If you run a business in France, you’ve probably heard of PayFit. It’s one of the biggest names in French payroll tech—and for good reason. It handles everything from pay slip generation to automated DSN submissions. But if you’re running a 5- or 10-person team, is PayFit really the best fit?
Enter MiniHRO. It’s a lightweight alternative designed for microbusinesses that need just the essentials—leave tracking, timesheets, and payroll summaries—without paying for an enterprise-level platform.This article compares the two through the lens of price, complexity, compliance, and everyday usability.Who Is PayFit Really For?
PayFit is a robust payroll platform. It’s designed to fully automate the payroll workflow for companies with 10 to 250+ employees. You get:- Automatic DSN filing
- Payslip generation
- Contract management
- Leave tracking
- Expense reports
- Small businesses (1–20 employees)
- Simpler interface
- Built-in compliance
- Basic payroll prep (for use with your accountant or tools like Pennylane)
The French HR Landscape: Complex but Standardised
In France, HR and payroll management must strictly adhere to structured legal requirements. From pre-defined employment contract types (CDD, CDI, alternance) to rigid rules on paid leave (CP, RTT, arrêt maladie), everything needs to be tracked correctly and backed by standardised documentation. Failing to submit the DSN (Déclaration Sociale Nominative) on time can result in penalties—even for small companies. MiniHRO simplifies this by offering built-in compliance tools, pre-filled contract templates, and French-language guidance for every step.Belgium’s Unique Compliance Requirements
Belgium brings its own set of challenges: social security obligations vary by region and documents like employment contracts must follow language laws—Dutch for Flanders, French for Wallonia. MiniHRO covers these requirements by offering region-specific contract templates, ensuring small Belgian businesses can remain compliant without expensive consultants or additional software.Feature Comparison: MiniHRO vs PayFit
| Feature | PayFit | MiniHRO |
|---|---|---|
| Payslip Generation | ✅ | ✅ (PDF format, accountant-ready) |
| Timesheets | ✅ | ✅ |
| Leave tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Contract templates (FR) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Expense management | ✅ | ❌ |
| Interface in French | ✅ | ✅ |
| Self-service portal | ✅ | ❌ (coming post-MVP) |
| Price Transparency | ❌ (quote-based) | ✅ (starts at €0) |
The Core Difference: Automation vs Control
PayFit automates everything. You plug in salaries, it generates payslips, calculates contributions, and submits the DSN each month.MiniHRO gives you control. You manage the setup yourself:- Set contract type and base salary
- Track working hours
- Export a DSN-compliant file (XML or CSV)
Real-Life Scenario: Nicolas in Marseille
Nicolas runs a 6-person creative studio. He used PayFit for a few months. It worked—but it was overkill. Each minor change required a support ticket or navigating a complex interface. He didn’t need automated lunch vouchers or expense management.
He switched to MiniHRO.
Now:
His team logs time via the weekly timesheet
He prepares payslips from templates
He exports an XML for DSN, reviewed by his accountant
No learning curve. No waiting. No extra modules.
Simplicity That Saves Time
MiniHRO is built for speed:
Set up in 20 minutes
No demos, sales calls, or onboarding fees
Simple dashboards that show exactly what’s needed
PayFit is powerful but assumes a more structured HR department. Many users report:
Time-consuming setup
Cluttered interface with too many options
Confusing edge cases (e.g., unpaid leave for part-timers)
If you want plug-and-play, MiniHRO wins.
Pricing: Flat vs Flexible vs Foggy
PayFit Pricing (as of 2024):
Starts at €30/month base fee + €19/employee
Additional modules may cost more (e.g. expenses)
Custom quotes for larger teams
MiniHRO Pricing:
Free for up to 3 employees
€25/month for up to 20 employees
Custom plan for franchise or multi-site use
If you’re a lean team, PayFit’s pricing can quickly exceed €150/month—even if you don’t use all features. MiniHRO offers clarity and control.
Legal Compliance: Who Does It Better?
Both platforms respect DSN regulations. But MiniHRO goes further in some localised aspects:
Auto-alerts for URSSAF contribution errors or missing contract data
Built-in templates for CDD/CDI under French Code du Travail
For cross-border freelancers or mixed contracts, MiniHRO keeps things legal without overengineering.
Designed for Founders, Not Admin Teams
If you don’t have an HR manager, PayFit can feel like too much.
MiniHRO assumes you’re the founder, office manager, or accountant. That’s why it:
Uses plain language
Explains what’s legally required vs optional
Highlights incomplete files before DSN export
It’s built for people who are doing ten other things at once.
Use Case: Early-Stage Startups
Imagine a tech startup in Lyon. 4 full-time employees, 2 interns, no HR team yet.
PayFit is over €150/month.
MiniHRO is free.
The team uses it to:
Set leave balances
Export basic payslips
Track hours without external apps
Stay DSN-compliant without worrying about law changes
It’s the only tool that fits their size and pace.
Do You Really Need All the Extras?
PayFit’s features are impressive:
Expense tracking
Team directories
Advanced leave policy rules
But if you just need:
Timesheets
Legal payslips
DSN submission
Leave tracking
Then MiniHRO is not just enough—it’s better.
Final Verdict: MiniHRO or PayFit?
Both are great tools—but for different audiences.
Choose PayFit if:
You want to fully automate payroll
You manage a larger team (20+)
You want HR, finance, and benefits in one tool
Choose MiniHRO if:
You run a small team (1–20 people)
You use an external accountant
You want something fast, compliant, and affordable
You’re in France or Belgium
MiniHRO doesn’t try to replace your payroll software. It complements it—at a fraction of the cost.
✅ DSN-ready
✅ No learning curve
✅ Works with your accountant
✅ Transparent pricing, no quotes
Simple HR for small teams—done right.
