Choosing the best HRMS software in India shouldn’t take three weeks of demos.
But it usually does. Every comparison list is written by an HRMS company that puts itself at number one. Prices don’t match from one list to the next. And nobody tells you that some “cheap” HR tools charge separately for payroll.
So we checked every vendor’s pricing page ourselves on October 26, 2026, added up the real cost of HR plus payroll at 20, 50 and 100 employees, and mapped which modules each tool actually includes.
Inside you’ll find:
- Like-for-like HR plus payroll costs for 9 tools
- A module checklist you can use in any demo
- The 3-Layer HRMS Map to decide how much HRMS you really need
The best HRMS software in India is the one that runs your core HR, attendance, leave and payroll from one employee record, follows Indian statutory rules such as PF, ESI and Professional Tax, gives staff a mobile self-service app, and fits your workforce and budget. For most SMEs that costs ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 a month.
Quick answer: best HRMS software in India (October 2026)
- Best for factories and multi-outlet retail chains: Mera Udyog, which runs shifts, attendance, payroll, hiring, assets and exits alongside CRM, GST billing and stock, for ₹9,999 a month for up to 50 users.
- Best payroll-led HRMS for growing SMEs: greytHR, from ₹2,495 a month for 50 employees, or ₹4,495 with advanced shift and overtime features.
- Best for performance and talent features on a budget: Zoho People, from ₹48 per employee a month, with payroll licensed separately through Zoho Payroll.
- Best per-employee pricing with payroll included: sumHR, from ₹49 per user a month, billed annually.
- Best for large enterprises: Darwinbox, with custom pricing.
- Typical cost: about ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 a month for HR plus payroll for 50 employees, before 18% GST, based on vendor pricing pages checked on October 26, 2026.
Disclosure: Mera Udyog is our product, and it’s on this list. We’ve been clear about where it fits and where it doesn’t, and every competitor price comes from a vendor or authorised partner pricing page.
Best HRMS Software in India at a Glance
The best HRMS software in India for most SMEs in 2026 is one of these nine tools, depending on your workforce, budget and how much of the business you want in one app. We built this list of HRMS software from the tools Indian SMEs shortlist most often. Here’s the short version:
| Tool | Best for | Starting price (excl. GST) | Payroll included | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mera Udyog | Factories and multi-outlet retail chains | ₹9,999/month, up to 50 users | Yes | No (7-day trial) |
| greytHR | Payroll-led HR for growing SMEs | ₹2,495/month for 50 employees | Yes | No (7-day trial) |
| Keka | Tech companies and funded startups | Quote only | Yes | No |
| Darwinbox | Large enterprises | Quote only | Yes | No |
| Zoho People | Performance and talent on a budget | ₹48/employee/month | No, needs Zoho Payroll | Yes, up to 5 employees |
| Pocket HRMS | Mid-sized firms wanting a full HRMS | ₹2,995/month for 50 employees | Yes | No |
| sumHR | Per-employee pricing with payroll | ₹49/user/month | Yes | Linked to Jupiter salary accounts |
| Kredily | Tight budgets | ₹0 (Free Forever) | Yes | Yes |
| factoHR | Small teams starting free | ₹4,999/month up to 50 employees | Yes | Yes, up to 20 employees |
Prices were checked on October 26, 2026 on each vendor’s pricing page, except Zoho People (authorised Zoho partner page) and factoHR (factoHR’s own August 2026 article).
What Is HRMS Software?
HRMS software (human resource management system) is a single platform that manages the full employee lifecycle: hiring, onboarding, employee records, attendance, leave, payroll, performance and exit. Indian HRMS tools also handle statutory payroll rules such as PF, ESI, Professional Tax and TDS.
People often use HRMS, HRIS and HR software to mean the same thing. In practice:
| Term | What it usually covers |
|---|---|
| HRIS | Employee records and core HR data |
| HR software | Any tool for one or more HR tasks, such as attendance or leave |
| HRMS | Core HR plus attendance, payroll, self-service and often hiring and performance |
| HCM | Enterprise HRMS with workforce planning and advanced talent modules |
Want the deeper payroll comparison? Read our guide to the best payroll software in India.
