Choosing the Top Payroll and HR Software in Pune: Complete Guide for 2026

Pune has grown increasingly from a cultural centre into one of India’s strongest tech and industrial hubs. With successful IT parks in Hinjewadi and Magarpatta and major manufacturing companies in Chakan and Pimpri-Chinchwad, the city now hosts 4,500+ startups and global companies.

So why are so many Pune organizations moving away from spreadsheets and manual HR?

Because outdated processes slow down growth, causing errors, compliance management issues, and unnecessary workload.

The best part?

Modern HR and payroll software removes these issues easily. Automation has become the true game changer, helping HR teams shift from manual tasks to smart, scalable, and effective operations.

This guide highlights the top HR and payroll software in Pune, adapted for the city’s fast-growing startups, manufacturing industries, and enterprises. Whether you are scaling in standard or managing operations, you will find the right HR tech partner here.

What is HR and Payroll Software?

Before evaluating providers, it is important to analyze what these tools actually do. While often used uniformly, HR software and payroll software give clear but interconnected functions.

1. Understanding HR Software

HR software, also referred to as Core HR software, is the digital supporter of your organization. It automates the “people” side of business. It acts as a combined warehouse for employee data, replacing dusty filing cabinets with secure cloud storage. Its primary functions include:

Onboarding & Offboarding: Simplifying the joining and exit formalities.
Leave & Attendance: Tracking who is in, who is out, and who is working remotely.
Employee Self-Service (ESS): Empowering employees to update their own personal details.
Performance Management: Tracking goals, KRAs, and appraisals.

2. Understanding Payroll Software

Payroll software is a financial mechanism. It is designed to manage the difficult mathematics of compensation. It takes inputs from the attendance system (days worked, overtime) and calculates:

Gross & Net Salary: Resolving allowances and deductions.
Statutory Deductions: Automating PF, ESIC, Professional Tax, and TDS.
Disbursements: Generating bank transfer files for direct salary deposits.

3. The Integrated HRMS

Modern HR solutions combine these two worlds into a single HR ecosystem. An integrated HRMS (Human Resource Management System) ensures that when an employee takes an unpaid leave in the HR software, the payroll software automatically deducts the amount from their salary without any manual data entry. This coordination is the key to HR automation and error-free HR operations.

Top Best HR and Payroll Software in Pune (2026 Edition)

After evaluating features, pricing, local support, and user reviews from different platforms, here is our combined list of the top HR software in Pune.

1. Savvy HRMS (Top Recommendation)

Savvy HRMS stands out as the #1 choice for organizations in Pune, offering a perfect merge of enterprise-grade features and SME-friendly usability. It is an end-to-end HR ecosystem designed to automate the whole employee process, from “hire to retire.”

Why It’s #1 for Pune:

Although many platforms specialize in either just payroll or just attendance, Savvy HRMS delivers a full Core HR software experience. It is especially skilled at handling the dual needs of Pune’s economy, managing white-collar project mapping for IT organizations and complicated shift scheduling for manufacturing industries.

Key Features:

Automated Payroll Processing: One-click payroll generation that manages difficult salary structures, balances, and Maharashtra-specific compliance automatically.
Attendance Management System: Geo-fencing features for field sales teams and biometric integration for office employees.
Performance Management System: Strong KRA and KPI tracking, 360-degree feedback, and appraisal workflows that help build high-performance HR teams.
Visual Analytics: A strong dashboard offering real-time analytics into turnover, headcount, and leave records, empowering HR strategy.
Mobile App: A fully functional mobile app allowing employees to mark attendance through selfie and view payslips anytime.

Pricing:

Savvy HRMS is known for its transparent “solid base” pricing, which is highly competitive for Pune SMEs.

Core Plan: Starts at ₹4,500/month for up to 50 employees (approx. ₹90/user).
Edge Plan: Starts at ₹6,000/month for up to 50 employees (includes advanced expense management and travel tools).
Additional Users: Charged at a formal fee (approx. ₹90–₹120 per user).

