Factorial is one of Europe's fastest-growing HR platforms: a broad, all-in-one HRIS out of Barcelona with a module for almost everything. Peepel is narrower in philosophy and deeper in execution - an agentic HR platform that performs HR work end-to-end rather than giving you another set of dashboards to manage.
Both are modern, AI-aware HR tools for SMEs. The real choice is between breadth of modules and autonomy of execution.
If you're shortlisting both, the fastest test is to book a demo and watch Peepel actually complete a workflow you'd normally configure inside Factorial.
The core difference
Factorial gives you a large, configurable dashboard covering time tracking, documents, performance, recruiting and more. It's capable - but the work still flows through you: you configure the module, you action the request, you run the process.
Peepel performs the work. Describe the HR task in natural language and the agentic HR platform runs the workflow end-to-end - onboarding, leave, contracts, performance reviews, payroll - across people data, documents, calendar and payroll. Less dashboard, less clicking, more done. It's the gap between an organising layer and an executing one in the 4 levels of HR software.
ISO 27001 certified. GDPR-compliant. Data hosted in Europe.
Where Factorial is strong
- Breadth. A wide module set, from time tracking to recruiting, in one platform.
- Simple interface. Reviewers consistently note an easy, approachable UI.
- Scale and momentum. A large, well-funded product used across many countries and languages.
If your priority is a single broad HRIS with a module for everything, Factorial is a serious option.
Where Peepel is different
| Peepel | Factorial | |
|---|---|---|
| Core model | Agentic - executes HR work autonomously | All-in-one dashboard - you operate the modules |
| Scope philosophy | Deep end-to-end execution of the core HR function | Broad module coverage |
| Payroll | All modules included; payroll automation built in | Payroll is a separate paid module, not in the free plan |
| Belgian payroll | Native social-secretariat integration | Less focused on Belgian social secretariats |
| What you buy | One flat, all-in price - what you see is what you get | Tiered plans with add-ons |
| Natural-language control | Yes - instruct in plain language | Dashboard-driven |
A note on implementation
A recurring theme in Factorial reviews is the gap between what's promised in sales and what's available at implementation. Peepel takes the opposite stance on purpose: all modules are included at one price, with no feature-gating, so the demo is the product. Standard onboarding takes two weeks, with our team migrating your data and connecting your payroll provider.
Integrations
Peepel connects with social secretariats on Sodeco, such as Attentia and Besox, with Nmbrs in the Netherlands, and with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and Slack.
Pricing
Peepel charges one fixed price: €9.50 per employee per month, with all modules and digital signing included and no setup fees.
Payroll automation is included in that price.
Ready to compare them on your own data? Book a demo and we'll run the workflows that matter to your team.
Related reading
Peepel vs. Personio · Peepel vs. HiBob · Peepel vs. Deel · Peepel vs. Shapes · Best HRIS for European SMEs
