If you are comparing HR software in Kolkata in 2026, this guide lays out eight options Indian teams actually use, with real features, INR pricing and who each one fits. Kolkata mixes IT and ITES parks in Salt Lake Sector V, manufacturing and engineering units, jute and tea businesses, and large BFSI back offices, so the right HRMS software in Kolkata has to handle shift work, contract labour and West Bengal compliance, not just print payslips.
This is not a best-to-worst ranking. The right tool depends on your headcount, your industry and how much statutory work you want automated. Every price below excludes 18% GST and can change, so confirm current numbers with the vendor.
Key Takeaways
- factoHR is the strongest all-round pick for Kolkata payroll, attendance and West Bengal compliance, and it is free for up to 20 employees.
- Kolkata IT and ITES units in Salt Lake Sector V run night shifts, so shift and overtime capture that flows into payroll matters most.
- Manufacturing, jute and engineering units rely on contract labour, which makes attendance and contract-labour records the biggest compliance risk.
- West Bengal professional tax is capped at Rs 2,400 a year and deducted by the employer, with a 2026 revision raising the exemption threshold.
- Most tools price per employee per month between Rs 50 and Rs 300, so compare on total cost at your headcount, not the base price.
- Kredily and greytHR offer genuine free tiers, while Zimyo and HROne widen the shortlist for engagement and module breadth.
Why HR software in Kolkata needs a local fit
Generic payroll tools miss the details that matter in West Bengal. A few things worth checking before you shortlist any HR software in Kolkata.
- West Bengal Professional Tax: PT is capped at Rs 2,400 per year. The employer deducts it and deposits it through the state GRIPS portal, and a 2026 revision raised the exemption threshold, so lower earners now pay nil. Your software should apply the current WB PT slabs automatically.
- Zone-based minimum wage: West Bengal sets minimum wages by zone and skill level and revises them periodically. Multi-location Kolkata employers need wage rules that reflect the right zone.
- Shift and contract-heavy workforces: IT and ITES units run night shifts, and factories, jute and engineering units rely on shift rosters, overtime and contract labour. The tool must capture all of it and feed it into payroll.
- Mobile self-service: a large part of the Kolkata workforce checks payslips, applies for leave and marks attendance on a phone, so the mobile app matters as much as the web dashboard.
The 8 best HR software in Kolkata for 2026
1. factoHR
factoHR is an Indian HRMS and payroll platform that covers the full employee lifecycle in one system. Attendance feeds directly into the payroll software, so the same data is not re-keyed between separate tools, and West Bengal compliance is handled inside the payroll run.
Features:
- Payroll with PF, ESI, West Bengal Professional Tax and TDS auto-calculated
- Form 16 and Form 24Q generation
- Biometric, face and GPS attendance with shift and roster management
- Leave management with accrual and encashment
- Employee self-service portal, plus performance, recruitment and expense modules
Best for: Kolkata SMB to mid-market teams that want payroll, attendance, leave and compliance in one place.
Price: Free forever up to 20 employees. Paid from Rs 4,999 per month (up to 50 employees), then about Rs 69 per extra employee, billed quarterly.
2. greytHR
greytHR is HR software focused on payroll and statutory filing, used mainly by smaller teams. Core HR and attendance sit on top of its payroll engine.
Features:
- Payroll processing and statutory filing
- Leave and attendance
- Employee self-service portal
Best for: compliance-focused small businesses that want an established vendor.
Price: Free up to 25 employees. Paid from Rs 2,495 per month (bundles 50 seats), then Rs 30 to Rs 100 per extra employee.
3. Keka
Keka is a payroll-first HR platform that grew into a full suite, known for a clean interface. It is common with growing Kolkata companies that want payroll, performance and hiring together.
Features:
- Payroll and compliance automation
- Performance management with goals and 360 feedback
- Applicant tracking
- Expense and asset management
Best for: payroll-first SMBs and mid-market teams that value a polished experience.
Price: Foundation from Rs 6,999 per month for up to 100 employees; higher tiers up to Rs 13,999 per month. One-time onboarding fee applies.
4. Pocket HRMS
Pocket HRMS is a budget, AI-assisted HR software aimed at Indian startups and small teams, with automation layered on top of the essentials.
Features:
- Payroll and tax compliance
- Leave and attendance
- Employee self-service
- AI-assisted HR workflows
Best for: startups and small Kolkata teams that want a low-cost setup.
Price: Standard from Rs 2,995 per month for 50 employees, plus about Rs 60 per extra employee; Professional from Rs 4,495 per month.
5. Zoho People
Zoho People is a core-HR tool that fits best if you already use the wider Zoho suite, since everything connects natively.
Features:
- Core HR and employee database
- Time and attendance
- Appraisals and onboarding
- Native links to Zoho Books, CRM and Payroll
Best for: teams already inside the Zoho ecosystem.
Price: About Rs 48 to Rs 192 per user per month on annual billing, free up to 5 users. Statutory payroll is a separate product, Zoho Payroll.
6. HROne
HROne is a full-lifecycle HR platform covering 10-plus modules, with heavy workflow automation and Indian compliance. It sits between basic payroll tools and enterprise suites.
