10 Best Free HR Software in India for 2025

What is HR software?

Specialized software for Human Resources handles automation for smaller enterprises when it comes to recruitment, payroll, employee engagement, and performance evaluations. Such systems assist with data centralization, task automation, and facilitate HR teams during periods of growth.

Top Benefits of Using Free HR Software in India

Installing a free-of-cost HRMS (Human Resource Management System) can truly benefit small and mid-sized businesses in India. These free tools assist in performing critical HR functions, meeting regulatory compliance with the Indian labor laws, and enhancing employer satisfaction without any additional expenditure. Here’s why availing such a service is beneficial:

1. Compliance with Indian Labor Laws: Free HR software maintains compliance of the business with laws such as the Minimum Wages Act, Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), and Provident Fund (PF) regulations. This curbs legal complications and ensures accurate payroll processing.

2. Enhanced Employee Engagement: An integrated HR system allows all HR functions to communicate policies, changes, and announcements promptly. Such simple integrations enhance employee engagement and promote efficient collaboration in a blended in-person and remote work model.

3. Centralized Employee Data Management: Retrieval of information becomes time-efficient as all employee-related data, such as attendance, leaves, and performance, is stored in a single dashboard. HR teams can access and filter data on demand, enabling quick reporting and audits during peak business periods.

4. Higher Productivity Through Automation: Lowered business costs. The availability of free HR software solutions alleviates time constraints as repetitive tasks such as leave scheduling, payroll computing, and onboarding can be automated, permitting HR professionals to focus on strategic priorities

5. Cost Savings for Growing Businesses: For startups and SMEs in India, a free HRMS means zero software investment while still benefiting from automation. It also helps reduce overhead by minimizing manual paperwork and HR admin costs.

6. Enhanced Employee Experience: Many free HR tools come with Employee Self-Service (ESS) portals that allow employees to manage their leaves, download pay slips, request time off, and track attendance, enhancing transparency and satisfaction.

How to Choose the Free HR Software?

Understanding your business and its requirements is essential to selecting a free HRMS. Bear the following points in mind:

1. Business Requirements: Set the priorities of your Human Resource - is it payroll, attendance, employee information, or legal compliance?

2. Essential Features: The software must contain significant functions such as processing payroll, leave management, and self-service, as well as performance appraisal.

3. Integration: Look for synergy with other useful tools, such as accounting and customer relationship management (CRM).

4. Ease of Use: An intuitive interface simplifies processes for human resources, but also aids employees.

5. Cost and Implementation: Every tool has a hidden setup or upgrade cost, even the free ones. Look for on-premise and cloud-based alternatives.

6. Vendor Support: Timely issue resolution depends, in large part, on having good customer support through chat, email, and phone.

7. Security: Focus on software without the document security gap and offer relevant privacy features.

10 Best Free HR Software In India

1. EasyHR

EasyHR optimizes the management of employees by providing fully automated HR services to manage the whole life cycle of an employee, starting from recruitment until disengagement. The automation makes it easy to manage core tasks such as discipline, reward and recognition, and leave management. EasyHR serves not only to the complex specific needs but also assists in strategic HR decision making with fully automated up to date analytics provided in real time. EasyHR serves and manages all the essential needs of an organization under one umbrella, making employee performance evaluation easy and effective. EasyHR aids every organization to further improve operational efficiency regardless of the number of employees needing to be integrated into the system. The automation of workload at EasyHR provided unparalleled enhancement of compliance accuracy and interaction among employees using the system. Whether a manager oversees a hybrid employee structure or wants to smooth HR interface processes in different locations, EasyHR provides functionality and ease at every stage.

EasyHR Feature Highlights:

1. User-Centric Dashboard: The homepage is designed with a user-friendly, interactive layout, — offering quick access to essential HR functions and real-time updates.

2. Cloud-Based & Mobile-First HRMS: EasyHR operates fully on the cloud and is optimized for mobile use, allowing HR teams and employees to stay connected anytime, anywhere.

