Best Payroll Software in India for Small Businesses and Startups

Best Payroll Software in India for Small Businesses and Startups

Best Payroll Software in India for Small Businesses and Startups

Automating payroll is a never-ending problem for startups and small businesses. Many startups and new-age companies still go the traditional route when transferring salaries to the employees’ accounts. Their typical payroll workflow looks something like this: 

  • The HR/Finance team calculates salary tax deductions within the spreadsheet 

  • They log into the banking portal and transfer the salaries to each employee.  

Imagine the manual work involved in this process, and there, too, is no guarantee of accuracy. Delays, wrong tax calculations, and flawed salary components are widespread, leading to frustrated employees.

What’s the alternative? 

Opt for the best payroll software in India that matches your use cases and gels perfectly with your team. We have shortlisted a list of payroll systems for startups. All you have to do is select the one best suited for your organisation. 

Let’s get started.

With the basics covered, here’s a curated list of the best payroll software in India designed to streamline salary processing for growing businesses.

List of Top Payroll Software in India

List of Top Payroll Software in India

List of Top Payroll Software in India

Here’s a list of the top payroll software in India, each offering unique features to simplify payroll management and ensure compliance:

  1. Craze – Best for Startups & Fast-Growing Businesses

  2. Keka HR – Best for Large Companies

  3. RazorpayX Payroll – Best for Only Payroll Requirements 

  4. Zoho Payroll – Best for Businesses Using Zoho Ecosystem

  5. Kredily - Best for Small Businesses with Budget Constraints

  6. GreytHR – Best for SMEs from non-tech industries 

  7. HROne – Best for Mid to Large Enterprises from non-tech industries 

  8. ZingHR - Best for Businesses Focused on Workforce Automation

  9. Qandle – Best for Businesses Needing Customisation

  10. Zimyo – Best for Small to Medium Businesses from non-tech industries 

Not all payroll tools are created equal. If you’re evaluating your options, these are the must-have features to look for in your next payroll solution.

Essential Features to Look Out for in the Best Payroll Software

Essential Features to Look Out for in the Best Payroll Software

Essential Features to Look Out for in the Best Payroll Software

payroll software features

Here are the essential features that a comprehensive Indian payroll software should offer:

1. User-Friendly Interface

A clean, intuitive dashboard that’s easy for both HR and employees to use. Look for one-click salary processing, minimal steps, and a smooth mobile experience. A simple interface helps reduce errors and speeds up adoption.

2. Seamless Integrations

Your payroll system should connect effortlessly with HRMS, time-tracking, attendance, accounting, and compliance tools. Integration avoids manual data entry and improves accuracy across systems.

3. Built-In Compliance

Ensure the software stays updated with all statutory requirements—TDS, PF, ESI, gratuity, and more. Auto-deductions and government-ready reports help avoid fines and legal issues.

4. Scalability & Flexibility

As your team grows, the software should easily accommodate different types of employees—full-time, part-time, freelance, or remote. Look for features like multi-currency payroll, department-wise salary structures, and flexible pay cycles.

5. Reliable Customer Support

Payroll errors are time-sensitive. Choose software with responsive support via phone, email, chat—and ideally WhatsApp or Slack. Good onboarding, help docs, and training resources also go a long way.

6. Customisation Options

Every organisation has its own payroll needs. The best tools allow you to customise salary components, benefits, approval flows, and even create multiple salary structures by team or role.

7. Advanced HR & Finance Controls

Power users need more visibility and control. Look for features like:

  • Centralised employee data

  • Automated salary run based on work hours, LOPs, and bonuses

  • Compliance alerts

  • Real-time attendance sync

  • Advanced reporting

  • Role-based access for confidentiality

8. Self-Service for Employees

Empower employees with access to their payroll details. Must-haves include:

  • Payslip downloads

  • Tax declarations & Form 16

  • Reimbursement tracking

  • Mobile access

  • Support via FAQs or chat

Short on time? Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of the top three payroll software options based on their strengths, limitations, and pricing.

