Top 11 Best Payroll Management Software in India (2026)

✨ Key Points ⌄

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  HelixtaHR is ranked as the #1 payroll management software in India for 2026.

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  Indian payroll requires handling PF, ESI, TDS, Professional Tax, and state-wise statutory compliance.

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  This article compares the top 11 payroll management software solutions available in India.

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  All listed payroll tools support statutory compliance and Form 16 generation.

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  Choosing the right payroll software depends on company size, payroll volume, and overall payroll complexity.

Running payroll in India means handling PF, ESI, TDS, and state-specific taxes every single month. Miss a deadline or calculate wrong, and you face penalties from multiple government departments. The right payroll software does all this automatically. Wrong choice means compliance headaches, wasted hours, and potential legal issues.

Indian payroll is complex. Each state has different Professional Tax slabs. ESI thresholds change. TDS calculations depend on employee declarations and investment proofs. PF contributions have specific rules for different salary components. Managing all this manually is nearly impossible as your team grows beyond 10 or 15 people.

This list covers the best payroll management software options for Indian businesses in 2026. Each one handles statutory compliance. The differences come in pricing, ease of use, implementation time, and additional features. Pick based on your company size, budget, and specific requirements.

We evaluated these platforms based on compliance accuracy, pricing transparency, implementation speed, customer support quality, and scalability for growing companies.

What Payroll Software Needs to Do in India

Indian payroll differs significantly from global payroll. Software built for US or European markets will not work for Indian companies without major customization. Your software must handle these specific requirements out of the box.

Statutory Compliance Must-Haves

Requirement	Why It Matters
PF Calculation	Monthly EPF contributions for all eligible employees
ESI Compliance	ESIC deductions and challan generation
TDS Deduction	Accurate income tax calculation per latest slabs
Professional Tax	Different rates for each state
Form 16	Annual tax certificates for employees
Labour Welfare Fund	State specific contributions
Gratuity	Calculations as per Payment of Gratuity Act
Minimum Wages	State wise minimum wage compliance

If your payroll software cannot handle these automatically, skip it. Manual compliance management defeats the purpose of payroll software.

Beyond compliance, good payroll software should reduce your monthly payroll processing time by at least 70%. It should eliminate calculation errors. It should give employees self service access to their payslips and tax documents. And it should generate all the reports you need for audits and management reviews.

Top 11 Best Payroll Software in India for 2026

This list includes software ranging from budget options to enterprise platforms. Pick based on your employee count, budget, and compliance needs.

1. HelixtaHR

HelixtaHR is payroll management software designed specifically for Indian compliance requirements. It handles PF calculation, ESI compliance, and TDS deduction without manual intervention. The platform covers complete salary processing with automatic tax calculations, full statutory payroll compliance for all Indian states, and real time ESI and PF updates.

The employee self service portal lets your team access payslips and tax documents without bothering HR. Direct bank integration means salary disbursement happens with a few clicks. Multi location support handles state wise tax calculations automatically. You can set up different salary structures for different employee grades, departments, or locations.

Attendance and leave management come built into the platform. You do not need separate software for tracking time off. The system integrates leave data directly into payroll calculations, handling loss of pay and leave encashment automatically.

Setup takes less than one week for most companies. The onboarding team helps migrate your existing employee data and salary structures. Compliance updates happen automatically when Indian payroll laws change. You do not need to track government notifications or update calculation rules manually.

The reporting module covers everything from monthly payroll registers to annual Form 16 generation. Custom reports let you pull specific data for management presentations or audit requirements.

Pros

• Full Indian statutory compliance out of the box
• Affordable pricing for small and mid sized companies
• Quick implementation and onboarding under one week
• Automatic compliance updates when laws change
• Direct bank integration for salary payments
• Handles complex salary structures including shift allowances and location based pay
• Built in attendance and leave management
• Strong customer support with quick response times

Cons

• Fewer third party integrations compared to enterprise tools
• Advanced analytics features still developing
• Mobile app functionality could be expanded

Best for

Small businesses, startups, SMEs, and mid sized Indian organizations that need reliable compliance without enterprise pricing. Particularly strong for companies between 10 and 500 employees.

Pricing

Starts at ₹30 per employee per month*

2. RazorpayX Payroll

RazorpayX offers one click salary disbursement with automatic compliance filings. The platform integrates directly with Razorpay payment systems. If your company already uses Razorpay for customer payments or business banking, this integration makes payroll simple.

