Compare · UAE · Northern Emirates
Best HR software in the Northern Emirates (2026)
Our pick for Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain is Peoplo.ai: AI agents prepare payroll, onboarding, exits and claims, it is designed to support WPS salary files, gratuity and GPSSA for Emirati staff, and prices start at AED 300 a month. Zoho Payroll fits the lowest budget, Bayzat insurance and cards too, and Zimyo Arabic payslips.
Written by the Peoplo.ai team · Last updated 3 November 2026. Peoplo.ai wrote this page and lists its own product first. Facts about other products come from their public pages, with the date we checked them.
Quick picks
Key facts for the Northern Emirates
- Mainland companies in all five Northern Emirates follow Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and pay salaries through the WPS, due on the first day of the following month, with at least 85% of wages paid on time. Source
- Only the DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws, so free-zone companies in Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain follow the federal gratuity: 21 days' basic salary a year for the first five years, then 30, capped at 2 years' wages. Source
- WPS arrangements differ by free zone: some require it, as DMCC and Jafza do in Dubai, and others run their own wage protection. Check with your free zone authority. Source
- Emiratis working in the Northern Emirates are covered by the GPSSA: 11% from the employee and 12.5% or 15% from the employer. Source
- From 15 June to 15 September, outdoor work under the sun stops between 12:30 pm and 3 pm, which matters for construction, logistics and manufacturing companies with outdoor staff. Source
At a glance
The fifteen products side by side
| Product | Best for | AI | WPS salary files | Arabic | Free trial | Price | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Peoplo.ai | Companies that want AI agents to prepare HR and payroll work, and groups with UAE and Indian companies. | AI agents that prepare the work | Designed to support WPS salary files | Arabic in the app (beta) | Free trial | AED 12 per employee a month before VAT, for at least 25 employees | 3 November 2026 |
| 2.Bayzat | You want group health insurance, corporate cards and payroll from one provider. | AI assistant, AI reporting and a Knowledge Hub | SIF files, with real-time MOL number checks | Not described on the pages we checked | Demo | Not published; quoted in a demo | 28 October 2026 |
| 3.ZenHR | Your main operation is in Saudi Arabia, or you run HR across several MENA countries. | Five AI skills; says it works with any LLM | Says it generates WPS and bank files | Arabic and English | Demo | Quoted per organisation | 28 October 2026 |
| 4.NeuralHR | You also run payroll in Saudi Arabia, or want an AI interviewer for high-volume hiring. | Seven named AI co-workers and an AI HR Supervisor | WPS file to MOHRE | Self-service in English and Arabic | Demo | USD per user: web HRMS $10, AI HRMS from $22.99 a month | 28 October 2026 |
| 5.Zoho People and Zoho Payroll | Small teams that want low published AED prices, or already use Zoho Books. | Not described on the UAE pages we checked | Auto-generated SIF files | Not described on the pages we checked | 14 days | Zoho Payroll from AED 35 a month for 5 employees, billed yearly | 3 November 2026 |
| 6.greytHR | You want low published prices and mainly need payroll, leave and attendance. | NAVOS, described as an agentic AI assistant | Says it generates WPS SIF files | Not described on the page we checked | 7 days | $50 a month for the first 10 employees, plus $2 per extra employee | 3 November 2026 |
| 7.Darwinbox | Groups that want one HR platform across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait. | Darwinbox Cortex | Native WPS SIF files | Not described on the pages we checked | Demo | Not published | 3 November 2026 |
| 8.gulfHR | GCC groups with 500 or more employees that want a long-established regional HRMS. | AI screening in hiring and predictive analytics | Automated WPS files with IBAN checks | Arabic language support | 30-day pilot for 500+ employees | Quoted after a demo | 3 November 2026 |
| 9.Paylite | GCC companies that want a Dubai-based HRMS with payroll rules for nine Middle East countries. | AI hiring tools, appraisal insights and payroll anomaly detection | Automated WPS, SIF and EIF files | Not described on the page we checked | Demo | Quoted on request | 3 November 2026 |
