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Employee self-service (ESS) software · Alternatives

Best Ciphr alternatives in India (2027)

Ciphr is an employee self-service (ess) software product from Ciphr Limited, Reading, priced at Paid plans. We compared 20 alternatives on published price, free plan, platforms and made-in-India support: 1 have a free plan, 12 are built in India.

Ciphr review

Quick answer

The closest alternatives to Ciphr are SmartHR (On request), Payboy (Paid plans), Paycom (On request), HR WORKS (On request) and Workforce.com (On request). HRSaathi is the top-ranked option with a free plan. Published prices in this list start at ₹40/month.

Why businesses look for a Ciphr alternative

There is no free plan

Ciphr has no free tier. 1 alternatives do, which lets you test with real data before you pay.

Indian support and GST

Ciphr is built in United Kingdom. 12 alternatives are made in India, where GST, TDS and UPI are usually handled natively and support runs on IST.

A mobile app

Ciphr does not list an Android app. 1 alternatives do.

Ciphr alternatives compared

Ranked by how closely each product matches Ciphr's category, pricing model, platforms and business size, then by rating. Prices exclude GST.

#SoftwareStarting priceFree planPlatformsMade in IndiaRatingCompare
—Ciphr logoCiphr (current)Paid plansNoWebNo4.1/5—
1SmartHR logoSmartHROn requestNoWebYes4.3/5
2Payboy logoPayboyPaid plansNoWeb, Android, iOSNo3.9/5
3Paycom logoPaycomOn requestNoWebNo4.1/5
4HR WORKS logoHR WORKSOn requestNoWebNo4/5
5Workforce.com logoWorkforce.comOn requestNoWebNo3.9/5
6HRSaathi logoHRSaathiFree · paid from ₹450/month · Startup ₹450/month for first 15 users, plus GSTYesWebYes4.7/5
7HR Cloud logoHR CloudOn requestNoWebNo4/5
8AlexisHR logoAlexisHROn requestNoWebNo4.1/5
9QuikChex logoQuikChexRs 4,500/month + Rs 45/employee · Self Service Starter; GST not statedNoWebYes4.6/5
10greytHR logogreytHRFrom ₹2,495/mo (up to 50 employees)NoWebYes4.9/5
11Keka HR logoKeka HR₹6,999/moNoWebYes4.7/5
12sumHR logosumHR₹49 per user/month · Startup plan, billed annuallyNoWebYes4.7/5
13Qandle logoQandle₹2,450/moNoWebYes4.6/5
14Zimyo logoZimyo₹60/moNoWebYes4.6/5
15RemoFirst logoRemoFirstEOR from $199 per employee/monthNoWebNo4.1/5
16Paybooks logoPaybooksPrice on request · Software and outsourcing prices are not publishedNoWebYes4.7/5
17Zoho People Plus logoZoho People Plus₹300/moNoWebYes4.7/5
18uKnowva HRMS logouKnowva HRMSPrice on request · Both editions show 'Call for pricing'NoWebYes4.6/5
19QkrHR Payroll logoQkrHR Payroll₹40/moNoWebYes4.3/5
20SurePayroll logoSurePayrollPaid plansNoWebNo4.1/5

Top 10 Ciphr alternatives in detail

SmartHR logo

1. SmartHR

SmartHR · Coimbatore · Employee self-service (ESS) software · 4.3/5

White-label HR, payroll, attendance and leave platform that businesses can buy ready-made or have customised. | employee-self-service

On request

Quote-based

Compared with Ciphr

  • Built in India (Coimbatore)
Payboy logo

2. Payboy

Payboy · Singapore · Employee self-service (ESS) software · 3.9/5

Singapore HRMS for payroll, leave, attendance and scheduling, with a mobile app for employee check-in. | employee-self-service

Paid plans

Free trial

Compared with Ciphr

  • Also available on Android, iOS
Paycom logo

3. Paycom

Paycom Software · Oklahoma City · Employee self-service (ESS) software · 4.1/5

HR and payroll software in a single database, including Beti automated payroll and employee self-service. | employee-self-service

On request

Quote-based

HR WORKS logo

4. HR WORKS

HRworks GmbH · Freiburg · Employee self-service (ESS) software · 4/5

HR software for SMEs covering personnel admin, absence, time recording, travel expenses and payroll interfaces. | employee-self-service

