Compare
Humanised vs PeoplesHR: An Honest Comparison for Sri Lankan Teams (2026)
PeoplesHR is the heritage enterprise HRIS; Humanised is the modern SME alternative. Here’s how they actually compare on price, deployment, and Sri Lankan compliance.
TL;DR
For Sri Lankan companies from 5 to 5,000 employees, Humanised is roughly 1/30th the entry cost of PeoplesHR Enterprise (which is USD 14,650 one-time + USD 3,000 customization by hSenid’s own published quotes), deploys in days, and ships modern UI without the legacy weight. PeoplesHR still wins for multinationals above 1,000 employees needing GCC/Africa multi-country payroll.
At a glance
| Criterion | Humanised | PeoplesHR |
|---|---|---|
| Built by | Beta Launch (Pvt) Ltd, Colombo (2020) | hSenid Business Solutions PLC, Colombo (1997 / HBS 2005) |
| Listed? | Private | CSE: HBS (since Dec 2021) |
| Scale | SL SMEs across manufacturing, education, tech, finance | 1,300+ orgs, 1M+ users, 40+ countries |
| Pricing model | Flat tier — LKR 10,000 / 25,000 / Custom | Quote-based; Enterprise USD 14,650 one-time + USD 3,000 customization |
| Ideal company size | 5–5,000 (Startup / Small Business / Enterprise) | 100+ for Enterprise; Turbo for SMBs |
| Setup fee | None | USD 14,650 + USD 3,000 customization (Enterprise) |
| Deploy time | Days (CSV upload) | Weeks–months (implementation project) |
| Pricing transparency | Published in LKR on /pricing/ | Quote-only; ITQlick flags "potential hidden costs" |
| UI modernity | Modern (built 2020) | Reviewers cite "outdated", "too cumbersome", "could be more modern" |
| Mobile app | iOS + Android, maintained | iOS last updated April 2024; 4.6★/407 reviews |
| Marquee SL logos | Planlogic and SL SMEs | Brandix (25,000+), People’s Bank (7,000+), LOLC, M&S SL |
Who builds each product
Humanised is a Sri Lankan HR and payroll platform built by Beta Launch (Pvt) Ltd, headquartered in Colombo and launched in 2020. It was developed over 16 months in close collaboration with reputed Sri Lankan chartered accountancy and management consultancy firms — SME-focused from day one, no legacy enterprise codebase.
PeoplesHR is the flagship product of hSenid Business Solutions PLC (CSE: HBS), founded as hSenid Software in 1997 and incorporated as hSenid Business Solutions in 2005. PeoplesHR runs in 40+ countries serving 1,300+ organisations and over 1 million users. Marquee Sri Lankan customers include Brandix (25,000+ employees), People’s Bank (7,000+ employees), LOLC Holdings, Marks & Spencer Sri Lanka, JDC Printing Technologies and Pyramid Wilmar.
PeoplesHR ships in three editions: Turbo (SMB), Enterprise (flagship, 25+ modules) and ME (Middle East variant with WPS, GOSI, Mudad, EOSB). Humanised ships as a single tiered SaaS — Startup, Small Business and Enterprise — built for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka compliance matrix
For core SL statutory work both products are broadly equivalent; the differences are in what’s explicitly marketed vs configuration-driven, and what Humanised adds on top:
| Capability | Humanised | PeoplesHR | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPF (employee 8% / employer 12%) | ✓ | ✓ | Statutory baseline |
| ETF (employer 3%) | ✓ | ✓ | Statutory baseline |
| APIT / PAYE | ✓ | ✓ | Both handle SL income tax |
| APIT Table 5 / cumulative trigger at Rs. 1.8M | ✓ | ~ | PeoplesHR handles via configuration; Humanised explicit |
| EGAR method for bonus / lump-sum | ✓ | ~ | Configuration-driven on PeoplesHR |
| Stamp duty | ✓ | ✓ | Both handle |
| Gratuity (Payment of Gratuity Act) | ✓ | ✓ | Both handle |
| BOI compliance | ✓ | ~ | Not headline-marketed by PeoplesHR; treat as configuration |
| USD-pegged / foreign-currency salaries | ✓ | ~ | PeoplesHR via ME edition for GCC; Humanised SL-native |
| Multi-country payroll (GCC, Africa, South Asia) | ~ | ✓ | PeoplesHR strength — 40+ countries, WPS, GOSI, Mudad |
| EPF C-Form / ETF B-card | ✓ | ✓ | Required statutory outputs |
| Named SL bank files (HNB, Sampath, BOC, Commercial, NTB, DFCC) | ✓ | ~ | PeoplesHR exports generic bank-format files; specific named integrations not publicly documented |
| Mobile app actively maintained | ✓ | ~ | PeoplesHR iOS app last updated April 2024 |
| Transparent published pricing | ✓ | ✕ | PeoplesHR is quote-based |
| AI assistant (Lexi / Phia / PAT vs roadmap) | ~ | ✓ | PeoplesHR strength — three named AI products on Azure OpenAI |
Pricing — six scenarios
This is where the gap is largest. PeoplesHR uses quote-based pricing; Humanised publishes its rates in LKR. The numbers below for PeoplesHR Enterprise come from Humanised’s own existing Sri Lankan payroll software comparison, which lists USD 14,650 one-time + USD 3,000 customization + USD 178.50/month minimum + USD 2,448/year. PeoplesHR Turbo entry-tier per-user pricing is sourced from Capterra/GetApp aggregator listings.
