Selecting the right HR software in India is a critical decision for startups and SMEs. With growing demand for efficient HR processes, cloud-based HRMS and payroll solutions bring a competitive edge. This blog reviews ten leading platforms, and compares them in depth to help businesses of varying sizes find the best fit.
Why Cloud HR Software Matters in India
Cloud-based HR systems are rapidly transforming the Indian SME landscape. In FY2024, 50% of Indian SMEs used cloud solutions to drive expansion, with 20% migrating more than half their workload to the cloud. Moreover, the Indian HRMS market reached USD 1.1 billion in 2024, with projections to grow to USD 4.3 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 14.6%. These numbers highlight the swift move toward digital HR infrastructure, making cloud HR software the backbone of modern workforce management.
10 Best HR Software in India for 2025
These are the best HR software in India this year:
Craze
Craze stands out as the best modern, user-centric cloud HR platform built for Indian businesses. It supports attendance, core HR, leave management, IT asset management, identity & access management, attendance, payroll, performance review, and employee engagement—all through a simple web dashboard mobile app. Craze’s intuitive dashboards reduce manual errors, and automations free HR teams from repetitive tasks. Integration with Indian compliance regimes ensures seamless payroll and attendance management, without needing IT specialists. For tech-savvy startups, Craze brings agility, scale, and an all-in-one HR experience in one package.
What also sets Craze apart is its pay-per-employee pricing model with no feature restrictions, allowing businesses to access the full suite of advanced features from day one, making it an ideal choice for startups & growing businesses.
Zimyo HRMS
Zimyo HRMS offers end-to-end HR functionalities in a single cloud environment. With modules for recruitment, onboarding, payroll, performance, and learning, Zimyo provides a one-stop digital HR hub. It boasts AI-driven analytics and chatbot support, helping leaders spot trends like attrition or performance dips quickly. Integration with payroll vendors and compliance tracking makes it strong for mid-sized firms. Custom reports add flexibility for unique business needs.
GreytHR
GreytHR is tailored for SMEs, focusing on simplicity and affordability. It provides essential modules, like attendance, leave, payroll, and employee directory, in a lightweight package. The interface is clean and mobile-optimized, making it accessible for non-technical users. GreytHR supports biometric attendance integration, Indian payroll standards, and layered user roles. Ideal for fast-growing startups, it balances basic HR coverage with ease of use.
2GrowHR
2GrowHR is primarily built around cloud-based payroll and attendance management, designed for SME users in India. It automates salary calculations, including components like deductions, taxes (PF, ESIC, TDS, PT), loans, and reimbursements. It even generates payslips with high accuracy, saving HR teams significant time each month
FactoHR
FactoHR targets growing SMEs needing robust payroll and attendance systems. It automates payroll cycles, tax calculations, and payslip distribution. Built-in attendance features support biometric devices and GPS tracking for remote workforces. The performance module enables appraisal workflows and clear KPI definitions. With self-service dashboards and real-time HR insights, FactoHR improves transparency for both staff and managers.
Ramco
Ramco is a full-suite HR and payroll system with deeper enterprise-grade features. Alongside core HR, recruitment, performance, and payroll, it also offers travel and expense management. Its AI-powered assistant helps answer HR policy questions, while mobile-first features support field teams. Ramco’s strength lies in integration and compliance, making it suitable for SMEs preparing for scale into the mid-market. Its modular licensing allows phased adoption.
PeopleHum
PeopleHum delivers an all-in-one HR platform combining HR essentials with extended learning and reskilling capabilities. It facilitates customized learning pathways, skill assessments, and automated course recommendations linked to performance goals. AI-powered insights inform talent development, succession readiness, and strategic alignment. Built atop core HR modules like attendance, leave, payroll, performance management, and engagement campaigns, PeopleHum offers measurable learning outcomes within a unified HR suite designed for Indian enterprises prioritizing continuous upskilling and employee experience.
Pocket HRMS
Pocket HRMS offers a modular, ERP-style framework tailored for Indian SMEs and mid-size businesses, beginning with core HR and progressively scaling into payroll, recruitment, attendance, performance, asset, and expense management. Its seamless integration across modules enables comprehensive analytics, such as understanding how HR initiatives impact financials and operations. Pocket HRMS suits companies seeking an all-in-one platform that unifies HR with broader business functions like leave policy, attendance tracking, recruitment, performance review, payroll, expenses, and analytics
Keka HR
Keka emphasizes OKRs (Objectives & Key Results) and performance metrics within its comprehensive HR suite. It supports automated goal-setting, check-ins, and continuous 360° feedback loops completed through its performance module. Employee engagement surveys, pulse feedback, and manager dashboards offer real-time visibility into alignment and team health. While Keka includes core HR, payroll, and attendance features, its OKR + performance capabilities provide a strategic overlay that connects individual goals with organizational outcomes.
Rippling
Rippling is a unified workforce platform combining HR, IT, and finance. It automates onboarding, payroll, benefits, device management, and app provisioning. Pre-built integrations make setup fast, and modules are scalable. Although newer in India, Rippling’s global pedigree and automated stack make it appealing for startups expanding abroad. Plus, unified data between HR and IT improves efficiency across teams and locations.
How These Tools Compare
Here is how these tools compare:
Core Features
All platforms provide attendance, leave management, payroll, and compliance. Differences emerge in specialised modules: OKRs (Craze), ERP integration (HashMicro), or ITAM (Craze).
Ease of Use
Craze, GreytHR, and 2GrowHR stand out for simplicity. Zimyo and FactoHR offer more features with moderate complexity. Ramco, HashMicro, and Rippling are more full-featured, ideal for scale.
Scalability & Pricing
Startups can begin with budget-friendly solutions like Craze, which follows a per-employee pricing model with no feature restrictions. This gives startups and growing businesses full access to advanced features from day one – no plan upgrades, no locked modules, and no hidden costs as you scale.
Companies preparing for rapid expansion or multi-country operations may find better alignment with full-suite platforms like Ramco, HashMicro, or Rippling, which offer deep customisation and enterprise-grade scalability.
Analytics & Reporting
Most systems include dashboard-level analytics. AI-enabled insights in Zimyo, Craze Ramco, and HashMicro give predictive capability. 2GrowHR focuses on performance analytics. Craving deeper analytics? Choose Craze or HashMicro.
Choosing the Right HR Platform
Every business is unique. Consider these factors when choosing:
- Size and growth stage: Startups → light and simple; scale-ups → modular and integrative.
- HR priorities: Focus on payroll? Choose Craze. Or people’s development? Try 2GrowHR.
- Ease of adoption: Non-tech teams may prefer Craze or GreytHR. Tech-ready SMEs can manage Ramco or HashMicro.
- Budget and expansion scope: Begin small, choose platforms like Craze or Zimyo, and upgrade to Ramco or HashMicro as complexity increases.
Conclusion
The HR software landscape in India for 2025 is rich with cloud-native tools tailored to startups and SMEs. Craze offers a smooth starting point. From there, platforms like Zimyo, GreytHR, and Rippling cater to different stages of growth and HR priorities. The key is to match functionality with scale, priorities, and ease of use. As digital adoption accelerates, choosing the right hr software in India is foundational to building efficient, engaged, and future-ready teams.
