Free payroll software · India
Yes, you can run statutory payroll in India for free. HivePayroll is free for up to 10 employees.
No time limit and no credit card: payroll with PF, ESI, Professional Tax, LWF and TDS calculated automatically, payslips and Form 16 (now Form 130), leave, and an employee self-service app. Setup takes a few minutes.
What’s included in the Free plan
Payroll processing
Salary structures, arrears and loss of pay.
PF, ESI, PT, LWF and TDS
Calculated automatically, including the ₹25,000 PF wage ceiling from 17 September 2026.
Payslips and Form 16 (Form 130)
For every employee.
Leave management
Leave types, balances and approvals.
Employee self-service app
Employees see payslips, apply for leave and submit tax declarations.
Loans, expenses and FBP
Loans and advances, expenses and reimbursements, and flexible benefits (FBP).
Letters and salary revisions
Letters and documents, and salary revisions.
Reports and registers
Reports and statutory registers for your accountant.
Free payroll software in India compared
Several Indian payroll products have a free plan. They differ in how many employees they allow and what they leave out. Checked on each vendor’s pricing page in September 2026:
| HivePayroll Free | Zoho Payroll Free | Kredily Free Forever | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employees | Up to 10 | Up to 10 | Unlimited |
| PF, ESI, PT, TDS calculation | Yes (plus LWF) | Yes (plus LWF) | Yes |
| Payslips | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Form 16 (Form 130) | Yes | Yes (TDS worksheet) | No, paid plans only |
| PF/ESI challans | Statutory reports included | Compliance features included | No, paid plans only |
| Leave management | Yes | Via Zoho People | Yes (one rule) |
| Employee self-service | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Attendance | Manual or Excel upload | Via Zoho People | Web clock-in |
| First paid plan | ₹500/month for up to 10; ₹1,000 for 11–25 (billed yearly) | ₹1,000/month for 25 (billed yearly) | ₹1,249/month for 25 |
Which free plan fits?
Is free payroll software safe for statutory compliance?
The calculation rules are the same on free and paid plans. What matters is that the software is kept current. 2026 brought the Labour Codes’ 50% wage rule, new tax form numbers under the Income-tax Act, 2025, and the PF ceiling change on 17 September, all in one year. Before you pick any free tool, check:
- Does it apply the ₹25,000 PF wage ceiling?
- Does it calculate Professional Tax and LWF for your state?
- Does it produce Form 16 (Form 130), or only payslips?
- Can you export your data if you leave?
What happens when you grow past 10 employees?
When you add an 11th employee on HivePayroll, you get 15 days to choose a paid plan, and nothing stops working in that time.
11–25 employees
₹1,000/month
26–50 employees
₹1,500/month
Billed yearly, excluding GST, with every feature included.
Frequently asked questions
Is there any free payroll software in India?
Yes. HivePayroll and Zoho Payroll are free for up to 10 employees with statutory compliance included, and Kredily has a free plan without an employee limit that leaves out Form 16 and challans.
Is HivePayroll really free?
Yes, for up to 10 employees, with no time limit and no credit card. The only difference from paid plans is how attendance is captured.
Does the free plan include PF and ESI?
Yes. PF, ESI, Professional Tax, Labour Welfare Fund and TDS are calculated on the Free plan.
Can I use free payroll software for my small business?
Yes. For a business with up to 10 employees, a free plan covers monthly payroll, payslips and year-end Form 16. See payroll software for small business.
Start freeCreate your free HivePayroll account: payroll for up to 10 employees, free, with no time limit. Questions? Email support@hivepayroll.co.in.
Competitor plans were checked on each vendor’s pricing page in September 2026; confirm current details with the vendor.