Features:
- Core HR and payroll
- Attendance and workflow automation
- Performance management
- Helpdesk and expense management
Best for: growing to mid-market Kolkata businesses that want module breadth.
Price: About Rs 110 per employee per month for core HR and payroll; custom above that.
7. Zimyo
Zimyo is a full HRMS with a strong focus on employee engagement and performance alongside core HR and payroll.
Features:
- Core HR and payroll
- Attendance and leave
- Performance and OKRs
- Employee engagement and surveys
Best for: growing companies that want engagement tools with their HRMS.
Price: Custom, per-employee-per-month; contact Zimyo for a quote, with discounts on annual plans.
8. Kredily
Kredily is best known for a free-forever plan that covers HR, attendance and payroll for unlimited employees, which suits very small and cost-sensitive Kolkata businesses.
Features:
- Free plan with employee database, attendance, leave and payslips
- PF, ESI, PT and TDS statutory calculation
- Employee self-service portal and mobile app
- Paid add-ons for bank payouts, PF and ESI challans and Form 16
Best for: very small businesses that want to start free.
Price: Free Forever plan at Rs 0. Payroll OS from Rs 1,249 per month (up to 25 employees), then Rs 50 per employee; Professional from Rs 1,749 per month.
Quick comparison table
| Software | Best for | Starting price (ex-GST) | Free tier | Segment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| factoHR | Payroll, attendance and compliance in one | Rs 4,999/mo (up to 50) + ~Rs 69/head | Yes (20) | SMB to mid-market |
| greytHR | Compliance-focused small teams | Rs 2,495/mo (paid); free up to 25 | Yes (25) | SMB |
| Keka | Payroll-first with clean UX | Rs 6,999/mo (up to 100) | No | SMB / mid-market |
| Pocket HRMS | Budget, AI-assisted startups | Rs 2,995/mo (50) + ~Rs 60/head | Trial | Startup / SMB |
| Zoho People | Existing Zoho users | ~Rs 48-192/user/mo | Yes (5) | SMB / mid-market |
| HROne | Module breadth and automation | ~Rs 110/employee/mo | No | Mid-market |
| Zimyo | Engagement with HRMS | Custom quote | No | SMB / mid-market |
| Kredily | Free start for very small teams | Free; Payroll OS Rs 1,249/mo (25) | Yes | Startup / small business |
How do you choose HR software for a Kolkata business?
1. Is West Bengal compliance built in?
Confirm the tool applies the current West Bengal professional tax slabs, PF, ESI and TDS automatically and generates challans and Form 16, rather than only calculating gross salary.
To stay ahead of the deposit dates, follow our payroll compliance calendar for every PF, ESI and TDS deadline.
2. Can it handle shifts and overtime?
IT and ITES night shifts and factory rosters need proper shift management, overtime capture and a clean link from the attendance management system into payroll.
3. Does it manage contract labour and multiple locations?
If you run more than one site or use contract workers, check for location-wise policies, contractor records and zone-aware wage rules.
4. Is there a proper mobile self-service app?
Employees should be able to punch attendance, apply for leave and download payslips and tax proofs from a phone.
5. What is the real cost at your headcount?
Look past the base price. Add per-employee charges above the bundled seats, onboarding fees and any paid add-on modules, then compare on total cost, and check the current pricing plans before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Which HR software is best for IT and ITES companies in Kolkata?
IT and ITES teams in Salt Lake Sector V usually need strong shift and night-shift attendance, self-service and clean payroll. A full-suite HRMS such as factoHR, Keka or HROne fits well, since attendance flows straight into a compliant payroll run.
Does HR software handle West Bengal Professional Tax?
Good HR software applies the West Bengal Professional Tax slabs automatically, deducts the right amount each month and helps you deposit it through the state portal. WB PT is capped at Rs 2,400 per year.
Can HR software manage shift and contract workers in Kolkata?
Yes. Look for shift and roster management, overtime rules and contractor or location-wise records. These matter for manufacturing, jute, engineering and ITES units that run multiple shifts.
How much does HR software cost in Kolkata?
Most HR software in Kolkata is priced per employee per month, commonly between Rs 50 and Rs 300 depending on modules and headcount. Several tools offer a free tier for very small teams, and enterprise plans are usually custom quoted.
Is there free HR software for small Kolkata businesses?
Yes. factoHR is free for up to 20 employees, greytHR is free up to 25, and Kredily has a free-forever plan for HR, attendance and payroll, which suits small businesses starting out.
Can it run payroll if we also have offices outside West Bengal?
Most of these tools support multi-state payroll with state-wise Professional Tax and minimum wage rules, so you can run Kolkata and other locations from one system.
Final word
The right HR software in Kolkata is the one that matches your size and industry, not the one with the longest feature list. Smaller teams are well served by an affordable, compliance-ready option, mid-market teams need module breadth with clean automation, and larger or multi-location employers need deeper configurability. Shortlist two or three that fit your segment, run a parallel payroll for one cycle, and check the West Bengal PT, PF, ESI and TDS output before you commit.
Ready to simplify HR and payroll for your Kolkata team? Book a free factoHR demo and see it run on your own numbers.
