In Surat, HR software has to do something most cities do not demand at the same scale: handle shift and piece-rate wages for a large, often migrant workforce, while still filing Gujarat professional tax, PF, ESI, and TDS on time. The best HR software in Surat for 2026 does both. factoHR, greytHR, and Saral PayPack lead the shortlist, and the right fit depends on whether you run powerlooms, a diamond unit, or a trading office.
This guide compares nine HR and payroll platforms for Surat companies, with real 2026 pricing, honest pros and cons, and the Gujarat compliance and shift-pay realities each one has to handle.
Key takeaways
- factoHR, a Gujarat company from Rajkot, is the strongest all round pick for Surat payroll, shifts, and compliance.
- Surat's textile and diamond units often pay piece-rate or production-linked wages, so the software must turn output into correct payroll.
- A large migrant and contract workforce makes attendance capture and contract-labour records the biggest compliance risk.
- Gujarat professional tax is a flat Rs 200 a month above Rs 12,000, with a two-zone minimum wage revised every April and October.
- Saral PayPack, Zimyo, and sumHR widen the shortlist beyond the usual names, for manufacturers and lean SMEs.
Key Takeaways
- factoHR, a Gujarat company from Rajkot, is the strongest all-round pick for Surat payroll, shifts and compliance.
- Surat textile and diamond units often pay piece-rate or production-linked wages, so the software must turn output into correct payroll.
- A large migrant and contract workforce makes attendance capture and contract-labour records the biggest compliance risk.
- Gujarat professional tax is a flat Rs 200 a month above Rs 12,000, with a two-zone minimum wage revised every April and October.
- Saral PayPack, Zimyo and sumHR widen the shortlist beyond the usual names, for manufacturers and lean SMEs.
- Shortlist two tools, run one real payroll cycle on your own data, and pick the one that pays people correctly and on time.
Why HR software in Surat needs a local fit
Surat does not run like a corporate metro. Its powerlooms and textile processing units work multiple shifts, often around the clock, and pay is frequently tied to production or piece-rate rather than a flat monthly salary. Its diamond cutting and polishing workshops pay per stone or per stage. A large share of the workforce is migrant, arriving from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha, and much of it is engaged on contract through labour contractors. That mix makes accurate attendance and shift capture the single biggest driver of correct pay.
The statutory layer is Gujarat's. Employers deduct a flat professional tax of Rs 200 a month above Rs 12,000, and nil below. Wages must clear the Gujarat minimum wage, a Basic plus variable dearness allowance across two zones and three skill grades. Contract labour adds the Contract Labour Act, with principal-employer registers and contractor-wise wage records.
If your operations span the state, our wider guide to HR software in Gujarat sets the context. For Surat specifically, prioritise software that handles shift and piece-rate pay, contract-labour records, and Gujarat statutory filing in one place.
The 9 best HR software in Surat for 2026
1. factoHR
factoHR is the best HR software in Surat for units that want shifts, piece-rate friendly payroll, and Gujarat compliance in one place. A Gujarat company from Rajkot, it runs payroll software with biometric and mobile attendance built for round-the-clock factories and field teams.
Features
- Payroll with PF, ESI, professional tax and TDS
- Biometric, mobile and geo-fenced attendance for multi-shift units
- Flexible salary structures for allowances and production-linked pay
- Leave, onboarding and core HR in one place
- Employee self-service portal with payslips and Form 16
- Gujarat and pan India statutory compliance
Pros
- Gujarat based, strong on local and shift-heavy compliance
- Attendance and payroll in one connected system
- Configurable pay structures for factory setups
- Free plan for small teams
- Dedicated onboarding support
Cons
- Piece-rate setups may need a short configuration pass
- Advanced recruitment and learning modules cost extra
- Best value once you cross about ten employees
Pricing: A free Small Teams plan for up to 20 employees, then a Growing Teams plan at Rs 4,999 a month for up to 50 employees, plus Rs 69 a month per extra employee, billed quarterly. Book a free demo to see factoHR on your own payroll.
Best suited for: Surat textile, diamond, and chemical units that need shift and allowance-heavy payroll with Gujarat compliance from one platform.
2. greytHR
greytHR is a dependable payroll and compliance workhorse with one of the largest SME footprints in India. For a Surat trading firm or processing unit, its strength is clean statutory processing and a free tier to start.
Features
- Payroll processing and salary registers
- Statutory reports for PF, ESI and PT
- Leave and attendance basics
- Employee self service portal
Pros
- Proven, stable payroll engine
- Strong Gujarat statutory reporting
- Free plan for up to 25 employees
Cons
- Attendance is lighter for complex multi-shift units
- Advanced modules sit behind higher tiers
- Interface feels dated to some users
Pricing: A free Starter plan for up to 25 employees, with paid plans from around Rs 3,495 a month for 50 employees and per employee charges above that.
