10 Best HR Software in India: Features & Pricing (2026)

Managing employees in India from overseas? You need HR software that actually understands Indian payroll processing, statutory compliance, and labor laws. The wrong system means manual calculations, compliance headaches, and frustrated HR teams.

The right HR software in India automates everything from EPF and ESI calculations to attendance management and employee onboarding. But with dozens of HRMS software options available, how do you pick one that fits your needs?

This guide covers the key features you should expect, the best HR software options for international companies, and exactly what to look for when choosing a solution. Let's streamline HR operations for your Indian workforce without the complexity.

What is HR software in India?[toc=What is HR Software]

HR software in India is a cloud based platform that automates and manages core HR functions like payroll processing, attendance tracking, employee onboarding, performance management, and compliance with Indian labor laws (PF, ESI, TDS, Professional Tax, etc.).

For global companies hiring in India, it's the tool that replaces spreadsheets and manual HR processes with a centralized employee database, automated payroll calculations, and built-in statutory compliance, so your HR teams can focus on people instead of paperwork.

Types of HR Software

1. HRIS (Human Resource Information System): Covers core HR tasks like employee data management, payroll, attendance, and basic compliance. Best for small and medium businesses replacing manual processes.
2. HRMS (Human Resource Management System): Everything in HRIS plus performance management, recruitment, talent management, and workforce analytics. Covers the entire employee lifecycle from hire to retire.
3. HCM (Human Capital Management): The most comprehensive HR solution. Adds strategic capabilities like succession planning, workforce planning, and advanced HR analytics on top of HRMS features. Built for large enterprises and global companies.
4. Specialized Tools: Standalone software focused on a single HR function, such as payroll, applicant tracking systems (ATS), attendance management, or learning management systems.
5. EOR-Integrated HR Platforms: Combines HR software with Employer of Record (EOR) services. Ideal for global companies hiring in India without a legal entity. Platforms like Wisemonk bundle payroll management, compliance, employee self-service, and full HR operations into one solution.

Quick note: Most modern HR software solutions in India now blend features across these categories. So focus on whether the platform handles your specific HR tasks and India compliance needs rather than worrying about labels.

Which HR software is best in India?[toc=Top 10 HR Software]

The best HR software in India are Wisemonk (best for global companies), Keka HR (best for Indian SMEs), Zoho People (best for budget-conscious businesses), greytHR (best for payroll-first teams), and Darwinbox (best for large enterprises).

Here is the best HR software we’ve identified through our research and experience. Each offers distinct advantages for managing global teams, making them strong options to consider:

1. Wisemonk

Wisemonk is an India-focused EOR platform that is designed to handle HR operations, payroll processing, compliance management, and benefits administration for global companies hiring in India without setting up a legal entity. Trusted by 300+ global companies, managing $20M+ in payroll, and supporting 2,000+ employees across India, Wisemonk goes beyond traditional HRMS software that only provides tools. It acts as your full-service HR partner, managing the entire employee lifecycle from onboarding to exit.

Key Features:

• End-to-end HR management (offer letters to offboarding)
• Automated payroll with built-in PF, ESI, and TDS statutory compliance
• Employee onboarding and remote equipment procurement
• Benefits and tax optimization for employees
• Dedicated HR Business Partner for each client
• Contractor payments, visa assistance, and background verification
• Employee self service portal

Pros:

• Deep India-specific compliance expertise that global EOR platforms lack
• Fast onboarding (as quick as 2 days)
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Handles equipment procurement and delivery across India
• Local HR support team with knowledge of Indian workplace culture

Cons:

• Currently operates exclusively in India

Best For: All company sizes are looking to hire, manage & pay employees in India without a local entity.

Pricing: Starts at $99/employee/month for EOR services.

Client review/feedback:

"As a bootstrap startup with a small team, managing HR operations was really tough in the initial days as we were working on the delivery of a crucial project with tight deadlines. Wisemonk made that easier for us by handling everything from hiring, hardware purchases, employee onboarding, and payment disbursement. It saved us a lot of time, helping us stay focused on our project delivery."

