
Nigerian business owners and SMEs face a relentless struggle to find HR management and payroll processing platforms that fully align with their needs. The dynamic demands of local tax compliance, statutory deductions, and seamless employee data management often lead to frustration, as many solutions fall short of delivering a perfect fit. From navigating complex regulations to ensuring scalability and affordability, the search for an all-in-one platform is challenging.
PeopleHum, a widely recognized HR platform, offers robust tools for employee management but struggles with payroll processing tailored to Nigeria’s unique requirements, such as PAYE, pension and NSITF compliance. Its limitations in localization, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness push businesses to explore top PeopleHum alternatives for payroll processing in Nigeria such as Salario, a Nigerian-focused payroll solution designed to simplify and automate payroll while ensuring compliance and ease of use. In this article, we explore why businesses are looking for top PeopleHum alternatives for payroll processing in Nigeria and highlight five platforms, including Salario, that stand out as viable options.
Overview of PeopleHum

PeopleHum is a cloud-based HR management platform designed to streamline employee management processes, from hiring to performance tracking. With features like applicant tracking, onboarding, payroll processing, leave management, and AI-driven analytics, it caters to businesses globally. Its intuitive interface and mobile accessibility enhance usability, while automation streamlines recruitment and employee engagement. PeopleHum’s scalability suits growing businesses, and its local support adds appeal.
However, its payroll functionality lacks the depth needed for Nigeria’s complex regulatory landscape, and its pricing can strain smaller budgets. These shortcomings drive Nigerian businesses to seek top PeopleHum alternatives for payroll processing in Nigeria that offer more tailored, cost-effective, and compliant solutions for their payroll needs.
Limitations of PeopleHum in Payroll Processing
PeopleHum’s payroll processing capabilities present several challenges for Nigerian businesses. Its lack of deep localization makes it struggle to seamlessly handle Nigeria’s complex statutory requirements, such as real-time updates for PENCOM, PAYE, or NSITF compliance, making users rely on manual adjustments that increase errors. The platform’s payroll analytics lacks the insights into Nigerian businesses needed for financial planning and compliance reporting. Also, PeopleHum’s pricing structure, with costly add-ons for advanced features, can be out of budget for SMEs, especially when paired with lengthy onboarding processes.
Additionally, its payroll system struggles with handling multiple payroll cycles or unique compensation structures, a common need for Nigerian firms with diverse teams. Finally, customer support, while available, often lacks the local expertise needed to resolve Nigeria-specific payroll issues quickly. These limitations push businesses to seek top PeopleHum alternatives for payroll processing in Nigeria that offer more tailored, efficient, and cost-effective solutions.
Top PeopleHum Alternatives for Payroll Processing in Nigeria
1. Salario

Salario is a Nigerian-focused payroll and HR platform designed to simplify payroll processing for businesses of all sizes. It automates payroll calculations, statutory deductions (PAYE, PENCOM, NSITF), and payslip generation while ensuring compliance with Nigerian regulations. With seamless integration into platforms like Odoo HR and Zoho people, Salario offers an intuitive, cost-effective solution tailored to local needs, making it a leading choice among top PeopleHum alternatives for payroll processing in Nigeria.
Pros
- Automatically manages Nigerian tax and statutory deductions with real-time regulatory updates.
- Simplifies payroll setup and management, which makes it accessible even for non-technical users.
- Offers transparent, affordable plans tailored for Nigerian SMEs without hidden costs.
Cons
- Less suited for multinational companies needing cross-border payroll capabilities.
- Fewer Integrations compared to other platforms.
2. SeamlessHR

SeamlessHR is an African-focused HR and payroll platform designed to boost business productivity. It offers payroll automation, leave management, performance tracking, and recruitment tools with strong Nigerian compliance features. While a solid option among top PeopleHum alternatives for payroll processing in Nigeria, its setup complexity and pricing may not match Salario’s simplicity and affordability for smaller businesses.
Pros
- Integrates payroll, HR, and analytics for comprehensive management.
- Efficiently handles Nigerian statutory deductions and compliance.
- Ideal for growing businesses with complex payroll requirements.
Cons
- Requires significant setup time, challenging for smaller teams.
- Pricing can be steep for startups compared to Salario’s plans.
3. Cadana

