The one-line difference
Pocket HRMS is a capable mid-market platform with a strong city and 'alternative' page footprint, but it requires a minimum of 50 employees and has no free tier. AccoNova is aimed at the teams Pocket HRMS leaves out: sub-50 Indian businesses that want a free start and statutory payroll. If you are at 50+ employees, Pocket HRMS is a fair option; if you are smaller, AccoNova fits without the floor.
AccoNova vs Pocket HRMS at a glance
| Criteria | AccoNova HRMS | Pocket HRMS |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum team size | No minimum; free up to 15 employees | Minimum 50 employees |
| Free tier | Free up to 15 employees | No free plan (trial only) |
| Entry price (indicative) | See current plans | Standard about Rs 2,995/mo for 50 employees (+Rs 60/extra) |
| EPFO ECR text export | Native 1-click #~# export | Verify current plan with vendor |
| Multi-state Professional Tax | State-wise slab handling | Verify current plan with vendor |
| Attendance capture | GPS geofencing + tablet kiosk mode | Geo-tagged attendance; verify plan |
| City / alternative content | Growing cluster | Very large city + alternative footprint |
| Primary segment | Indian MSMEs & small teams | SMB to mid-market, 50+ employees |
Vendor facts are compiled from public Pocket HRMS pages and reputable third-party sources, checked 20 October 2026. Vendors change plans and prices frequently — verify on the vendor's own site before you buy.
Where AccoNova is built differently
Built for the teams under 50
Pocket HRMS starts at 50 employees; AccoNova starts free at 15.
India statutory payroll in the core
EPF ECR, ESI and multi-state Professional Tax handled in-run.
Attendance without biometric hardware
Geofenced mobile punch and a tablet kiosk replace scanners.
Where Pocket HRMS is genuinely stronger
Pocket HRMS has a much larger content and SEO footprint — city landing pages (HRMS software in Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune and more) and a broad set of 'alternative' pages for Keka, greytHR, Darwinbox, factoHR, HROne and others. It has a longer track record with mid-market buyers. On distribution and content surface area, Pocket HRMS is ahead of AccoNova today. AccoNova's edge is serving the sub-50 teams Pocket HRMS does not, with a free start.
Frequently asked questions
Does Pocket HRMS have a minimum employee requirement?
Yes. Pocket HRMS requires a minimum of about 50 employees (its plans start around Rs 2,995/month for 50 employees, checked 20 October 2026). AccoNova has no minimum and is free up to 15 employees.
Is AccoNova a good Pocket HRMS alternative for a small team?
If you have fewer than 50 employees, yes — AccoNova serves teams Pocket HRMS's minimum excludes, with a free tier and flat pricing. If you are at 50+ employees, compare both on modules and total cost.
Does Pocket HRMS have a free plan?
Pocket HRMS offers a trial/demo but no free-forever plan. AccoNova offers a free tier up to 15 employees. Confirm on the vendors' own pricing pages.
Which covers Indian statutory payroll better?
Both cover PF, ESI, Professional Tax and TDS. AccoNova adds native EPFO ECR #~# export and state-wise PT in the payroll run. Validate sample outputs before filing.
More vendor comparisons
Choosing when your team is under 50
Pocket HRMS starts at a minimum of about 50 employees. If your team is smaller, you may be paying for seats you do not use. Start by listing what you actually need: employee records, attendance, leave and statutory payroll. AccoNova covers these and is free up to 15 employees, so a small business can run compliant payroll before paying. If you expect to cross 50 employees soon, compare both on the modules you will need at that size, and ask for a quote at your projected headcount.
About this page
Written and maintained by the AccoNova editorial and payroll team, and last reviewed on (first published ). Vendor facts are compiled from public vendor pages and reputable third-party sources and were checked on 20 October 2026; vendors change plans and prices frequently, so verify on the vendor's own site before you buy. AccoNova publishes product guidance and educational resources; no independent qualified statutory reviewer is claimed.
Ready to run payroll the simple way?
AccoNova is free up to 15 employees, with Indian statutory payroll and hardware-free attendance. See the plans or book a short demo.