Quick Comparison of the Top Three Best Payroll Software in India

Quick Comparison of the Top Three Best Payroll Software in India

Quick Comparison of the Top Three Best Payroll Software in India

Choosing the right payroll software for a small business is essential to ensure smooth salary processing, regulatory compliance, and employee satisfaction. Here’s a quick comparison of the top three payroll tools trusted by Indian startups and small businesses.

Payroll Software

Pros

Cons

Best For

Starting Price

Craze

- All-in-one HR, finance, and compliance suite

- Customisable salary components

- Fast and responsive support

Third-party tool integration


Startups and SMEs with fewer than 1000 employees

Starts at ₹100 per person/month, billed annually (includes core HR + Payroll)


Zoho Payroll

- User-friendly interface

- Flexible payroll structure customisation

- No option for batch payroll

- Tiered pricing

- Limited live chat or voice support

SMEs needing automation for basic payroll processes

₹1250/ month with upto 25 employees & ₹50 per additional employee

HROne

- Streamlined payroll processing

- Simplified tax and deduction calculations

- Fewer customisation options

- Slower page response at times

- Basic plan lacks advanced features

Small businesses with 50+ employees managing straightforward payroll needs

₹4950 /month

With minimum 50 Users for Basic Plan & ₹99 per additional employee


Whether you’re prioritising affordability, advanced features, or ease of use, selecting the right web-based payroll software for your small business depends on your current team size, growth plans, and compliance needs. Make sure to consider your long-term requirements before investing.

Let’s take a deeper look at the top 10 payroll software tools in India in the next section and see how each one fits different business needs.

Top 10 Payroll Software in India for Growing Businessess

Top 10 Payroll Software in India for Growing Businessess

Top 10 Payroll Software in India for Growing Businessess

list of top 10 payroll software in india

Here are more detailed features, pricing, and use case breakdowns for the best payroll software in India. In addition to our analysis, we have relied on review portals like G2 and Capterra to identify the tools' pros and cons.

  1. Craze

craze payroll software dashboard

Craze is becoming the most preferred and the best payroll software for fast growing businesses in India. Designed specifically for startups and modern teams, Craze simplifies payroll processing with an intuitive interface and affordable, transparent pricing. It eliminates the hassle of spreadsheets and fragmented systems by offering an all-in-one platform for payroll, compliance, and employee management.

Craze's One-Click Payroll Software: Simplifying Your HR & Finance Processes

Craze offers a seamless, one-click payroll process that integrates with your existing bank account, reducing the back-and-forth between your finance and HR teams. Here’s how it works:

Craze payroll software features

Craze’s Best Features

  • Automated One-Click Payroll: Compatible with any existing bank account — no integrations required.

  • Tax-Compliant Salaries & Payments: Ensure error-free, tax-compliant salaries for employees and contractors.

  • Effortless Leave & Attendance Sync: Automatically track leave and attendance for accurate payroll processing.

  • Multiple Salary Structures & Benefits Plans: Tailor salary structures by team or department, and offer flexible benefits.

  • Instant Payslip Preview: Preview payslips for employees before finalising.

  • Instant Payroll Reports: Generate tailored payroll reports instantly without relying on your support team.

Suitable For: Startups & Fast-Growing Tech Businesses

Pros:

  • Super-fast customer support tailored for SMEs

  • Quick setup – payroll can be processed within 24 hours of onboarding

  • Smooth contractor and freelancer payment management

Cons:

  • Limited integrations with third-party tools

User Review

“We completed onboarding in under half a day and processed payroll within 24 hours of our initial conversation. Craze makes tasks much easier compared to other disconnected solutions. Excel sheets are cumbersome and prone to errors, but Craze solves these issues. My experience has been excellent! I highly recommend Craze.” - Aman Rai, Co-Founder Aroleap

testimonials

Pricing

  • Growth: Payroll software pricing plans start at ₹100/month/person (includes core HR + Payroll) with no setup fees or support fees, accommodate unlimited employees, and give you access to all the Core HR plus payroll features mentioned above.  