The 3-Layer HRMS Map: How Much HRMS Do You Need?
The 3-Layer HRMS Map is our way of splitting HRMS features into three layers, so you only pay for the layer your business actually uses. Most Indian SMEs get 80% of the value from the first two layers.
Layer 1: Core HR and self-service. Employee records, documents, assets, an employee directory, and a mobile app where staff check attendance, apply for leave and download payslips.
Layer 2: Time and pay. Shifts, attendance, biometric integration, overtime, leave rules and payroll with PF, ESI, Professional Tax and TDS.
Layer 3: Talent and growth. Performance reviews, OKRs, learning, compensation planning and engagement surveys.
Here’s how to use the map:
- Factories and retail chains live in Layers 1 and 2. Shift attendance and overtime cause most of their HR errors.
- Tech companies and knowledge teams need Layer 3 early, because performance and growth drive retention.
- Small offices under 20 people often need only Layer 1 and a simple payroll.
Pro tip
In every demo, ask the vendor to show one real employee moving through all three layers. If any step needs a second login or an export, that’s a gap.
HRMS Software Price in India: Real HR Plus Payroll Costs
HRMS software in India costs roughly ₹1,500 to ₹10,000 a month for 20 to 100 employees, before 18% GST, once payroll is included. The table below is our own calculation from each vendor’s published prices.
| Tool and plan | 20 employees | 50 employees | 100 employees | How we calculated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sumHR Basic (payroll included) | ₹1,380 | ₹3,450 | ₹6,900 | ₹69 per user, billed annually, plus a one-time setup fee |
| Kredily Professional | ₹1,749 | ₹3,499 | ₹6,999 | ₹1,749 for 25, then ₹70 each |
| Zoho People Essential HR + Zoho Payroll Standard | ₹1,960 | ₹4,400 | ₹8,800 | ₹48 per employee, plus ₹1,000 for 25 and ₹40 each on payroll |
| Pocket HRMS Standard | ₹2,995 | ₹2,995 | ₹5,995 | ₹2,995 for 50, then ₹60 each, billed annually |
| greytHR Growth (shifts and overtime) | ₹4,495 | ₹4,495 | ₹8,745 | ₹4,495 for 50, then ₹85 each |
| factoHR | Free | ₹4,999 | Not published | Free up to 20, from ₹4,999 up to 50 |
| Mera Udyog | ₹9,999 | ₹9,999 | Custom | Flat ₹9,999 for up to 50 users, all modules |
| Keka, Darwinbox | Quote | Quote | Quote | No public price |
All figures are monthly list prices in rupees, excluding GST, as published on October 26, 2026.
Three things stand out:
- Zoho People looks cheapest until you add payroll. At 50 employees, HR plus payroll comes to ₹4,400, not ₹2,400.
- Shift features change the price. greytHR’s shift and overtime tools sit on the Growth plan (₹4,495), not Essential (₹2,495).
- All-in-one apps replace other bills. Mera Udyog’s price includes a telecalling CRM, GST billing and inventory, so compare it against your HRMS plus CRM plus billing costs.
We also found big price mismatches in the top HRMS software in India lists on page one of Google. Anyone searching for the best HRMS software India has to offer gets a different price on every list. One top-ranking list quotes greytHR at ₹2,495 in its introduction and ₹3,495 in its table. Another lists Pocket HRMS at both ₹2,495 and ₹2,995. Always confirm on the vendor’s own page.
The 9 Best HRMS Software in India, Reviewed
Each review below covers who the tool suits, its verified modules and price, and its honest limits. The order follows fit for factories and multi-outlet retail, the audience this guide is written for.
1. Mera Udyog: Best HRMS for Factories and Multi-Outlet Retail Chains
Mera Udyog is an all-in-one business app that combines HRMS, payroll, a telecalling CRM, GST billing and inventory for Indian businesses with 20 to 500 people. HR runs on the same records supervisors and managers use every shift, across every plant and outlet.
