Payroll · head to head
Namely vs People HR
The short version
- Only People HR has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Namely limited customization for complex HR processes: workflows and customization options are limited compared to enterprise solutions; People HR pro and Elite+ HR plans require contacting sales; exact features unclear
- They diverge on capability: Namely covers HR Management, People HR covers Employee Database.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Namely and People HR actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), founded (2012).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Namely
- HR Management
- Payroll
- Benefits Administration
- Time Off Management
- Performance Management
- Onboarding
- Greenhouse
Only in People HR
- Employee Database
- Absence Management
- Document Management
- Performance
- Recruitment
- Self-Service Portal
- Xero
- Sage
Both cover
- Slack
- Google Workspace
- Microsoft 365
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Namely
- Processing payroll for employees across multiple states with different tax rulesnot People HR
- Collecting 360-degree feedback and managing performance reviewsnot People HR
- Automating onboarding workflows and document e-signature collectionnot People HR
- Managing benefits enrollment and annual open enrollment periodsnot People HR
People HR
- HR management for startups and growing teamsnot Namely
- Integrated payroll and HR operationsnot Namely
- Employee management with compliance featuresnot Namely
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Namely
- Limited customization for complex HR processes: workflows and customization options are limited compared to enterprise solutions
- Payroll limitations: better served for less complex organizations and struggles with complex time-and-attendance or multi-FEIN scenarios
- Missing ATS and surveys: lacks built-in applicant tracking system and pulse survey capabilities
- Slow support response times: pod-based support model has led to slow response times for customers
- Designed for specific market segment: best fit is mid-sized companies with 50-350 employees
People HR
- Pro and Elite+ HR plans require contacting sales; exact features unclear
- Payroll SaaS Pro and Elite+ pricing not published
- Combined plans mark no distinction between HR and payroll components
Pricing, plan by plan
Namely
$18/employee/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Namely review.
People HR
Free- Starter$3/month
- per-employee pricing
- ideal for startups
- Core$5.5/month
- per-employee pricing
- growing teams
- Pro$8/month
- per-employee pricing
- larger companies
- Elite+$9.5/month
- per-employee pricing
- advanced HR
Which should you pick?
Choose People HR if
- You need employee database.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want absence management.
Questions people ask
- Is Namely or People HR better?
- Neither clearly leads. Namely starts at $18/employee/month and People HR at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Namely or People HR?
- People HR has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $18/employee/month for Namely and Free for People HR.
- Does Namely or People HR run on more platforms?
- Namely runs on Web. People HR runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- Can I use People HR for free?
- Yes. People HR has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Namely starts at $18/employee/month.
- What is Namely best used for?
- Namely is most often used for processing payroll for employees across multiple states with different tax rules, collecting 360-degree feedback and managing performance reviews, automating onboarding workflows and document e-signature collection, managing benefits enrollment and annual open enrollment periods. Of those, processing payroll for employees across multiple states with different tax rules and collecting 360-degree feedback and managing performance reviews are not what People HR is typically brought in for.
- What can Namely do that People HR cannot?
- Namely covers HR Management, Payroll, Benefits Administration, Time Off Management. People HR covers Employee Database, Absence Management, Document Management, Performance. Both handle Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Namely: Does Namely support global payroll?
Namely primarily focuses on mid-sized US-based companies with 50-350 employees. While it can handle complex payroll scenarios, it is better served for less complex organizations and does not have extensive global payroll capabilities compared to enterprise platforms.
SourcePeople HR: How is PeopleHR pricing calculated?
Pricing is per employee per month (PEPM). Starter: £3, Core: £5.50, Pro: £8, Elite+: £9.50. Users can add/remove employees as needed.
SourceNamely: What is included in Namely's Premium pricing?
Premium plans cost $18-24 per employee per month plus implementation fees of 10-25% of annual software costs. Plans include payroll, HR, benefits administration, time management, and talent management features.
SourcePeople HR: Do I get a discount for annual billing?
Yes, annual customers receive discounts compared to monthly billing. Exact discount percentages not specified on the pricing page.
SourceNamely: Does Namely include performance management features?
Yes, Namely offers customizable performance review modules enabling dynamic, ongoing feedback rather than traditional annual-only reviews. This is one of Namely's standout features.
SourcePeople HR: What add-ons are available?
Optional add-ons cost £1.50-£2 PEPM for most features. Specific add-ons not listed on the pricing page.
SourceNamely: How long does Namely implementation typically take?
Namely is designed for mid-sized companies and implementation timelines vary based on complexity. The platform includes implementation fees of 10-25% of annual software costs in addition to monthly per-employee pricing.
SourcePeople HR: Can I combine HR and Payroll services?
Yes, combined HR + Payroll plans are available: Core+ (£7 PEPM), Pro+ (£9.50 PEPM), Ultimate+ (£11 PEPM). Support and implementation included.
SourceRelated pages
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