Best For: Startups, SMEs, Mid-sized enterprises, and large organizations in Pune looking for a scalable, all-in-one solution.

2. Bharat Payroll

Bharat Payroll is a powerful challenger with permanent roots in the local market. It positions itself as a specialist in HR software in Pune, specifically providing to the industrial belts of PCMC (Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation).

Key Features:

Industrial Compliance: Specializes in the Factories Act and Maharashtra Shops & Establishments Act compliance.
Biometric Integration: Smoothly connects with biometric devices commonly used in factories for attendance management system needs.
Regional Support: Offers strong on-ground support in Pune, which is an important advantage for companies that prefer face-to-face implementation.

Pricing:

Model: Flexible, module-based pricing.
Range: Offers customized quotes based on the number of employees.
Note: Contact their sales team for a customized quote specific to your factory size.

Best For: Manufacturing companies and industrial setups requiring heavy compliance support.

3. greytHR

For SMEs in Pune that want a complete solution without the headache of difficult implementation, greytHR is the standard choice. With a physical office in Pune, they have a strong local grip and are largely trusted for their statutory compliance engine.

Key Features:

Statutory Compliance: Their strongest suit; it automatically handles Maharashtra-specific statutory compliances like Professional Tax (PT), PF, ESIC, and LWF updates without manual intervention.
Employee Self-Service (ESS): A widely adopted mobile app that allows employees to download payslips, Form 16, and tax sheets instantly, reducing HR queries by up to 90%.
Quick Payroll: Features a “one-click” payroll processing engine that is perfect for businesses with straightforward salary structures.

Pricing:

Model: Per-Employee-Per-Month (PEPM) with base slab.

Starter Plan: Free for up to 25 employees (Limited features).
Essential Plan: ₹3,495/month for 50 employees (approx. ₹70/user for additional).
Growth Plan: ₹5,495/month for 50 employees (approx. ₹110/user for additional).
Value: Extremely cost-effective for startups and small businesses looking for a low-risk entry into automation.

Best For: Small to medium businesses (SMEs) and startups in Pune’s IT and service sectors that need a standardized, compliant payroll system immediately.

4. factoHR

FactoHR is a “Mobile-First” platform that has gained significant traction in Pune’s manufacturing and logistics hubs. It is built to handle employees that are not always sitting at a desk.

Key Features:

Touchless Attendance: Features a Selfie Punch with Geo-fencing, allowing field staff and factory workers to mark attendance from their own phones, eliminating the need for biometric hardware maintenance.
Hire-to-Retire: Unlike many payroll-only tools, this covers the full lifecycle, including rigorous Performance Management (OKRs/KPIs) and Onboarding.
Shift Management: Robust scheduling tools designed to handle complex rotational shifts common in Pune’s automotive and manufacturing industries.

Pricing:

Model: Subscription-based (User Slab + PEPM).

Structure: Plans typically start around ₹5,000 – ₹6,000/month (approx. $69) for up to 50 employees.
Add-ons: Additional employees are charged between ₹60 – ₹100 per user/month, depending on the modules selected (Core vs. Premium).
Value: Offers enterprise-grade “talent management” features at a price point accessible to mid-sized companies.

Best For: Manufacturing companies and businesses with a distributed or field-based workforce requiring rigorous shift planning and mobile attendance.

5. EasyHR

EasyHR is a cloud-based HR management tool that focuses on simplicity and speed. It is an inextensible solution ideal for smaller companies in Pune that need to get up and running quickly.

Key Features:

Quick Implementation: Can be positioned in under a week.
Recruitment Management Software: Basic tools to track applicants and manage interviews.
Asset Management: Helps track company assets like laptops and mobiles issued to employees.

Pricing:

Starting Price: Plans start from approximately ₹2,499/month for small companies.
Model: Structured subscription based on feature sets (Basic vs. Premium packages).
Trial: Often provides a free trial period to test the software before committing.

Best For: Small businesses and service-based agencies.

6. Keka HR

Although a national player, Keka has a large presence in Pune’s IT sector. Known for its “employee-centric” design, it focuses mainly on user experience (UX) and culture.

