Should you look beyond Zoho People?
Zoho People is excellent if you want one login across the Zoho suite. It is less obviously the best fit if your priority is Indian statutory payroll and a free start for a small team. AccoNova is a focused alternative: free up to 15 employees, flat buffer pricing and payroll built for EPF ECR, ESI and multi-state Professional Tax. Neither is 'better' in the abstract — it depends on whether you want suite breadth or India-first payroll.
Zoho People vs AccoNova 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 | Per user/month (about Rs 48–192 in India) |
| 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.
What you get with AccoNova
A free tier that fits a real small team
Zoho's free edition caps near 5 users; AccoNova covers 15.
Payroll built for Indian filings
EPF ECR, ESI and multi-state Professional Tax are core.
Attendance without biometric hardware
Geofenced mobile punch and a tablet kiosk replace scanners.
When Zoho People is the better choice
If you already run Zoho CRM, Books or Desk, keeping HR in the same suite is a genuine advantage, and Zoho People's global scale, glossary and HR letter tools are useful. Larger or global teams often prefer it. Choose AccoNova only if India-first statutory payroll and a bigger free tier for a small team matter more than living inside one vendor's suite.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Zoho People alternative for Indian payroll?
AccoNova is a focused Indian alternative: free up to 15 employees, flat pricing and statutory payroll (EPF ECR, ESI, multi-state Professional Tax) in the core. It suits Indian MSMEs that do not need a broad global suite.
Is Zoho People's free plan enough for a small team?
Zoho People's free edition caps at a small number of users (about 5), which is tight for most teams. AccoNova's free tier covers up to 15 employees. Confirm the current Zoho cap on its pricing page.
Is AccoNova cheaper than Zoho People?
Zoho People is priced per user per month; AccoNova uses flat buffer capacity with a free tier. For small teams, AccoNova can be cheaper and more predictable. Compare against your headcount.
Can AccoNova export EPFO ECR files?
Yes — AccoNova includes native EPFO ECR #~# delimited text-file export in core payroll. Confirm module availability for your plan and validate a sample file before filing.
More vendor comparisons
How to choose a Zoho People alternative
If you are leaving Zoho People, decide first what you want more of: lower cost, deeper Indian payroll, or simpler setup. AccoNova focuses on Indian statutory payroll and is free up to 15 employees, which suits small teams that do not need a large suite. Export your employee data and leave balances, check the statutory treatment is preserved, and run one month in parallel before switching. If you rely on other Zoho apps, you can keep them and run HR separately.
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.