On request

Quote-based

Workforce.com logo

5. Workforce.com

Workforce.com · Chicago · Employee self-service (ESS) software · 3.9/5

Workforce management software for employee scheduling, time and attendance, HR and payroll. | employee-self-service

On request

Quote-based

HRSaathi logo

6. HRSaathi

Skysoft IT Services Pvt Ltd · Lucknow · Employee self-service (ESS) software · 4.7/5

HRMS for Indian startups and SMEs with attendance, leave, employee records, documents and self-service tools. | employee-self-service

Free · paid from ₹450/month · Startup ₹450/month for first 15 users, plus GST

Free plan available

Compared with Ciphr

  • Has a free plan — Ciphr does not
  • Built in India (Lucknow)

Key features

  • Core directory with departments and roles
  • Documents repository
  • Bulk import via CSV or Excel
  • Probation management
  • Employee self-resignation
HR Cloud logo

7. HR Cloud

HR Cloud · El Segundo · Employee self-service (ESS) software · 4/5

HR platform for frontline teams connecting onboarding, core HR, engagement and payroll. | employee-self-service

On request

Quote-based

AlexisHR logo

8. AlexisHR

AlexisHR AB · Stockholm · Employee self-service (ESS) software · 4.1/5

All-in-one HR platform for core HR, time management, documents, e-signing and people analytics. | employee-self-service

On request

Quote-based

QuikChex logo

9. QuikChex

QuikChex · Mumbai · Payroll software · 4.6/5

HRMS with integrated payroll, attendance and compliance for Indian companies, plus payroll outsourcing. | payroll-software

Rs 4,500/month + Rs 45/employee · Self Service Starter; GST not stated

Free trial

Compared with Ciphr

  • Built in India (Mumbai)

Key features

  • Configurable pay heads and reusable CTC templates
  • TDS, PF, ESIC, gratuity and arrears handling
  • Investment declarations with digital proof upload
  • Form 16 generation
  • Bank transfer files with reconciliation
greytHR logo

10. greytHR

Greytip Software · Bengaluru · HRMS software · 4.9/5

HR and payroll software with attendance, leave, statutory compliance and an employee self-service app.

From ₹2,495/mo (up to 50 employees)

Free trial

Compared with Ciphr

  • Built in India (Bengaluru)

Key features

  • Automatic PF, ESI, PT, LWF and TDS
  • Multi-state statutory compliance
  • Government portal filing
  • Leave management
  • Biometric, GPS and GeoMark+ attendance

Ciphr alternatives by what you need

How to choose a Ciphr alternative

  • Try the mobile app as an employee would, on a low-end Android phone and in a regional language if your workforce needs one.
  • Check which changes need HR approval, especially bank details, to prevent payroll fraud.
  • Confirm the ESS works for contract and field staff, not only office employees.

Ciphr alternatives — FAQs

What is the best alternative to Ciphr in 2027?+

The closest matches to Ciphr on App Advisor are SmartHR (On request), Payboy (Paid plans), Paycom (On request). They are ranked by how closely their category, pricing model, platforms and target business size match Ciphr, then by rating. The best choice depends on your team size and budget.

Is there a free alternative to Ciphr?+

Yes. 1 of the 20 alternatives listed have a free plan or are free: HRSaathi (Free · paid from ₹450/month · Startup ₹450/month for first 15 users, plus GST). Free plans usually cap users, records or transactions, so check the limits against your monthly volume.

What is the cheapest alternative to Ciphr?+

Among alternatives that publish a price, QkrHR Payroll starts lowest at ₹40/mo. HRSaathi also has a free plan. Prices are read from each vendor's website and exclude GST.

Is there an Indian alternative to Ciphr?+

Yes. 12 alternatives are built in India, including SmartHR (On request), HRSaathi (Free · paid from ₹450/month · Startup ₹450/month for first 15 users, plus GST), QuikChex (Rs 4,500/month + Rs 45/employee · Self Service Starter; GST not stated). Indian products usually handle GST, TDS and UPI natively and bill in rupees.

Ciphr vs SmartHR: which is better?+

SmartHR is the closest match to Ciphr in our catalogue. Key differences: Built in India (Coimbatore). Compare them side by side before you book a demo.

How were these Ciphr alternatives chosen?+

Every product listed sits in employee self-service (ess) software or a category Ciphr also covers, and Ciphr Limited's own products are excluded. Prices, free plans and platforms come from each vendor's official website. App Advisor does not sell any of this software.

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