—Tushar C.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Read more on G2 →

“Wisemonk has successfully hired high-quality candidates, which has impressed the client. The team is susceptible to the client's requests and changes via Slack . The team also collaborates through a hiring tracker in Google Sheets. Wisemonk communicates via email and practical meetings.”

— Dan Sampson
‍VP of Engineering, Cobu
‍Read the full review on Clutch →

2. Keka HR

Keka is a modern, cloud based HR software built specifically for the Indian market, serving over 8,500 businesses. It focuses heavily on user experience and simplifying complex HR workflows for small and medium businesses. The platform covers payroll, attendance, performance management, and recruitment in one unified system.

Key Features:

• Automated payroll processing with PF, ESI, PT, and TDS compliance
• Attendance tracking (biometric, geofencing, mobile check-in)
• Performance management with continuous feedback and goal tracking
• Employee self service portal for payslips, leave, and attendance
• Recruitment and applicant tracking
• Asset management and expense management
• HR analytics and customizable reports

Pros:

• User friendly interface that employees and HR teams love
• Strong payroll automation with India-specific statutory compliance
• Excellent employee engagement features (pulse surveys, feedback)
• Good mobile app for on-the-go access

Cons:

• Some users report occasional payroll calculation errors
• Mobile app can be buggy at times
• Customer support response times can be slow during peak periods

Best For: Small and medium sized businesses in India looking for an all-in-one, employee-centric HR solution.

Pricing: Starts at approximately ₹6,999/month (around ₹99/employee/month). Free trial available.

3. Zoho People

Zoho People is a cloud based HR software from the Zoho ecosystem, designed for businesses of all sizes. It's known for its modular design, affordable pricing, and seamless integration with other Zoho products like Zoho Payroll, Zoho Recruit, and Zoho CRM, making it a strong pick if you're already in the Zoho world.

Key Features:

• Core HR with centralized employee database
• Attendance management and leave tracking
• Performance management with goal setting and appraisals
• Time tracking and shift scheduling
• Employee self service portal
• Custom workflows and approval systems
• HR analytics and reporting
• Integration with 45+ Zoho apps and third-party tools

Pros:

• One of the most affordable HR software solutions on the market
• Highly customizable workflows and forms
• Free plan available for up to 5 users
• Strong integration with the broader Zoho ecosystem
• Mobile access on Android and iOS

Cons:

• Interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming for new users
• Payroll is a separate module (Zoho Payroll) and not natively built in
• Learning curve is steep during initial setup
• Reporting and analytics could be more advanced

Best For: Small and medium businesses, especially those already using Zoho products, looking for affordable and flexible HR software.

Pricing: Starts at $1.50/user/month (Essential HR). Plans go up to $10/user/month (People Plus). Free plan and 30-day free trial available.

4. greytHR

greytHR is one of India's most established HR and payroll software platforms, trusted by over 27,000 companies and 2.5 million+ users. It's built with Indian statutory compliance at its core and is known for reliable, no-fuss payroll processing. If payroll accuracy and compliance are your top priorities, greytHR is hard to beat.

Key Features:

• Payroll management with automated PF, ESI, PT, TDS, and LWF calculations
• Attendance tracking and leave management
• Employee self service portal with mobile app
• Statutory compliance with labor law reports and returns
• Employee onboarding and offboarding workflows
• HR analytics and MIS reports
• Employee database management

Pros:

• Rock-solid payroll compliance for India, including all state-specific rules
• Free Starter plan for up to 25 employees
• Simple, clean interface with minimal learning curve
• 20+ years of experience in the Indian HR software market
• Flat-rate pricing that's predictable and budget-friendly

Cons:

• Limited customization options compared to competitors
• UI can feel dated in some areas
• Customer support inconsistency (especially for payroll-specific queries)
• Performance management features are basic

Best For: Small and medium businesses that prioritize payroll accuracy and statutory compliance above all else.

Pricing: Free Starter plan (up to 25 employees). Paid plans start at ₹3,495/month (Essential) and go up to ₹7,495/month (Enterprise).