Who it’s for: Manufacturing units and retail chains that want HR, payroll and day-to-day operations in one place.
HR modules:
- Multi-shift attendance across plants and outlets, with biometric machine support
- Leave requests and approvals from the phone
- Payroll with payslips, PF, ESI, Maharashtra Professional Tax, and TDS with Form 16
- Hiring: job posts, applications, interviews and onboarding
- Employee records and company asset tracking
- Employee self-service: Employee Directory, My Attendance, My Leaves, My Payroll, My Assets, and Resignation and Exit
- Tasks, staff complaints and team chat
Beyond HR: Mera Udyog Core Features
| Module | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sales & CRM | Capture enquiries from calls, QR codes and links, record customer KYC, send quotations, route confirmed orders to the right plant, and see combined sales across branches |
| SIM-based call analytics CRM | Calls made from your team’s own phone SIM are logged against each lead, with call logs, per-employee call analytics and call sequences for follow-ups. No separate dialer or cloud telephony needed |
| Accounts & GST | GST invoices, payments received and pending, and expense tracking |
| Inventory | Stock by warehouse, low-stock alerts and purchase orders |
| Team & Tasks | Daily tasks, employee complaints, and team chat plus WhatsApp and email |
| Multi-location | Each plant, outlet or branch manager sees their own location, while the owner sees everything |
| AI layer | Connects to ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini so owners can ask questions answered from their own records. A native MCP Builder exposes your data and actions as an MCP server, and AI call summarization covers recorded calls |
No other HRMS on this list includes sales, GST billing and inventory in the same plan. For a factory or retail chain, that means HR data sits next to orders and stock, and each location manager sees only their own team. Learn more about the GST billing software, inventory management software and AI features.
Separate Tools vs One App: Monthly Cost
Here’s what a 50-person business pays to cover HR, a calling CRM, billing and inventory with three separate tools, compared with one Mera Udyog plan (prices excluding GST, checked October 26, 2026):
| Need | Separate tool | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| HR, shifts, overtime and payroll (50 employees) | greytHR Growth | ₹4,495 |
| Calling CRM (20 users) | NeoDove NeoPlus, ₹24,999 a year | ₹2,083 |
| GST billing and warehouse inventory (15 users) | Zoho Books Elite, billed annually | ₹4,999 |
| Total for three tools | Three logins, three bills, data typed three times | ₹11,577 |
| Mera Udyog, everything in one app | Up to 50 users, billed annually (₹9,999 billed monthly) | ₹7,499 |
The separate-tools stack costs about ₹1,38,900 a year against ₹89,990 for Mera Udyog, and it still has no shared database between HR, sales and stock.
Pricing: One price for the complete business management software: HR, payroll, SIM-based call analytics CRM, GST billing and inventory, ₹9,999 a month for up to 50 users plus GST, or ₹89,990 a year (about ₹7,499 a month). See Mera Udyog pricing.
Limits to know:
- No performance management or expense claims yet, so Layer 3 needs are better served elsewhere.
- Statutory payroll follows Maharashtra rules today.
See how a multi-plant team uses it in the Sidheshwarr RMC case study.
Verdict: The best HRMS software in India for Maharashtra factories and retail chains that live in Layers 1 and 2 and want HR connected to sales, billing and stock, all in a complete business management software for ₹9,999 a month instead of separate HR, CRM and billing tools.
2. greytHR: Best Payroll-Led HRMS for Growing SMEs
greytHR is one of India’s most widely used HR and payroll platforms, built around payroll processing with leave and attendance on top. It’s a safe choice for SMEs that want a dedicated HR tool.
Who it’s for: Growing SMEs and offices that want mature payroll with HR around it.
HR modules:
- Complete payroll processing and leave management on Essential
- Advanced attendance, shift management, overtime, permissions and geo-fencing on Growth
- All modules on Premium
Pricing (checked October 26, 2026):
- Essential: ₹2,495 a month for 50 employees, plus ₹45 per extra employee
- Growth: ₹4,495 a month for 50 employees, plus ₹85 per extra employee
- Premium: quoted by sales
A 7-day free trial is available.