| 10.Menaitech | Companies that want a fully bilingual Arabic and English HR system from a regional vendor. | Not described on the UAE page we checked | WPS-compliant SIF files for UAE banks | Fully bilingual Arabic and English | Demo; a freemium option is linked | Quoted by headcount, modules and compliance needs | 3 November 2026 |
| 11.Ramco | Large employers that want UAE payroll consolidated with payroll in many other countries. | Chia AI assistant and BInGO analytics | WPS-ready salary information files | Not described on the UAE page we checked | Demo | Not published | 3 November 2026 |
| 12.Yomly | Larger companies running salaries in several countries; its page talks of 500 to 5,000 employees. | Not described on the page we checked | WPS-compliant SIF files | Arabic and English | Demo | Not published | 3 November 2026 |
| 13.Zimyo | Companies that want Arabic and English payslips side by side and AI agents for HR and payroll. | Zim AI agents and an AI assistant | WPS salary files every payroll run | Arabic and English payslips, right to left | Free forever plan | Quoted in AED | 3 November 2026 |
| 14.Elate HRMS | UAE companies that want a locally focused HR and payroll product built around UAE payroll practice. | Not described on the page we checked | WPS-ready payroll and SIF file preparation | Not described on the page we checked | Demo | Not published | 3 November 2026 |
| 15.Odoo | Companies that already run Odoo for accounting or operations. | "Agentic AI" listed on its Custom plan | WPS report in .sif format | Not described on the pages we checked | Free trial; one app free | Published per user on odoo.com, in your local currency | 3 November 2026 |
From each vendor's own public pages, on the date shown. "Not described" means we did not find it on the pages we checked, not that the product lacks it.
How we chose
Six things that matter to a UAE HR team
We picked HR and payroll products that UAE companies often compare, and read each one's own product, pricing and help pages. We did not test competitors' software, and we do not take payment for a place on this list.
UAE payroll
WPS salary files and end-of-service for mainland, DIFC and ADGM employees, as each vendor describes them.
AI that does real work
Does the AI prepare work, such as a payroll check or an exit settlement, and who approves the changes it proposes?
Prices you can see
Are prices published, and in AED, before you talk to sales?
Arabic and English
Can employees use the product in Arabic, right to left?
Security you can check
Certifications held today, not on a roadmap.
More than one country
UAE and other entities, such as India or Saudi Arabia, in one account.
Peoplo.ai is first because it is our product, and we say so. The others follow, grouped by who they suit; we did not score them against each other. Each card says what that vendor's own pages show, and when we checked.
The list
The fifteen products, one by one
1 · Our pick
Peoplo.ai
An agentic HRMS. AI agents prepare payroll checks, onboarding plans, exit settlements and claims, and changes to pay, tax, people records and money always wait for a person. Designed to support WPS salary files and end-of-service for mainland, DIFC and ADGM employees.
Best for: Companies that want AI agents to prepare HR and payroll work, and groups with UAE and Indian companies.
What stands out
- AI agents prepare payroll checks, onboarding plans, exit settlements and claims, and important changes are written to an audit log: who did what, and when.
- Prices published in AED, AED 12 per employee a month for at least 25 employees, with AI agents included.
- End-of-service for mainland, DIFC (DEWS) and ADGM employees, and UAE and Indian companies in one account with one sign-in.
Worth checking
- Arabic in the app is in beta.
- Payroll for Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait is coming soon. Saudi Arabia is not covered.
- Built for SOC 2 and GDPR, with no SOC 2 certificate yet.
- Price
- AED 12 per employee a month before VAT, for at least 25 employees
- Free trial
- Free trial
- WPS salary files
- Designed to support WPS salary files
- Arabic
- Arabic in the app (beta)
2
Bayzat
A UAE HR, payroll, finance and insurance platform that says more than 4,000 companies use it. It calls itself "UAE's first fully automated payroll solution".