The platform handles PF, ESI, PT, and TDS filings automatically. Contractor payment support is included, which helps if you work with freelancers or consultants regularly. Single click salary processing makes payroll fast for lean teams.

RazorpayX focuses specifically on payroll. It does not try to be a full HR platform. This keeps the interface clean and simple. You can run payroll in minutes once everything is set up.

Pros

• Very simple to use with minimal learning curve
• Fast setup and implementation
• Seamless Razorpay banking integration
• Good for contractor and freelancer payments
• Clean and modern interface
• Strong payment infrastructure backing

Cons

• Limited HR features beyond payroll
• Not built for complex salary structures
• Manufacturing and shift based setups need workarounds
• Less suitable for companies with complicated allowance structures

Best for

Tech startups and digital first companies already using Razorpay for payments. Works well for teams under 100 employees with straightforward salary structures.

Pricing

₹100 per employee per month*

3. Deel

Deel handles payroll and contractor payments across 100+ countries. Built for companies hiring remote workers internationally. The platform manages compliance per country and handles currency conversion automatically.

If you have employees or contractors in multiple countries, Deel simplifies the complexity. You do not need to understand labor laws in each country. Deel handles compliance, tax withholding, and payments through local entities.

For India specific needs, Deel covers statutory compliance. But its strength is really in global operations. The platform manages contractor agreements, handles international payments, and ensures you stay compliant in each jurisdiction.

Pros

• Payroll support in 100+ countries
• Strong contractor management features
• Handles international compliance automatically
• Good for distributed teams across time zones
• Manages currency conversion and international payments
• Legal entity support in multiple countries

Cons

• Expensive for India only operations
• Overkill if all employees are in India
• Premium pricing for contractor payments
• Interface can be complex for simple needs

Best for

Companies with international employees or contractors across multiple countries. Ideal for remote first companies hiring globally.

Pricing

Starts at $49 per contractor per month*

4. Zoho Payroll

Zoho Payroll integrates with Zoho Books and Zoho People. Free for up to 10 employees. The platform handles automatic salary calculations, PF, ESI, and TDS compliance, and direct salary transfer to bank accounts.

If your company already uses Zoho for CRM, accounting, or HR, Zoho Payroll fits naturally into your existing workflow. Data flows between systems without manual entry. Employee information syncs automatically.

The employee self service app lets your team view payslips, submit investment declarations, and check leave balances. The interface is clean and matches other Zoho products.

Pros

• Free for first 10 employees
• Solid Zoho ecosystem integration
• Affordable per employee pricing
• Good mobile app for employees
• Automatic data sync with Zoho Books and Zoho People
• Strong investment declaration and tax planning features

Cons

• Advanced HR features are limited
• Built primarily for smaller teams
• Less suitable for complex payroll needs
• Support quality varies based on plan level

Best for

Small businesses under 100 employees already using Zoho products. Excellent starting point for early stage startups.

Pricing

₹50 per employee per month*

5. SumoPayroll

SumoPayroll handles standard payroll functions and statutory compliance without extra features. Basic salary processing, payslip generation, and tax calculation reports are included. The platform focuses on core payroll needs at low cost.

This is straightforward payroll software. It calculates salaries, handles deductions, generates payslips, and files statutory returns. No extra HR modules, no performance management, no employee engagement tools. Just payroll.

For small businesses that only need payroll and already have other systems for HR tasks, SumoPayroll gets the job done at minimal cost.

Pros

• Low monthly cost
• Handles basic Indian compliance
• Simple to operate with minimal training
• Works for straightforward payroll needs
• No unnecessary feature bloat

Cons

• Interface feels dated compared to modern tools
• Limited integrations with other business tools
• No advanced HR features
• Basic reporting only
• Support options limited

Best for

Budget conscious small businesses with simple payroll requirements. Companies under 25 employees with standard salary structures.

Pricing

Starts at ₹999 per month for up to 25 employees*

6. Qandle

Qandle combines HR functions with payroll processing in one platform. Complete payroll with compliance, leave and attendance tracking, performance management, and employee engagement tools come together.

The platform targets SMEs wanting both HR and payroll in one system. Instead of buying separate tools for different functions, Qandle provides everything in one place. Employee data lives in one system, reducing duplication and sync issues.

Performance management features let you run appraisal cycles, track goals, and gather feedback. This integration means performance data can connect to compensation decisions.

