Hippo CMMS vs UpKeep: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Hippo CMMS
Affordable CMMS for small and mid-sized facilities teams managing work orders and preventive maintenance.
UpKeep
Mobile-first CMMS for maintenance teams managing work orders, assets, and preventive maintenance from any device.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Hippo CMMS | UpKeep |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Small manufacturers and industrial facilities (under 100 employees) | Maintenance teams moving from paper or spreadsheet-based tracking to digital |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $35/mo | $20/mo |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 7.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
Pros & Cons
Hippo CMMS
Pros
- Fast setup—most teams are operational within a week
- Honest per-user pricing with no hidden fees or add-ons
- Clean mobile app that field techs actually adopt
- Good PM scheduling for recurring maintenance tasks
Cons
- Reporting is basic—no custom dashboards or advanced analytics
- Limited integrations with ERP or accounting systems
- Not built for complex multi-site enterprise deployments
- Inventory module is functional but lacks depth compared to dedicated tools
UpKeep
Pros
- Best mobile app in the CMMS market—works reliably on cheap Android devices
- Fast setup: most teams go live in under a week with real data
- Technicians adopt it without extensive training or IT hand-holding
- Strong preventive maintenance scheduling with calendar and trigger-based automation
Cons
- Reporting is basic—serious reliability analysis requires exporting data to another tool
- Inventory management lacks depth for complex multi-location spare parts operations
- Customer support response times slow down noticeably on Starter and Professional tiers
- Per-user pricing climbs quickly once you scale beyond 20-30 technicians
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hippo CMMS | subscription | $35/mo |
| UpKeep | subscription | $20/mo |
Our Verdict
The Honest Verdict
UpKeep wins this comparison for most maintenance teams. The mobile app is better, the feature depth is greater, the scalability is stronger, and the entry price is actually lower. For facilities with roaming technicians, facilities that expect to grow, or facilities that need sensor integrations and API connectivity, UpKeep is the clear recommendation.
Hippo CMMS makes sense in specific circumstances: very small operations (3-8 users) that do most of their CMMS work from a desktop, teams that prioritize responsive support over mobile functionality, and budget-constrained organizations where Hippo's flat-rate team pricing works out cheaper for their specific headcount.
There is also the practical reality of growth. Most small maintenance teams grow. The technician count increases, new facilities get added, management starts asking for more detailed reporting. UpKeep accommodates that growth without a platform switch. Hippo users often face a switch when they outgrow its ceiling, and switching platforms is disruptive and costly.
If you are in a small team today but expect to grow, start with UpKeep. The investment in learning a platform that can grow with you pays off faster than it seems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.