Best for: You want group health insurance, corporate cards and payroll from one provider.
What stands out
- HR and payroll alongside corporate cards, cross-border payments, and health and motor insurance.
- Says it converts payroll tables to SIF files and checks MOL numbers in real time.
- States ISO 27001:2022 and SOC 2 Type 2 certification.
Worth checking
- Prices are not published; they come through a demo.
- Approval of AI actions is not described on the pages we checked.
- Price
- Not published; quoted in a demo
- Free trial
- Demo
- WPS salary files
- SIF files, with real-time MOL number checks
- Arabic
- Not described on the pages we checked
Bayzat vs Peoplo.ai Bayzat payroll processing pageBayzat enterprise pageFrom Bayzat's public pages, checked 28 October 2026.
3
ZenHR
A "localized HR, payroll, and attendance system built for MENA", in Arabic and English, with country pages for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Kuwait.
Best for: Your main operation is in Saudi Arabia, or you run HR across several MENA countries.
What stands out
- Mudad, Muqeem and GOSI integration for Saudi Arabia, and pages for six MENA countries.
- Says "Human oversight remains part of every decision" for its AI, and names Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini.
- States SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001.
Worth checking
- Prices are quoted per organisation; AI hiring and succession add-ons are priced separately.
- A record of what the AI did is not described on the pages we checked.
- Price
- Quoted per organisation
- Free trial
- Demo
- WPS salary files
- Says it generates WPS and bank files
- Arabic
- Arabic and English
ZenHR vs Peoplo.ai ZenHR home pageZenHR pricing pageFrom ZenHR's public pages, checked 28 October 2026.
4
NeuralHR
An Abu Dhabi-based "AI HR team for growing businesses", focused on the UAE and Saudi Arabia with India second, with seven named AI co-workers.
Best for: You also run payroll in Saudi Arabia, or want an AI interviewer for high-volume hiring.
What stands out
- UAE payroll with WPS, end-of-service, visa expiry tracking and GPSSA.
- Saudi Arabia (Mudad, GOSI, Qiwa, Nitaqat) and India in the same product.
- Mentions human approval on payroll actions.
Worth checking
- Prices are per user in US dollars; the mobile app is a $10 per user add-on, and AED prices are given in a demo.
- Its trust centre lists SOC 2 as on its roadmap.
- Price
- USD per user: web HRMS $10, AI HRMS from $22.99 a month
- Free trial
- Demo
- WPS salary files
- WPS file to MOHRE
- Arabic
- Self-service in English and Arabic
NeuralHR vs Peoplo.ai NeuralHR pricingNeuralHR AI co-workerNeuralHR trust centreFrom NeuralHR's public pages, checked 28 October 2026.
5
Zoho People and Zoho Payroll
Zoho sells HR (Zoho People) and a UAE edition of Zoho Payroll as separate products that work together. Zoho Payroll is included in the Zoho People Plus bundle.
Best for: Small teams that want low published AED prices, or already use Zoho Books.
What stands out
- Publishes AED prices: Standard AED 35, Professional AED 55 and Premium AED 75 a month billed yearly, each for 5 employees, plus AED 7 to 15 per extra employee. VAT extra.
- Gratuity worked out by contract type, separation type and free zone, and GPSSA and other GCC national pensions.
- Free employee app for iOS and Android, and links with Zoho People, Zoho Books and Zoho Expense.
Worth checking
- HR and payroll are separate products unless you buy the Zoho People Plus bundle.
- DIFC DEWS is not described on the pages we checked.
- Price
- Zoho Payroll from AED 35 a month for 5 employees, billed yearly
- Free trial
- 14 days
- WPS salary files
- Auto-generated SIF files
- Arabic
- Not described on the pages we checked
Zoho Payroll UAE pricingZoho: the UAE edition of Zoho PayrollFrom Zoho People and Zoho Payroll's public pages, checked 3 November 2026.