Cadana is a modern payroll platform tailored for African businesses, offering real-time payroll processing, employee self-service, and Nigerian regulatory compliance. Its cloud-based system supports remote teams and integrates with HR tools. These features make it one of the top PeopleHum alternatives for payroll processing in Nigeria for SMEs.
Pros
- Supports same-day payroll execution for flexible schedules.
- Allows employees to access payslips and data independently.
- Ideal for remote or hybrid teams with anytime access.
Cons
- Struggles with unique payroll structures.
- Customer support may lack Nigeria-specific expertise.
4. Workpay

Workpay is an African-focused HR and payroll solution for SMEs, startups, and remote teams. It automates payroll, tax calculations, and compliance while offering employee self-service and reporting tools. Among top PeopleHum alternatives for payroll processing in Nigeria, Workpay is user-friendly but doesn’t match Salario’s cost-effectiveness or Nigerian-specific focus.
Pros
- Streamlines calculations and reduces manual errors.
- Effectively manages Nigerian tax and statutory requirements.
- Employees can access payroll data via a mobile app.
Cons
- Lacks in-depth analytics for complex reporting.
- Can be costly for very small businesses compared to Salario.
5. NotchHR

NotchHR is an all-in-one HR and payroll platform tailored for Nigerian businesses, offering automated allowances, tax filings, and an HR e-wallet for seamless payments. It’s a strong contender among top PeopleHum alternatives for payroll processing in Nigeria because of its unique features it offers business owners.
Pros
- Combines payroll, HR, and payment management.
- Simplifies tax and pension calculations.
- Provides a dedicated account for salary disbursements.
Cons
- Setup can be time-consuming for smaller teams.
- Less cost-effective for SMEs compared to Salario.
Why Salario Is Your Best Choice

Salario stands out among top PeopleHum alternatives for payroll processing in Nigeria by directly addressing PeopleHum’s shortcomings with robust, Nigerian-focused features. Here’s why Salario stands out:
Seamless Payroll Automation
Salario streamlines payroll tasks, saving businesses hours of manual work. It automates salary payments, payslip creation, tax and pension deductions, and remittances, boosting efficiency and minimizing HR-related inquiries.
Local Compliance
Salario’s deep understanding of Nigeria’s dynamic regulatory landscape ensures seamless management of PAYE, NHF, and pension compliance, keeping your business aligned with FIRS and PenCom requirements effortlessly. By automating timely tax and pension remittances, Salario helps businesses steer clear of fines and penalties.
Employee Self-service Portal
Salario’s employee self-service feature empowers Nigerian workers to effortlessly access payslips, view tax deductions, and manage personal details from any device. With an intuitive portal, it reduces HR queries by enabling employees to track payroll data in real time. This feature enhances transparency and efficiency, saving businesses time while fostering employee independence and trust in payroll processes.
Scalability
Salario offers scalable payroll solutions tailored for Nigerian businesses of all sizes. With a free account and various cost-effective pricing plans, businesses can select features that match their needs. Start with basic tools and seamlessly upgrade to advanced features as your business expands.
Integration
Salario’s integration with platforms like Odoo HR and Zoho People streamlines payroll by syncing employee data, attendance, and compensation in real time. It ensures seamless updates, eliminating manual data entry. With these Integrations, Salario enhances HR workflows with automated payroll calculations, reducing errors and boosting efficiency for businesses of all sizes.
These features make Salario the go-to solution for Nigerian businesses seeking a reliable, compliant, and cost-effective payroll platform.
Conclusion
Payroll processing in Nigeria demands a platform that combines automation, local compliance, and affordability to meet the unique needs of SMEs and enterprises. PeopleHum’s comprehensive HR suite falls short in delivering tailored payroll solutions, prompting businesses to explore top PeopleHum alternatives for payroll processing in Nigeria. Platforms like Salario, SeamlessHR, Cadana, Workpay, and NotchHR offer compelling options, but Salario offers the best solution with its deep localization, intuitive design, and budget-friendly pricing. By addressing PeopleHum’s limitations with seamless automation, flexible payroll options, and Nigeria-specific support, Salario redefines payroll management.
Don’t let payroll complexities hold your business back, book a demo with our team today to experience how we transform payroll processing in Nigeria.