Pros

• Combined HR and payroll platform
• Good leave and attendance features
• Performance management included
• Reasonable pricing for SMEs
• Employee engagement surveys built in
• Single system for all people operations

Cons

• Some features need separate modules at additional cost
• Learning curve for new users
• Support response times vary
• Interface can feel cluttered with all features

Best for

SMEs between 50 and 300 employees wanting HR management and payroll in a single platform.

Pricing

₹2,450 per month for up to 50 employees*

7. Darwinbox

Darwinbox serves large companies including Swiggy, Zepto, and Mahindra. Enterprise grade system with custom implementation. Full HR and payroll suite, advanced analytics and reporting, global payroll capabilities, and extensive customization options are standard.

This is enterprise software. Implementation takes months. Pricing runs into lakhs per year. But for large organizations, the capabilities match the investment. Advanced analytics provide insights into workforce costs, attrition patterns, and compensation benchmarking.

The platform handles complex organizational structures with multiple entities, locations, and business units. Approval workflows, role based access, and audit trails meet enterprise compliance requirements.

Pros

• Enterprise grade features and security
• Advanced analytics and people insights
• Global payroll support for multinational companies
• Extensive customization options
• Strong enterprise support with dedicated account managers
• Handles complex organizational structures

Cons

• Not built for small businesses
• Long implementation time of 3 to 6 months
• Significant cost investment
• Complex for simple payroll needs
• Requires dedicated admin resources

Best for

Large enterprises with 500+ employees needing advanced HR and payroll capabilities. Companies with multiple entities or international operations.

Pricing

Custom pricing based on requirements*

8. Saral Pro

Saral Pro from Relyon Softech offers one time purchase option alongside subscription model. Desktop and cloud versions available. Complete Indian statutory compliance, Form 16 and salary certificate generation, and basic attendance integration included.

The one time purchase option appeals to businesses that prefer owning software outright. You pay once and use the desktop version without monthly fees. Updates may require additional purchases, but ongoing costs are lower than subscription models.

Relyon has been in the Indian payroll market for decades. The compliance engine is reliable and tested. The interface is functional rather than modern.

Pros

• One time purchase option available
• Both desktop and cloud versions offered
• Reliable Indian compliance with long track record
• Low ongoing costs with desktop version
• Strong statutory report generation

Cons

• Older interface design that feels dated
• Limited modern integrations with cloud apps
• Basic feature set compared to newer platforms
• Less frequent updates than cloud native tools

Best for

Traditional businesses preferring one time software purchase over subscriptions. Companies comfortable with desktop software.

Pricing

Desktop version starts at ₹7,500 per year*
Cloud version at ₹1,800 per month*

9. Keka Payroll

Keka combines payroll with performance and goal management. Known for its modern user interface design. GPS based attendance tracking, performance and goal management, and mobile app for employees included.

The platform emphasizes employee experience. Interfaces are clean and intuitive. Mobile apps work well. Employees actually use the self service features because they are easy to navigate.

Performance management is strong in Keka. OKRs, continuous feedback, and appraisal cycles integrate with compensation. This connection between performance and pay works well for companies with variable compensation or performance bonuses.

Pros

• Modern and clean interface design
• Strong performance management features
• Good mobile app experience for employees and managers
• Employees find it easy to use without training
• OKR and goal tracking built in
• Good reporting and analytics

Cons

• Expensive for smaller teams
• Some features need additional modules at extra cost
• Can be complex for companies needing basic payroll only
• Implementation takes longer than simpler tools

Best for

Growing companies between 50 and 500 employees prioritizing employee experience and performance management.

Pricing

₹6,999 per month for up to 100 employees*

10. HR Mantra

HR Mantra offers extensive customization for complex organizational structures and unique payroll requirements. Highly configurable payroll rules, multi company and multi location support, workflow automation, and comprehensive reporting available.

If your payroll has unusual requirements that standard software cannot handle, HR Mantra can probably be configured to match. Custom fields, custom calculations, custom workflows. The flexibility is the main selling point.

Multi company support means holding companies or business groups can manage payroll for multiple entities from one system. Each entity maintains separate books while sharing common configurations.

