Quick Summary
This list compares 10 HCM software providers in India: HONO, Akrivia HCM, ZingHR, Spine HR, Voyon Folks, HROne, PeopleHum, Keka, greytHR and factoHR.
HCM software connects recruitment, onboarding, payroll, attendance, performance, learning and exit management through one employee record.
Indian businesses need HCM platforms that automate PF, ESI, Professional Tax, TDS and state-specific payroll rules across multiple locations in one unified system.
HCM analytics should connect attendance, overtime, leave and performance data to identify absenteeism patterns, staffing gaps and rising workforce costs.
AI capabilities should go beyond answering employee queries to executing tasks such as processing requests, analysing workforce trends and triggering HR workflows.
Aon reports employee attrition in India rose to 18% in 2026. HCM platforms can help address retention by connecting performance, learning, career development and compensation data.
HONO's ERA platform brings a headless ZERO UI approach to HCM, letting employees and managers analyse workforce data and complete HR workflows through simple chat without navigating traditional dashboards.
Why Do Indian Companies Need HCM Software?
Indian companies need HCM software to connect employee data, payroll and talent management in one system. It reduces manual HR work, improves workforce visibility and helps businesses manage employees across states, entities and locations.
Employee records scattered across spreadsheets and payroll files create errors. HCM keeps job, salary, attendance and performance data connected.
HR teams spend time answering routine questions about payslips, leave and letters. Conversational HR software through chat reduces these requests.
Disconnected hiring tools make it difficult to track candidates from application to joining. HCM connects recruitment, interview scheduling and onboarding in one workflow.
Performance reviews often lack consistent data. HCM links goals, feedback, learning and compensation to support better appraisal and career decisions.
Indian payroll involves PF, ESI, Professional Tax, TDS and state-specific rules. HCM with integrated payroll helps automate calculations and statutory records.
Businesses operating across multiple states and entities need consolidated headcount, payroll cost and attrition reports without combining spreadsheets every month.
Factory, retail, logistics and field employees can use HONO’s ERA to access HR services, submit requests and complete tasks through chat without navigating a traditional HRMS portal.
Top HCM Software in India at a Glance: 10 Platforms Compared
The table compares 10 HCM platforms on their core strengths, from multi-entity payroll and workforce management to AI-led recruitment and performance tracking.
Platform | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
Employees and managers can manage HR through chat with ERA, HONO’s headless ZERO UI platform. They can ask complex questions, analyse workforce trends and trigger actions across payroll, attendance, leave and performance, without switching between modules or dashboards. | Quote based | |
Akrivia HCM | Mid-to-large manufacturing, BFSI and logistics companies needing 20+ HR modules and multi-entity payroll. | Quote based |
ZingHR | Enterprises managing field and distributed workforces with industry-specific workflows and biometric, GPS, QR and facial recognition attendance. | Quote based |
Spine HR | Manufacturing businesses managing contract labour, attendance, payroll and approval controls through a modular HCM suite. | Quote based |
Voyon Folks | Companies looking to automate recruitment with AI resume parsing and candidate matching alongside payroll and core HR. | Quote based |
HROne | Businesses seeking hire-to-retire HR management with AI workflows that execute multi-step tasks from a single command. | Quote based |
PeopleHum | Organisations combining recruitment, performance management and employee engagement on one platform. | Quote based |
Keka | Growing companies that prioritise performance reviews, goal tracking and employee feedback alongside payroll. | Quote based |
greytHR | Indian businesses focused on payroll processing, statutory compliance and routine HR operations. | Quote based |
factoHR | Mobile-first and shift-based businesses needing facial recognition attendance, payroll integration and multi-entity management. | Quote based |
Pricing and feature availability may vary by plan, employee count and implementation. Confirm current details directly with each vendor.
Detailed Comparison of the Top 10 HCM Software Providers in India
The following reviews compare leading HCM platforms in India based on their core capabilities, ideal use cases and pricing. Each review covers how the software handles recruitment, payroll, workforce management, performance and employee experience.
1. HONO
Verdict
HONO stands out with ERA, its headless ZERO UI AI layer that lets employees and managers run complex HR operations through chat instead of navigating traditional HRMS screens. They can ask complex workforce questions, compare attendance and overtime trends, check payroll information and trigger actions across HR workflows. Its in-house HCM platform connects these capabilities across multiple entities and locations.