| Company size | Humanised (monthly) | PeoplesHR Turbo (est.) | PeoplesHR Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 employees | LKR 10,000 (Startup) | ~LKR 5,625/mo | Not sold below ~100 employees |
| 30 employees | LKR 25,000 (Small Business) | ~LKR 11,250/mo | Not sold below ~100 employees |
| 50 employees | LKR 25,000 (Small Business) | ~LKR 18,750/mo | Not sold below ~100 employees |
| 100 employees | Enterprise (custom) | ~LKR 37,500/mo | USD 178.50/mo min + USD 14,650 one-time + USD 3,000 customization |
| 250 employees | Enterprise (custom) | Above Turbo cap | Quote required |
| 500 employees | Enterprise (custom) | Above Turbo cap | Quote required |
Year-1 TCO at 100 employees on PeoplesHR Enterprise (per Humanised’s published quote): USD 14,650 + USD 3,000 + USD 2,448 = USD 20,098 — roughly LKR 6,029,000 at current rates. Humanised’s Enterprise tier is custom-quoted to undercut this for SL SMEs by a wide margin. Both platforms charge LKR for ongoing service; PeoplesHR adds USD-denominated implementation fees on top.
Where PeoplesHR is genuinely better
If we tried to win every row we’d be lying to you. Four places PeoplesHR is the smarter pick:
- You’re a multinational above 1,000 employees with GCC, Africa, or South Asia operations. PeoplesHR’s WPS, SIF, GOSI, Mudad and EOSB localisation for the Middle East is genuinely deep and outranks any SL-focused product.
- You want a CSE-listed vendor with 27 years of operating history. hSenid is a public company; financial transparency, audited accounts, and decades of continuity matter to risk-averse boards.
- You need a 25+ module enterprise HRIS. PeoplesHR ships predictive analytics, succession planning, kiosk, wellness, grievance handling, disciplinary, PAT (assistive technology) — a true enterprise breadth Humanised doesn’t attempt.
- You want AI assistance bundled. hSenid has three named AI products (Lexi, Phia, PAT) on Azure OpenAI; Humanised’s AI roadmap is more modest.
Where Humanised wins for Sri Lankan SMEs
- ~1/30th the entry cost. Humanised Small Business is LKR 25,000/month with no setup fee. PeoplesHR Enterprise is USD 14,650 + USD 3,000 customization before you process your first payroll.
- Transparent published pricing in LKR. Our prices are on /pricing/ — you don’t need a sales call to budget. ITQlick explicitly flags PeoplesHR for "limited pricing transparency, potential hidden costs".
- Days to deploy, not months. CSV upload to first payroll in days. PeoplesHR Enterprise is an implementation project with paid customization built in.
- Modern UI. Multiple G2, Capterra and AppCritica reviewers describe PeoplesHR as "outdated", "too cumbersome", or "could be more modern compared to newer HR platforms". Humanised was built in this decade.
- SME-focused, not enterprise-floor. SoftwareSuggest explicitly states PeoplesHR is "designed for companies with 100+ employees" — Turbo is the SMB tier, with reduced modules. Humanised is purpose-built for the full 5–5,000 range with the same depth at every tier.
- Maintained mobile. PeoplesHR’s iOS app was last updated April 2024 — more than a year stale as of publish date. Humanised’s mobile app ships regularly with check-in/out, leave, expenses, payslips.
- USD-pegged salary handling. Critical for SL IT services firms and BOI exporters. PeoplesHR’s answer is the ME edition for GCC, not a SL-native USD-base feature.
What real PeoplesHR customers say
From verified public Capterra, G2 and AppCritica reviews. Both praise and pain — the patterns matter.
"Outdated UI/UX experience" — the interface is "too cumbersome to use".Capterra verified review summary
"The interface could be more modern compared to newer HR platforms."G2 review summary
"Too many bugs."Google Play review (PeoplesHR Mobile)
"Forced sign-in despite ‘remember me’, connection drops causing app to force-close."Google Play review themes
Praise pulled from the same sources, for balance: customer support consistently scores 4.9/5 on Capterra and GetApp; reviewers cite "everything in one place", paperless workflows, and structured workflows once configured.
Migration: PeoplesHR → Humanised
For an SL SME under 100 employees switching from PeoplesHR Turbo or Enterprise:
- Week 1 — export employee master, leave balances, contracts, and last three payroll cycles from PeoplesHR; map to Humanised data structure; import via CSV.
