10 Best HRMS Systems Under ₹100 per Employee for Startups
Choosing the right HR tech when you are a 5-50 person startup feels like walking a tightrope. You need payroll accuracy. You need statutory compliance. You need attendance tracking and employee self-service. But you also need pricing that fits your budget.
This blog covers the 10 best HRMS platforms that keep costs under ₹100 per employee/month, tailored for Indian startups and payroll teams. You will see what each system does best, core features and pricing benchmarks. By the end, you will be able to shortlist the best HRMS in India for your stage, industry, and budget.
Why the Best HRMS Under ₹100 Matters for Indian Startups
If you are a bootstrapped founder or a lean HR team, cash flow will be one of your biggest concerns. We have seen too many promising companies sink under the weight of expensive enterprise software.
The market for the best cloud HRMS has matured significantly in 2026. Without paying thousands per month, you can still manage attendance, payroll, leave, and employee records easily with a cheap and best cloud based HRMS.
Industry data suggests that the average cost of HRMS solutions for small teams used to hover around ₹200-₹300 per head. Today, aggressive pricing and freemium models have brought the entry-level cost down.
Top 10 Best HRMS Solutions Under ₹100
We have researched, used, and tested these tools across manufacturing, tech, and retail sectors. Here is your definitive list of the top 10 best HRMS software in India for budget-conscious leaders.
1. Mewurk
Price: ₹2 per employee per day (Approx. ₹60/month)
You want the best HRMS solutions that grow with you without creating complications while you scale. Mewurk brings enterprise-grade security to the startup table. Their advanced plan is priced transparently and offers AI-enabled attendance and robust payroll modules.
Why does it top our list? There are multiple reasons. Firstly, it is the smartest attendance system currently in India. It prevents proxy punching using AI-driven face recognition. If you are a startup with field sales teams or blue-collar workers, this alone will save you lakhs in salary leakage.
One of the most attractive sides of Mewurk is that it is a platform that offers a 2-step payroll process.
Pros
- Best for startups needing strict attendance discipline and compliance.
- Clean interface with an easy day-to-day navigation experience.
- Advanced AI-powered HR analytics for smarter workforce management decision-making.
- GPS attendance support for field and remote teams.
- Affordable pricing suitable for growing startup businesses.
Cons
- Different experience compared to traditional legacy HR software.
- Add-ons, such as field visit tracker and expense management, are separately chargeable.
2. Zimyo
Price: Starts at ₹60 per employee per month
Zimyo understands that a startup's biggest asset is its culture. Beyond just payroll, this best HRMS tools provider focuses heavily on employee experience. You get a full suite, including grievance management and rewards.
If you are a team that has outgrown basic spreadsheet needs but isn't ready yet for complex ERPs, this is a recommended option. The interface is clean, and the mobile app is surprisingly fast. It handles the tricky Indian compliance landscape with ease.
Pros
- Strong performance management system.
- Excellent mobile experience for deskless workers.
Cons
- Custom reporting requires a slight learning curve.
- Customer support response time can vary during peak hours.
3. Kredily
Price: Premium under ₹100
Kredily offers a powerful free plan with limited features. If you are a pre-revenue startup or a nonprofit, you can consider it as your starting point, as it covers basic functions like attendance, leave, etc.
The paid version is under ₹100 and unlocks advanced features like priority support and API access. For the best cloud HRMS entry point, Kredily is unmatched. It handles ESI and PF calculations automatically.
Pros
- Kredily supports standard workflows.
- The setup process is fairly simple, even for small teams without a dedicated HR person.
Cons
- If you need features like complex shift management, Kredily isn't among the best HRMS solutions for you.
- Reporting and customisation options are limited for scaling companies.
4. Zoho People
Price: ₹60 per employee per month (billed annually)
If your startup lives inside the Zoho ecosystem (Books, CRM, Mail), you would be foolish not to look at Zoho People. It integrates natively, meaning your attendance data can flow directly into payroll and invoice generation.
Zoho People is often cited as one of the best HRMS software company options for manufacturing and IT services due to its modular design.
Pros
- You only pay for the features you need.
- The interface feels a bit functional, and the uptime is solid.
Cons
- Some advanced features and integrations are locked behind higher-priced plans.
- The interface can feel crowded at times, especially for first-time HR users.
5. SumHR
Price: ₹50 per employee per month
SumHR is built specifically for Indian small businesses. It focuses on the core loop: Onboarding > Attendance > Payroll > Compliance. You won't find bloated AI features you never use.
When we tested it, we liked the simplicity of SumHR in generating complex statutory reports. For an HR manager tired of Excel macros breaking, SumHR provides a reliable safety net. The customer support is primarily India-based, so you get quick resolutions during business hours.
Pros
- Simple payroll and compliance workflow.
- Quick support from India-based support teams.
Cons
- Limited advanced automation features available.
- Interface feels slightly dated in some sections.
6. factoHR
Price: Starts at around ₹69 per employee per month
factoHR is neatly designed for companies managing large or distributed workforces. It combines attendance, payroll, performance, and employee self-service into a single platform.
During our testing, factoHR stood out for its detailed attendance tracking and shift management capabilities. The software also handles Indian payroll compliance well, including PF, ESI, and statutory calculations.