Overview
HONO is designed for large enterprises managing complex HR operations. Unlike platforms that rely on separate modules or acquired products, HONO has built its HCM capabilities in-house on a common employee record. Its platform covers five areas: administrative HR, talent management, workforce management, HR service management and employee experience.
Its key differentiator is ERA. Employees can request payslips, check leave balances or raise HR requests through WhatsApp, Teams and Slack. Managers can go further by asking ERA to analyse absenteeism, overtime or attrition across departments and take action through simple chat. This connects everyday employee services with workforce insights and HR execution. HONO also supports payroll across 25+ countries.
Key Features
HONO connects recruitment, onboarding, core HR, payroll, attendance, performance, learning and employee engagement on one platform, with a common employee record across the employee lifecycle.
ERA brings headless ZERO UI to HR operations. Managers can compare overtime and absenteeism across departments, identify staffing gaps and trigger actions through chat.
Smart Hiring uses 12 AI agents to manage recruitment from requisition and candidate screening to interview scheduling and onboarding.
Payroll supports Indian statutory requirements such as PF, ESI, Professional Tax and TDS. Zero Touch Payroll validates salary, incentives, overtime and off-cycle inputs before disbursement.
Attendance combines biometric, facial recognition, RFID and geo-fenced tracking with shift scheduling and overtime. ARASMAS predicts absenteeism and highlights potential staffing gaps.
Performance management connects goals, reviews and skill-gap analysis with learning recommendations, while HONO Pulse supports employee surveys, rewards and recognition.
Best For
Large Indian enterprises and multi-entity businesses that want to move beyond conventional HRMS dashboards, connect the complete employee lifecycle and let employees and managers manage HR through conversation.
Pricing
Quote based.
2. Akrivia HCM
Verdict
Akrivia HCM is a unified hire-to-retire HCM platform covering recruitment, payroll, performance, learning and offboarding. AI supports people analytics through Akrivia CoPilot and AI agents.
Overview
Akrivia HCM brings recruitment with an applicant tracking system, digital onboarding, core HR, leave and attendance, payroll, performance management and a native learning management system onto one platform. Performance management uses OKR-based goals and 360-degree feedback, and employees can use WhatsApp-based self-service. Payroll supports multiple entities and countries.
Key Features
Recruitment with an applicant tracking system and digital onboarding share the same employee record.
Payroll supports multiple entities and countries, and processes permanent and contractual employees together.
Performance management uses OKR-based goals and 360-degree feedback, with a native learning management system alongside.
Self-service covers time off, payslips and expense claims, including WhatsApp-based access.
Best For
Mid-to-large businesses, including manufacturing and IT services, that want a hire-to-retire HCM with payroll across entities and countries.
Pricing
Quote based.
3. ZingHR
Verdict
ZingHR is an HCM platform organised into named modules for hiring, payroll, performance, learning and rewards. Vertical-specific versions adapt it to industries such as BFSI, manufacturing, retail and IT services.
Overview
Zing Hire covers talent acquisition and onboarding, including manpower planning and budgeting and AI-led screening and interviews. Zing Pay covers core HR and payroll with statutory compliance, and ZingGrow runs OKR-based performance, with ratings feeding compensation reviews. ZingReady supports succession planning, and ZingPulse predicts attrition risk.
Key Features
Zing Hire covers manpower planning and budgeting, digital onboarding, and AI-led screening and interviews.
ZingGrow runs OKR-based performance, and ratings feed the Compensation Workbench.
ZingReady supports succession planning, and Zing Learn assigns learning to close skill gaps.
Zing RNR runs rewards and recognition, and ZingPulse predicts attrition risk.
Best For
Larger enterprises that want an HCM platform with named modules across hiring, performance, learning and rewards, adapted to their industry.
Pricing
Quote based.
4. Spine HR
Verdict
Spine HR is a modular hire-to-retire HRMS, available as cloud or on-premise software, that runs hiring, payroll, attendance, performance and exit on one employee record. It includes AI-enabled resume screening.