5. Darwinbox

Darwinbox is an AI-powered, mobile-first HCM platform built for mid-sized to large enterprises. Used by 2M+ employees across 700+ global companies (including Mahindra, Tata AIA, Adani, Starbucks), it's one of the most recognized enterprise HR software brands in India and Southeast Asia, and is recognized by Gartner.

Key Features:

• End-to-end talent management (recruitment to retirement)
• AI-powered HR analytics and workforce insights
• Payroll management with multi-location compliance
• Performance management with goal cascading and compensation modeling
• Attendance via facial recognition, geofencing, and mobile clock-ins
• Employee engagement tools (surveys, social network, rewards)
• Support for 45+ languages and currencies

Pros:

• Consumer-grade, mobile-first user experience
• Highly configurable workflows for complex organizational structures
• Strong AI and automation capabilities
• Scales well for enterprises with thousands of employees
• Gartner-recognized platform

Cons:

• Custom pricing only (not transparent)
• Steep learning curve for new admins
• Can be overkill for small businesses
• Some users report slow load times with complex reports

Best For: Mid-sized to large enterprises with 500+ employees needing a comprehensive, modern HCM platform.

Pricing: Custom pricing based on company size and modules. Contact Darwinbox for a quote.

6. sumHR

sumHR is a simple, cloud based HRMS designed specifically for startups and small businesses in India. It keeps things lean, covering the basics like attendance, payroll, and performance tracking without overcomplicating things.

Key Features:

• Payroll processing with statutory compliance
• GPS and biometric attendance tracking
• Leave management and shift scheduling
• OKR-based performance management
• Employee self service portal
• Employee onboarding workflows

Pros:

• Very easy to set up and use
• Affordable pricing, with a freemium model to get started
• Good fit for lean teams that don't need enterprise features
• Decent mobile app

Cons:

• Limited advanced features (no robust recruitment or learning management)
• Not ideal for companies scaling beyond 200+ employees
• Reporting capabilities are basic

Best For: Startups and small businesses in India wanting simple, no-frills HR software.

Pricing: Starts at approximately ₹2,450/month for small teams. Freemium option available.

7. BambooHR

BambooHR is a US-based HR management software known globally for its clean, intuitive design and strong core HR capabilities. While not India-specific, it's popular among global teams who want a unified HR solution with a great employee experience across countries.

Key Features:

• Centralized employee database and document management
• Hiring and applicant tracking system
• Employee onboarding and offboarding
• Time-off tracking and attendance management
• Performance management and employee satisfaction surveys
• HR reporting and analytics
• Employee self service

Pros:

• One of the most user friendly interfaces in the HR software space
• Excellent onboarding experience for new hires
• Strong reporting and workforce analytics
• Great for global companies wanting consistency across locations

Cons:

• Not built for Indian statutory compliance (PF, ESI, TDS)
• Payroll is US-centric; Indian payroll needs third-party integration
• Higher pricing compared to India-native alternatives
• Limited customization for India-specific workflows

Best For: Global companies with Indian teams who need a unified, easy-to-use HR platform and handle India payroll through a separate provider.

Pricing: Custom pricing based on employee count. Free trial available.

8. FactoHR

FactoHR is a cloud based HR software built for Indian businesses of all sizes, with a strong focus on mobile-first workflows, payroll automation, and compliance management. It's known for features like face recognition attendance and chatbot-driven employee support.

Key Features:

• Payroll processing with full PF, ESI, PT, and TDS compliance
• Face recognition and contactless attendance tracking
• Employee self service portal and mobile app
• Performance management and goal tracking
• Recruitment and onboarding workflows
• Expense management and asset tracking
• AI chatbot for employee queries

Pros:

• Strong mobile app with practical field-ready features
• Excellent statutory compliance support for India
• Face recognition attendance is a standout feature
• Good automation for onboarding and payroll

Cons:

• Interface can feel complex for first-time users
• Customer support quality varies
• Advanced analytics are limited in base plans

Best For: Indian businesses (SMEs to enterprises) that rely on mobile-first HR workflows and need strong attendance and payroll automation.

Pricing: Custom pricing based on modules and employee count. Free trial available.

