Most Indian HR software looks like it was designed in 2010 and nobody updated it. Keka is the exception – a Hyderabad-built HRMS that combines modern design, comprehensive Indian compliance, and a genuinely good employee experience. It’s become the go-to choice for Indian tech companies and startups that care about employer branding as much as statutory compliance. Here’s our complete review.
What is Keka? (And Why Indian Businesses Are Using It in 2026)
Keka is a Hyderabad-based HRMS company founded in 2015, serving 8,500+ companies across India. It raised ₹100 crore from WestBridge Capital in 2022 and has grown primarily through word-of-mouth among Indian tech startups and SMBs. Keka’s differentiator is its employee-first design philosophy – the self-service portal and mobile app are genuinely intuitive, reducing HR helpdesk queries significantly. The platform covers payroll, attendance, leave, performance, recruitment, and engagement.
Key Features of Keka for Indian Users
Keka’s platform covers core HR (employee database, org chart), payroll processing (all Indian statutory deductions), attendance (GPS mobile check-in, biometric, remote work tracking), leave management, performance management (OKRs, 360-degree feedback), recruitment (job postings, applicant tracking), onboarding, engagement surveys, and analytics. The AI features include payroll anomaly detection, attrition risk prediction, and an AI-powered job description generator. The employee app – Keka Hire and Keka Me – is consistently rated the best employee HR app in India.
Keka Pricing in India (INR) – 2026
| Plan | Price (INR/month) | Key Inclusions | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ₹6,999/month | Up to 100 employees, core HR + payroll | Small companies |
| Strength | ₹9,999/month | Up to 200 employees, advanced features | Mid-size companies |
| Growth | ₹13,999/month | Up to 500 employees, analytics, API | Growing companies |
| Enterprise | Custom | 500+ employees, dedicated support | Large enterprises |
Prices accurate as of March 2026. USD converted at ₹84/USD.
Pros and Cons of Keka for Indian Users
✅ What We Love (Pros)
- Best UI/UX of any Indian HRMS – modern and actually enjoyable to use
- Employee self-service app reduces HR helpdesk load by 60-70%
- Complete Indian statutory compliance (PF, ESI, TDS, PT)
- Strong performance management with OKRs – rare in Indian HRMS
- 8,500+ Indian customers means well-tested edge cases
❌ What Needs Improvement (Cons)
- More expensive than HROne and greytHR per employee
- Minimum pricing of ₹6,999/month may be high for micro businesses
- Implementation takes 4-6 weeks for full setup
- Advanced analytics requires higher plan
India Readiness Score: 5/5
| Criteria | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| INR Pricing Available | ✅ | Full INR pricing |
| Indian Payment Methods | ✅ | All Indian methods |
| Hindi/Regional Language Support | ✅ | Hindi support |
| GST Invoice Available | ✅ | GST invoices provided |
| India-Based Support | ✅ | Hyderabad-based support |
| Indian Case Studies | ✅ | Extensive India case studies |
How Indian Businesses Use Keka: Real-World Use Cases
A Bangalore SaaS startup with 80 employees switched from greytHR to Keka specifically for the better employee app – HR helpdesk queries dropped by 55% in the first month. A Pune manufacturing company uses Keka’s GPS attendance for 200 field sales reps, eliminating fake attendance completely. A Mumbai fintech startup uses Keka’s OKR-linked performance management to run quarterly performance cycles tied directly to salary revisions.
Best Alternatives to Keka for Indian Businesses
- greytHR: More affordable, stronger free plan, better for pure payroll compliance
- HROne: More affordable, stronger in manufacturing HR
- Darwinbox: Better for 500+ employee enterprises, more complex but more powerful
IndiAgent Verdict: Is Keka Worth It for Indian Businesses?
Keka is the premium choice for Indian SMBs that want modern HR software and care about employee experience. The UI/UX advantage over older Indian HRMS platforms is real and significant – employees actually use the app, which means fewer HR queries and better data accuracy. If budget is constrained, greytHR’s free plan is the better starting point. If you can justify ₹6,999+/month and want the best employee experience in Indian HR software, Keka is the answer.
Is Keka made in India?
Yes, Keka is made in India by a Hyderabad-based company. It’s built specifically for Indian payroll and HR compliance requirements.
How much does Keka cost per employee?
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Keka’s Foundation plan starts at ₹6,999/month for up to 100 employees – that’s approximately ₹70/employee/month. For 50 employees, it works out to ₹140/employee/month.
Does Keka handle PF and ESI compliance?
Yes, Keka fully handles PF, ESI, TDS, professional tax, and all other Indian statutory payroll deductions and filings.
How does Keka compare to greytHR?
Keka has significantly better UI/UX and employee experience. greytHR has a free plan and slightly lower pricing. Both have strong Indian compliance. Startups and tech companies prefer Keka; cost-focused businesses prefer greytHR.
Does Keka have a free plan?
No, Keka does not have a free plan. The minimum entry point is ₹6,999/month. However, they offer a free trial to evaluate the platform.
