Traditional payroll systems are no longer suitable for modern companies. They consume more time, require additional manpower, and are prone to mistakes that may cause compliance issues with Indian labour laws, unhappy employees, and slow down business development and profitability.
Today, most organisations depend on payroll software for automated salary calculation, compliance management, and easy reporting. With many payroll tools available in the market, each offering unique features and USPs, choosing the right one becomes important.
In this article, we will look at the top 10 payroll software in India to help you select the most suitable option for your business needs.
5 Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Payroll Software
Before we move on to the best payroll software in India, here are a few important aspects every organisation must take into consideration:
1. Payroll Automation
Manual salary processing takes time and can lead to errors. The right payroll software should manage salary structure, variable components, overtime payments, reimbursements, and full settlements with minimum manual work.
2. Statutory Compliance in India
Automation alone is not enough. The ideal payroll software regularly updates tax slabs and rules, generates Form 16 and compliance reports, and supports multi-state regulations. This helps your business stay penalty free and always aligned with Indian labour compliance.
3. Time and Attendance Integration
Accurate payroll requires accurate attendance inputs. This is crucial for businesses handling shift employees, remote workers, or field staff; therefore, a good payroll software must integrate with your attendance system whether it is biometric, web based, or mobile check-ins.
4. Employee Self-Services
A strong payroll system has a self-service portal that lets employees apply for leaves, view payslips, check tax projections, request reimbursements, and download Form 16. This improves transparency and reduces workload for HR teams.
5. Data Security and Privacy
Payroll involves confidential employee details such as salary, bank information, and tax data; protecting this information is essential. A secure payroll software provides strong hosting security, encryption, role-based access, and audit trails.
Certifications such as ISO 27001 reflect the provider’s dedication to data protection.
Top 6 Payroll Software in India
1. OpportuneHR
OpportuneHR is a two-time award-winning HR platform known for its personalised HRMS and payroll software. Their solutions are tailored to match your company’s exact requirements.
Key Features
- Artificial intelligence and analytics
- Bots to enhance employee experience
- Industry-focused tools
- Cloud access with mobile availability
Strengths
- Suitable for startups and SMEs
- User friendly and employee focused
- Combination of HRMS and payroll in one system
Limitations
- Ticketing system not available for support
- Cultural bias towards Indian values
- Specific focus on SME and startups
Customer Review: “OpportuneHR is a complete HRMS ERP. From ATS to onboarding and full lifecycle management with compliance, it automates every process. Their mobile app supports all self-service functions for employees.”
2. GreytHR
Overview
GreytHR brings more than 25 years of expertise in HR technology and is trusted by many startups and SMEs. They are known for payroll and full HRMS offerings.
Key Features
- Automated salary processing and payslips
- Compliance with PF, ESI, TDS, and professional tax
- Self-service for payslips, leave management, and expense claims
- Cloud platform with mobile access
Strengths
- Built specifically for Indian compliance
- Cost effective for small and medium enterprises
- Scales as a business grows
Limitations
- Interface can appear slightly older compared to newer platforms
- May not fully support large enterprises
Customer Review: “Covers most HR requirements with detailed customization features.”
3. Keka HR
Overview
Keka HR has over 13 years of experience and supports more than 3000 companies. Their mission is to simplify HR operations so teams can concentrate on business growth.
Key Features
- Smooth payroll with auto compliance updates
- Integrated attendance, leave, and performance tracking
- Employee-centric self-service system
- Real-time analytics and insights
Strengths
- Simple and clean design
- Focus on employee satisfaction
- Ideal for startups growing into mid-sized companies
Limitations
- Costlier than basic payroll-only software
- Full adoption of advanced features may take time
Customer Review: “This software has brought more professionalism to our workplace.”
4. factoHR
Overview
factoHR has won the best HR services award for 5 continuous years. Their system offers a DIY-friendly approach that is robust, scalable, and quick to implement.
Key Features
- Automated payroll with complete statutory compliance
- Leave, attendance, and performance management tools
- Mobile-first experience for employees
- Cloud platform with detailed reporting
Strengths
- Works well for both SMEs and larger companies
- Strong compliance for Indian regulations
- Modular pricing options for different budgets
Limitations
- Can be complex for very small companies
- May require onboarding support for setup
Customer Review: “A simple solution that supports HR, leave, payroll, and attendance. We appreciate the excellent customer support team.”
