Zoho Payroll, which comes from Zoho's house, is one of the payroll software for Indian startups and SMEs. However, existing users of Zoho Payroll have mixed thoughts about the tool.
Some of the most common complaints about the tool are slow loading time, data migration challenges and limited customisation for payroll reports.
Suppose you agree to these Zoho Payroll reviews and want to explore a few Zoho Payroll alternatives. In that case, there’s no harm, primarily because startups with limited budgets can’t risk investing in a tool that doesn’t support their use cases.
This blog will take you through the top Zoho Payroll alternatives, their key features, and use cases so you can select the best-fitted one.
Let’s get to business!
Zoho Payroll is an integrated payroll system that simplifies payroll processes. It ensures statutory compliance and, on average, saves 70% of customers' operations time.
Here are the core features of Zoho Payroll:
Employee onboarding: Automate your onboarding process with seamless data migration, pre-defined templates to import salaries, employee self-service, and more
Compliant payroll processing: Pick payroll routine, apply custom deductions, disburse salaries in one click, and share payslips online
Self-service portal: Employees can access pay and tax summaries, notifications, loan deductions, documents, tax forms, etc.
Payroll reporting: Generate compliant payroll reports considering tax deductions, and mandatory government contributions, and generate compliant payslips
Before getting into the top Zoho Payroll competitors and Alternatives, take a look at what Zoho users struggle with, according to G2 reviews:
Slow customer response time
Takes a long time to migrate data from other sources
Limited customisation in payroll reports
No feature to run payroll in batches
Here’s a sneak peek into the top Zoho Payroll alternatives:
Zoho Payroll Alternatives:
Craze
Startups and scaling businesses looking for an advanced, integrated payroll system
RazorPayX Payroll
SMEs with basic payroll automation needs
Keka
Medium to large enterprises with high budgets
Kredily
SMBs with basic payroll and tax management needs
HROne
Medium and large enterprises with basic payroll needs
PocketHRMs
SMEs and large enterprises with US-based workforce
Qandle
Mid-market companies with basic payroll needs
ZingHR
SMBs and large enterprises with a high number of contractors and freelancers
FactoHR
SMBs with customisation needs
GreytHR
SMBs with basic payroll automation needs
1. Craze: Startups and scaling businesses looking for an advanced, integrated payroll system
Craze ranks #1 on our list of the best Zoho Payroll alternatives. Craze is popular among growing Indian startups like Aeroleap, Findr, SalesUp, and Needibay, for its simplicity, all-in-one admin dashboard, and an empathetic support team.
What stands out about Craze is its compliance support, error-free payroll calculations by syncing with leave and attendance software, on-time, one-click payouts, and super-fast employee onboarding. Here’s a sneak peek into how Crze’s payroll software automates payroll cycle end-to-end, starting with pre-payroll calculation, processing, and generating tax reports 👇
The platform’s self-serve dashboard allows teams to request reimbursements, track and manage leaves, access tax declarations, and download payslips. It auto-syncs attendance, leaves, tax deductions, etc., to calculate salaries and bonuses, making it easier to process payouts on time. Craze lets you release contractors’ and interns’ payments from the same platform.
Key features
Self-serve dashboards to track leaves, view tax declarations, download payslips, Form 16
Generate payroll reports and salary registers to monitor costs and detailed ESIC, TDS, EPF summaries, etc.
Customise salary structures and provide tax-free allowances with a Flexible Benefit Plan
Pay contractors individually or simultaneously TDS or GST slabs
Receive automated email notifications for salary and reimbursements
Control admin access to view, edit, finalise, and run payroll
Set up Flexi Benefits, reimbursements, and workflows for contractor invoice approvals
Handle FnF settlements
Automate payroll calculations for past or future salary revisions
Mobile browser view to mark attendance, request leaves, reimbursements, etc., on the go
Pricing
Core (Mandatory): ₹40/month/person for all team sizes and access to advanced core HR features
Payroll: ₹60/month/person for all team sizes and access to advanced payroll features
Leave management: ₹40/month/person for all team sizes and access to advanced leave management system features
Attendance management: ₹40/month/person for all team sizes and access to advanced attendance management features
If you are an enterprise with over 100 team members, Craze offers custom features and pricing plans.