6
greytHR
A long-running Indian HR and payroll product that now sells in the Middle East, and says it generates WPS SIF files and handles gratuity and GPSSA.
Best for: You want low published prices and mainly need payroll, leave and attendance.
What stands out
- Gratuity, end-of-service and GPSSA across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait.
- Published prices and a seven-day free trial with a business email, with no sales call.
- Pricing listed in USD, AED, SAR, QAR, OMR, BHD and KWD.
Worth checking
- Arabic in the app is not described on the page we checked.
- Its AI assistant is promoted, but not described in the UAE article.
- Price
- $50 a month for the first 10 employees, plus $2 per extra employee
- Free trial
- 7 days
- WPS salary files
- Says it generates WPS SIF files
- Arabic
- Not described on the page we checked
greytHR: best HR software for mid-sized companies in the UAEFrom greytHR's public pages, checked 3 November 2026.
7
Darwinbox
An HR platform that calls its AI "Darwinbox Cortex", "The AI-Native HCM", and says it applies country rules for six GCC countries from one platform.
Best for: Groups that want one HR platform across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait.
What stands out
- Generates WPS SIF files from data already in the platform, and checks the 85% rule for each employee before the run is finalised.
- Onboarding passes new-hire data into payroll in the same platform, with no export step.
- Country rules for six GCC countries from one platform.
Worth checking
- Prices are not published.
- Gratuity, DIFC and ADGM are not described on the payroll page we checked.
- Price
- Not published
- Free trial
- Demo
- WPS salary files
- Native WPS SIF files
- Arabic
- Not described on the pages we checked
Darwinbox: UAE payroll and Resolution 340 (2 July 2026)Darwinbox home pageFrom Darwinbox's public pages, checked 3 November 2026.
8
gulfHR
A regional HRMS for Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Jordan and Egypt, in business since 2003 by its own account.
Best for: GCC groups with 500 or more employees that want a long-established regional HRMS.
What stands out
- WPS file generation with IBAN validation and bank integration.
- Covers eight Middle East countries, including Saudi GOSI and Egypt tax.
- Lists free setup, migration and staff training.
Worth checking
- Prices are not published.
- Its AI is described for hiring and analytics, not for payroll.
- Price
- Quoted after a demo
- Free trial
- 30-day pilot for 500+ employees
- WPS salary files
- Automated WPS files with IBAN checks
- Arabic
- Arabic language support
gulfHR home pageFrom gulfHR's public pages, checked 3 November 2026.
9
Paylite
A cloud HRMS based in Dubai that calls itself the preferred HRMS for the GCC region, with compliance for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.
Best for: GCC companies that want a Dubai-based HRMS with payroll rules for nine Middle East countries.
What stands out
- Automated WPS, SIF and EIF file generation in a MoHRE compliance engine.
- UAE gratuity, full and final settlement and pension calculations.
- AI for job descriptions, CV screening, appraisal insights and payroll anomaly detection.
Worth checking
- Prices are not published; quotes are on request.
- Arabic in the app is not described on the page we checked.
- Price
- Quoted on request
- Free trial
- Demo
- WPS salary files
- Automated WPS, SIF and EIF files
- Arabic
- Not described on the page we checked
Paylite home pageFrom Paylite's public pages, checked 3 November 2026.
10
Menaitech
A regional HR and payroll product with sites for Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Kuwait and Qatar, offered in the cloud or, depending on requirements, on premises.
Best for: Companies that want a fully bilingual Arabic and English HR system from a regional vendor.
What stands out
- Generates WPS-compliant SIF files that work with UAE banks.
- End-of-service gratuity worked out under UAE labour law.
- Fully bilingual across interfaces and key workflows.
Worth checking
- Prices are not published.
- AI is not described on the UAE page we checked.
- Price
- Quoted by headcount, modules and compliance needs
- Free trial
- Demo; a freemium option is linked
- WPS salary files
- WPS-compliant SIF files for UAE banks
- Arabic
- Fully bilingual Arabic and English
Menaitech UAE FAQsMenaitech home pageFrom Menaitech's public pages, checked 3 November 2026.