Pros

• Highly customizable payroll rules
• Multi company and multi entity support
• Strong workflow automation capabilities
• Comprehensive reporting options
• Handles unusual payroll requirements
• Good for complex organizational structures

Cons

• Complex setup process requiring significant time
• Needs dedicated admin to manage ongoing
• Steep learning curve for all features
• Higher implementation effort and cost

Best for

Complex organizations with unique payroll structures and multi entity requirements. Business groups with multiple subsidiaries.

Pricing

Custom pricing based on requirements*

11. greytHR

greytHR serves over 20,000 Indian businesses. Focuses on statutory compliance and HR documentation. Complete employee payroll system, attendance integration, 100+ pre built reports, and employee self service mobile app included.

The platform has been around for years and has strong domain expertise in Indian compliance. Statutory updates come regularly. The 100+ pre built reports cover most requirements without custom report building.

greytHR sits in the mid market segment. Not as expensive as enterprise tools. More capable than basic payroll software. Good fit for companies that have outgrown starter tools but do not need enterprise features.

Pros

• Strong Indian compliance focus with years of experience
• Large existing customer base providing proven reliability
• Good reporting capabilities with 100+ pre built reports
• Reliable support from established company
• Solid attendance integration

Cons

• Interface could be more modern
• Gets expensive as team grows beyond 50 employees
• Some features feel outdated compared to newer platforms
• Mobile app could be improved

Best for

Mid sized Indian companies between 50 and 300 employees focused on compliance and documentation.

Pricing

₹3,495 per month for up to 50 employees*

Quick Comparison Table

Software	Target Users	Starting Price	Compliance
HelixtaHR	SMEs and Growing Companies	₹30 per employee*	Full Indian
RazorpayX	Tech Startups	₹100 per employee*	Full Indian
Deel	Global Teams	$49 per contractor*	Multi country
Zoho Payroll	Small Business	₹50 per employee*	Full Indian
SumoPayroll	Budget Conscious	₹999 per month*	Full Indian
Qandle	SMEs	₹2,450 per month*	Full Indian
Darwinbox	Large Enterprise	Custom*	Full Indian
Saral Pro	Traditional Business	₹7,500 per year*	Full Indian
Keka	Modern Workplaces	₹6,999 per month*	Full Indian
HR Mantra	Complex Organizations	Custom*	Full Indian
greytHR	Mid sized Companies	₹3,495 per month*	Full Indian

How to Pick Payroll Software

Choosing payroll software affects your HR team daily and impacts every employee monthly. Take the selection process seriously.

Step 1. Count your employees. Some tools charge per person. Others have flat rates for employee ranges. Calculate total cost for your current team size and projected growth over 2 to 3 years.

Step 2. List your must have features. PF calculation and ESI compliance are non negotiable for Indian companies. Beyond that, what do you need? Attendance integration? Performance management? Multi location support? Make a prioritized list.

Step 3. Check your existing tools. Pick software that integrates with your current accounting system, attendance hardware, and any HR tools you already use. Data should flow between systems without manual entry.

Step 4. Request demos from your top 3 choices. Have your HR and finance teams attend. Ask specific questions about your unique requirements. Watch how the sales team handles edge cases.

Step 5. Ask for references. Talk to existing customers in your industry and of similar size. Ask about implementation experience, support quality, and any problems they faced.

Step 6. Test compliance accuracy. Run sample calculations for PF, ESI, and TDS before committing. Use your actual employee data if possible. Verify the calculations match what you expect.

Step 7. Evaluate total cost. Monthly fees are just one part. Add implementation costs, training time, and any integration expenses. Factor in your team’s time during setup.

Software by Company Size

Different company sizes have different needs. Here are specific suggestions based on employee count.

Startups under 50 employees

HelixtaHR or Zoho Payroll. Both handle compliance at affordable prices. HelixtaHR offers more features and scales better as you grow. Zoho works well if you already use their ecosystem or need the free tier for under 10 employees.

At this stage, you need reliable compliance and simplicity. You probably do not have a dedicated HR person. The software should be simple enough for a founder or office manager to run payroll monthly.

SMEs between 50 and 500 employees

HelixtaHR or Keka. HelixtaHR costs less and handles complex salary structures well. Keka focuses more on employee experience and performance management. Choose based on whether cost or employee experience is your priority.

At this size, you likely have dedicated HR staff. You need software that scales without becoming too expensive. Multi location support matters if you have offices in different states.

Large enterprises over 500 employees

Darwinbox or HR Mantra for full enterprise features. HelixtaHR also scales to this level at lower cost if you do not need advanced enterprise customization or global operations.