  • Enterprise: The Enterprise plan is suitable for enterprises with 500+ employees looking for specific features for their custom use cases, and the Craze team creates personalised pricing plans accordingly

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  1. Keka

keka

Keka's payroll management system automates payroll processes to reduce payment errors, simplify payroll operations, and ensure timely salary credit.

Keka best features

  • Configurable salary structure

  • Payroll preview before final release

  • Integrated expense management with custom approval workflows

Explore Keka features in this detailed Keka Review 2025.

Suitable For: Large Companies

Pros:

  • Accurate tax declarations and transparent data visibility

  • Configurable salary structures and payroll preview before final release

  • Integrated expense management with custom approval workflows

Cons:

  • Inadequate onboarding support and limited training resources for beginners

  • Mobile app UI needs improvement and consumes more data

  • Employee self-service is not available in the base plan

User Review

  • Hardik B: "One of the best payroll management software solutions is an all-in-one employee management tool. It manages IT returns, stores the entire history of salary slips, and allows employees to set up one-on-one meetings directly in Keka or via the integrated Microsoft Teams feature. It's easy to use, and I love using it frequently.”

  • Hardik B: "Many times, the performance of Web Keka suddenly drops, making it inaccessible during office hours. In my experience, the mobile app consumes more data and often runs slowly on mobile networks.”

Pricing

  • Foundation: ₹9,999/month for up to 100 employees and ₹90/month for each extra employee. No access to employee self-service

  • Strength: ₹12,999/month for up to 100 employees and ₹120/month for each extra employee with feature lock-ins

  • Growth: ₹15,999/month for up to 100 employees and ₹150/month for each extra employee. Access all payroll and Core HR features

  1. RazorpayX Payroll

razorpayx

RazorpayX Payroll is an automated payroll and compliance software for HR managers, payroll administrators, and employees. The platform simplifies payroll processing with automatic salary deposits and tax payments.

RazorpayX Payroll best features

  • Automatic salary calculation and direct transfer to employee bank accounts

  • Self-serve employee dashboard for payslips, Form 16, and investment declarations

  • Payroll auto-sync with attendance and leave management for error-free salary disbursements

Learn more about RazorpayX Payroll features in this detailed RazorpayX Payroll Review 2025

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use and compliant payroll processing

  • Automatic calculation of deductions and bonuses

  • Multiple payment options available (credit card, wallet, UPI, net banking, etc.)

Cons:

  • Limited report generation features

  • Does not include advanced leave and attendance management

Suitable For:  Only Payroll Requirements

User Reviews

  • Paramjit S: “Payment processing is very easy, with many payment options like credit card, wallet, UPI, and net banking, etc.”

  • Ayushi A: “Razorpay customer support is unsatisfactory as it takes longer to resolve raised tickets.”

Pricing

  • Prime: ₹2999/month for up to 20 employees with basic payroll features

  • Elite: ₹5999/month for up to 50 employees and ₹120/employee/month for extra employees. Access to advanced payroll but limited expense management features

  • Enterprise: Custom pricing plan best for teams of 100+ employees

  1. Zoho Payroll

zoho payroll

Zoho Payroll is a tax-compliant payroll app software for India. The tool automates payroll calculation and statutory compliance. It also provides employee self-service to enable collaboration between employees and payroll teams.

Zoho Payroll best features

  • Automate payroll calculation and generate payslips with detailed tax, allowance, and deduction breakdown

  • Customisable pay slabs for different employee groups

  • User roles and role-based access for security

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Clean and intuitive UI

  • Customizable for unique payroll structures

Cons:

  • Missing batch payroll processing feature

  • Live chat and support could be improved

Suitable For: Businesses Using Zoho Ecosystem

User Reviews

  • Shradha J.: “Ease in operating. It is user-friendly. Easy to integrate with other Zoho Applications to track. Good support from Zoho whenever required. You can implement this software easily with a large group.”