Key Features:

Modern UI: Extremely easy to use, appearing a social media platform than a boring HR tool.
Pulse Surveys: Built-in tools to measure employee views and engagement.
Leave Management System: Highly flexible leave policies that can be configured for different departments.

Pricing:

Foundation Plan: Starts at ₹6,999/month for up to 100 employees.
Additional Employees: ₹60/month per extra employee.
Modules: Advanced modules like Performance Management may cost extra (approx. ₹3,000/month base + ₹30/employee).

Best For: New-age tech startups and creative agencies prioritizing employee culture.

7. Zoho People

For organizations already invested in the Zoho ecosystem (like Zoho Mail, Zoho CRM), Zoho People is the best choice.

Key Features:

Integration: Smoothly talks to other Zoho apps, creating a merged HR software, payroll, and operations data flow.
Custom Forms: Drag-and-drop builders to create custom HR forms for any purpose.
Performance Management: Detailed analytics and appraisal modules.

Pricing:

Free Plan: Forever free for up to 5 users (great for small teams).
Zoho Payroll: Starts at ₹1,250/month (billed monthly) for up to 25 employees.
Zoho People (HRMS): Paid plans typically start around ₹50–₹100 per user/month, depending on the features.

Best For: Businesses already using Zoho’s ecosystem of business tools.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Choose the Best HR Software in Pune

Choosing the right HR solutions is an essential decision. Based on industry best practices, here is a roadmap to finding your perfect match.

Step 1: Define Your HR Requirements

Don’t buy software just because of its name and popularity. List your challenges:

Is payroll software your biggest gap?
Do you need to track field sales teams using GPS?
Is recruitment management software a priority?
Are you struggling with HR analytics?

If you need everything, look for an “All-in-One” platform like Savvy HRMS.

Step 2: Consider Your Budget and Size

Startups (1-50 employees): Look for cloud-based (SaaS) models with monthly subscription plans to keep capital revenue low.
SMEs (50-500 employees): You need HR automation for scalability. Look for modular pricing where you pay per employee.
Large Enterprises (500+): You need proper support and customization. Custom developers or enterprise plans from Savvy HRMS is the perfect choice.

Step 3: Check for “Pune-Readiness”

Does the software understand local context?

Compliance: Can it handle Maharashtra’s specific professional tax laws?
Support: Do they offer support during Indian business hours? (International tools may lack this).
Language: Does it support local language options if you have a blue-collar workforce?

Step 4: Evaluate the “Core” Features

Every strong system must have these Core HR software pillars:

Combined Database: A digital filing cabinet for all employee documents.
Leave & Attendance: Automated tracking linked to payroll.
Payroll Processing: One-click salary calculation.
Statutory Compliance: Auto-updates for law changes.

Step 5: Test the User Experience (UX)

The best HR strategy fails if employees refuse to use the software. Request a demo.

Is the mobile app fast?
Can an employee download their payslip in 3 clicks or in fewer clicks?
Is the dashboard clean?

Savvy HRMS excels here with an interface designed for non-technical users, ensuring high adoption rates across HR teams and other employees.

Step-by-Step Guide for a Successful HR Software Implementation

Implementing HR management software in Pune isn’t just about installing a tool; it’s about changing how your organization works. Based on successful industry case studies, here is a foolproof 5-step plan to ensure your launch is a success.

Step 1: Data Audit & Cleansing

Before you even think of the new software, you must clean your organization. Transferring incorrect data into a new system is the start of a disaster.

Action: Verify all employee details, PAN numbers, bank account codes (IFSC), and date of birth.
Why: Payroll software depends on correct data for tax calculations. If the input is wrong (Garbage in), the output will be wrong (Garbage out).

Step 2: Configuration & Localization

Once your data is clean, configure the software to match your specific business rules and local laws.

Action: Set up your shift timings, leave policies, and holiday lists. Importantly, configure the Maharashtra Professional Tax slabs and local holiday calendars specific to Pune.
Why: Normal settings won’t work. Your HR workflow needs to reflect whether your office is in a customized form.

