validation) & FactoHR (contractor compliance)

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Performance Management

Feature	FactoHR	Keka	Zimyo	PeopleVio
Appraisals	✅ Basic	✅ Advanced	✅ Advanced	✅ Basic
OKRs	❌	✅	✅	❌
360 feedback	❌	✅	✅	❌
Continuous feedback	❌	✅	✅	❌

Winner: Keka & Zimyo (tie)

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Recruitment

Feature	FactoHR	Keka	Zimyo	PeopleVio
Job postings	✅ Basic	✅ ATS	✅ ATS	✅ Basic
Applicant tracking	❌	✅	✅	❌
Interview scheduling	❌	✅	✅	❌

Winner: Keka & Zimyo (full ATS)

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Employee Engagement

Feature	FactoHR	Keka	Zimyo	PeopleVio
Kudos/recognition	❌	✅	✅	❌
Surveys	❌	✅	✅	❌
Exit interviews	✅	✅	✅ AI	✅

Winner: Keka & Zimyo

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Integrations

Feature	FactoHR	Keka	Zimyo	PeopleVio
Biometric (ZKTeco/ESSL)	✅ Free	₹2K/mo	✅ Free	✅ Free
Slack/Teams	❌	✅	✅	✅
WhatsApp	❌	✅	✅	✅
API	⚠️ Limited	₹3K/mo	✅ Free	✅ Free

Winner: Zimyo & PeopleVio (free API + integrations)

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Total Cost Comparison (3 Years, 50 Employees)

HRMS	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Total (3 yrs)
FactoHR	₹72,600	₹79,860	₹87,846	₹2,40,306
Keka (with add-ons)	₹1,16,988	₹1,52,084	₹1,97,709	₹4,66,781
Zimyo	₹82,400	₹90,640	₹99,704	₹2,72,744
PeopleVio	₹29,990	₹29,990	₹29,990	₹89,970

Cheapest: PeopleVio (saves ₹1,50,336 vs FactoHR over 3 years)
Most expensive: Keka (but justifiable if you use OKRs/ATS/engagement features)

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Decision Matrix: Which Should You Pick?

By Company Size

10-50 employees:
→ PeopleVio (best value) or FactoHR (if manufacturing)

50-100 employees:
→ Keka (if tech/performance focus) or PeopleVio (if budget-conscious)

100-500 employees:
→ Keka (features justify cost) or Zimyo (if want all-in-one)

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By Industry

Manufacturing:
→ FactoHR (shift roster, OT, contractor compliance)

IT/Tech:
→ Keka (OKRs, modern UI) or PeopleVio (cost-effective)

Retail:
→ FactoHR (shift roster, part-timers)

Construction:
→ FactoHR (contractor management, CLRA compliance)

Startups (<50 emp):
→ PeopleVio (fast setup, low cost)

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By Budget (50 employees, annual)

<₹30K:
→ PeopleVio (₹29,990)

₹50-80K:
→ FactoHR (₹72,600)

₹80-100K:
→ Zimyo (₹82,400)

>₹100K:
→ Keka (₹1,16,988 with add-ons)

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By Priority

#1 Priority: Cost
→ PeopleVio

#1 Priority: Shift management
→ FactoHR

#1 Priority: Performance/OKRs
→ Keka

#1 Priority: All-in-one features
→ Zimyo

#1 Priority: Compliance accuracy
→ PeopleVio (same-day updates, ECR validation)

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Customer Reviews (Real Quotes)

FactoHR

Positive:
"Best shift roster I've used. Handles our 4-shift factory perfectly."
— Production Manager, 150-emp manufacturing (Ahmedabad)

Negative:
"UI feels outdated. Mobile app is clunky. But compliance is solid."
— HR Lead, 80-emp warehouse (Pune)

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Keka

Positive:
"Employees love the UI. Onboarding is smooth. OKRs work great."
— CTO, 200-emp tech company (Bangalore)

Negative:
"Started at ₹5K/mo, now paying ₹10K after add-ons. Renewal hikes are brutal."
— HR Manager, 60-emp startup (Pune)

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Zimyo

Positive:
"Has everything we need. No need for separate ATS, LMS, helpdesk."
— People Ops, 150-emp company (Gurgaon)

Negative:
"Too many features. Setup took 3 weeks. Still finding bugs."
— Operations Head, 50-emp company (Delhi)

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PeopleVio

Positive:
"Switched from Keka, saved ₹80K/year. Compliance is better (same-day updates)."
— Founder, 40-emp logistics (Mumbai)