  • Sunil Y.: “The missing feature, which according to me lacks, is running payrolls in batches.”

Pricing

  • Free: ₹0 up to 10 employees with basic payroll features

  • Standard: ₹1250/ month/ employee for at least 25 employees. No access to advanced payroll features like custom user roles and access controls

  • Professional: ₹3750/month/employee for at least 50 employees.

  • Premium: ₹5000/month/employee for at least 50 employees.

  1. Kredily

kredily

Kredily is a payroll software that enables custom salary configurations and automates compliance tasks like tax calculations.

Kredily best features

  • Customisable salary structures to align with company needs

  • Automated overtime wages and tax deduction calculations

  • Mid-month variable payouts for flexible employee compensation

Learn more about Kredily’s leave management features in this Kredily Review 2025.

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use interface

  • Simple generation of payslips and approval of expenses and payouts

Cons:

  • Customer support lacks responsiveness

  • Login issues and bugs in the free version

Suitable For: Small businesses, startups, and SMEs 

User Reviews

  • Komalpreet K.: “I had a fantastic experience using the portal; It helped the organization in every way to maintain data and keep track of every employee and his/her details. I am suggesting it to my friends also.”

  • Akash N.: “The only issue I feel needs attention is, that we get logged out automatically from the website after some time of inactivity or closing the website. Every time we close the tool, we have to log in again.”

Pricing

  • Free forever: ₹0/Month with one customisable salary structure and basic payroll features

  • Professional: ₹1499/Month for up to 25 employees and ₹60/employee extra from the 26th employee. Payslip bulk download and IT computation are available as add-ons

  • Enterprise: Custom pricing

  1. GreytHR

hrone

GreytHR best features

  • Automate PF calculations with ECR generation

  • Employee Self-Service (ESS) portal to improve employee experience

  • Payroll analytics and custom reports to make informed decisions

Explore the payroll processing features of GreytHR in this detailed GreytHR Review.

Pros:

  • Intuitive user interface for easy navigation

  • Prompt and helpful customer support

Cons:

  • Site response can lag at times

  • Login may take multiple attempts due to delays

Suitable For: SMEs from non-tech industries

User Reviews

  • Nisha K.: “I am using GreytHR since 2021 as an HRMS system. The main thing I like about this software is accuracy, speed, wide solution related to any type of query, and last but not least, it's easy to use by me as well as employees.”

  • Sumit A.: “Despite being largely intuitive, the user interface is a little congested. It is difficult to integrate with other systems. It has some performance issues as well.”

Pricing

  • Starter: ₹0/month for 25 employees and access to basic payroll features****

  • Essential: ₹3495/month for 50 employees and ₹35/month/employee for extra employees

  • Growth: ₹5495/month for 50 employees and ₹65/month for each extra employee. Add-on pricing for business expense claims management

  • Enterprise: ₹7495/month for 50 employees and ₹105/month/employee for extra employees

  1. HROne

HROne is one of the saas payroll software for small businesses to ensure timely payouts. The platform simplifies payroll management by automating CTC calculation and salary verification.

HROne best features

  • Detailed 3D reports for salary breakdown, overview, and month-wise trends

  • Employee self-service portal for payroll access and self-proposed declarations

  • Compliant requirements checklist and auto deductions of ESI, PF, etc. for statutory compliance

Get more insights into HROne features in this detailed HROne Review.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Payroll processing is smooth via mobile app

  • Arrears and increment calculations are simplified

  • User-friendly for quick salary processing

Cons:

  • Limited customization in dashboards and reports

  • System slows down after updates

  • File uploads may trigger frequent errors

Suitable For: Mid to Large Enterprises from non-tech industries

User Reviews

  • Sakina N.: “HROne is a unique and simplest software I had ever used. It has all the features available which makes day-to-day operations easy for the company. That’s why I call it an all-in-one solution.”