Learn more about Zoho Payroll vs. Craze.
Here’s what existing Craze customers say about the product 👇
2. RazorpayX Payroll – Software for SMEs with payroll automation
RazorPayX Payroll software automates payroll processes so you can auto-calculate salaries and pay employees on time. The tool handles payments and filings of PF, TDS, ESI, and PT, ensuring statutory compliance.
Key features
CTC calculator and offer letter generator to manage employees from onboarding to exit
Self-service dashboard for payslips, Form 16, and investment declarations
Auto-sync payroll with time and attendance for accurate salary calculation
Pricing
Prime: ₹2999/month for up to 20 employees
Elite: ₹5999/month for up to 50 employees and ₹100/employee/month for extra employees
Enterprise: Custom pricing plan
The Prime plan has basic payroll features, and the Elite plan has limited expense management features.
Read this blog if you are looking for Razorpay Payroll alternatives.
3. Keka – Good software for medium to large enterprises with high budgets and advanced payroll requirements
Keka HR and payroll software simplifies Indian payroll processes ensuring statutory compliance. It enables you to configure salaries and revise them without any prior payroll knowledge.
Key features
Run payroll preview before salary disbursement
Share payslips via emails or SMS or bulk print them if required
Automate tracking of new and existing employees to review and settle payments
Pricing
Foundation: ₹9,999/month for up to 100 employees and ₹90/month for each extra employee
Strength: ₹12,999/month for up to 100 employees and ₹120/month for each extra employee
Growth: ₹15,999/month for up to 100 employees and ₹150/month for each extra employee
The Foundation plan does not include people analytics, reports, or e-signature, and the Strength plan does not have workflow automation or a custom report builder.
4. Kredily – Budget-friendly payroll solution for businesses with basic payroll and tax management needs
Kredily is a top Zoho Payroll competitor that allows you to configure payroll specifics before payouts. It streamlines payroll and ensures timely salaries via bank account transfers.
Key features
Automated tax management with a consolidated view of investment declarations with supporting evidence
Build personalised salary structures including base, recurring, and variables
Online payslip generator to create detailed employee payslips
Pricing
Free forever: ₹0 /Month
Professional: ₹1499/Month for up to 25 employees and ₹60/extra employee
Enterprise: Custom pricing
The free plan offers basic payroll features. The professional plan does not include payslip bulk download, income tax computation, etc.
5. HROne – Good software for complete payroll management
HROne is one of the best Zoho Payroll competitors. It lets you maintain compliant payroll processes and create many salary structures to process timely payouts to diverse employee groups.
Key features
Automated CTC calculator for accurate salary disbursement
Auto-generate error list to fix post-payroll issues
Automated challan generation and PF, ESI deduction
Pricing
Basic: ₹85 /user/month with access to payroll features
Professional: ₹115 /user/month with limited access to core HR and workforce features
Enterprise: Custom pricing
The Basic and Professional plans do not support recruitment, expense management, etc.
6. PocketHRMS - Good for businesses with basic payroll needs and no integration requirements
PocketHRMS is an AI-based cloud HRMS platform that automates compliance handling. The tool fulfils advanced payroll needs and ensures error-free payouts.
Key features
Multi-category and single-employee payroll processing
Generate regulatory forms like Form 16, ECR, etc., for IT returns
Create many employee categories for setting different payroll rules
Pricing
Standard: ₹2495/month for up to 50 employees and ₹40/employee/month for extra employees
Professional: ₹3995/month for up to 50 employees and ₹80/employee/month for extra employees
Premium: Custom pricing
The standard plan does not have payroll integrations or customisable dashboards. The standard and professional plans do not include exit, FnF management, or a help desk.
7. Qandle – Good software for medium businesses with basic payroll needs
Qandle streamlines payroll processes, making managing salaries and approval workflows more efficient. It allows you to integrate payroll with other apps to create a centralised system.