11
Ramco
An enterprise payroll and HR product that says it covers 150+ countries and 500+ enterprise customers, with a UAE payroll page for Dubai.
Best for: Large employers that want UAE payroll consolidated with payroll in many other countries.
What stands out
- Gratuity worked out from basic salary, service and UAE end-of-service rules, and GPSSA contributions for UAE nationals.
- Chia answers payslip, WPS, GPSSA and leave questions, and BInGO builds real-time reports.
- Global payroll across 150+ countries, by its own account.
Worth checking
- Prices are not published.
- Its UAE page is written for large, multi-entity employers.
- Price
- Not published
- Free trial
- Demo
- WPS salary files
- WPS-ready salary information files
- Arabic
- Not described on the UAE page we checked
Ramco: payroll software in the UAE and DubaiFrom Ramco's public pages, checked 3 November 2026.
12
Yomly
A Dubai-based HR and payroll product that says it handles multi-country, multi-currency salaries and has more than 250 clients.
Best for: Larger companies running salaries in several countries; its page talks of 500 to 5,000 employees.
What stands out
- Gratuity and end-of-service under UAE labour law.
- Multi-country, multi-currency salaries; says it covers more than 50 countries.
- Arabic and English interfaces.
Worth checking
- Prices are not published.
- AI is not described on the payroll page we checked.
- Price
- Not published
- Free trial
- Demo
- WPS salary files
- WPS-compliant SIF files
- Arabic
- Arabic and English
Yomly payroll software pageFrom Yomly's public pages, checked 3 November 2026.
13
Zimyo
An HR and payroll platform with a Middle East site, priced in AED for the UAE, that describes agentic AI agents for HR and payroll.
Best for: Companies that want Arabic and English payslips side by side and AI agents for HR and payroll.
What stands out
- Generates UAE WPS files and Saudi Mudad salary files every payroll run.
- End-of-service pay under UAE, Saudi and Qatar law, including resignation, termination and tenure tiers.
- Arabic and English payslips and documents side by side, right to left.
Worth checking
- UAE prices are quoted, not published.
- Its customer count differs within the page (2,500+ and 1,500+).
- Price
- Quoted in AED
- Free trial
- Free forever plan
- WPS salary files
- WPS salary files every payroll run
- Arabic
- Arabic and English payslips, right to left
Zimyo Middle East home pageFrom Zimyo's public pages, checked 3 November 2026.
14
Elate HRMS
An HR and payroll product from Peniel Technology LLC, designed around UAE workforce and payroll practices for growing, multi-location teams.
Best for: UAE companies that want a locally focused HR and payroll product built around UAE payroll practice.
What stands out
- WPS-ready payroll workflows and SIF file preparation.
- Payslips, deductions, loans and gratuity in payroll.
- Built for multi-location teams in the UAE and the Middle East.
Worth checking
- Prices are not published.
- AI and Arabic are not described on the page we checked.
- Price
- Not published
- Free trial
- Demo
- WPS salary files
- WPS-ready payroll and SIF file preparation
- Arabic
- Not described on the page we checked
Elate HRMS home pageFrom Elate HRMS's public pages, checked 3 November 2026.
15
Odoo
A business suite with a payroll app and a UAE payroll setup in its documentation, covering WPS files, end-of-service and DEWS.
Best for: Companies that already run Odoo for accounting or operations.
What stands out
- UAE payroll documentation covers the WPS .sif report, end-of-service gratuity and DEWS.
- One app is free for unlimited users, and payroll sits inside a full business suite.
- Runs online, on Odoo.sh or on your own servers.
Worth checking
- The free plan covers one app; payroll with HR and accounting needs a paid plan.
- Studio and more than one company need the Custom plan.