9. Zimyo

Zimyo is a fast-growing HR software in India offering 50+ modules for HR, payroll, performance, and employee engagement. With a presence in 40+ countries and serving 2,500+ organizations, it's positioned as an affordable yet comprehensive HR solution for small and medium businesses.

Key Features:

• Payroll management with statutory compliance
• Attendance and leave management
• Performance management with OKRs and goal tracking
• Employee engagement (surveys, rewards, recognition)
• Recruitment and applicant tracking
• Employee self service portal
• HR analytics and AI-driven reporting

Pros:

• Very affordable pricing for the feature set offered
• Strong employee engagement features (surveys, rewards)
• 50+ modules covering virtually every HR function
• Good for companies scaling from startup to enterprise

Cons:

• Being newer, some modules may not be as mature as established competitors
• Occasional reminders/notifications may not trigger on time
• Support response times can be inconsistent

Best For: Small and medium businesses looking for feature-rich, affordable HR software with strong employee engagement tools.

Pricing: Starts at ₹80/user/month (Basic). Standard plan at ₹120/user/month.

10. PeopleStrong

PeopleStrong is an enterprise-grade HCM platform built for large organizations with complex HR needs. It stands out for its AI-powered recruitment (AI Co-Recruiter), talent management, and ability to handle multi-country, multi-entity HR operations at scale.

Key Features:

• AI-powered recruitment and candidate sourcing
• Complete talent management (performance, learning, succession planning)
• Payroll and compliance management
• Workforce analytics and workforce planning
• Employee engagement and communication tools
• Multi-country and multi-entity support

Pros:

• Strong AI-driven recruitment and talent management
• Handles complex organizational structures well
• Good for enterprises with multi-location, multi-country teams
• Flexible workflows that adapt to industry-specific needs

Cons:

• Enterprise pricing makes it expensive for smaller businesses
• Implementation can be lengthy and complex
• Not practical for companies with fewer than 200 employees

Best For: Large enterprises and multi-national organizations needing a strategic, AI-powered HCM platform for talent management at scale.

Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing. Contact PeopleStrong for a quote.

What should you look for when choosing HR software in India?[toc=Key Considerations]

Picking the right HR software for your India operations isn't just about checking feature boxes.

From what we've seen while helping global companies set up in India, the wrong choice usually comes down to overlooking a few critical factors.

Here's what actually matters:

1. Indian Statutory Compliance (Non-Negotiable)

This is the single most important factor. India's labor laws are complex and vary by state. Your HR software must automatically handle Provident Fund (PF), Employee State Insurance (ESI), Professional Tax (PT), Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), Labour Welfare Fund (LWF), and generate statutory outputs like Form 16 and Form 24Q.

If the platform doesn't have this built in, you're setting yourself up for penalties and audit headaches. Many global HR tools treat India compliance as an afterthought, so always verify this first.

2. Payroll Accuracy and Automation

Payroll errors are expensive, both financially and in terms of employee trust. The best HR software in India should automate payroll processing end-to-end, including salary calculations, tax deductions, statutory filings, and payslip generation.

Look for platforms that keep payroll tightly synced with attendance and leave data so you're not manually reconciling numbers every month.

3. Scalability

Your team in India might be 10 people today and 100 next year. The software you pick should handle that growth without requiring a painful migration.

Go for cloud based HR software with a modular architecture, so you can start with core HR and payroll, then add performance management, recruitment, or workforce analytics as your needs evolve.

4. Employee Self Service Portal

A good employee self service portal saves your HR teams hours of repetitive work. Employees should be able to view payslips, apply for leaves, update personal details, submit expense claims, and access company policies on their own, ideally from a mobile app.

The less your HR professionals have to handle routine queries, the more time they have for strategic work.

5. Integration Capabilities

Your HR software doesn't exist in a vacuum. It needs to play nicely with your existing tools, whether that's accounting software (Tally, QuickBooks), communication platforms (Slack, Microsoft Teams), biometric attendance devices, or ERP systems.

Poor integration leads to data silos, manual duplication, and wasted time.