  • Sakina N.: “Few things need some improvement, like reports need to be more accurate, particularly the leave reports. They should also focus on policies followed by international companies.”

Pricing

  • Basic: ₹4950/month for up to 50 employees with access to payroll features and ₹99/month for each extra employee.

  • Professional: ₹6500/month for up to 50 employees and ₹130/month for each extra employee

  • Enterprise: Custom pricing for 50+ teams

  1. ZingHR

zinghr

ZingHR is an HCM (Human Capital Management) platform that provides payroll management services. The tool helps access real-time payroll data and track salary disbursements and compliances.

ZingHR best features

  • CXO dashboard for visibility into payroll processes

  • In-built analytics for pay rates overview, monthly trends, tax insights, etc.

  • Tax filing services to streamline employee taxes

Pros:

  • Easy access to downloadable payment slips and investment submissions

  • Detailed monthly and cumulative salary statements

  • Clear breakdown of allowances and deductions

Cons:

  • Dashboard can be unresponsive and needs frequent refreshes

  • Outdated UI affects user experience

  • Occasional delays in attendance and leave updates

Suitable For:  Mid to large enterprises from non-tech industries.

User Reviews

  • Aryan D.: “Lots of things are easy to perform in this, whether it’s new member information or employee birthday/anniversary. Easy to download payment slips, tax simulation, and investment submissions.”

  • Aryan D.: “We use it once a month, and imagine the dashboard loads really slow, and it takes multiple refreshes just to mark WFH and leaves.”

Pricing

  • Not available on the website.

  1. Qandle

qandle

Qandle is a centralised HR and payroll records platform. It automates payroll processing and employee reward compensation plans and optimises salary structures.

Qandle best features

  • Real-time payroll reports, including pay rates, employee data, payroll history, tax contributions, etc.

  • Reimbursement approval workflows

  • Incentive compensation plan calculation

Pros:

  • Intuitive interface with strong customisation options

  • Simplifies employee hour tracking and performance evaluation

  • User-friendly for HR teams of all sizes

Cons:

  • Needs frequent software updates

  • Occasional slow load times and delayed processing

  • Limited offline functionality

Suitable For: Businesses Needing Customization

User Reviews

  • Subham Kr B.: “A nice and attractive user interface, very friendly also easy to use.”

  • Subham Kr B.: “Sometimes Qandle got stuck and sometimes it didn't track my clock-out time clock-in time and break time.”

Pricing

  • Foundation: ₹2950/month for up to 50 employees and ₹59/month per extra employee. No access to visual analytics and strategic HR features

  • Regular: ₹4950/month for up to 50 employees and ₹99/month per extra employee with feature lock-ins

  • Plus: ₹6200/month for up to 50 employees and ₹124/month per extra employee. Limited strategic HR features

  • Premium: ₹8000/month for up to 50 employees and ₹160/month per extra employee. Access all features except the remote toolkit

  • Enterprise: Custom pricing plan best for 1000+ employees

  1.   Zimyo

zimyo

Zimyo is an AI-powered HRMS platform for payroll processing. The tool automates salary calculation and disbursement to reduce payroll errors.

Zimyo best features

  • Automated tax deduction and TDS, PF, and ESIC calculation

  • Custom expenses/ reimbursements approval workflows for expense management

  • Benefits management features, including instant personal loans and insurance coverage

Pros:

  • Comprehensive payroll management improves overall efficiency

  • Accessible payroll features for both admins and employees reduce errors

  • Suitable for handling complex payroll structures

Cons:

  • Frequent software bugs cause screen freezes and disrupt workflow

  • Monthly tax calculation inconsistencies

  • Occasional functional complexities in navigation

Suitable For: Small to Medium Businesses from non-tech industries

User Reviews

  • Manisha M.: “Easy to use software with comprehensive features. I really like the real-time attendance tracking of employees, payroll automation, intuitive HR Analytics, and real-time performance tracking.”

