Last updated: July 9, 2026
Compare PlanoHero and DotActiv to find the right planogramming tool for your merchandising team in 2026. Looking for a DotActiv alternative that runs in the browser instead of a Windows install, with one flat price instead of per-seat licensing? Here's how the two platforms compare.
PlanoHero vs DotActiv: feature comparison
Here's how PlanoHero and DotActiv compare across the criteria that matter most when choosing a planogramming platform.
|
PlanoHero |
DotActiv |
|
|
Platform Access |
Fully cloud-based — works in any browser, on any device, with no installation required. New users are set up in minutes. |
The core planning tool runs on Windows desktop, requiring installation and license key management. Activ8 provides separate web and mobile access for execution, sold per seat. |
|
Implementation Time |
Operational in weeks. Start building planograms with your own SKUs during a 14-day free trial — before any commitment. Full enterprise onboarding completed within weeks of signing. |
Lite edition provides instant access after purchase. Pro and Enterprise editions include database integration, which typically takes about a month before full functionality is available. |
|
Planogram Automation |
AI-driven rules (Enterprise plan) are created via natural language prompts, saved, and reused across any store or planogram. The merchandiser defines the logic; the rules are applied consistently. Also supports: importing a ready-made layout from Excel, mirroring layouts, block planograms, copying with extension, and working with product holes. The Lite plan includes auto-fill and auto-placement without custom rules, with up to 100 planograms and 5,000 SKUs. |
Nova generates planograms from scratch using shopper decision trees and store format rules, working across multiple store sizes in a single step. Placement logic is determined by the algorithm, with less direct control for individual planogrammers. |
| Execution Control | Enterprise plan includes deadlines for planogram execution, a time tracker, photo report verification, and full history of planogram execution across stores — giving head office a complete audit trail from creation to in-store completion. | Activ8 handles task management and store communication. DotActiv's TrueView uses AI image recognition to automatically verify shelf compliance against the active planogram — a capability PlanoHero does not currently offer. |
|
Pricing Model |
Light plan at $199/month flat for unlimited users. Enterprise pricing scales by network size, not by seat count or module selection — transparent from the first conversation. |
Publicly listed editions: Lite at $80/month, Pro at $200/month, Enterprise at $400/month (with discounts for annual billing). Activ8, the separate execution app, is priced per seat at a flat rate. |
|
Planogram Execution & Compliance |
The Layout App — included in the Enterprise plan — gives store managers a single tool to receive planograms, execute shelf placement, and submit photo reports. |
Activ8 handles planogram distribution and photo proof through a separate mobile app. DotActiv also offers TrueView, an AI image recognition tool that automatically verifies shelf compliance by analyzing photos against the active planogram — a capability is currently in development in PlanoHero. |
|
Team Collaboration |
Chat lives inside the planogram workflow itself — questions and approvals happen in context, attached to the right planogram, without losing the thread in email or a separate messenger. |
Activ8 offers task management and questionnaires for store communication. There is no built-in, free-form chat within the planogramming workflow itself. |
|
Data Integration |
Enterprise plan: your IT team connects data via the Connector tool, or the PlanoHero team handles the integration end-to-end into a dedicated intermediate database. PlanoHero also offers API access for direct system-to-system integration. Lite plan: data uploaded via XLS files — including ready-made planogram layouts from Excel. |
Database integration is available through the DotActiv Import Utility, included in Pro and Enterprise plans. The integration process is delivered by DotActiv's technical support team and typically takes about a month to complete. |
|
Localization |
11+ languages available out of the box — Ukrainian, English, Polish, Chinese, Arabic, Turkish, and more — so international teams work in their own language from day one. |
Primarily English, with strength in African and English-speaking markets. Localization for non-English-speaking regions is limited. |
|
Retail BI |
Built-in shelf analytics accessible to every merchandiser. For deeper business intelligence, PlanoHero is part of the Datawiz ecosystem and can be paired with Datawiz BES Suite, a retail BI platform built specifically for retail networks. |
Custom dashboards, heat-mapping, and pre-built or custom planogram reports are available from Pro edition upward, along with cluster optimization and data-driven floor planning. |
|
Who It's Built For |
Mid-market and enterprise retail chains and suppliers across grocery, beauty, electronics, fashion, and DIY retail who want to control their own planogramming process. |
Retailers and suppliers — particularly in African and English-speaking markets — who want either a self-managed Windows-based tool or a fully outsourced category management service. |
A few more differences between PlanoHero and DotActiv
Store Floor Measurement Capture
PlanoHero: The Size App lets store teams capture and submit product measurements directly from the store floor.