- Price
- Published per user on odoo.com, in your local currency
- Free trial
- Free trial; one app free
- WPS salary files
- WPS report in .sif format
- Arabic
- Not described on the pages we checked
Odoo documentation: United Arab Emirates payrollOdoo pricingFrom Odoo's public pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Buyer's guide
What to look for at your size
Under 50 employees
A low monthly price in AED, a WPS file from the first month and gratuity worked out for you. A free trial lets you run one month before you pay.
Shortlist
- Peoplo.ai
- Zoho Payroll
- greytHR
- Zimyo
50 to 250 employees, shifts and sites
Attendance, overtime and night hours, the midday break, and end-of-service at scale. Check that overtime flows into payroll without spreadsheets.
Shortlist
- Peoplo.ai
- gulfHR
- Paylite
- Bayzat
- Zimyo
250 to 1,000 employees
Several companies, mainland and free zone, with approvals and Emiratisation targets. Peoplo.ai publishes prices up to 2,000 employees.
Shortlist
- Peoplo.ai
- Darwinbox
- Menaitech
- gulfHR
Manufacturing and industrial groups
Large shift-based workforces and links to ERP. Ask for references in your sector.
Shortlist
- Ramco
- Darwinbox
- Odoo
- gulfHR
Compliance checklist
Rules your HR software should handle in the Northern Emirates
Eight questions to ask any vendor before you sign, for a company in Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah or Umm Al Quwain.
- 1
WPS file
A salary information file for every mainland establishment, and for free-zone companies where the zone uses the WPS.
- 2
Due date and 85%
A warning before the first day of the following month, and a check that at least 85% of wages are paid on time.
- 3
Gratuity
Basic salary only, 21 and 30 days a year, the two-year cap, paid within 14 days.
- 4
Overtime
25% extra, 50% at night for workers not on shifts, and the daily limit.
- 5
Midday break
Rosters that respect 12:30 pm to 3 pm from 15 June to 15 September for outdoor staff.
- 6
GPSSA
Employee, employer and government shares for Emirati staff.
- 7
Emiratisation
The skilled Emirati share tracked against 30 June and 31 December.
- 8
Data
Where employee data is stored and how the vendor meets Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021. Peoplo.ai runs in one Microsoft Azure region, East US.
Sources · checked 31 October 2026
- UAE Government: payment of wages and the WPS, Ministerial Resolution No. 340 of 2026
- DMCC: Wage Protection System guideline
- Jafza: Wage Protection System for Jafza companies
- UAE Government: end of service benefits in the private sector
- UAE Government: working hours and overtime in the private sector
- UAE Government: working hours, including the midday break (Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022)
- GPSSA: main features of Federal Law No. 57 of 2023
- UAE Government: employing Emiratis in the private sector
- UAE Government: data protection laws
By zone
Payroll rules across the five emirates
The same federal law applies in all five, mainland and free zone. What differs is WPS in the free zones and who your employees are.
Sharjah
Mainland companies follow the federal law and the WPS. Free zones such as SAIF Zone, Hamriyah and SHAMS follow the federal law and its gratuity; check each zone's WPS arrangement.
Ajman
Mainland companies follow the federal law and the WPS. Ajman Free Zone companies follow the federal law and its gratuity rule.
Ras Al Khaimah
Mainland companies follow the federal law and the WPS. RAKEZ companies follow the federal law and its gratuity rule; check RAKEZ's WPS arrangement before the first payroll.
Fujairah
Mainland companies follow the federal law and the WPS. Fujairah Free Zone companies follow the federal law and its gratuity rule.
Umm Al Quwain
Mainland companies follow the federal law and the WPS. Free-zone companies follow the federal law and its gratuity rule.
Emirati employees
Covered by the GPSSA in all five emirates. The Abu Dhabi Pension Fund covers only nationals working in Abu Dhabi.
Worked examples
What the rules mean in the Northern Emirates, in dirhams
Calculated from the rules above, checked 31 October 2026. Your HR software should give the same answers.
