Factorial vs Sterling Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

Factorial

0.0 (0 reviews)

Factorial is an all-in-one automated human resources software designed to help small and medium businesses manage documents, attendance, performance, and payroll in one centralized platform to streamline daily administrative tasks.

Starting at $6/mo
Free Trial 14 days
VS

Sterling

0.0 (0 reviews)

Sterling provides comprehensive background screening and identity verification services to help you build a foundation of trust and safety for your global workforce and customers.

Starting at --
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL

Quick Comparison

Feature Factorial Sterling
Website factorialhr.com sterlingcheck.com
Pricing Model Subscription Custom
Starting Price $6/month Custom Pricing
FREE Trial ✓ 14 days free trial ✘ No free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment saas mobile saas mobile
Integrations Slack Google Calendar Microsoft Teams Outlook Zapier LinkedIn Indeed Power BI Sage QuickBooks Workday Oracle SAP SuccessFactors iCIMS Greenhouse Lever SmartRecruiters Jobvite Bullhorn UKG
Target Users small-business mid-market small-business mid-market enterprise
Target Industries healthcare retail financial-services
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2016 1975
Headquarters Barcelona, Spain New York, USA

Overview

F

Factorial

Factorial is an all-in-one HR platform designed to help you automate time-consuming administrative tasks so you can focus on your people. Instead of jumping between spreadsheets and different tools, you can manage everything from time tracking and absence management to payroll and performance reviews in one centralized dashboard. It simplifies the entire employee lifecycle, from the moment you post a job opening to the day an employee offboards.

You can easily track employee hours, manage shift schedules, and store digital documents securely with electronic signature capabilities. The platform also provides you with deep insights through automated HR reports, helping you make data-driven decisions about your workforce. Whether you are managing a local team or a growing international office, you can customize workflows to match your specific company culture and local labor regulations.

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Sterling

Sterling helps you hire with confidence by providing fast and reliable background screening and identity verification. You can streamline your entire hiring process, from criminal record checks and employment verification to drug and health screening. The platform is designed to integrate directly into your existing HR tech stack, allowing you to manage candidates globally while maintaining compliance with local regulations.

You can reduce manual paperwork and speed up your time-to-hire using their mobile-first candidate experience. Whether you are a small business making your first hire or a global enterprise managing thousands of employees, the software provides the tools you need to verify identities and maintain a safe workplace. By automating the collection of candidate data, you can focus on making better hiring decisions rather than chasing documentation.

Overview

F

Factorial Features

  • Automated Time Tracking Clock in and out easily through the mobile app or desktop to keep accurate records of your team's working hours.
  • Absence Management Approve vacation requests and track sick leave with a visual calendar that updates your team's availability in real-time.
  • Digital Document Management Store all employee contracts and files securely in the cloud and collect legally binding electronic signatures in seconds.
  • Performance Reviews Create custom evaluation cycles and 360-degree feedback forms to track your team's professional growth and productivity.
  • Applicant Tracking System Manage your entire recruitment pipeline from job posting to hiring with a branded career page and automated candidate communication.
  • Shift Scheduling Design weekly schedules and assign shifts to your employees while staying notified of any potential scheduling conflicts.
  • Expense Management Upload receipts directly from your phone and categorize business expenses for faster reimbursement and better budget tracking.
  • Payroll Preparation Generate automated summaries of variations like overtime or bonuses to ensure your payroll is accurate every single month.
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Sterling Features

  • Criminal Background Checks. Access automated searches of national and local criminal databases to identify potential risks before you extend a job offer.
  • Identity Verification. Verify candidate identities in real-time using biometric technology and government-issued ID scanning to prevent sophisticated identity fraud.
  • Employment Verification. Confirm your candidate's professional history and education credentials automatically to ensure they have the experience they claim.
  • Drug and Health Screening. Manage employee drug testing and occupational health screenings through a massive network of collection sites with digital results.
  • Mobile Candidate Hub. Give your candidates a mobile-friendly way to submit information and track their screening status from any device.
  • Global Compliance Tools. Stay compliant with built-in tools that adapt to local privacy laws and industry-specific regulations across different countries.

Pricing Comparison

F

Factorial Pricing

Business
$6
  • Time tracking and attendance
  • Absence and leave management
  • Document management
  • Organizational chart
  • Employee mobile app
  • Standard HR reports
S

Sterling Pricing

Pros & Cons

M

Factorial

Pros

  • User-friendly interface makes onboarding new employees simple
  • Centralizes multiple HR functions into one single tool
  • Mobile app allows for easy clock-ins on the go
  • Electronic signature feature saves significant time on paperwork
  • Visual holiday calendar provides great visibility for managers

Cons

  • Initial setup of complex payroll rules takes time
  • Reporting customization can be limited on lower tiers
  • Customer support response times vary during peak hours
  • Mobile app occasionally experiences sync delays with desktop
A

Sterling

Pros

  • Extensive global reach for international background checks
  • Seamless integration with popular applicant tracking systems
  • User-friendly interface for both recruiters and candidates
  • Comprehensive reporting that simplifies compliance audits

Cons

  • Turnaround times can vary by jurisdiction
  • Customer support response times can be slow
  • Pricing structure is complex for smaller organizations
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