Key features
Real-time payroll reports to view pay rates, bank transfers, payroll history, etc.
Auto-calculate salaries, including bonuses and incentives
Self-service portal to view and edit pay stubs, view earnings, etc.
Pricing
Foundation: ₹2950/month for up to 50 employees and ₹59/month per extra employee
Regular: ₹4950/month for up to 50 employees and ₹99/month per extra employee
Plus: ₹6200/month for up to 50 employees and ₹124/month per extra employee
Premium: ₹8000/month for up to 50 employees and ₹160/month per extra employee
Enterprise: Custom pricing
The Foundation and Regular Plans do not include a dedicated account manager. Plus, they don't support strategic HR features, such as onboarding, exit management, etc.
8. ZingHR – Good software for businesses with a larger freelancer and contractor workforce
ZingHR’s Zero Touch payroll eliminates manual payroll processes. It facilitates daily, weekly, monthly, and outcome-based payments with transparency and compliance. The tool automates tax filing and provides access to real-time payroll data.
Key features
In-built analytics and trends (hours worked, pay rates, taxes, etc.)
CXO dashboard for payroll insights
Payroll audit trails
Pricing
Undisclosed
9. FactoHR – Good for mid-sized businesses with customisation needs
FactoHR is a wizard-driven, integrated payroll software that simplifies payroll tasks. It offers process customisations to accommodate current and future business needs.
Key features
Categorise employees in multiple payroll groups based on payroll type, calendar, etc.
Employee self-service portal and mobile app
Customise payslip with 15 in-built formats
Pricing
Undisclosed
FactoHR has three plans: Core, Premium, and Ultimate. The Core plan does not support mobile app, policy configuration, and multiple currencies.
10. GreytHR – Good payroll software for businesses with basic payroll automation needs
GreytHR’s payroll software allows you to streamline and control your payroll system. It automates payroll processes, including inputs, payouts, statutory compliance, self-service, and settlements.
Key features
Configurable payroll engine
Detailed TDS (IT) calculations and eTDS returns
Pricing
Starter: ₹0/month for 25 employees
Essential: ₹3495/month for 50 employees and ₹30/month/employee for extra employees
Growth: ₹5495/month for 50 employees and ₹60/month for each extra employee
Enterprise: ₹7495/month for 50 employees and ₹100/month/employee for extra employees
The starter plan includes basic payroll features, and the growth plan does not support business expense claims management. It is available as an add-on.
Read about GreytHR alternatives.
Features vary as per business needs. However, we researched several user reviews to create a standard list of the must-have features in the best Zoho Payroll Alternatives. Here’s the list:
Automated tax management: Choose a tool that provides end-to-end tax management, including automatic calculations, filing, and compliant reporting based on local taxes
Employee self-service portal: Pick a tool that offers a self-service portal to view taxes, salaries, leaves, download payslips, and tax forms, and update personal information
Integration capabilities: Make sure the tool you choose integrates with your existing accounting, HR, and other systems
Salary configuration: Look for tools that let you customise salary structures so you can categorise employees into multiple pay groups and disburse salaries on time
Security features: Pick a tool that has advanced security measures like data encryption, access controls, etc. to protect sensitive information
Customisation: Choose a tool that allows payroll process and report customisation to accommodate your current and future business needs
Customer support: Your software vendor must have 24/7 support that instantly responds to your queries
Payroll batch processing: Choose a tool that allows you to run multiple payrolls simultaneously so you can process payments for employees assigned to different pay cycles
All the Zoho Payroll alternatives in our list have their own features and use cases. However, you should select the software that best suits your needs.
We might sound biased, but our vote goes to Craze!
Craze would be the right Zoho Payroll alternative for your business if:
You are a startup building people operations in your organisation from scratch
You are tired of the existing payroll software that charge hefty amounts yet locks in most of the features
You need to interact with a support team that genuinely cares and gives you fast support
Want to know how Craze can help?
