Last updated: 21 October 2026. Prices were checked on Zoho Payroll, RazorpayX Payroll and greytHR’s official pricing pages. finodeal does not sell payroll software and is not paid by any brand in this list.
- Quick Comparison: Best Payroll Software in India (2026)
- What Does Payroll Software Actually Do?
- The 8 Best Payroll Software in India (Reviewed)
- Real Cost: What Payroll Software Costs for 10, 25 and 50 Employees
- Free Payroll Software in India: What’s the Catch?
- New Labour Codes 2026: What They Mean for Your Payroll
- Best Payroll Software by Company Size
- Zoho Payroll vs Keka vs RazorpayX: Quick Head-to-Head
- How to Choose Payroll Software: A 5-Point Checklist
- Tools That Work Well Alongside Payroll Software
- Conclusion: Pick the Payroll Software That Fits Your Size
- Frequently Asked Questions
Does payroll day feel like an exam you never studied for?
Salaries, PF, ESI, TDS, professional tax, leave deductions, reimbursements. Then someone asks for a revised payslip at 7 pm. One wrong formula in Excel, and you’re either paying a penalty or explaining a short salary to an unhappy employee.
That’s exactly why more Indian businesses are moving to payroll software. And in 2026, there’s a second reason: the new Labour Codes have changed how “wages” are defined, which affects PF, gratuity and salary structures.
But which tool should you pick? Search for the best payroll software in India, and most lists you’ll find are written by payroll companies that rank themselves first.
This guide is different. We don’t sell payroll software. We compared the top options using their own pricing pages and did the maths ourselves.
Highly Related
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- The 8 best payroll software options in India for 2026
- Real monthly cost for 10, 25 and 50 employees
- Which free payroll plans are worth using, and their limits
- What the new Labour Codes mean for your payroll
- The best pick for your company size
Quick Comparison: Best Payroll Software in India (2026)
| Software | Best for | Free option | Starting price (excl. GST) | Compliance (PF, ESI, PT, TDS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoho Payroll | Small businesses, Zoho users | Free up to 10 employees | ₹1,000/month for 25 employees | Yes |
| RazorpayX Payroll | Startups wanting payments + payroll | No (demo) | ₹3,499/month for up to 20 employees | Yes, including filings |
| greytHR | Compliance-heavy SMEs | Free trial | ₹2,495/month for 50 employees | Yes |
| Keka | Growing teams wanting full HRMS | Free trial | Quote-based | Yes |
| Kredily | Zero-budget startups | Free plan (claimed) | Free | Basic |
| HROne | SMEs wanting easy HRMS | Free trial | Quote-based | Yes |
| Darwinbox | Large enterprises | Demo | Quote-based | Yes |
| Empxtrack | Very small teams | Free for small teams (claimed) | Quote-based | Yes |
Prices checked in October 2026 and exclude 18% GST. Always confirm on the official site, since plans change often.
What Does Payroll Software Actually Do?
Think of payroll software as a very careful accountant who never gets tired. Each month, it:
- Calculates salaries based on attendance, leave and loss of pay
- Deducts statutory dues like PF, ESI, professional tax (PT), labour welfare fund (LWF) and TDS on salary
- Generates payslips and sends them to employees
- Pays salaries through bank transfers, often in bulk
- Prepares compliance files, such as the PF ECR file, Form 24Q and Form 16
- Handles reimbursements, loans, arrears and full and final settlement
In short, it turns a two-day monthly headache into a few hours of review.
The 8 Best Payroll Software in India (Reviewed)
1. Zoho Payroll: Best for Small Businesses and Free Payroll
If you’re searching “can Zoho do payroll?”, the answer is yes. Zoho Payroll is built for Indian compliance and has one of the most generous free plans around.