Best suited for: Surat SMEs and trading offices that want reliable payroll and Gujarat compliance with a free way to begin.
3. Keka
Keka is the modern, employee-friendly HRMS on this list, strong on core HR, payroll, and performance. It fits a growing Surat company with an office workforce more than a shift-floor.
Features
- Payroll and statutory compliance
- Attendance and leave
- Performance and goal tracking
- Clean, modern interface
- Analytics and reporting
Pros
- Best-in-class user experience
- Good performance and engagement tools
- Scales smoothly as you grow
Cons
- Priced higher at entry
- Setup fee and quarterly minimum billing
- Overkill for a small piece-rate unit
Pricing: Foundation at Rs 6,999 a month, Strength at Rs 9,999 a month, and Growth at Rs 13,999 a month, each flat for up to 100 employees, billed quarterly.
Best suited for: Growing Surat firms with an office or corporate team that value modern HR and performance features.
4. Saral PayPack
Saral PayPack is a payroll-first product with a long track record in Indian manufacturing and factory payroll. For Surat units that live and die by payroll accuracy and statutory output, it is a serious contender.
Features
- Deep Indian payroll and statutory processing
- Loans, advances and reimbursements
- PF, ESI, PT and TDS with returns
- Full and final settlement
- On-premise or cloud deployment
Pros
- Strong, mature payroll depth for factories
- Handles complex salary and deduction rules
- Flexible on-premise or cloud options
Cons
- HR modules beyond payroll are lighter
- Interface is more functional than modern
- Quote-based pricing needs a conversation
Pricing: Edition-based licences (Standard, Corporate, and Premium) with per employee cloud plans; pricing is quote-based, so ask for a demo quote.
Best suited for: Surat manufacturers and payroll teams that want mature, factory-grade payroll and statutory output above all else.
5. Pocket HRMS
Pocket HRMS is an affordable, India-focused payroll HRMS with attendance, leave, and AI helpers. It suits a lean Surat SME that wants payroll sorted without a big spend.
Features
- Indian payroll focus
- Attendance and leave
- Employee self service
- AI assisted features and analytics
Pros
- Low entry price
- Payroll built for India
- Reasonable self service
Cons
- Fewer advanced HR modules
- Less suited to complex piece-rate setups
- Per employee charges add up at scale
Pricing: A Standard plan from Rs 2,995 a month for up to 50 employees, with a Professional plan from Rs 4,495 a month and per employee charges as you grow.
Best suited for: Lean Surat SMEs and trading offices that want affordable, India-ready payroll.
6. Zimyo
Zimyo is a per-employee-priced HRMS aimed at SMEs, covering payroll, attendance, and engagement. Its simple pricing helps a mid-sized Surat team budget predictably.
Features
- Payroll and compliance
- Attendance and leave
- Performance and engagement
- Employee self service
Pros
- Transparent per-employee pricing
- Rounded HR feature set for SMEs
- Decent mobile experience
Cons
- A 25 user minimum on paid plans
- Less known than the top names
- Deeper factory attendance needs testing
Pricing: From around Rs 60 per employee a month on the Basic plan, with a 25 user minimum.
Best suited for: Mid-sized Surat SMEs that want a full HRMS with clear per-employee pricing.
7. sumHR
sumHR is a pay-as-you-go HRMS with attendance, leave, payroll, and engagement, and no lock-in. Its low per-employee price makes it easy for a small Surat firm to start.
Features
- Attendance and leave
- Payroll processing
- Employee engagement
- Mobile app
Pros
- Very low per-employee starting price
- Pay as you go, no minimum commitment
- Simple to roll out for small teams
Cons
- Payroll depth is lighter than specialists
- Fewer enterprise controls
- Add-on modules raise the effective price
Pricing: Startup at Rs 49, Basic at Rs 69, and Advanced at Rs 119 per employee a month, pay as you go with no lock-in.
Best suited for: Small Surat businesses and startups that want an affordable, flexible HRMS with no commitment.
8. Zoho People
Zoho People is a value pick, strongest for firms already inside the Zoho ecosystem. Payroll is a separate Zoho module, so plan for that if you go this route in Surat.
Features
- Attendance and leave
- Employee records and workflows
- Zoho ecosystem integration
- Flexible per user pricing
Pros
- Great value, especially with other Zoho apps
- Flexible per user plans
- Solid attendance and records
Cons
- Payroll is a separate add on
- Enterprise HR features are limited
- Five user minimum and 18 percent GST add up
Pricing: Roughly Rs 48 to Rs 192 per user a month on annual billing, with a five user minimum, and figures exclude 18 percent GST.
Best suited for: Surat teams already using Zoho apps that want affordable core HR.
9. Kredily
Kredily offers a genuine free forever plan covering salary, payslips, and core statutory calculations. It is the easiest zero-cost way for a very small Surat firm to leave spreadsheets.