Gratuity, any of the five emirates
Basic AED 10,000 a month, 7 years: 105 plus 60 days at AED 333.33 a day comes to AED 55,000, paid within 14 days of the last day.
Gratuity, shorter service
Basic AED 8,000, 3 years: 63 days at AED 266.67 a day, AED 16,800.
GPSSA, Emirati employee
Salary AED 15,000 a month: employee AED 1,650, employer AED 1,875 and government AED 375.
Overtime on a site
At an hourly wage of AED 25, an overtime hour is AED 31.25, and AED 37.50 between 10 pm and 4 am for workers not on shifts.
UAE nationals
Emirati staff in the Northern Emirates
GPSSA rates and Emiratisation targets for mainland companies in Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.
GPSSA rates
Employee 11%; employer 12.5% below AED 20,000 a month and 15% from there, with the government adding 2.5% below that line.
Contributory salary
From AED 3,000 to AED 70,000 a month.
Targets
Mainland companies with 50 or more staff grow the skilled Emirati share by 1% every half year, checked on 30 June and 31 December.
Smaller companies
Since 2025, companies with 20 to 49 staff in 14 named sectors must employ at least 2 UAE nationals.
Paying late
What happens when salaries are late under the WPS
Under Ministerial Resolution No. 340 of 2026, from the due date (the first day of the following month). A payroll check before the run is the cheapest way to stay off this list.
Day 2 after the due date
Alerts and warnings to the employer.
Day 5 after the due date
New work permits may be suspended.
Day 11 after the due date
Administrative fines; repeat breaches within six months move the company to the third category.
Day 16 after the due date
Labour disputes may be registered automatically, with wider permit suspension where 25 or more workers are affected.
Day 21 after the due date
Referral to public prosecution, asset attachment and travel bans may follow.
Hours and overtime
Working hours and overtime in the Northern Emirates
The federal rules for the private sector, which your HR software should turn into payroll lines.
Normal hours
Up to 8 hours a day or 48 a week in the private sector, 2 hours shorter each day in Ramadan on the same pay.
Overtime
At least 25% extra on the hourly wage, and as a rule no more than 2 hours of overtime a day. At an hourly wage of AED 25, an overtime hour is AED 31.25.
Night overtime
Overtime between 10 pm and 4 am is paid at least 50% extra, except for shift workers: AED 37.50 an hour at the same AED 25 rate.
Rest days
Work on a rest day earns another day off, or the day's pay plus 50%.
Midday break
From 15 June to 15 September, outdoor work under the sun stops between 12:30 pm and 3 pm. Fines are AED 5,000 for each worker, up to AED 50,000.
Cost
What HR software costs for 50 employees
Monthly, before VAT, on each vendor's published price where there is one.
Peoplo.ai
(n) => `AED ${Math.round(n).toLocaleString("en-US")}` a month before VAT: AED 300 for up to 25 employees and AED 1,200 for 100, with AI agents and hiring included.
Zoho Payroll
About AED 350 a month on Standard for 50 employees, AED 550 on Professional and AED 750 on Premium, on its published per-employee formula. HR is a separate product.
greytHR
About AED 477 a month for 50 employees on its published dollar price, at AED 3.6725 to the dollar.
NeuralHR
About AED 1,836 a month for 50 users on the web HRMS, or AED 4,222 with AI, at AED 3.6725 to the dollar.
Quoted
Bayzat, Darwinbox, ZenHR, Paylite, Menaitech, gulfHR, Ramco, Zimyo, Yomly and Elate HRMS quote or do not publish prices.
Do the Northern Emirates have their own labour law?
No. Mainland and free-zone companies in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain all follow Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, with the same gratuity, overtime and leave rules as mainland Dubai. Only the DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws.
What differs is the WPS in free zones, which some require and others replace with their own wage protection, and the mix of staff: many companies here run shifts and outdoor sites, so overtime, night hours and the midday break matter more than in an office.