Zoho Payroll pricing (from Zoho’s official page, billed annually, excluding GST):
| Plan | Price | Employees included | Extra employee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | ₹0 | Up to 10 | Not available |
| Standard | ₹1,000/month | 25 | ₹40/month |
| Professional | ₹3,000/month | 50 | ₹60/month |
| Premium | ₹4,000/month | 50 | ₹80/month |
What the free plan includes:
- Automatic payroll calculation and payslips
- Compliance for income tax, EPF, ESI, state-wise PT and LWF
- Automatic TDS worksheet
- Salary revisions, arrears and loss of pay
- Employee self-service portal and 40+ reports
Best for: Businesses with under 10 employees, or companies already using Zoho Books or Zoho People.
Watch out for: Leave and attendance only come built in on the Premium plan. Loans and advances need Standard or higher.
2. RazorpayX Payroll: Best for Startups That Want Salary Payments Built In
RazorpayX Payroll combines payroll with Razorpay’s banking tools. It calculates salaries, pays them directly, and handles compliance calculation, payments and filings for PF, ESI, PT and TDS.
RazorpayX Payroll pricing (from Razorpay’s official page, excluding 18% GST):
- Prime: ₹3,499/month, up to 20 employees
- Elite: ₹6,499/month for 50 employees on annual billing (₹9,499/month on semi-annual), up to 100 employees
- Extra employees: ₹150/employee/month on both plans
- Enterprise: Custom quote for 100+ employees
Is RazorpayX Payroll free? No. There’s no free plan for payroll, though you can request a demo.
Best for: Startups and tech companies that want payroll, payouts and compliance filings in one place.
Watch out for: It’s one of the pricier options for very small teams. Some modules, like time and attendance, are limited on lower plans or cost extra.
3. greytHR: Best for Compliance-Heavy Small and Mid-Sized Businesses
greytHR is one of India’s most established HR and payroll platforms, with a strong focus on statutory compliance. It now also markets AI features for payroll processing.
greytHR pricing (from greytHR’s official page):
- Essential: ₹2,495/month, includes 50 employees, then ₹45 per extra employee
- Growth: ₹4,495/month, includes 50 employees, then ₹85 per extra employee
- Premium: Custom pricing
Best for: Companies with 25 to 200 employees that want reliable PF, ESI, PT and TDS handling.
Watch out for: For a team of 5 or 10, you still pay for 50 employees, which makes the cost per person high.
4. Keka: Best for Growing Teams That Want Full HRMS
Keka is a popular HRMS with payroll built in. Beyond payroll, it covers attendance with geo-fencing and selfie clock-in, leave, expenses, performance reviews and OKRs.
Keka HR payroll features (Foundation plan):
- Payroll automation and statutory compliance
- Loans, salary advances and gratuity management
- Employee tax management
- Leave and attendance tracking
- Mobile app for employees
Keka pricing: Keka doesn’t publish prices on its India pricing page. You’ll need to request a quote or demo. Third-party comparison sites list Keka at a much higher starting price than Zoho Payroll, so budget accordingly.
Best for: Companies with 50+ employees that want payroll, HR and performance in one modern platform.
Watch out for: It’s more than a 10-person business needs, and pricing isn’t transparent.
5. Kredily: Best Free HR and Payroll Software for Startups
Kredily markets itself as free forever cloud-based HR and payroll software in India. It covers employee data, leave, attendance and payroll.
Best for: Early-stage startups that want free HRMS software and simple payroll.
Watch out for: Free tools often charge for advanced compliance features or support. Check exactly what’s included before moving your payroll over.
6. HROne: Best Easy-to-Use HRMS for SMEs
HROne positions itself as an easy-to-use HRMS for startups and small to medium businesses. It offers payroll, attendance and HR workflows, plus free migration if you’re switching from another tool.
Best for: SMEs looking for a Zoho Payroll alternative or Razorpay Payroll alternative with strong support.
Watch out for: Pricing is quote-based, so compare it against Zoho and greytHR’s published prices.
7. Darwinbox: Best for Large Enterprises
Darwinbox is an enterprise HR platform used by large companies. It highlights readiness for the new wage code, including the changes to how “wages” are defined for PF.
Best for: Organisations with hundreds or thousands of employees across locations.
Watch out for: It’s built for enterprises, so it’s likely too complex and costly for small businesses.
8. Empxtrack: Best Free Option for Very Small Teams
Empxtrack advertises free payroll software on the cloud for small teams, with payroll, leave and attendance.
