For a small business, payroll is rarely hard because of the maths. It’s hard because of everything around it: PF and ESI rules that change, Professional Tax that differs by state, TDS declarations, payslips people keep asking for, and a spreadsheet that only one person understands. HivePayroll is payroll software built for Indian small businesses: free for up to 10 employees, then one flat price by team size.
Start free, or see pricing.
What small businesses need from payroll software
- Statutory compliance without an expert on staff. PF (with the ₹25,000 wage ceiling from 17 September 2026), ESI, Professional Tax and Labour Welfare Fund for your state, and TDS on salary are all calculated automatically.
- Attendance that feeds salary. Mark attendance yourself, upload it from Excel, or on paid plans use phone check-in or your biometric machine. Loss of pay and overtime flow into payroll without re-typing.
- Payslips and Form 16 without the emails. Employees see their own payslips, apply for leave and submit tax declarations in the self-service app.
- Reports your CA can use. The salary register, statutory registers and reports for filing PF, ESI, PT and TDS.
- A price that fits a small team. No per-employee fees up to 100 employees, no setup fee, and a free plan while you’re small.
Pricing for small businesses
| Team size | Price (billed yearly, excl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 employees | Free (attendance marked by you or uploaded from Excel), or ₹500/month with phone and biometric attendance |
| 11–25 employees | ₹1,000/month |
| 26–50 employees | ₹1,500/month |
| 51–100 employees | ₹2,500/month |
Every paid plan includes every feature. Monthly billing is about 20% more. See full pricing.
A month of payroll in HivePayroll
- Attendance is in, marked by you, uploaded from Excel or synced from your machine.
- Run payroll. PF, ESI, PT, LWF and TDS are calculated for everyone.
- Check the salary register, then approve.
- Employees see their payslips in the app, with every deduction on its own line.
- Pay and file: PF and ESI by the 15th, TDS by the 7th, and PT by your state’s due date.
See it in a one-minute video.
Payroll software or outsourcing to your CA?
Many small businesses have their CA or a payroll bureau run payroll. That works, but every change (a new joiner, a salary revision, a leave adjustment) still has to reach them, and you still own the compliance. With payroll software, your team keeps attendance and leave up to date and your CA reviews and files. Many firms use both: HivePayroll for the monthly run, and the CA for returns and advice. CA firms can manage all their clients from one login; see payroll software for CA firms.
Compliance small businesses most often miss
- PF from 20 employees, ESI from 10: registration becomes mandatory once you reach these headcounts.
- The 50% wage rule: under the Labour Codes, allowances above 50% of total pay are added back to “wages”, which affects PF and gratuity.
- Wages by the 7th: monthly wages must be paid by the 7th of the following month, and wages due to a leaving employee within two working days.
- State Professional Tax and LWF: see Professional Tax by state and Labour Welfare Fund by state.
- Statutory bonus by 30 November for employees earning up to ₹21,000; try the bonus calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best payroll software for a small business in India?
It depends on your size and what you already use. For up to 10 employees, a free plan such as HivePayroll’s or Zoho Payroll’s covers statutory payroll. If your accounts are in Zoho Books, Zoho Payroll integrates well. Compare options in best payroll software in India.
How much does payroll software cost for a small business?
HivePayroll is free up to 10 employees and ₹1,000–1,500 a month for 11–50 employees on yearly billing. Some other products charge per employee or bundle 50 employees into a base price.
Do I need payroll software if I have fewer than 10 employees?
Not legally, but it saves time and mistakes on PF, ESI, PT and TDS, and HivePayroll is free at that size.
Can I move from spreadsheets mid-year?
Yes. Import employee details and salary structures, and carry over year-to-date earnings and tax so Form 16 (Form 130) comes out right at year end. There is no setup fee.
Get started
Start free for up to 10 employees, or book a free demo. Questions? Email support@hivepayroll.co.in.