Limits to know: Factories need the Growth plan for shifts and overtime. CRM, billing and stock are outside its scope.
Verdict: A strong, proven HRMS for payroll-first SMEs.
3. Keka: Best HRMS for Tech Companies and Funded Startups
Keka is a full HR platform popular with Indian tech companies, covering payroll, HR, hiring and project timesheets. It’s known for a polished employee experience.
Who it’s for: Tech-led companies that need Layer 3 talent features early.
HR modules:
- Payroll automation and statutory compliance on the core plans
- Multiple legal entities (pay groups) as a Growth plan add-on
- Separate hiring, projects and timesheets products
Pricing (checked October 26, 2026): Keka’s pricing page doesn’t publish prices and says a nominal setup fee applies. Contact sales for a quote.
Limits to know: No public pricing, and its strengths lean toward office teams over shop-floor workers.
Verdict: Great for growing tech teams with budget for a full HR suite.
4. Darwinbox: Best HRMS for Large Enterprises
Darwinbox is an enterprise HR platform used by large Indian organisations that need deep configuration across many entities, locations and workflows.
Who it’s for: Enterprises with thousands of employees and complex HR processes.
HR modules: Core HR, payroll, talent and performance, built for large, multi-entity organisations.
Pricing: Custom quotes only.
Limits to know: Enterprise pricing and implementation are more than most SMEs need.
Verdict: A leading option for enterprises. Overkill for a 100-person factory.
5. Zoho People: Best for Performance and Talent on a Budget
Zoho People is Zoho’s HR platform, with low per-employee pricing and strong Layer 3 features on its higher plans. Payroll is a separate product, Zoho Payroll.
Who it’s for: Small and mid-sized teams, especially those already using Zoho apps, that want performance management without enterprise pricing.
HR modules by plan:
- Free (up to 5 employees): profiles, leave, basic attendance, mobile app
- Essential HR (₹48): adds geo-attendance, HR analytics, approvals and asset management
- Professional (₹96): adds performance management, multiple shifts, timesheets, helpdesk and travel and expense
- Premium (₹144) and Enterprise (₹192): add learning, compensation and advanced analytics
Prices are per employee per month, billed annually, from an authorised Zoho partner’s India price list.
Limits to know: Payroll costs extra through Zoho Payroll (free up to 10 employees, then from ₹1,000 a month for 25 employees). Multiple shifts need the Professional plan.
Verdict: The best value if you need Layer 3. Budget for payroll separately.
6. Pocket HRMS: Best Full HRMS for Mid-Sized Firms
Pocket HRMS is an Indian HRMS with payroll, attendance and HR modules, built for mid-sized businesses that want everything HR in one system.
Who it’s for: Mid-sized companies that want payroll inside a broader HRMS.
HR modules:
- Payroll processing with automated taxes and compliance
- Custom payslip designer on Professional
- Payroll journal voucher integration on Premium
Pricing (checked October 26, 2026):
- Standard: ₹2,995 a month for 50 employees, plus ₹60 per extra employee
- Professional: ₹4,495 a month for 50 employees, plus ₹90
- Premium: quoted, for 100+ employees
Standard and Professional are billed annually.
Limits to know: Annual billing means a larger upfront payment.
Verdict: Solid value for a full HRMS at 50 to 100 employees.
7. sumHR: Best Per-Employee Pricing With Payroll Included
sumHR is an HRMS priced per user, with payroll, attendance, leave and a mobile app included even on its entry plan.
Who it’s for: Small teams that want to pay only for the people they have.
HR modules by plan:
- Startup (₹49): self-service, onboarding, employee database, attendance and leave, payroll, mobile app
- Basic (₹69): adds expense claims, HR letters, biometric integration and MIS reports
- Advanced (₹119): adds helpdesks, OKRs, KRAs, asset manager and 360-degree reviews
Prices are per user per month, billed annually. Add-ons include a recruitment ATS (₹999) and GPS clock-in (₹25 per user).
Limits to know: A one-time setup fee and a separate biometric integration fee apply.