Pros
- Strong attendance and shift management features.
- Mobile app works well for field employees.
Cons
- Initial setup can take some time.
- Some advanced reports require manual configuration.
7. Pocket HRMS
Price: ₹60 per employee per month
Do not let the name fool you; Pocket HRMS is a feature-rich platform. It offers biometric integration and a very intuitive employee self service portal.
If you are a startup worried about digital transformation, Pocket HRMS is one of the best cloud HRMS solutions. Its payroll engine is particularly accurate for calculating overtime and late deductions.
Pros
- Accurate payroll calculations for overtime and deductions.
- Easy-to-use employee self-service portal.
Cons
- Interface can feel crowded for new users.
- Some features need higher-tier plans.
8. SalaryBox
Price: Freemium / Under ₹100
SalaryBox is a mobile-first hero among the best HRMS systems in India. If your workforce is primarily blue-collar (retail, logistics, warehouse), it particularly fits day-to-day operations. SalaryBox uses WhatsApp integration to deliver payslips.
Pros
- WhatsApp payslip delivery improves employee accessibility.
- Works well on low-end Android mobile devices.
Cons
- Limited advanced HR analytics and reporting features.
- Better suited for blue-collar teams than corporate setups.
9. GreytHR
Price: ~₹70 per employee
GreytHR is the granddaddy of Indian HR software. While their base plan starts higher, scaling it across a startup of 50+ employees brings the cost down to sub ₹100. It is the gold standard for compliance.
You choose GreytHR for peace of mind. Because once you have it configured, you will never have to Google "What is the new EPFO wage ceiling?" again. They update it for you.
Pros
- Strong payroll and statutory compliance management.
- Reliable platform for growing Indian businesses.
Cons
- Interface feels outdated compared to newer HRMS tools.
- Initial setup and configuration can take time.
10. HROne
Price: Custom (Starts Low)
HROne rounds out our list. They offer a simplified version of their enterprise product for startups, which focuses on core HR and exit management.
HROne excels at background verification and document management. If you are a startup hiring fresh graduates, this will significantly reduce fraud risk.
Pros
- Strong document and employee record management.
- Helpful background verification and onboarding features.
Cons
- Custom pricing can feel unclear for small startups.
- Some modules require additional setup and training.
Feature Snapshot: What You Get For Under ₹100
To help you decide, here is a direct comparison of non-negotiable features.
| HRMS Tool | Starting Price (/emp/month) | Mobile App | Geo Tracking | Payroll Ready |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mewurk | ~₹60 | Yes (AI Enabled) | Yes | Yes |
| Zimyo | ₹60 | Yes | Yes | Add-on |
| Zoho People | ₹60 | Yes | Yes | Add-on |
| SumHR | ₹50 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Kredily | ~₹60 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How to Choose a Budget-Friendly Best HRMS with Strong Compliance Support
Here is a hard truth from my years of experience. If you think that a specific provider is the best HRMS software company because it is cheap, but conveniently ignores compliance, then you are making a big mistake.
Indian labour laws are state-specific and change frequently. So, when you evaluate a tool under ₹100, ask these two questions:
- Does it auto-compute PT (Professional Tax) based on the employee's state of residence?
- Does it generate the ECRA or PF challan in the correct file format for government portals?
Mewurk excels here.
How Mewurk Fits the Startup Budget
You might be wondering why we keep circling back to Mewurk. It is not just because this is a Mewurk blog. It is because of the math.
₹2 per employee per day sounds simple, but let me break down the value. For a team of 30 people, that is ₹1,800 per month. For that price, you are eliminating 15+ hours of manual HR work per week. You are getting AI-powered insights that prevent buddy punching (where a friend marks attendance for an absent colleague). You are automating your salary structuring.
We have conducted internal surveys with our clients switching from manual methods to Mewurk. They reported a 40% reduction in payroll errors in the very first month. That reduction alone pays for the software ten times over.
Conclusion
The best HRMS software in India for you depends on what features your specific stage of growth, industry, and workforce demands require. You do not have to overspend. We hope this list will help you find the right one. Wish you steady growth and stress-free HR management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Which is the best HRMS for a 10-person startup?
Mewurk is best because it can handle all your HR management needs at a lower budget and is capable of scaling as you grow and need to accommodate more employees in the future.
2. What is the difference between HRMS and payroll software?
HRMS covers the entire employee lifecycle (employee onboarding to exit), while payroll software focuses strictly on salary calculation and tax deductions.
3. Is Mewurk suitable for remote first teams?
Yes, Mewurk offers three ways to clock in: a web portal for remote teams, a biometric machine for on-site employees, and a mobile app for field staff. It also supports flexible shift management for remote teams working across different locations and easily handles labour compliance requirements specific to those regions.
4. Do the top 10 best HRMS software in India listed here handle ESI calculations?
Yes, platforms like Mewurk allow businesses to customise payroll settings for specific ESI (Employee State Insurance) calculations based on their company policies and compliance requirements.
5. Can I switch from my existing HRMS to Mewurk?
Yes, Mewurk allows quick data transfer from your existing HRMS through CSV imports and structured onboarding support. You can easily migrate employee records, attendance data, payroll details, and other HR information without lengthy manual work.
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