5. HROne
Overview
HROne believes HR teams should not spend time on repetitive manual tasks. Their aim is to become a globally trusted HCM suite.
Key Features
- Automated payroll with compliance control
- Employee self-service access
- Leave and attendance management
- Workflow automation and task management
Strengths
- User friendly interface
- Complete HRMS and payroll system
- Good analytics and reporting outputs
Limitations
- Higher pricing compared to payroll-only systems
- Limited customizing options for special workflows
Customer Review: “HROne ensures error-free and timely payroll. It supported our shift from startup to enterprise and boosted our sales.”
6. Zimyo
Overview
Zimyo is among the leading HRMS solutions in India and trusted by well-known businesses. It offers highly flexible, integration friendly, and simple payroll systems that benefit both HR teams and employees.
Key Features
- Payroll automation with compliance support
- Employee self-service functionality
- Leave and attendance management
- Employee engagement modules such as surveys and feedback
Strengths
- Budget friendly for SMEs
- Focus on employee engagement along with payroll
- Cloud based and scalable
Limitations
- Fewer features compared to enterprise tools
- Ecosystem of integrations still expanding
Customer Review: “Zimyo is versatile and easy to use while covering most HR operations.”
7. SumHR
SumHR was awarded as the best HRMS and payroll software 4 years in a row between 2019 and 2022. They believe if HR data is properly organised and utilised in business decision making, it can have a great impact on the businesses’ growth.
Key Features:
- Automated reports
- Customizable data fields
- Flexible approval workflow
- Strong data safety
Strengths:
- User-friendly .
- Customisable payroll for flexible salary components.
- Suitable for startups and SMEs.
Limitations:
- Limited custom report generation feature.
- Can be a bit slow and sluggish.
Customer Review: “If you are looking for an all-in-one HR and payroll software in India, SumHR gets a big thumbs up as the top choice.”
8. PocketHRMS
With more than 1500 clients and 3.5 million satisfied users PocketHRMS is one of the most reliable payroll software in India. It empowers organisations of all sizes to modernise HR functions and improve efficiency through scalable, intuitive solutions.
Key Features:
- ML-based payroll processing
- Supports multi-salary structure
- Dedicated tax calculator
- Integrated with biometric attendance
Strengths:
- Ensures compliance with Indian tax and labour laws
- Offers employee self-service for better transparency
- Provides secure data storage and access control
Limitations:
- Less customisation option compared to other software
- Businesses with complex salary structures may face challenges
Customer Review: “Data monitoring and HR analytics are made easy by PocketHRMS which is the future of the HR industry.”
9. PeopleStrong
With 4 awards in last 2 years, PeopleStrong have gained trust of organisation across India. They serve more than 500 top organisations across Asia and power seamless employee experience over 4 million devices.
Key Features:
- Easy integration with in-place HR systems and ERPs
- Rich analytics and reporting to track employee data
- AI-powered employee and manager self-service
- 100% secure and compliant
Strengths:
- Custom report builder
- Mobile app for employees and managers
- Scalable and expandable features
Limitations:
- Slower performance and loading time
- User interface is sometimes considered less intuitive
Customer Review: “We are glad we choose PeopleStrong. There has been 96% adoption within 5 weeks across 97 locations. The mobile app has helped us immensely. The feedback has been phenomenal.”
10. Timelabs
With 6 awards in the last 5 years, Timelabs is offering organisations exactly what they need. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Timelabs optimizes payroll end-to-end, resulting in smoother workflows, higher productivity, and better profitability.
Key Features:
- Data security and confidentiality
- Enhanced employee engagement
- Seamless payroll control
- Statutory taxation
Strengths:
- Scalable
- User-defined pay structure
- Unmatched security
Limitations:
- Slower support responses
- Mobile app can be better
Customer Review: “Overall, great tool for HRMS. Timely support from the team. Happy to use the tool. All the facets of employee management, payroll, etc is covered and well maintained with a central database. Other than being a customisable and scalable product, the on-going support that we receive from the team is amazing.”
Conclusion
Ultimately choosing the right software depends on your business requirement. The right payroll software not only saves time but also ensures accuracy, employee trust, and helps businesses stay complaint.
By evaluating your needs, budget, and growth plans, you can choose the payroll software that best suits your company and ensures that your payroll process runs smoothly every month.