Verdict: The cheapest full HRMS with payroll for teams under 50.
8. Kredily: Best Free HRMS for Tight Budgets
Kredily offers a Free Forever plan for unlimited employees that calculates PF, ESI, Professional Tax and TDS and generates payslips, with paid plans for payouts and more.
Who it’s for: Very small businesses that need correct basics at zero cost.
HR modules:
- Free Forever: statutory calculations, payslips, one leave and attendance rule
- Professional (₹1,749 for 25 employees, plus ₹70 each): unlimited rules, selfie and GPS attendance, expense payouts with approvals
Limits to know: The free plan has no bank payouts, challans, Form 16 or reports, and only one salary structure.
Verdict: The best free HRMS software in India to start with. Expect to upgrade.
9. factoHR: Best for Small Teams Starting Free
factoHR is an Indian HRMS that offers a free plan for small teams and paid plans as you grow.
Who it’s for: Teams of up to 20 that want to start free and grow into a paid HRMS.
Pricing: Free for up to 20 employees, with premium plans from ₹4,999 a month for up to 50 employees, according to factoHR’s own August 2026 article.
Limits to know: We couldn’t find a public price list beyond 50 employees, so confirm before buying.
Verdict: A good free starting point for very small teams.
HRMS Module Checklist: What Each Tool Covers
The HRMS module checklist below shows which modules each tool includes on its published plans, so you can see gaps before a demo. “Add-on” means available at extra cost; “Higher plan” means not on the entry plan.
| Module | Mera Udyog | greytHR | Zoho People | sumHR | Kredily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee records and self-service | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shifts and overtime | Yes | Growth plan | Professional plan | Yes | Paid plans |
| Biometric integration | Yes | Yes | Not listed | Basic plan | Not listed |
| Payroll with PF, ESI, PT | Yes (Maharashtra) | Yes | Separate product | Yes | Yes |
| Recruitment and onboarding | Yes | Not listed | Not listed | Onboarding; ATS add-on | Not listed |
| Performance management | No | Not listed | Professional plan | Advanced plan | Not listed |
| Expense claims | No | Not listed | Professional plan | Basic plan | Professional plan |
| Asset tracking | Yes | Not listed | Essential HR | Advanced plan | Not listed |
| Exit management | Yes | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Enterprise plan |
| CRM, GST billing and inventory | Yes | No | No | No | No |
“Not listed” means the module isn’t shown on the vendor’s pricing page, not that it doesn’t exist. Ask in the demo.
Resource: Use this checklist with our free salary slip format to compare payslips from each HRMS side by side.
Indian Compliance Your HRMS Must Handle
Indian HRMS software must calculate PF, ESI, Professional Tax and TDS correctly and follow the labour codes on wages and overtime. These are the rules to check in any demo.
| Rule | What it means for your HRMS |
|---|---|
| Provident Fund (PF) | 12% from employee and employer on wages up to ₹15,000 a month (employer share split 3.67% EPF and 8.33% EPS) |
| Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) | Employer 3.25% and employee 0.75% of wages, for employees earning up to ₹21,000 a month |
| Professional Tax | State-specific. Maharashtra: ₹200 a month (₹300 in February) for men earning above ₹10,000 |
| TDS and Form 16 | Monthly tax deduction and an annual Form 16 for each employee |
| Code on Wages, 2019 | In force since November 21, 2025. Basic pay, DA and retaining allowance must be at least 50% of pay |
| OSH Code, 2020 | Overtime after 8 hours a day or 48 a week, paid at twice the ordinary rate |
Sources for every row are listed at the end.
The 50% wage rule is the one most HRMS setups get wrong. If your salary structure keeps basic pay low and allowances high, PF and gratuity costs rise once the shortfall is added back to wages. Ask each vendor whether their HRMS flags non-compliant salary structures.
Check overtime pay quickly with our free overtime calculator.
Important: These are general rules. Confirm specific cases with your CA or labour consultant, especially across several states.