  • Anurag M.: “Some bugs are still there which sometimes freezes the screen and results in difficult situations and complexities sometimes.”

Pricing

  • Basic: ₹80/user/month (min ₹4,000 for up to 50 users) 

  • Standard: ₹120/user/month (min ₹6,000 for up to 50 users) 

  • Enterprise: ₹160/user/month (min ₹8,000 for up to 50 users)

Suggested Read: Best Zimyo Alternatives for Indian Startups and SMEs

Expand Your Options: Explore These Alternatives!

Expand Your Options: Explore These Alternatives!

Expand Your Options: Explore These Alternatives!

additional payroll software after the main payroll software list

If you’re looking to expand your choices beyond the popular payroll solutions, here are five additional

  1. ADP Vista HCM

ADP Vista HCM is a globally recognized leader in comprehensive HR and payroll solutions, trusted by large enterprises around the world. It offers scalable payroll processing capabilities that ensure accurate and timely salary disbursements, while also handling complex statutory compliance across multiple jurisdictions. 

ADP Vista HCM Best Features

  • Handles multi-jurisdiction compliance

  • Scalable payroll processing for large workforces

  • Comprehensive HR management and analytics

Suitable For: Enterprises and Global Organizations

Pros:

  • Trusted brand with robust compliance capabilities

  • Scalable to support global operations

  • End-to-end HR and payroll integration

Cons:

  • Pricing can be steep for smaller businesses

  • Requires training to fully utilize all features

  • Limited customization for smaller teams

User Review

Ramakrishna: “The software has minimal features, which are perfect for our organization. However, additional requested features need to be delivered. Our team can perform their job effectively if we align our working strategy with the software's features.”

Pricing

Pricing is custom and typically provided via consultation based on organization size and complexity.

  1. 247HRM

A feature-rich platform, 247HRM offers an all-in-one solution that goes beyond just payroll. With modules covering everything from attendance tracking and leave management to statutory compliance and document management, it’s designed to support every stage of the employee lifecycle. 

247HRM Best Features

  • Comprehensive HR lifecycle coverage

  • Customizable workflows and forms

  • Built-in document and compliance management

Suitable For: Mid to Large-Sized Businesses

Pros:

  • Full suite HR and payroll platform

  • Highly customizable workflows

  • Integrated compliance tools

Cons:

  • UI could feel outdated

  • Implementation may require vendor support

  • Reporting capabilities can be complex for new users

User Review

Suraj M.: "It's easy to use for logging in and out, and tracking leave and attendance is simple."

Pricing

  • Shoot: ₹2499/month for up to 30 employees and ₹49/month per extra employee. 

  • Sapling: ₹3999/month for up to 30 employees and ₹99/month per extra employee 

  • Tree: ₹4999/month for up to 30 employees and ₹199/month per extra employee. 

  1. SumHR

Designed with growing startups and SMEs in mind, SumHR combines payroll, HR management, and compliance into a single, easy-to-use platform tailored to streamline your HR processes.

SumHR is built for startups and SMEs, offering an intuitive solution that combines payroll, HR operations, and compliance. Its user-friendly dashboard and automated tools make it ideal for small teams seeking efficiency without complexity.

SumHR Best Features

  • Designed specifically for startups and small teams

  • Simplified payroll and compliance automation

  • User-friendly dashboard and navigation

Suitable For: Startups and SMEs

Pros:

  • Clean UI and easy onboarding

  • Affordable for small businesses

  • Real-time payroll and attendance syncing

Cons:

  • Not ideal for complex HR requirements

  • Limited third-party integrations

  • Some advanced features require additional cost

User Review

Rohit.S: "Helps to Manage Employee Information and payroll process"

Pricing

  • Startup: Starts around ₹49 per employee/month. 