Best for: Very small businesses that want to test payroll software at no cost.
Watch out for: Check the current employee limit for the free plan, as it has changed over the years.
Real Cost: What Payroll Software Costs for 10, 25 and 50 Employees
Here’s the gap most guides skip. Plan prices look simple, but the real cost depends on your headcount.
We worked out monthly costs using each brand’s published prices (annual billing, before 18% GST):
| Employees | Zoho Payroll | RazorpayX Payroll | greytHR (Essential) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | ₹0 (Free plan) | ₹3,499 | ₹2,495 |
| 25 | ₹1,000 (Standard) | ₹4,249 (Prime + 5 extra) | ₹2,495 |
| 50 | ₹2,000 (Standard + 25 extra) | ₹6,499 (Elite) | ₹2,495 |
Cost per employee per month:
| Employees | Zoho Payroll | RazorpayX Payroll | greytHR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | ₹0 | ₹350 | ₹250 |
| 25 | ₹40 | ₹170 | ₹100 |
| 50 | ₹40 | ₹130 | ₹50 |
Add 18% GST to all figures. Keka, HROne and Darwinbox are quote-based, so they’re not included.
What this tells you:
- Under 10 employees: Zoho Payroll’s free plan is hard to beat.
- 25 employees: Zoho Standard is cheapest, while greytHR offers more compliance depth for a little more.
- 50 employees: greytHR Essential and Zoho become very close. RazorpayX makes sense if you value its built-in payouts and filings.
Free Payroll Software in India: What’s the Catch?
“Free” sounds great. But what do you actually give up? (Payroll software free me sounds too good, right?)
| Free option | What’s free | Common limits |
|---|---|---|
| Zoho Payroll Free | Full compliance, payslips, TDS, ESS | Up to 10 employees, no loans or built-in attendance |
| Kredily | HR, leave, attendance, payroll (as claimed) | Advanced features and support may cost extra |
| Empxtrack | Payroll, leave, attendance for small teams (as claimed) | Employee cap on free use |
| Keka, greytHR, HROne | Free trial only | Need a paid plan after the trial |
Our advice: if you have under 10 employees, start with a free plan. Upgrade when you cross the employee limit, need attendance integration, or want phone support.
New Labour Codes 2026: What They Mean for Your Payroll
This is the biggest payroll change in years, so let’s keep it simple.
India’s four Labour Codes came into effect on 21 November 2025, according to PwC India. They replace dozens of older labour laws. However, central and state rules are still being finalised, so some details may change.
What is the 50% wage rule?
The Code on Wages creates a single definition of “wages.” In simple terms:
- Wages include basic pay, dearness allowance and retaining allowance.
- Many allowances, like HRA and conveyance, are excluded.
- If excluded allowances go above 50% of total pay, the extra amount is added back to wages.
Why does that matter? Because PF, gratuity and some other benefits are calculated on wages.
A simple example (new labour code salary kaise banaye)
Imagine an employee earns ₹40,000 a month:
- Basic pay: ₹12,000
- Allowances: ₹28,000
Allowances are 70% of total pay, which is more than 50%. So ₹8,000 of the allowances gets added back to wages. Now “wages” become ₹20,000 instead of ₹12,000.
As a result, PF and gratuity may be calculated on a higher amount. That can mean higher employer costs and lower take-home pay for some employees, unless salary structures are redesigned.
What should you do?
- Audit salary structures: Check if basic pay is below 50% of total pay.
- Ask your payroll software provider whether it supports the new wage definition and configurable salary components.
- Talk to your CA before changing contracts, since state rules may still change.
Most major tools in this list, including Zoho Payroll, greytHR, Keka and Darwinbox, publicly discuss labour code readiness. Still, confirm the exact features with a demo.
Best Payroll Software by Company Size
Under 10 employees (chhote business ke liye payroll software)
Pick: Zoho Payroll Free.
You get full compliance at no cost. If you need simple HR features too, try Kredily.
10 to 50 employees
Pick: Zoho Payroll Standard for the lowest cost, or greytHR Essential for stronger compliance support.