3. Employee Self-Service Portal: Empower employees with access to pay slips, leave applications, attendance, and profile details—all from a centralized self-service dashboard.

4. Workforce Analytics & Reporting: Track workforce diversity, demographics, skill sets, and more. Generate attrition trends, absenteeism patterns, and department-wise data breakdowns.

5. Payroll Management & Comparison: Generate monthly and yearly payroll comparisons across gross salary, deductions, bonuses, and statutory compliance, ensuring transparent processing.

6. Automated Onboarding & Document Management: Facilitate seamless onboarding with self-registration links, automated document uploads, and customizable workflow approval chains.

7. Multi-Level Approval Workflows: Set up custom, multi-stage approval workflows for tasks like leave, reimbursements, and profile changes to ensure control and accountability.

8. Frictionless Offboarding & Final Settlement: Streamline the exit process with automated F&F settlements, clearance workflows, and smooth handovers—reducing compliance risks.

9. Real-Time Surveys & Feedback Tools: Launch quick surveys, collect anonymous feedback, and assess employee sentiment with real-time engagement tools.

2. MintHCM

MintHCM is a state-of-the-art Human Capital Management (HCM) solution designed to revolutionize the way organizations manage their workforce. With a user-friendly interface and a modern approach, MintHCM offers a complete set of tools to streamline core HR processes, talent management, employee engagement, and learning and development.

Features:

• Productivity and efficiency

• Data centralization

• Employee satisfaction and engagement

• Talent management

3. OrangeHRM

OrangeHRM is one of the most popular open-source HR software solutions globally. It’s ideal for small to medium-sized businesses in India seeking core HR capabilities without high costs.

Features:

• Employee information management

• Leave & time off tracking

• Recruitment and onboarding

• Performance management

4. WebHR

WebHR is a cloud-based HR software available for free for up to 5 employees. It’s good for companies just starting to digitize their HR processes.

Features:

• Core HR functions

• Payroll integration

• Leave and attendance

• Multi-language support

5. IceHRM

IceHRM is an open-source HR software for managing employee information and basic HR functions. It’s ideal for those looking for complete control and customization.

Features:

• Leave and attendance management

• Recruitment tracking

• Performance appraisals

• Payroll integration (add-ons)

6. Open HRMS

OpenHRMS is an HR management software that is free to use and modify, developed on the Odoo framework. The system is built to fully automate the HR functions for any business. OpenHRMS, with its plugins, is customizable to a company’s requirements, which provides it with scalability.

Features:

• Employee Management

• Leave Management

• Attendance Tracking

• Payroll Management

• Expense Management

7. WebHR

WebHR is a cloud-based HR software available for free for up to 5 employees. It’s good for companies just starting to digitize their HR processes.

Features:

• Core HR functions

• Payroll integration

• Leave and attendance

• Multi-language support

8. Frappe HR

Frappe HR is a 100% top-free HRMS software in India with features like seamless UX and a sophisticated UI. It was introduced to simplify an employer’s work and allow application development. One feature that makes Frappe HR is best free HRIS is the user-friendly UI-UX that provides out-of-the-box customization.

Features:

• Leave Management

• Attendance Management

• Payroll Processing

• Recruitment

• Performance Appraisal

9. Keka

Keka offers a free plan for small businesses looking to manage payroll, attendance, and HR documents in one place. It’s well-suited for startups and growing teams.

Features:

• Attendance and timesheet management

• Payroll processing

• Employee self-service portal

• Leave and holiday management

10. Zoho People

Zoho People is a feature-rich HRMS platform, offering a free plan for up to 5 users—ideal for small startups. It integrates well with other Zoho tools.

Features:

• Time tracking

• Employee database

• Leave and attendance

• Document management

Conclusion

Picking the best free HR software in India comes with its own set of challenges, particularly within a dynamic business landscape. The appropriate software can transform your HR department, and your entire firm, from automating monotonous processes to thoughtful personnel management. Accurate investment in HRMS allows the organization to optimize and prepare for growth as it scales.