  • Basic: ₹69/month per employee/month

  • Advanced: ₹119/month per employee/month

  1. Paybooks

If automation and statutory compliance are your top priorities, Paybooks delivers a comprehensive payroll solution that ensures accurate calculations and hassle-free tax management.

Paybooks Best Features

  • Automated tax calculations and filings

  • Pre-built compliance reports

  • Easy salary structure configuration

Suitable For: SMEs and compliance-focused teams

Pros:

  • Strong compliance automation

  • Reliable payroll processing

  • Cost-effective for smaller companies

Cons:

  • Lacks advanced HRMS features

  • Limited customization for larger setups

  • UI can be improved

User Review

LAV.M: "Good software for monitoring attendance"

Pricing

  • Essential: ₹2499/month for up to 30 employees and ₹50/month per extra employee.

  • Regular: ₹4999/month for up to 50 employees and ₹60/month per extra employee

  • Premium: ₹9999/month for up to 50 employees and ₹100/month per extra employee. 

  1. Pocket HRMS

For companies seeking a comprehensive HR management system that integrates payroll, Pocket HRMS provides a unified platform that effortlessly handles attendance, leave, and compliance.

Pocket HRMS Best Features

  • Unified HRMS platform

  • Integrated attendance and leave tracking

  • Employee self-service portal included

Suitable For: Mid-Sized Businesses

Pros:

  • Seamless HR and payroll integration

  • Intuitive user interface

  • Excellent mobile app functionality

Cons:

  • Initial setup can be time-consuming

  • Advanced analytics requires additional configuration

  • Customer support may vary by region

User Review

Gaurav S: "Easy to use & mobile-friendly HRMS Software"

Pricing

  • Standard: ₹60/user/month 

  • Professional: ₹90/user/month 

  • Premium: Available on Quote.

Still wondering if payroll software is worth the investment? Let’s look at why small businesses and startups must make the switch from manual to digital payroll processing.

Why is Using Payroll Software Important for a Business?

Why is Using Payroll Software Important for a Business?

Why is Using Payroll Software Important for a Business?

Why is Using Payroll Software Important for a Business?

By using payroll software, small businesses can avoid the risks and challenges of manual payroll processing. Here’s why small businesses and startups should consider using payroll software: 

  • Regulatory compliance: With constantly evolving labour laws and tax regulations, payroll software ensures businesses stay compliant, avoiding costly penalties and legal issues

  • Reducing errors: Manual calculations are prone to mistakes, leading to incorrect payments and dissatisfied employees. Automated systems minimise these errors, ensuring accurate and timely salary disbursements.

  • Time and resource optimisation: By automating repetitive tasks, payroll software frees up HR and finance teams to focus on strategic initiatives, driving business growth

  • Scalability: As businesses expand, payroll complexity increases. Payroll software easily adapts to growing employee numbers and changing organisational structures without significant manual adjustments

  • Risk management: Standardised payroll operations reduce dependency on individual personnel, ensuring business continuity during employee turnover or absences

  • Employee trust and transparency: Accurate, on-time payments and easy access to pay information through self-service portals enhance employee satisfaction and trust in the organisation

  • Data security: Advanced encryption and access controls protect sensitive payroll information, mitigating the risk of data breaches

  • Strategic decision-making: Comprehensive reporting and analytics provide valuable insights for data-driven workforce planning and budgeting

With so many options available, selecting the right payroll software can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to make a smart, informed choice based on your business’s unique needs.

How to Select the Best Payroll Software?

How to Select the Best Payroll Software?

How to Select the Best Payroll Software?

How to Select the Best Payroll Software?

Whether you're a startup managing your first few hires or an established company streamlining HR tasks, here's how to confidently select the best payroll software for your needs.

