CloverHR vs Zoho People
Low-cost cloud HR inside the Zoho suite. CloverHR is self-hosted HR software for the US and Canada, free for organizations under US $5 million. Here is how they differ, and when each one fits.
At a glance
| Topic | CloverHR | Zoho People |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Self-hosted HR software for small and mid-sized teams in the United States and Canada. | Zoho's cloud HR system, part of the wider Zoho business suite. |
| Where it runs | Your own server: one-click deploy on StackBlaze, or a Docker image with Postgres 16 anywhere. | Cloud only, with mobile apps. |
| Price | Free in production for organizations under US $5 million in total finances a year; a commercial licence above that. | Per user per month in published tiers, with a free plan for up to 5 users and a 30-day trial of paid plans. |
| Payroll | Not included. A per-pay-period export (CSV or JSON) for the payroll software you use. | A separate product, Zoho Payroll, sold in the US and Canada. |
| Canada | Built in: provincial holidays, overtime and break rules, TD1 forms and CAD, next to the same for every US state. | Priced in CAD; Canadian payroll through Zoho Payroll. |
| French | English and Canadian French, chosen by each person. | Not stated on its site |
| Source code | Source available (Business Source License 1.1; each version becomes GPL-3.0 after four years). | Proprietary. |
| API | Read and write REST API with an OpenAPI reference, and signed webhooks. | REST API, with limits by plan. |
Facts about Zoho People come from its own website, checked on October 1, 2026. Prices and plans change; check its site for the latest.
Where CloverHR is different
- Every feature in one edition: hiring, performance, compensation, benefits, scheduling and e-signatures are not separate products or higher tiers.
- Free for any number of people under US $5 million, not only up to five.
- US and Canadian labour rules built in.
- Runs on your own server.
When Zoho People may fit better
- You already use the Zoho suite and want HR inside it.
- You want payroll from the same vendor.
Questions
Is CloverHR cheaper than Zoho People?
For organizations under US $5 million, CloverHR is free for any number of people; Zoho People is free up to five users and priced per user above that. You pay only for where CloverHR runs.
Sources
- https://www.zoho.com/people/hr-software.html
- https://www.zoho.com/people/pricing-comparison.html
- https://www.zoho.com/en-ca/payroll/
- https://www.zoho.com/people/api/overview.html
Zoho People is a trademark of its owner. CloverHR is not affiliated with or endorsed by Zoho People.