Choose RazorpayX Payroll if you want salary payouts and statutory filings handled in one place.
50 to 200 employees
Pick: greytHR or Keka.
At this size, attendance, performance reviews and employee self-service start to matter as much as payroll.
200+ employees
Pick: Keka, Darwinbox or RazorpayX Enterprise, depending on how much HR depth you need.
Zoho Payroll vs Keka vs RazorpayX: Quick Head-to-Head
| Zoho Payroll | Keka | RazorpayX Payroll | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes (10 employees) | No | No |
| Published pricing | Yes | No | Yes |
| Best for | Small businesses | Full HRMS for growing teams | Startups wanting payouts + payroll |
| Attendance built in | Premium plan | Yes | Limited on lower plans |
| Compliance filings | Calculations and reports | Yes | Yes, including payments and filings |
Our take:
- Choose Zoho Payroll for the lowest cost and a free start.
- Choose Keka if you want a complete HR platform, not just payroll.
- Choose RazorpayX Payroll if you want payroll and salary payments tightly linked.
How to Choose Payroll Software: A 5-Point Checklist
Before you sign up, ask these questions:
- Does it cover all your statutory needs? PF, ESI, PT for your state, LWF and TDS.
- What’s the real cost for your headcount? Include extra-employee fees and GST.
- Does it handle attendance and leave, or will you need another tool?
- Is there an employee self-service app for payslips and tax declarations?
- Is it ready for the new Labour Codes? Ask for a demo of salary structure settings.
Tools That Work Well Alongside Payroll Software
Payroll is one part of running a business smoothly. These guides may help too:
- Wondering if AI can help? ChatGPT can explain payroll rules or draft HR letters, but it shouldn’t calculate salaries or statutory dues. See our list of the best AI tools for small business in India, and our ChatGPT Go guide if you’re deciding whether to pay for it.
- Growing your sales team? The best marketing software for small businesses in India can help them work faster.
- Selling online? Compare the best ecommerce platforms in India, or start small with our guide on how to sell on Meesho.
- Hiring through your website? The best SEO tools for small businesses can help your careers page get found.
Conclusion: Pick the Payroll Software That Fits Your Size
The best payroll software in India isn’t the one with the most features. It’s the one that fits your team size, budget and compliance needs.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Zoho Payroll is free for up to 10 employees and the cheapest option as you grow.
- RazorpayX Payroll costs ₹3,499/month for up to 20 employees and links payroll with salary payments and filings.
- greytHR starts at ₹2,495/month for 50 employees and is strong on compliance.
- Keka is best for growing teams that want a full HR platform, but pricing is quote-based.
- The new Labour Codes took effect on 21 November 2025, so check your salary structures and your software’s readiness.
Your next step is simple. Count your employees, check the cost table above, and start a free plan or free trial this week. Run one test payroll before switching fully, so you catch any errors early.
Looking for more honest software comparisons? Explore our guide to the best AI tools for small business in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
For small businesses with up to 10 employees, Zoho Payroll is the best choice because its free plan includes PF, ESI, PT, LWF and TDS compliance. For 10 to 50 employees, Zoho Payroll Standard and greytHR Essential offer the best value.
Yes. Zoho Payroll is free forever for up to 10 employees. Kredily and Empxtrack also advertise free HR and payroll plans. However, free plans usually limit employee numbers or advanced features, so check the details before switching.
No. RazorpayX Payroll starts at ₹3,499 a month (plus GST) for up to 20 employees. The Elite plan costs ₹6,499 a month for 50 employees on annual billing. Extra employees cost ₹150 each per month.
Not reliably. ChatGPT can explain payroll terms, draft salary letters or help you understand the new Labour Codes. However, it can’t safely calculate salaries, PF, ESI or TDS for real employees. Use dedicated payroll software with built-in compliance instead.
Under the Code on Wages, allowances excluded from “wages” should not exceed 50% of total pay. If they do, the extra is added back to wages, which can raise PF and gratuity. Many businesses are reviewing basic pay levels with their CA and payroll software provider.