Features
- Free payroll with PF, ESI, PT and TDS calculation
- Payslips
- Attendance and leave
- Basic core HR
Pros
- Real free forever plan
- Covers core Indian statutory maths
- A clean exit from spreadsheets
Cons
- Payouts and automation are paid
- Fewer advanced features
- Limited support on the free tier
Pricing: Free for unlimited employees on the base plan, with Payroll OS from Rs 1,249 a month and Professional from Rs 1,749 a month for advanced features.
Best suited for: Very small Surat firms and startups that want to move off spreadsheets at zero cost.
Quick comparison table
| Tool | Best for | Free plan | Paid from |
|---|---|---|---|
| factoHR | Shifts + Gujarat compliance | Up to 20 employees | Rs 4,999/mo (up to 50) |
| greytHR | Reliable payroll, free start | Up to 25 employees | ~Rs 3,495/mo (50) |
| Keka | Modern UX, office teams | No | Rs 6,999/mo (up to 100) |
| Saral PayPack | Factory-grade payroll | No | Quote-based |
| Pocket HRMS | Affordable SME payroll | No | Rs 2,995/mo (up to 50) |
| Zimyo | SME, clear per-user price | Trial only | ~Rs 60/employee/mo |
| sumHR | Cheap, pay as you go | Trial only | Rs 49/employee/mo |
| Zoho People | Zoho users, value | Trial only | ~Rs 48/user/mo |
| Kredily | Free, very small firms | Unlimited employees | Rs 1,249/mo |
Prices are indicative 2026 starting figures and can change with plan, team size, add ons, and GST. Always confirm the current quote and run a trial before you decide.
How do you choose HR software for a Surat business?
1. Can it handle shift and piece-rate pay?
Surat pay is often per shift, per meter, or per stone. Confirm the tool converts production or piece-rate data into payroll, not just a fixed monthly salary, and supports night-shift overtime.
2. Does it manage contract labour and migrant records?
With a largely contractor-sourced and migrant workforce, you need principal-employer registers, contractor-wise wage records, and fast onboarding for new joiners.
3. Is Gujarat compliance built in?
The tool should apply Gujarat professional tax, minimum wages, PF, and ESI automatically, and cover any other state where you also employ staff.
To stay ahead of the deposit dates, follow our payroll compliance calendar for every PF, ESI and TDS deadline.
4. How deep is attendance for round-the-clock units?
Look for biometric or mobile capture that handles multiple shifts, spread-over rules, and automatic loss-of-pay, because attendance is where most Surat payroll errors begin.
5. What is the real cost at your headcount?
Compare flat plans against per-employee pricing for a large floor workforce. Add setup, GST, and any add ons before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Which HR software is best for textile and diamond units in Surat?
For most Surat manufacturing units, factoHR offers the best balance of shift-based attendance, flexible pay structures, and Gujarat compliance in one platform. Saral PayPack is a strong payroll-first alternative, and greytHR suits smaller units that want a free start.
Can HR software handle piece-rate or production-linked wages?
Yes, but not every tool does it well. Platforms with configurable salary structures, like factoHR and Saral PayPack, can convert production or piece-rate output into payroll. Confirm this in a demo with your own wage rules before you buy.
How does HR software manage contract labour and migrant workers in Surat?
Good software keeps contractor-wise records, principal-employer registers under the Contract Labour Act, and quick digital onboarding so migrant joiners are captured before the first payroll run.
What professional tax applies in Surat?
Surat follows Gujarat professional tax, a flat Rs 200 a month on employees earning above Rs 12,000 gross, and nil on salaries up to Rs 12,000. Employers deduct it each pay run and remit it monthly.
How much does HR software cost in Surat?
Expect anywhere from free to about Rs 300 per employee a month in 2026. sumHR starts near Rs 49 per employee, factoHR runs Rs 4,999 a month for up to 50 employees, and factory-grade tools like Saral PayPack are quote-based.
Is there free HR software for small Surat businesses?
Yes. Kredily is free for unlimited employees, greytHR is free for up to 25, and factoHR is free for up to 20. Free tiers cover the basics, while paid plans add automation and deeper payroll.
Final word
Surat rewards HR software that understands shifts, piece-rate pay, and a migrant, contract-heavy workforce, on top of solid Gujarat compliance. factoHR, built in Gujarat, is the safest all round starting point, while Saral PayPack, greytHR, and the leaner tools each fit a specific budget and floor. If your team also spans Ahmedabad, see our guide to the best HR software in Ahmedabad. Shortlist two, run a real payroll cycle on your own data, and pick the one that pays your people correctly and on time.
Ready to run HR and payroll in Surat without the compliance stress?
See factoHR on your own payroll.
Shift pay, piece-rate, Gujarat PT, PF, ESI and TDS, handled in one run.
