Head to head

TalentLMS vs Zoho People

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

TalentLMS

$119/mo

SMB learning management system. Core starts at $119/mo; a free plan exists.

Where TalentLMS fits

SMBs running onboarding and compliance courses
HR teams that do not want an enterprise LMS
Companies that will start on the free plan
Desks that want AI course drafting in the LMS

Zoho People

$1.25/user/mo 30 day free trial

Cloud HRIS from Zoho with a free plan for small teams. Paid Essential HR is $1.25/user/mo billed annually, with a five-user minimum.

Where Zoho People fits

Small HR teams already in the Zoho suite
Orgs that can start on the free five-user edition
Companies that need leave and files before attendance
HR ops that will add performance on Premium

At a glance

Detail	TalentLMS	Zoho People
Starting price	$119/mo	$1.25/user/mo
Free tier	–No	–No
Free trial	Not on record	30 day free trial
MCP server	–No	✓Yes
Public API	✓Yes	✓Yes
Listed under	Learning, Onboarding	HRIS, Learning, Onboarding, Performance
Capterra	4.7 from 600 reviews	4.4 from 362 reviews

Where they pull apart

TalentLMS

Stands out: A straightforward LMS with a free plan and public Core/Grow/Pro prices, plus AI course helpers on every paid plan.

Watch out: Core is $119/month (or $1,428/year). Active-user caps apply; Enterprise is quoted above 1,000 users.

Not the right fit for

Enterprises already on Cornerstone or Workday Learning
Buyers who need a sub-$119 paid plan
Teams that needed a full HRIS

Zoho People

Stands out: Low per-user pricing: Essential HR $1.25, Professional $2, Premium $3, and Enterprise $4.50 per user per month billed yearly.

Watch out: Paid plans require five users, so Essential HR costs at least $6.25/mo. Attendance starts on Professional, and performance, LMS, and help desk sit higher.

Not the right fit for

US payroll-first buyers (payroll is a separate Zoho product)
Teams that need attendance tracking on the $1.25 plan

Pros and cons

TalentLMS

Public Core price and a free plan
AI course helpers included on paid plans
HRIS connectors including BambooHR and ADP

Core is $119/month
Active-user caps
Not an HRIS or ATS

Zoho People

Free edition for up to five users
Essential HR $1.25/user/mo billed yearly
30-day trial, then you keep Free

Five-user minimum on paid plans
Attendance is not on Essential HR
Payroll is a separate Zoho SKU

What each one costs

TalentLMS

$119/mo

Core from $119/mo. A free plan is available. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 18 Sep 2026

Zoho People

$1.25/user/mo

The Free edition covers up to five users. Essential HR is $1.25, Professional $2, Premium $3, and Enterprise $4.50 per user per month billed annually, with a five-user minimum; monthly billing costs more. Paid plans include a 30-day free trial. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is TalentLMS cheaper than Zoho People?

Zoho People starts lower, at $1.25/user/mo against $119/mo for TalentLMS. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.

Can you try TalentLMS or Zoho People for free?

Neither carries a free tier on our listing. Zoho People offers a 30 day free trial.

Does TalentLMS or Zoho People have an MCP server?

Zoho People ships a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 18 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?