Overview
Spine HR covers recruitment, onboarding, core HRIS and payroll, leave, attendance, timesheets, expenses, performance management, training and induction, an HR help desk and offboarding, all sharing one employee record. Payroll produces EPFO, ESIC, Professional Tax, TDS and Form 16 outputs and supports configurable wage definitions for the new Labour Codes. Companies start with core HRIS and payroll and add modules as they grow.
Key Features
Recruitment covers requisitions, scheduled and scored interview rounds, and AI resume screening with match scores.
Performance management, training and induction and an HR help desk run alongside payroll.
Compliance covers the ECR file, ESIC contributions, state-wise Professional Tax, and TDS with Form 16, plus configurable wage definitions for the new Labour Codes.
Role-based access and audit trails on employee data support the DPDP Act.
Best For
Indian businesses that want a modular hire-to-retire HRMS with an on-premise option and payroll that can be configured for the new Labour Codes.
Pricing
Quote based.
5. Voyon Folks
Verdict
Voyon Folks is an AI-powered HCM that covers payroll, attendance, talent acquisition, learning, performance and engagement for multi-state workforces. It’s offered as Core, Enterprise, Flexible and on-premise plans.
Overview
Voyon Folks groups its modules into core services, such as payroll, attendance, leave and benefits, and enterprise services, such as talent acquisition, learning, performance, loans, assets, travel and incentives. An AI multi-state workforce coordinator brings attendance, payroll, availability and people analytics into one repository. Payroll automates PF, ESI, PT, TDS and Labour Code requirements across states.
Key Features
The Core plan covers organisation and workforce management, attendance, leave, benefits, payroll and employee self-service.
The Enterprise plan adds talent acquisition, learning and development, performance and skill management, a career portal, analytics and a multilingual mobile app.
Payroll handles income tax computation, TDS, Form 16 and Form 24Q, and attendance runs on biometric, mobile and web check-in for factory, office and remote teams.
On-premise deployment runs on a client-managed server or any cloud platform.
Best For
Multi-state businesses in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail and logistics that want a modular HRMS with a cloud or on-premise option.
Pricing
Quote based.
6. HROne
Verdict
HROne is a cloud HCM suite covering workforce, recruitment, leave and attendance, payroll, performance, engagement, expense, assets and helpdesk. It’s built for Indian businesses and runs on web and mobile.
Overview
HROne runs hire-to-retire processes on one platform, with automations and smart workflows across modules. Performance covers goals, OKR mapping, continuous feedback, 360-degree reviews and a 9-box matrix, and engagement adds pulse surveys, appreciation badges and reward points. One AI Suite supports routine HR tasks.
Key Features
Recruitment covers job postings, interviews and offer letters, with candidate tracking and onboarding.
Performance management covers goals, OKR mapping, 360-degree reviews and a 9-box matrix populated from review ratings.
Engagement covers appreciation badges, redeemable reward points, pulse surveys and a Mood Bot.
Attendance can be marked and approved from mobile, WhatsApp or desktop, with helpdesk, expense and asset modules on the same suite.
Best For
Mid-sized Indian businesses that want a cloud HCM suite across hiring, performance, engagement and payroll.
Pricing
Quote based.
7. PeopleHum
Verdict
PeopleHum is a cloud HCM platform built around talent, performance and engagement, with hiring, onboarding, attendance and analytics on one platform. Phia, its helpdesk assistant, handles employee queries.
Overview
PeopleHum runs a continuous engagement cycle of surveys, ideation, gamification and recognitions, with an engagement heat map that shows where scores are shifting. Objectives and key results, shift scheduling and offboarding sit on the same platform. Analytics dashboards cover hiring, engagement and employee growth.
Key Features
The engagement cycle runs on pulse surveys, ideation, gamified challenges, recognitions and company-wide or team announcements.
An engagement index heat map shows engagement drivers across the organisation.
Huddle collects regular check-ins from remote and hybrid employees and feeds the results into analytics.
Objectives and key results, learning and shift scheduling work alongside core HR.
Best For
Businesses that want an HCM platform centred on engagement, performance and analytics, with support for remote and hybrid teams.
Pricing
Quote based.
8. Keka
Verdict
Keka is an HCM platform covering hiring, payroll, attendance, performance and helpdesk on one platform. Keka AI answers HR questions and completes everyday tasks like applying leave.