Best HRMS Software in India by Business Type
The right HRMS depends on your workforce and which layer of the 3-Layer HRMS Map you need. Use this table to build a shortlist of two or three tools.
| Your business | Shortlist | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 people | Kredily (free), factoHR (free), Zoho People (free up to 5) | Correct basics at zero cost |
| 20 to 100 office staff | greytHR, sumHR, Pocket HRMS | Mature payroll at low per-employee cost |
| Factory with shifts and overtime | Mera Udyog, greytHR Growth | Shift attendance and overtime flow into payroll |
| Retail chain with several outlets | Mera Udyog | Outlet-wise attendance plus stock and enquiries in one app |
| Team needing performance reviews | Zoho People Professional, sumHR Advanced, Keka | Layer 3 talent modules |
| Enterprise (1,000+ people) | Darwinbox, Keka | Multi-entity configuration |
Best HRMS for Manufacturing Units
For manufacturing units, the best HRMS is the one supervisors will actually use on the shop floor. Look for phone or biometric attendance per shift, overtime that reaches payroll automatically, and a view for each plant. Our manufacturing ERP software page shows how HR connects to orders and stock.
Best HRMS for Retail Chains
For retail chains, the test is outlet-wise visibility: who reached each store on time, one payroll for every outlet, and staff who can apply for leave from their phone. See how retail management software brings staff, stock and enquiries onto one screen.
Best HRMS for Small Businesses
For small businesses, start free and upgrade when you add shifts or cross 20 people.
How to Choose an HRMS in 5 Steps
Choosing an HRMS takes about two weeks if you test with your own data instead of demo data. Follow these five steps:
- Map your layers. Use the 3-Layer HRMS Map to decide whether you need Layers 1 and 2, or all three.
- Shortlist three tools from the business-type table above.
- Price HR plus payroll together at your headcount today and in 12 months, including GST, setup and biometric fees.
- Run one real month of attendance, overtime and leave through each tool during the free trial.
- Check the employee app with three real staff members: one supervisor, one shop-floor worker and one office employee.
Pro tip
Ask every vendor, “What will I pay in month 13 for 75 employees, including GST, setup and integrations?” It reveals annual-only billing and hidden fees fast.
Want to see the factory setup on your own shifts? Book a free demo and we’ll walk through it with your data.
Now It’s Your Turn
The best HRMS software in India is the one your supervisors and staff actually use every day, with payroll that’s right the first time. For office teams that need performance reviews, Zoho People, Keka or sumHR are strong picks. For factories and retail chains that live in shifts, overtime and multiple locations, that’s exactly what we built Mera Udyog to handle, alongside sales, billing and stock.
Map your layers, price HR and payroll together, and test with one real month of data.
Explore Mera Udyog’s payroll software for India and start a 7-day free trial.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best HRMS software in India?
The best HRMS software in India depends on your business. Mera Udyog suits factories and multi-outlet retail chains in Maharashtra, greytHR suits payroll-led SMEs, Zoho People suits teams that want performance management on a budget, and Darwinbox suits large enterprises.
How much does HRMS software cost in India?
HRMS software in India costs about ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 a month for HR plus payroll for 50 employees, before 18% GST, based on vendor pricing pages checked on October 26, 2026. Per-employee plans start at ₹48 to ₹49 a month, and all-in-one apps such as Mera Udyog cost ₹9,999 a month including CRM, billing and inventory.
Is there free HRMS software in India?
Yes. The main options are Kredily, whose Free Forever plan covers unlimited employees with statutory payroll calculations and payslips; factoHR, free for up to 20 employees; and Zoho People, free for up to 5 employees. Free plans usually leave out bank payouts, reports and advanced attendance.
What is the difference between HRMS and payroll software?
Payroll software calculates salaries and statutory deductions, while HRMS software also manages employee records, attendance, leave, hiring, self-service and often performance. Most HRMS software India vendors include payroll, but some, such as Zoho People, sell it separately.
Which HRMS is best for factories with shift workers?
For factories with shift workers, choose an HRMS where shift attendance and overtime flow straight into payroll, such as Mera Udyog or greytHR's Growth plan. Test it with one real month of shift data during the free trial.