DotActiv: Core planning and Activ8 execution don't include a dedicated tool for capturing product measurements from the floor; measurement data is typically maintained through the desktop planning environment.
Role-Based Permissions by Store, Format, or Region
PlanoHero: Access is controlled by store, format, or region, so different teams see and edit only what's relevant to their role.
DotActiv: Licenses are managed per computer, with each license tied to a single machine rather than a role-based permission structure across store locations.
Automated Chain-Wide Reporting
PlanoHero: Automated summary reports replace manual spreadsheets, generated across the entire chain without pulling data store by store.
DotActiv: Reporting is generated within the desktop application itself, available from the Pro edition upward, rather than pushed automatically as chain-wide summaries.
FAQ
How does PlanoHero differ from DotActiv as a planogramming platform?
PlanoHero is a cloud-based platform with flat-rate pricing — one subscription covers unlimited users, built-in team chat, and on the Enterprise plan, the full workflow including mobile execution and analytics. DotActiv is a Windows desktop application where different capabilities — core planning, mobile execution (Activ8), and AI compliance verification (TrueView) — are available as separate products with separate pricing.
Is PlanoHero cheaper than DotActiv?
It depends on team size and needs. PlanoHero's Light plan is $199/month flat for unlimited users, with up to 5,000 SKUs and 100 planograms. Enterprise pricing is custom, based on network size — not per seat or per module. DotActiv's editions are priced per tier (Lite $80, Pro $200, Enterprise $400/month), with Activ8 execution billed separately per seat. For larger teams, PlanoHero's flat rate is typically more cost-effective; for very small teams or single users, DotActiv Lite may cost less. Advanced features like AI rules, analytics, mobile execution, and full data integration are available on PlanoHero's Enterprise plan.
Does DotActiv have a free trial like PlanoHero?
Yes. Both platforms offer a 14-day free trial. PlanoHero's trial gives full access using your own SKUs with no installation. DotActiv's trial requires downloading the Windows software and a license key, and full functionality on Pro or Enterprise editions depends on completing database integration.
Does PlanoHero have AI image recognition for compliance checks like DotActiv's TrueView?
Not currently. DotActiv's TrueView analyzes shelf photos against the active planogram to automatically verify compliance. PlanoHero supports compliance through photo reports submitted via the Layout App, reviewed by head office, with automated image recognition in active development.
Can I migrate from DotActiv to PlanoHero?
Yes. PlanoHero's Connector tool or onboarding team can import your existing product catalog, assortment data, and sales history into a dedicated intermediate database. Most teams are fully onboarded and building planograms within weeks.
What PlanoHero Customers Say
"Since integrating PlanoHero into our processes, we've seen significant improvements in the ability to analyze product performance. The system's ease of use and powerful analytical capabilities have helped us save time and reduce manpower. PlanoHero's features have been crucial in optimizing our store layouts and driving sales growth." — Vijit Tipmatr, Replenishment Section Manager, Aeon Thailand
"An affordable service with a wide range of functionality used by chains of 200+ stores without enterprise-level costs. PlanoHero has become an important part of our workflow, particularly for checking tasks, creating and editing plans/planograms, monitoring planogram execution." — Bogdan D., Head of Merchandising, MixMart (200+ stores)
Trusted by retail chains globally
100+ retail clients · 30+ countries · 500+ store chains
Plan, execute, and analyze with PlanoHero
Start your 14-day free trial with your own product data, subscribe to the Light plan at $199/month, or talk to our team about Enterprise pricing for your chain.
Try for free
Looking for a service to create planograms?
Try a free demo version of PlanoHero