6. User Friendly Interface

If the software is hard to use, people won't use it. Simple as that. Look for a clean, intuitive interface that both HR professionals and employees can navigate without extensive training.

Mobile access is especially important in India, where a large portion of the workforce prefers managing HR tasks on their phones.

7. Data Security

HR systems hold some of the most sensitive employee data in your organization. Make sure the platform offers role-based access controls, data encryption, regular backups, and complies with data protection standards.

Ask about where your data is hosted and what security certifications the vendor holds.

8. Pricing Transparency

Hidden fees are more common than you'd think. Some vendors charge extra for modules like attendance tracking, performance management, or even basic reporting. Always ask for a full cost breakdown upfront, including implementation fees, per-employee charges, and costs for add-on modules.

Custom pricing based on your team size and needs is standard for most enterprise platforms.

9. Vendor Support and Implementation

The best HR software is only as good as the support behind it. Check whether the vendor provides dedicated onboarding support, training materials, and responsive customer service. Implementation timelines matter too. Some platforms get you live in under 2 weeks, while others take months.

For global companies managing India operations remotely, having a local support team can make a real difference.

10. Don't Overbuy

This one's important. If you're a 30-person team, you don't need an enterprise HCM with AI-powered succession planning. Match the software to your current stage and pick one that clearly supports your next growth milestone. Overbuying features you won't use for the next 12 months is a common and costly mistake.

The best HR software for your needs is the one that handles core HR functions reliably while making it easier to manage your Indian workforce from wherever you're based.

What common mistakes should be avoided when choosing HR software?[toc=Mistakes to Avoid]

Many businesses rush into buying HR software without fully understanding their needs, and end up with a tool that adds complexity instead of solving problems. Choosing the wrong system can cost time, money, and employee trust.

Here are the most common mistakes to avoid:

1. Ignoring Local Compliance Needs: Many global HR tools lack built-in support for Indian payroll, taxes (PF, ESI, TDS), or labor laws. Always ensure the software includes automated compliance management for India.
2. Focusing Only on Price: Cheap software often skips crucial modules like performance management or attendance tracking. Prioritize value and scalability over short-term savings.
3. Overlooking Integration Capabilities: Your HR software should connect easily with accounting, ERP, and communication tools. Poor integration leads to data silos and manual duplication.
4. Neglecting User Experience: A complex interface discourages adoption among HR teams and employees. Choose a platform with a simple, mobile-friendly design and self-service tools.
5. Underestimating Implementation Effort: Skipping training or change management can delay ROI. Opt for providers offering onboarding support and reliable customer service.
6. Not Considering Scalability: Your HR needs will grow. Pick a system that scales for multi-location, hybrid, or global teams.

Avoiding these mistakes helps organizations ensure their HR management software truly streamlines HR processes, protects employee data, and supports business growth.

Get Started With Wisemonk EOR[toc=Choose Wisemonk EOR]

Wisemonk helps global companies hire, pay, and manage employees in India without the need to set up a local entity. As a trusted Employer of Record (EOR) and HR operations partner, we go beyond software; we handle the entire HR lifecycle, from onboarding to payroll and compliance, so you can focus on building your business.

Here’s how Wisemonk simplifies HR operations in India:

• End-to-End HR Management: From offer letters to exits, we manage all HR processes for your India team.
• Automated Payroll & Compliance: Accurate salary processing with built-in PF, ESI, and TDS compliance.
• Employee Onboarding & Equipment Setup: Rapid onboarding for new hires with remote equipment procurement.
• Benefits & Tax Administration: We handle insurance, reimbursements, and tax optimization for every employee.
• Dedicated HR Support: Each client gets an account manager who ensures smooth operations and employee satisfaction.

Beyond core HR and EOR services, we also offer contractor payments, visa & work permit assistance, background verification, company registration, benefits administration, and offshore team or GCC (Global Capability Center) building in India. Our transparent pricing, local knowledge, and comprehensive support make us the trusted partner for companies looking to scale in India while minimizing compliance risks and operational complexity.

Want to improve your HR efficiency? Book a Call Now!