Step 3: Pilot Run (Parallel Processing)

Never flip the switch for everyone at once. Mitigate risk by testing the waters first.

Action: Pick one stable department (like the HR department or IT team) and run a pilot for one month. Process payroll on your old manual system and the new HR payroll software normally.
Why: This allows you to cross-verify calculations. If there a disturbances in tax deduction or overtime, you can catch and fix them before they affect the entire company’s salary.

Step 4: Stakeholder Training

The best software fails if people don’t know how to use it. Training is important for adoption.

Action: Use a tiered training process. Train your HR professionals (admins) first, then your reporting managers (who approve leaves), and finally the general employees.
Why: Empowering users with video tutorial guides provided by the vendor reduces resistance to change and sets the tone for HR excellence.

Step 5: Go-Live & Continuous Optimization

The official launch is just the beginning.

Action: Announce the Go-Live date clearly. After launch, actively look for feedback for the first 90 days.
Why: Use early feedback to tweak workflows, perhaps a leave approval chain is too long, or the mobile app geofencing needs adjustment. Continuous improvement ensures your HR strategy evolves with the tool.

Why Savvy HRMS is the Best Choice for Pune Businesses?

Among the different available options, Savvy HRMS consistently ranks as the preferred partner for Pune’s strong business market. It isn’t just about features; it’s about strategic alignment with the city’s organizational culture. Here is why Savvy HRMS is the best choice for organizations in Pune:

1. Localized Compliance proficiency

Pune organizations operate under strict Maharashtra state labor laws.
Whether it is the correct calculation of Maharashtra Professional Tax, managing LWF (Labour Welfare Fund) deductions, or generating reports for the Shops & Establishments Act inspector, Savvy HRMS has these rules hard-coded into its DNA.
Unlike global software that requires manual “workarounds” for local taxes, Savvy handles them easily.
This protects your business from compliance penalties.

2. Flexibility for “Hybrid” Pune Operations

Pune is unique because many organizations here are “hybrid” not just in work location, but in workforce type. A manufacturing company often has corporate staff in general.

For the Factory: Savvy integrates smoothly with biometric machines and handles difficult shift rotations, overtime rules, and gate passes.
For the Office: It offers geo-fencing, selfie-attendance, and project timesheets.
Most competitors excel at only one of these; Savvy HRMS bridges the gap, merging your HR workflow across blue-collar and white-collar teams.

3. Scalability with Cost Efficiency

Pune is a startup hub, where a company with 20 employees today may have 200 next year.
Savvy HRMS is built on a scalable structural architecture.
You can begin with just the Core HR software and payroll software modules.
As your business grows, you can activate advanced modules like Recruitment Management Software, Performance Appraisal, and HR Analytics.
This “pay-as-you-grow” model ensures you only pay for what you use.
It improves both your HR strategy and your budget.

4. Superior Support Ecosystem

Nothing delays HR operations more than a payroll glitch on the 30th of the month.
International software providers often rely on ticket-based support with 24-hour turnaround times.
Savvy HRMS provides strong, accessible support that understands the urgency of Indian payroll cycles.
Their team functions less like a vendor and more like an extended part of your HR department.
This ensures your pay runs are never delayed.

Your Next Step Towards Smarter, Automated HR in Pune

The landscape of HR software in Pune is powerful and competitive. For businesses in this city, the choice includes balancing advanced technology with local compliance needs and budgets.

While there are several strong platforms like Bharat Payroll for manufacturing and Keka for cultural engagement, Savvy HRMS emerges as the most balanced, strong, and value-for-money option. Its transparent pricing, starting at just ₹4,500/month, equalizes access to enterprise-level HR features for businesses of all sizes.

Investing in the right HR tech is not an expense; it is an investment in your organization’s efficiency and culture. By automating daily HR operations and HR administration, you free up your HR professionals to focus on what truly matters: strategy, culture, and people.

Ready to transform your HR department? Start by evaluating your needs, requesting demos, and taking the first step toward a digital, automated future for your Pune business.