- Week 2 — run parallel payrolls for one cycle; reconcile EPF, ETF, APIT line-by-line against PeoplesHR’s historical outputs.
- Week 3 — cut over; archive PeoplesHR exports per SL record-keeping requirements; cancel PeoplesHR subscription at next renewal.
Humanised onboarding is included in every plan with no setup fee. For 100+ employee migrations from PeoplesHR Enterprise, factor in 1–2 extra weeks to model custom workflows and reporting.
See Humanised on a 20-minute call
Live walkthrough including the LKR pricing, compliance matrix, and a real CSV import — no slide deck.
Request a DemoFrequently asked questions
Is Humanised cheaper than PeoplesHR?
Yes, dramatically. PeoplesHR Enterprise carries a USD 14,650 one-time fee plus USD 3,000 customization (per Humanised’s own published comparison data), with a USD 178.50/month minimum. Humanised has no setup fee and starts at LKR 10,000/month, with Small Business at LKR 25,000/month.
Can Humanised handle as many employees as PeoplesHR?
PeoplesHR serves enterprises with tens of thousands of staff — Brandix runs 25,000+ on it. Humanised serves companies from 5 to 5,000 employees across Startup, Small Business and Enterprise tiers. For companies above 5,000, PeoplesHR remains the right choice.
How long does Humanised take to deploy vs PeoplesHR?
Humanised onboards via CSV upload in days. PeoplesHR Enterprise implementation is a project that typically runs weeks to months and includes paid customization. For SMEs under 100 employees, that gap is decisive.
Does Humanised have the same Sri Lanka compliance depth as PeoplesHR?
For the SL core — EPF, ETF, APIT, gratuity, stamp duty, BOI — both products are equivalent. Humanised adds explicit USD-pegged salary handling for IT services and BOI exporters. PeoplesHR adds multi-country payroll for the Middle East (WPS, GOSI, Mudad, EOSB), Africa and South Asia.
Is hSenid the same company as Humanised?
No. hSenid Business Solutions PLC (CSE: HBS) is the parent of PeoplesHR. Humanised is built by Beta Launch (Pvt) Ltd in Colombo and is a separate Sri Lankan company.
Should I switch from PeoplesHR to Humanised?
If you have up to 5,000 employees, want predictable LKR pricing, and don’t need multi-country payroll across GCC or Africa, Humanised will typically be both cheaper and faster to deploy. If you’re a multinational with 1,000+ staff across regions, stay on PeoplesHR.
What’s the difference between PeoplesHR Turbo and PeoplesHR Enterprise?
Turbo is the SMB tier for companies under 100 employees, with a reduced module set. Enterprise is the flagship with 25+ modules including predictive analytics, LMS, recruitment, kiosk, wellness — and the USD 14,650 + USD 3,000 customization implementation fee.
Does Humanised work for companies above 500 employees?
Yes, on the Enterprise plan, which supports unlimited profiles and is built for organisations up to roughly 5,000 employees with custom integrations, custom reports, and dedicated onboarding workflows. Pricing is custom and quoted on demand.
How does Humanised’s mobile app compare to PeoplesHR’s?
PeoplesHR’s iOS app was last updated April 2024 (more than a year stale at publish date) with recurring complaints on Google Play about bugs, password issues, and notification failures. Humanised’s mobile app handles check-in/out, leave, expenses, and payslips and ships regularly.
Can I migrate from PeoplesHR to Humanised?
Yes. Export your employee master, leave balances, and recent payroll cycles from PeoplesHR; Humanised imports via CSV. For 100-person companies expect one to three weeks including a parallel payroll run to reconcile statutory figures before cutover.
Sources
- PeoplesHR official: peopleshr.com
- hSenid Business Solutions PLC: investor-relations.hsenidbiz.com (CSE: HBS, IPO Dec 2021)
- Capterra reviews (4.5/5, 10 reviews): capterra.com/p/91377/HRM-Enterprise/reviews/
- Apple App Store — PeoplesHR Mobile (4.6/5, 407 ratings, last update April 2024): apps.apple.com/us/app/peopleshr-mobile/id1450474794
- Google Play — PeoplesHR Mobile (4.4/5, 4,890+ reviews): play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.peopleshr.hsenid
- ITQlick competitive analysis: itqlick.com/peopleshr/competitors
- Humanised’s own published Sri Lankan payroll software comparison — source of PeoplesHR Enterprise USD pricing: /payroll/sri-lankan-payroll-software-comparison/
Also evaluating?
- Humanised vs MiHCM — for teams in the Microsoft 365 / Teams ecosystem
- Humanised vs BetterHR — for teams considering the Myanmar-built regional product
- Humanised vs Gallery HR — for teams evaluating new-generation SL SaaS
- The full Sri Lankan payroll software comparison — five vendors side by side