Managing human resources in any company—whether small or large—is not an easy job. From tracking attendance and leave to managing employee records and performance, HR professionals need a reliable system that simplifies their daily tasks. One such popular HRMS (Human Resource Management System) is Zoho People.
Zoho People is a cloud-based HR software developed by Zoho Corporation, an Indian-origin global software company. It is designed to help businesses streamline and automate various HR processes in a smart and efficient way.
In this article, we will explain the key features, major benefits, and important drawbacks of using Zoho People in India in 2025. This guide will help business owners, HR managers, and startups decide whether this platform is the right fit for their needs.
What is Zoho People?
Zoho People is part of the Zoho Suite, a collection of over 50 cloud-based business apps. It is an online HR software that allows you to manage employees, monitor attendance, handle leave requests, and even conduct performance reviews—all from a single platform.
It is widely used by Indian startups, SMEs, and remote teams due to its flexibility, affordability, and integration with other Zoho tools.
Top Features of Zoho People
Here are the major features of Zoho People that make it stand out:
1. Employee Database Management
Zoho People allows HR teams to store all employee information in one central system. You can create custom fields based on your company’s needs and easily access or update records when required.
2. Attendance & Time Tracking
The software supports:
- Online check-in/check-out
- IP and location-based restrictions
- Mobile app punch-ins
- Biometric device integration
This is especially helpful for Indian companies with remote or hybrid teams.
3. Leave Management
You can define multiple leave types (casual, sick, earned, etc.), create approval workflows, and let employees apply for leave online. The system calculates leave balances automatically.
4. Performance Management
Zoho People provides tools to:
- Set goals and KRAs
- Conduct 360-degree reviews
- Schedule regular appraisals
- Track performance progress
This ensures continuous feedback and growth within the organisation.
5. Shift & Schedule Management
Perfect for companies that run multiple shifts or need to plan rosters in advance. Zoho People allows you to assign shifts, set reminders, and track shift attendance.
6. Self-Service Portal
Employees can:
- Update personal details
- View attendance reports
- Apply for leave
- Check salary slips (if integrated with Zoho Payroll)
This reduces the workload on the HR team.
7. Workflow Automation
You can automate HR processes like onboarding, approvals, document submissions, and exit formalities using workflow rules and triggers.
8. Mobile App
Available on both Android and iOS, the Zoho People app allows managers and employees to work on the go. It’s a great fit for the Indian gig economy and field-based teams.
9. Integration with Other Zoho Apps
Zoho People integrates seamlessly with:
- Zoho Payroll (for Indian payroll compliance)
- Zoho CRM
- Zoho Books
- Zoho Projects
This makes it a great option if you already use other Zoho tools.
Benefits of Zoho People for Indian Businesses
1. Affordable and Scalable
Zoho People offers one of the most affordable pricing structures for HRMS in India. The basic plan starts from ₹72 per user/month, which is budget-friendly for startups and small teams.
2. Easy to Set Up and Use
The platform is user-friendly with simple navigation and clean design. Even HR professionals with limited tech knowledge can easily learn how to use it.
3. Cloud-Based Access
Being cloud-based means you can access Zoho People from anywhere. It’s perfect for remote teams, which are now common even in tier-2 and tier-3 cities of India.
4. Automation Saves Time
With automated workflows, HR teams can save several hours per week. Tasks like approvals, notifications, and reporting can be done automatically.
5. Strong Support and Documentation
Zoho offers detailed tutorials, a knowledge base, live chat, and even webinars to help Indian users. Their support team is responsive and understands local business needs.
6. Compliance Support with Zoho Payroll
Although Zoho People doesn’t offer full-fledged payroll by itself, it can be integrated with Zoho Payroll, which is compliant with Indian laws like PF, ESI, TDS, and professional tax.
Drawbacks of Zoho People
While Zoho People has many advantages, it also has a few limitations that you should be aware of:
1. Payroll Not Built-In
Unlike some competitors (like Keka or greytHR), Zoho People doesn’t include payroll management by default. You’ll need to subscribe to Zoho Payroll separately or use third-party integrations.
2. Limited Deep Customization
While you can configure workflows and forms, Zoho People may not offer as much deep backend customization as some on-premise solutions. Large enterprises with complex HR policies may feel restricted.
3. Learning Curve for Advanced Features
Basic usage is simple, but advanced features like performance management or automation may require some training or initial effort to understand.
4. Integration with Non-Zoho Tools Can Be Tricky
Zoho People integrates well within the Zoho ecosystem. However, if you use tools outside of Zoho (like Tally, QuickBooks, or SAP), you may face integration limitations or require API support.
Who Should Use Zoho People?
✅ Ideal For:
- Indian startups and small businesses
- Tech-savvy HR teams
- Remote or hybrid companies
- Companies already using Zoho apps
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Large enterprises with highly customised HR needs
- Businesses needing deep payroll + statutory reports from Day 1
Conclusion
Zoho People is one of the best cloud-based HRMS platforms available in India, especially for small and mid-sized businesses. It offers a wide range of features like employee management, attendance, leave, and performance tracking—all at an affordable price.
While it lacks a built-in payroll module and some deep customizations, its benefits like ease of use, automation, mobile access, and integration with other Zoho tools make it a solid choice for Indian businesses in 2025.
If you’re looking to move away from spreadsheets and manual HR tasks, Zoho People can help you digitise your HR department efficiently.