More on HR and payroll in the Northern Emirates
See Peoplo.ai run a payroll in the Northern Emirates
A 30-minute demo with your pay structure: the payroll check, the WPS salary file and an end-of-service settlement, ready for your approval.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers for companies in the Northern Emirates choosing HR software.
What is the best HR software in Sharjah?
We think Peoplo.ai is: it publishes prices in AED (AED 12 per employee a month before VAT, for at least 25 employees), includes AI agents in the plan and is designed to support WPS payroll and gratuity for mainland and free-zone companies in one account. Zoho Payroll suits the lowest budget, Zimyo Arabic payslips and Bayzat insurance and cards too.
What is the best HR software in Ajman?
The same products serve Ajman as the rest of the UAE, because Ajman companies follow the federal labour law. Look for WPS salary files, gratuity on basic salary and a published AED price; Peoplo.ai, Zoho Payroll, greytHR and Zimyo publish theirs.
What is the best HR software in Ras Al Khaimah?
For RAK mainland and RAKEZ companies, pick software that handles the federal gratuity rule, WPS files for mainland establishments and your free zone's wage protection. Peoplo.ai is our pick; gulfHR and Paylite suit shift-heavy teams.
Does UAE labour law apply in RAKEZ and SAIF Zone?
Yes. Only the DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws. Companies in RAKEZ, SAIF Zone, SHAMS and other Northern Emirates free zones follow Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Checked 31 October 2026.
Do free-zone companies in the Northern Emirates have to use the WPS?
It depends on the free zone. Some have adopted the WPS and others run their own wage protection, so check with your free zone authority. Mainland companies must use the WPS. Checked 31 October 2026.
How is gratuity calculated in Sharjah?
The federal rule: 21 days' basic salary a year for the first five years, then 30, capped at 2 years' wages, on basic salary at monthly basic ÷ 30 a day. A basic of AED 10,000 after 7 years gives AED 55,000.
Do Emiratis in Sharjah pay into the GPSSA?
Yes. The GPSSA covers UAE nationals working in all emirates except Abu Dhabi: 11% from the employee and 12.5% or 15% from the employer.
When are salaries due in the Northern Emirates?
On the first day of the following month for mainland companies, under Ministerial Resolution No. 340 of 2026, in force since 1 June 2026, with at least 85% of wages paid on time.
What overtime rules apply in the Northern Emirates?
At least 25% extra on the hourly wage, 50% between 10 pm and 4 am except for shift workers, no more than 2 hours a day as a rule, and 50% extra or a day off for rest-day work.
Does the midday break apply in Sharjah and RAK?
Yes, across the UAE. From 15 June to 15 September, outdoor work under the sun stops between 12:30 pm and 3 pm, with fines of AED 5,000 per worker up to AED 50,000.
How much does HR software cost in Sharjah?
Peoplo.ai is AED 300 a month for up to 25 employees and AED 1,200 for 100, before VAT. For 50 employees, Zoho Payroll Standard is about AED 350 a month and greytHR about AED 477. Bayzat, gulfHR and Paylite quote.
Which HR software in the Northern Emirates works in Arabic?
Zimyo describes Arabic and English payslips, and ZenHR, gulfHR, Menaitech and NeuralHR describe Arabic. Peoplo.ai has Arabic in the app in beta.
Which HR software suits shift and site workers?
Look for attendance that feeds overtime and night hours into payroll, rosters that respect the midday break, and a mobile app for staff. gulfHR describes face recognition attendance with geofencing; Peoplo.ai flags unusual overtime in its payroll check.
How much does Peoplo.ai cost in the Northern Emirates?
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Where is employee data stored?
Peoplo.ai runs in one Microsoft Azure region, East US. Ask every vendor where it stores data and how it meets Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021.
How did you choose these products?
They are the fifteen products in our UAE ranking, read on their own pages for WPS, AI, Arabic, prices and trials. Peoplo.ai is first because it is our product. This page adds the rules that apply in Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.