1. 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
Employee self-service (ESS) software · Alternatives
Best SmartHR alternatives in India (2026)
SmartHR is an employee self-service (ess) software product from SmartHR, Coimbatore, priced at On request. We compared 20 alternatives on published price, free plan, platforms and made-in-India support: 1 have a free plan, 13 are built in India, and 1 start cheaper or free.
Quick answer
The closest alternatives to SmartHR are Paycom (On request), HR WORKS (On request), Workforce.com (On request), Ciphr (On request) and HR Cloud (On request). HRSaathi is the top-ranked option with a free plan. Published prices in this list start at ₹450/month.
Why businesses look for a SmartHR alternative
The price isn't published
SmartHR quotes SmartHR per organisation. 1 of the 20 alternatives below publish a starting price, so you can budget before a sales call.
There is no free plan
SmartHR has no free tier. 1 alternatives do, which lets you test with real data before you pay.
A mobile app
SmartHR does not list an Android app. 1 alternatives do.
SmartHR alternatives compared
Ranked by how closely each product matches SmartHR's category, pricing model, platforms and business size, then by rating. Prices exclude GST.
| # | Software | Starting price | Free plan | Platforms | Made in India | Rating | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | SmartHR (current) | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.3/5 | — |
| 1 | Paycom | On request | No | Web | No | 4.1/5 | |
| 2 |  HR WORKS | On request | No | Web | No | 4/5 | |
| 3 |  Workforce.com | On request | No | Web | No | 3.9/5 | |
| 4 |  Ciphr | On request | No | Web | No | 4.1/5 | |
| 5 |  HR Cloud | On request | No | Web | No | 4/5 | |
| 6 |  AlexisHR | On request | No | Web | No | 4.1/5 | |
| 7 |  HRSaathi | ₹450/mo | Yes | Web | Yes | 4.7/5 | |
| 8 |  Payboy | On request | No | Web, Android, iOS | No | 3.9/5 | |
| 9 |  PeopleStrong | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.5/5 | |
| 10 |  TankhaPay | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.5/5 | |
| 11 |  HRMantra | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.5/5 | |
| 12 |  Neeyamo | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.3/5 | |
| 13 |  Darwinbox | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.5/5 | |
| 14 |  Pocket HRMS | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.5/5 | |
| 15 |  Ramco HCM | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.5/5 | |
| 16 |  Spine HR | On request | No | Web, Windows | Yes | 4.5/5 | |
| 17 |  Wallet HR | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.4/5 | |
| 18 |  Officenet HRMS | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.4/5 | |
| 19 |  Craze | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.3/5 | |
| 20 |  Pocket HRMS Payroll | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.4/5 |
Top 10 SmartHR alternatives in detail
2. 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
3. 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
4. Ciphr
Ciphr Limited · Reading · Employee self-service (ESS) software · 4.1/5
HR and payroll platform for UK organisations with employee records, absence, performance and employee self-service. | employee-self-service
On request
Free trial
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
₹450/mo
Free plan available
Compared with SmartHR
- Has a free plan — SmartHR does not
- Publishes a price (₹450/mo); SmartHR is quote-only
8. 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
On request
Free trial
Compared with SmartHR
- Also available on Android, iOS
9. PeopleStrong
PeopleStrong · Gurugram · HRMS software · 4.5/5
Enterprise HR tech and payroll platform.
On request
Quote-based
Key features
- Core HR
- Onboarding
- Leave & Attendance
- Employee self-service on web and mobile
- Automated salary calculations including pro-rata adjustments for payouts and related expenses
10. TankhaPay
Akal Information Systems Ltd. · New Delhi · Payroll software · 4.5/5
Payroll, statutory compliance, HRMS and employer-of-record services for Indian and global teams.
On request
Quote-based
SmartHR alternatives by what you need
Cheaper than SmartHR
Free SmartHR alternatives
Indian alternatives to SmartHR
How to choose a SmartHR 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.
SmartHR alternatives — FAQs
What is the best alternative to SmartHR in 2026?+
The closest matches to SmartHR on App Advisor are Paycom (On request), HR WORKS (On request), Workforce.com (On request). They are ranked by how closely their category, pricing model, platforms and target business size match SmartHR, then by rating. The best choice depends on your team size and budget.
Is there a free alternative to SmartHR?+
Yes. 1 of the 20 alternatives listed have a free plan or are free: HRSaathi (₹450/mo). Free plans usually cap users, records or transactions, so check the limits against your monthly volume.
What is the cheapest alternative to SmartHR?+
Among alternatives that publish a price, HRSaathi starts lowest at ₹450/mo. HRSaathi also has a free plan. Prices are read from each vendor's website and exclude GST.
Is there an Indian alternative to SmartHR?+
Yes. 13 alternatives are built in India, including HRSaathi (₹450/mo), PeopleStrong (On request), TankhaPay (On request). Indian products usually handle GST, TDS and UPI natively and bill in rupees.
SmartHR vs Paycom: which is better?+
Paycom is the closest match to SmartHR in our catalogue. Compare them side by side before you book a demo.
How were these SmartHR alternatives chosen?+
Every product listed sits in employee self-service (ess) software or a category SmartHR also covers, and SmartHR'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.
Free shortlist
Not sure which SmartHR alternative fits?
Tell us your team size and budget and we'll send a shortlist of three.
Related alternatives
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