The one-line difference
Zoho People wins if you already live inside the Zoho ecosystem and want one login for CRM, books and HR. AccoNova wins if you are an Indian MSME that wants a free start (up to 15 employees) and payroll built for Indian statutory filings, not a general-purpose global HR module. Zoho's free edition is smaller and its pricing is per user per month; AccoNova's is flat capacity with a free tier.
AccoNova vs Zoho People at a glance
| Criteria | AccoNova HRMS | Zoho People |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Free up to 15 employees | Free edition, about 5 users |
| Pricing model | Flat buffer capacity — see current plans | Per user/month (India: about Rs 48–192) |
| Primary segment | Indian MSMEs & small teams | SMB to enterprise, globally |
| 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 | Attendance module; verify plan |
| Ecosystem | Focused HRMS + payroll | One login across the Zoho suite |
| Free calculators | CTC, EPF, PT, HRA, Gratuity | HR letter generator and glossary |
Vendor facts are compiled from public Zoho People 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
A free tier that fits an actual small team
Zoho's free edition caps around 5 users; AccoNova covers 15.
Payroll built for Indian filings
EPF ECR, ESI and multi-state Professional Tax are core, not add-ons.
Attendance without biometric hardware
GPS geofencing and tablet kiosk mode replace scanners.
Where Zoho People is genuinely stronger
Zoho People has a decade-plus of brand trust, a global footprint and the enormous advantage of living inside the Zoho suite — one login for CRM, Books, People and more. Its free edition and per-user pricing are simple to understand, and its glossary and HR letter tools are useful. If you are already a Zoho customer, or you are a larger or global team, Zoho People is a strong default. AccoNova's edge is narrower: a bigger free tier for small Indian teams and payroll tuned to Indian statutory filings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zoho People free?
Zoho People has a free edition, but it caps at a small number of users (about 5). AccoNova's free tier covers up to 15 employees. Confirm the current cap on Zoho's own pricing page.
Is AccoNova cheaper than Zoho People?
Zoho People is priced per user per month (India plans run roughly Rs 48–192 per user/month). AccoNova uses flat buffer capacity with a free tier up to 15 employees, which can be cheaper for small teams and predictable as you grow. Compare against your headcount.
Which is better for Indian statutory payroll?
AccoNova is built around Indian statutory payroll: native EPFO ECR #~# export, ESI and state-wise Professional Tax in the payroll run. Zoho People covers HR broadly; verify the specific Indian statutory outputs on your Zoho plan.
Should I pick Zoho if I already use Zoho apps?
Often yes. If you already use Zoho CRM or Books, keeping HR in the same suite has real workflow benefits. If HR and payroll compliance is the priority and you want a free start, AccoNova is worth comparing.
More vendor comparisons
Moving HR out of a general suite
Zoho People often works well inside the wider Zoho suite. If your priority is Indian payroll rather than suite breadth, the move is mostly about data. Export employee records, leave balances and salary structures, and check that the statutory treatment of PF, ESI, Professional Tax and TDS is preserved. Run one month in parallel and compare net pay before you commit. AccoNova is free up to 15 employees, so you can test the payroll workflow on a small team first. If you keep using other Zoho apps, nothing stops you from running HR elsewhere.
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.