Overview
Keka’s recruitment module handles job descriptions, job posting, applicant tracking, assessments, interviews, offers and onboarding, with candidate data carrying into HR, payroll and performance. Preboarding automates offer rollout, background checks and document collection before day one. A digital helpdesk lets employees raise and track tickets.
Key Features
Recruitment covers job description creation, job posting, applicant tracking, interviews and offers, with branded career portals.
Preboarding covers automated offer rollout, background checks, document collection and pre-joining tasks.
Shifts can be assigned automatically from preset rules, with rotation.
Keka PSA covers projects, timesheets, resource allocation and client billing for services firms.
Best For
Growing businesses, including services firms, that want an HCM platform running hiring through payroll.
Pricing
Quote based.
9. greytHR
Verdict
greytHR is a full-suite HCM platform covering payroll, leave, onboarding, helpdesk and exit, with performance, recruitment and expense modules available as a business grows. A built-in AI assistant is included on every plan.
Overview
greytHR runs employee self-onboarding and exit with automated checklists, a helpdesk for employee queries and a web and mobile employee portal. Engagement features include social feeds, bulletin boards, mass communications and automated greetings. Advanced analytics and reporting sit across the platform.
Key Features
Employee self-onboarding and exit run with automated checklists for task management.
A helpdesk and a web and mobile employee portal let employees raise requests and see payslips, leave and attendance.
Social feeds, bulletin boards, mass communications and automated birthday and anniversary greetings support engagement.
greytHR Recruit, performance management and expense management are available as modules, with an alumni portal and SSO and API options.
Best For
Businesses that want a payroll-first HCM platform with employee self-service and the option to add hiring, performance and expense modules.
Pricing
Quote based.
10. factoHR
Verdict
factoHR is an HCM solution covering onboarding, core HR, attendance, payroll, performance and surveys, with separate software for running provident fund, gratuity and pension trusts. Industry versions adapt it for sectors such as manufacturing, finance, retail and IT.
Overview
factoHR’s core HR covers an organisation chart, transfers and promotions, probation and confirmation, and offboarding, with a joining kit, letter templates and asset management. The performance module adds KRA and KPI goals, configurable and multi-level review cycles, 360-degree and continuous feedback, and one-on-one meetings. Anonymous surveys and acknowledgments sit alongside it.
Key Features
Core HR covers transfers and promotions, probation and confirmation, offboarding, letter templates and asset management.
Performance covers KRA and KPI goals, bell curve analysis, multi-level reviews, 360-degree and continuous feedback and one-on-one meetings.
Surveys include anonymous surveys, acknowledgments and feedback reports.
Retirement benefit software runs provident fund, gratuity, superannuation, pension and benevolent fund trusts.
Best For
Businesses that want an HCM solution spanning core HR, performance and retirement benefit trusts, with industry-specific versions.
Pricing
Quote based.
How to Choose the Best HCM Software in India?
For Indian enterprises, HCM software must do more than automate routine HR tasks. It should connect payroll, talent and workforce operations while supporting complex employee structures, multiple locations and business-wide reporting.
Check how the platform handles salary revisions, state transfers, bonuses, overtime and full-and-final settlements, along with PF, ESI, Professional Tax, LWF and TDS calculations.
Ensure it supports multiple legal entities, state-specific policies and approval structures, with consolidated headcount, payroll cost and attrition reports.
Check whether recruitment is linked to approved positions and budgets, and whether performance ratings feed into compensation, learning and succession planning.
Look for workforce planning capabilities that use attendance, shift and overtime data to identify recurring absenteeism, understaffed shifts and rising workforce costs.
Test chat-based AI with management queries. Can a manager compare absenteeism and overtime across locations, identify problem teams and initiate corrective actions in one conversation?
Check ERP and finance integrations, role-based access, audit trails, regional-language employee access, implementation support and the cost of adding modules as the business grows.
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About the author
Mazna is a strategic HR leader with over 10 years of experience driving talent success and organizational growth. As Head of Talent Acquisition and Operations at HONO, she leads HR initiatives across India and South-East Asia, including manpower planning, employee lifecycle management, talent development, engagement, and retention. Mazna is known for aligning people strategy with business goals, building inclusive high-performing teams, and strengthening culture to enable sustainable growth.