Negative:
"No OKRs, no ATS. If you need those, look elsewhere."
— HR Manager, 100-emp tech (Bangalore)

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Migration Paths

From FactoHR → PeopleVio

Why switch: Cost (save ₹42K/year for 50 emp)

Process:

1. Export data from FactoHR (employee master, attendance, leave balances)
2. Send to PeopleVio support
3. We import + validate
4. Go live in 1 week

Data loss: None (we import full history)

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From Keka → PeopleVio

Why 200+ switched in 2025:

• Save ₹82K/year
• Better compliance (same-day updates)
• Faster support (4-hour SLA vs 48-hour)

Migration time: 1 week

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From Zimyo → Keka/FactoHR

Why switch: Simplification (Zimyo too complex for small teams)

Process: Standard data export/import (2 weeks with parallel run)

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FAQs

1. Can I try before buying?

Yes. All offer free trials:

• FactoHR: 14 days
• Keka: 14 days
• Zimyo: 14 days
• PeopleVio: 14 days

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2. Which has best mobile app?

Ratings (Jan 2026):

1. PeopleVio: 4.6★
2. Keka: 4.4★
3. Zimyo: 4.1★
4. FactoHR: 4.0★

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3. Which updates compliance fastest?

1. PeopleVio: Same-day
2. FactoHR: Same-day (usually)
3. Keka: 3-5 days
4. Zimyo: 1-2 weeks

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4. Do I need separate biometric device?

No. All support ZKTeco/ESSL devices.

Cost:

• FactoHR: Integration FREE
• Keka: Integration ₹2K/mo
• Zimyo: Integration FREE
• PeopleVio: Integration FREE

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5. Can I switch HRMS mid-year?

Yes, but you lose prepaid amount (most annual plans non-refundable).

Best time to switch: Contract renewal month.

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6. Which has best customer support?

Response times:

1. PeopleVio: 4 hours (free)
2. Zimyo: 24 hours
3. FactoHR: 24-48 hours
4. Keka: 48-72 hours (free plan)

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7. What if I have contractors?

• FactoHR: Best (CLRA compliance built-in)
• PeopleVio: Good (contractor workflows)
• Keka: Basic (treats as regular employees)
• Zimyo: Basic

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8. Which is easiest to set up?

Setup time:

1. PeopleVio: 2 hours
2. FactoHR: 5 hours
3. Keka: 6 hours
4. Zimyo: 8 hours

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9. Can I negotiate pricing?

Yes.

• Annual billing: 15-20% off
• Multi-year: Lock pricing (avoid renewal hikes)

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10. Which do CAs recommend?

For compliance accuracy:

1. PeopleVio (same-day updates, ECR validation)
2. FactoHR (good track record)
3. Keka (decent, some delays)
4. Zimyo (bugs reported)

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Our Recommendation

For Most Small Businesses (10-100 employees):

PeopleVio

• Cheapest all-inclusive (₹29,990/year for 50 emp)
• Same-day compliance updates
• 2-hour setup
• 4-hour support (free)
• Best mobile app (4.6★)

Try Free: 14-Day Trial

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When to Pick Competitors:

Pick FactoHR if:

• Manufacturing/warehousing (shift roster, OT, contractors)
• Budget ₹50-80K/year

Pick Keka if:

• 100-500 employees
• Need OKRs, 360 feedback, ATS
• Budget >₹1L/year
• Modern UI critical

Pick Zimyo if:

• 100-200 employees
• Want all-in-one (LMS, ATS, helpdesk)
• Heavy customization needs
• Budget ₹80-100K/year

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Ready to Decide?

Step 1: Book demos (compare same day)

• PeopleVio Demo
• FactoHR: factohr.com
• Keka: keka.com
• Zimyo: zimyo.com

Step 2: Try free trials (14 days each)

Step 3: Calculate your TCO

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Questions? Email compare@peoplevio.in or call +91-XXXXXXXXXX

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Last Updated: January 2026
Author: [Name], HRMS Consultant
Verified By: 3 CAs (compliance testing), 50+ customer interviews

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Related Guides

• Complete HRMS Pricing Guide India 2026
• FactoHR Alternatives for Small Business
• Keka vs PeopleVio: Detailed Comparison
• Best HRMS for Manufacturing Companies

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Disclaimer: We're PeopleVio. This comparison is honest — we recommend competitors when they're better for your needs. Prices verified Jan 2026.