At enterprise scale, you need robust security, audit trails, approval workflows, and advanced analytics. Implementation will take months. Budget accordingly.

Companies with international team members

Deel for global payroll. Use HelixtaHR for India employees and Deel for overseas contractors. This combination handles both needs efficiently without overpaying for features you do not need domestically.

Compliance Checklist for Indian Payroll Software

Your payroll software must handle these requirements automatically. Do not buy software that requires manual compliance management.

Compliance Area	What to Check
PF Calculation	Automatic EPF and VPF contributions with correct wage ceiling
ESI Compliance	ESIC deductions and monthly challan generation
TDS Deduction	Current tax slab calculations with both old and new regime
Professional Tax	State wise PT rates with correct slabs
Labour Welfare Fund	Applicable state contributions
Form 16 Generation	Annual tax certificates in correct format
Gratuity Calculation	As per Payment of Gratuity Act with correct formula
Minimum Wages	State wise minimum wage compliance and alerts

All 11 tools on this list handle these requirements. Differences come in automation level, update speed when laws change, and accuracy of edge case calculations. HelixtaHR, greytHR, and Keka are particularly strong on automatic compliance updates.

Payroll Software Features That Matter

Beyond compliance, these features separate good payroll software from basic tools.

Salary Processing

Look for multi pay schedule support, arrear calculations, and bonus processing. Most tools handle basic salary. Complex structures like shift allowances, location based pay, and performance bonuses need more capable software. Check how the software handles mid month joiners and leavers.

Employee Self Service

Employees should access payslips, tax documents, and leave balances without HR intervention. This reduces HR workload significantly. Good self service includes investment declaration submission, reimbursement claims, and tax planning tools.

Bank Integration

Direct salary disbursement saves time and reduces errors. Check if your payroll software connects with your business bank. Verify the payment file formats match what your bank accepts. RazorpayX has the strongest banking integration if you use Razorpay.

Reporting and Analytics

You need reports for audits, management reviews, and compliance filings. Check the number of pre built reports and custom report capabilities. Can you export data easily? Can you schedule automated reports?

Mobile Access

HR teams and employees increasingly need mobile access. Check mobile app availability and functionality for both admin and employee use. Test the app yourself during evaluation.

Data Security

Payroll data is sensitive. Check for encryption at rest and in transit. Verify backup procedures. Look for ISO 27001 certification or SOC 2 compliance. Ask about data center locations and data residency.

Implementation Timeline Expectations

Plan your implementation timeline based on software type and your organization complexity.

Software Type	Typical Timeline
Simple tools	1 to 2 weeks
Mid tier platforms	2 to 4 weeks
Enterprise solutions	4 to 12 weeks

HelixtaHR typically takes less than one week. Darwinbox and HR Mantra need 4 to 12 weeks depending on customization requirements. Factor implementation time into your decision if you have urgent payroll needs.

Implementation includes data migration, salary structure setup, compliance configuration, user training, and parallel payroll runs. Do not skip the parallel run step. Run payroll in both old and new systems for at least one month to verify accuracy before switching completely.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Payroll Software

Avoid these mistakes that companies commonly make :-

Choosing based on price alone : The cheapest option may cost more in the long run through manual workarounds, compliance errors, or poor support.

Not involving end users : HR teams use this software daily. Include them in evaluation. Their input matters more than management preferences.

Ignoring scalability : Your needs will change as you grow. Pick software that handles 2x your current employee count without major pricing jumps.

Skipping the trial period : Most vendors offer free trials. Use them. Run actual payroll scenarios. Test edge cases specific to your business.

Underestimating implementation effort : Data migration takes time. Training takes time. Configuration takes time. Plan for this in your timeline.

Next Steps

Start with a free trial of HelixtaHR. Run your actual payroll data through the system. Check if the compliance calculations match your requirements. That will confirm if it fits your needs.

Request demos from your top 2 or 3 choices. Have both HR and finance teams evaluate the tools. Test the employee self service features with a few employees. Verify that statutory calculations are accurate for your state.

Make your decision based on compliance accuracy, pricing fit, and implementation timeline. The right payroll management software will save your team hours each month and keep you compliant with Indian payroll laws without manual tracking.

Pricing based on publicly available information as of January 2026. Actual pricing may vary based on features selected, number of employees, and contract terms. Contact vendors directly for current pricing and custom quotes.

Frequently Asked Question :