Fabrico vs. UpKeep: Which CMMS is Best for Manufacturing? (2026 Head-to-Head)

If you are shopping for a CMMS in 2026, UpKeep is likely on your list. It is famous for being "Mobile First" and incredibly easy to use. It has revolutionized facility maintenance.

But if you run a Manufacturing Plant, you have different problems than a hotel manager. A broken air conditioner is annoying; a broken packaging line is a financial disaster.

Fabrico was built specifically for the factory floor. We don't just track "Work," we track "Performance."

Here is the honest, head-to-head comparison to help you decide.

The Comparison Matrix (2026)

1. Machine Connectivity (The "Pulse" of the Factory)

The Battleground: How does the software know a machine is down?

• UpKeep: Relies heavily on Manual Reporting or add-on IoT sensors (like temperature monitors). It is great at telling you a motor is hot, but it struggles to read complex logic from a Siemens or Allen-Bradley PLC (e.g., "Stop Reason: Door Open").

• Fabrico: Connects natively to your PLC. We read the machine's heartbeat.

  • Scenario: A packaging machine runs 10,000 cycles.

  • Fabrico: Automatically triggers a "Lubricate Chain" task at cycle 10,000.

  • UpKeep: Relies on a technician to check the meter or a calendar date.

The Verdict: Fabrico automates maintenance based on actual production usage.

2. OEE & Production Context

The Battleground: Does the maintenance team know what Production is doing?

• UpKeep: It is a silo. It tracks maintenance perfectly, but it doesn't know if the machine is supposed to be running or if it's on a changeover.

• Fabrico: Unifies CMMS with OEE.

  • The Maintenance Manager sees the Availability Score.

  • The Production Manager sees the Maintenance Schedule.

  • If a machine stops, Fabrico calculates the financial cost of that downtime instantly.

The Verdict: Fabrico connects the "Fixers" with the "Makers."

3. Root Cause Analysis (Photos vs. Video)

The Battleground: Stopping the problem from coming back.

• UpKeep: Technicians snap photos of the broken part after the fact. This is good documentation, but it doesn't explain why it broke.

• Fabrico: Uses Inefficiencies Zoom-In (Computer Vision). We capture a video clip of the 60 seconds before the crash. You can see that the bottle jammed because the guide rail was loose.

The Verdict: Fabrico provides the "Game Tape" to solve the mystery.

4. The "Request" Experience

The Battleground: How easy is it for an operator to report a problem?

• UpKeep: This is their superpower. Their "Request Portal" allows anyone (even without a license) to submit a request via email or app. It is perfect for "The toilet is leaking" type requests.

• Fabrico: Also offers a QR-code based request system ("Scan to Report"), but our workflow is designed for Machine Operators. It prompts them to add context: "Is the machine down? Is it a safety issue?"

The Verdict: UpKeep wins for general facility requests. Fabrico wins for technical machine requests.

Conclusion: What Are You Maintaining?

The right software depends on your assets.

Choose UpKeep if:

• You manage a School, Hotel, or Office Building.

• Your assets are mostly "Passive" (HVAC, Plumbing, Lighting).

• You need a simple tool for a large, non-technical team to report building issues.

Choose Fabrico if:

• You run a Factory (Food, Electronics, Metal, etc.).

• Your assets are "Active" (Machines that make products).

• You want to reduce Downtime and improve OEE, not just close work orders.

Fabrico isn't just a maintenance tool; it's a production engine.