  • Integration with Leave and Attendance: Check if the payroll software automatically updates with your leave and attendance data to accurately account for loss of pay (LOP) days, bonuses, overtime, and other variable components. This ensures precise payroll calculations and reduces manual errors.

  • Ease of use: Assess the software for one-click salary transfers, seamless integrations, and user experience

  • Compliance: Check if the software handles payroll compliance requirements, such as TDS, PF, ESI, professional tax deductions, reporting, multi-state compliance, etc

  • Scalability: Make sure the payroll software scales with your growing business, accommodating more full-time employees, freelancers and consultants, and its ability to handle multi-currency payroll

  • Customer support: Test if the software vendor has reliable and responsive customer support. Check for training resources to help with tool adoption. It’s also helpful to check if they provide easy access to their team through direct channels like WhatsApp or Slack. 

  • Customisation: It’s important to assess whether the vendor can tailor salary components or other personalised features to meet your team’s unique needs. Be sure to check if the payroll software supports multiple salary structures—whether for different departments, teams, or even at an individual level—to ensure flexibility and accuracy in payroll management.

Want to simplify payroll while staying 100% compliant? Get started with Craze — an intuitive, scalable solution trusted by modern Indian businesses.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Conclusion

Choosing the best payroll software in India is crucial for small businesses and startups aiming to streamline salary disbursements, ensure compliance, and boost employee trust. Whether you're a 10-member team or scaling past 1000, investing in the right payroll software can automate complex tasks like tax deductions, payslip generation, and statutory filings.

If you plan to try out these tools individually, start with Craze if: 

  • You are searching for a people operating system that handles finance, HR and IT all in one single dashboard. 

  • You are frustrated with the existing payroll software in India, as most of these tools restrict all the advanced features for the premium plans

  • You want to work with an empathetic team that understands your struggles and is genuinely interested in helping you

Sounds like a fit? It's time to meet the Craze team.

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FAQs

FAQs

FAQs

What is Payroll Software?

Payroll software automates salary calculations, tax deductions, and business compliance tasks. It streamlines payroll processing, generates payslips, and often includes employee self-service portals for accessing pay information.

What is the best payroll software in India?

Craze stands out as the best payroll software in India, especially for startups and small businesses. It offers flexible pricing, comprehensive features, and user-friendly interfaces. While other options exist, Craze provides the ideal balance of affordability and functionality for growing companies.

What is the cost of payroll software in India?

The cost of payroll software in India ranges from ₹50 to ₹150 per employee per month, depending on the features and the number of employees.

What are the different steps in Payroll Processing?

Payroll processing involves collecting employee data, calculating salaries, applying deductions, ensuring compliance, generating payslips, disbursing salaries, and creating reports. Many software solutions automate these steps for efficiency and accuracy.

What challenges are there with payroll software?

Common challenges include integrating with existing systems, maintaining confidentiality of user data, complying with location-specific regulations, and customising for specific business needs. User adoption and proper training can also be challenging for some organisations.

Does payroll software handle accurate payroll processing?

The best payroll management software like craze automates payroll processing, freeing HR professionals from manual processes.

Does payroll software offer leave management and core HR as built-in features?

Yes, payroll software like Craze has a strong core HR and built-in leave management software that syncs deeply in real-time.

Which is the most user-friendly payroll software for small businesses in India?

For small businesses in India, Craze is considered one of the most user-friendly payroll software options. It offers simple onboarding, easy navigation, and automation that reduces manual HR tasks.

Is payroll software in India suitable for freelancers and consultants?

Yes, many payroll software in India support payments for freelancers and consultants. They allow businesses to manage flexible compensation structures and ensure compliance with tax regulations. 

What cloud-based payroll software is available in India?

Payroll software India options, like Craze, integrate with attendance, leave management, and HRMS systems to offer a seamless payroll experience.

Why should small businesses invest in payroll software?

Using payroll software for small businesses reduces manual errors, saves time, ensures compliance with local laws, and simplifies salary processing—even with a small HR team or none at all.

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