Head-to-head · Contractor Payment Software
Cleo Pay vs Zoho Payroll
Cleo Pay leads on 0 checks, Zoho Payroll on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreCleo Pay · 7.8/10
- Free planboth
- Free trialonly Zoho Payroll
Cleo Pay scores higher on our rubric for contractor payment software: 7.8 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #11 and #13.
Cleo Pay is the better fit for US teams wanting free contractor onboarding and tax filing. Zoho Payroll is the better fit for indian businesses paying employees and contractors together.
- Cleo Pay fits best
US teams wanting free contractor onboarding and tax filing
- Zoho Payroll fits best
Indian businesses paying employees and contractors together
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Side by side
| Feature | Cleo Pay 7.8/10 Visit ↗ | Zoho Payroll 7.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.8 | 7.6 |
| Ranking | #11 in Contractor Payment Software | #13 in Contractor Payment Software |
| Best for | US teams wanting free contractor onboarding and tax filing | Indian businesses paying employees and contractors together |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $99/mo | ₹1,000/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | 14 days |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Phone, Community, Docs | |
| Integrations | 5 integrations | 9 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Cleo Pay 3/3 · Zoho Payroll 3/3 | ||
| Tax form support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Contractor self-service | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accounting integrations | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Payment schedules | Scheduled | Scheduled |
| Payout country coverage | Single-country | Single-country |
| Supported currencies | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Contractor limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Our verdict | Cleo Pay is a web-based payment automation platform for hospitality, event, and service businesses. It brings contractor and vendor onboarding, W-9 collection, TIN verification, ACH payments, invoice submission, approvals, payment… Read the review → |
Zoho Payroll is cloud-based payroll software for businesses in India that need to manage employees and contractors together. It calculates salaries, taxes, and deductions; generates payslips and reports; supports statutory compliance; and… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Cleo Pay — where it wins
- Free onboarding, W-9 verification, ACH payments, and 1099 filing
- Invoice approvals, payment scheduling, and contractor tracking
- QuickBooks Online synchronization plus accounting integrations
Where it doesn't
- Web access only
- Get Paid Free is limited to one user seat
- Payout support is limited to a single country
Zoho Payroll — where it wins
- Unified employee and contractor pay runs with off-cycle payouts
- Automatic TDS handling under Sections 194C and 194J
- Free plan with employee portal and Zoho integrations
Where it doesn't
- Contractor Payroll starts with the Standard plan
- Contractor features are described as early access
- Payout coverage is focused on a single country
- Cleo Pay7.8/10 · Free plan
A web-based option for US teams managing contractor onboarding, payments, and 1099 filing.
Visit Cleo PayFull verdict → - Zoho Payroll7.6/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial
A practical India-focused payroll option for paying employees and contractors together.
Visit Zoho PayrollFull verdict →
All contractor payment software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update