Lucca vs PayFit vs Silae: payroll and HRIS options for French SMEs
Compare Lucca, PayFit and Silae for French payroll and HR: DSN, collective agreements, variables, HR workflows and accountant control.
Expert note: This article was written by our chartered accountancy firm. Information is current as of 2026. For a personalised review of your situation, contact us.
French payroll is not just generating payslips. It involves DSN filings, collective agreements, absences, benefits, onboarding, offboarding, final settlements and accounting exports.
Lucca, PayFit and Silae do not have the same centre of gravity. Lucca is modular HRIS. PayFit supports payroll autonomy. Silae is a payroll production engine widely used by accounting firms.
Executive summary#
- Lucca is strong when the company wants to structure HR workflows.
- PayFit can suit SMEs that want more internal autonomy, provided monthly controls are real.
- Silae is often the strongest base for outsourced or accountant-led payroll.
- The key decision is responsibility: internal autonomy, accountant control or outsourced production.
Operational comparison#
| Criterion | Lucca | PayFit | Silae | Hayot Expertise view |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature | Modular HRIS | Payroll and HR interface | Expert payroll engine | Do not confuse HRIS with payroll production |
| Main user | HR and managers | Founder or internal HR | Payroll specialist or firm | Choose according to available skills |
| Payroll complexity | Often connected to payroll | Good for standard cases with review | Suited to complex cases | Collective agreement is decisive |
| Control | Variable quality | Monthly review recommended | Firm-led control | Check gross pay, contributions, absences and DSN |
| Best fit | SME with HR processes | Startup seeking autonomy | SME outsourcing payroll | Lucca plus Silae can be the mature setup |
Use cases and decision points#
- An 80-person SME can use Lucca to structure leave, variables and employee records.
- A 25-person startup may use PayFit if it sets a serious monthly review process.
- A multi-convention employer is usually safer with Silae managed by a payroll specialist.
- Fast growth requires planning for onboarding, offboarding, equity incentives, benefits and payroll reporting.
Our accountant's analysis#
We start with payroll variables. If absences, bonuses, benefits, expenses and working time are unreliable, no system will produce clean payroll over time.
Silae is often our preferred secure base for outsourced payroll. Lucca adds useful HR structure. PayFit can work when the business accepts proper monthly controls.
For foreign-owned French subsidiaries, the choice must also explain French payroll logic to headquarters: DSN timing, social bodies, benefit treatment and accounting exports should be documented before the first reporting cycle.
The underestimated risk#
The underestimated risk is the illusion of autonomy. A simple interface can hide complex matters such as collective agreements, sickness absence, mid-month hires, day packages, benefits in kind or DSN corrections.
DSN is a structural social filing in France. Errors can spread to URSSAF, pension funds and benefits providers.
What the CEO must decide#
- Will payroll be produced internally, by the accountant or in a hybrid model?
- Who checks variables before monthly close?
- Which collective agreement and special cases must be covered?
- Do you need a full HRIS or only payroll production?
2026 watchpoints#
- Audit collective agreement setup before the first payslip.
- Test DSN, social bodies, sensitive payroll items and accounting exports.
- Document the monthly calendar from variables to DSN submission.
- Plan a clean migration procedure if switching during the year.
Useful internal links#
- hiring an in-house accountant
- French hiring and DSN obligations
- monthly fast close
- accountant assignments in France
- company car benefit in kind
- outsourced French payroll
- outsourced CFO payroll steering
- accounting and payroll support
- startup HR growth support
- Silae with Hayot Expertise
Frequently asked questions
Does Lucca replace Silae?+
Not always. Lucca is mainly HRIS, while Silae is a payroll production engine. They can be complementary.
Can PayFit be used without an accountant?+
For simple cases, possibly. Complex French payroll situations still deserve specialist review.
Why do accounting firms often use Silae?+
It is widely used for payroll production, collective agreements and multi-profile payroll files, provided setup and controls are strong.
Which tool is best for a startup in France?+
PayFit can support autonomy; Silae with a firm can reduce risk; Lucca becomes valuable when HR processes scale.
What should be checked every month?+
Variables, gross pay, charges, absences, staff movements and accounting exports before DSN validation.
Sources and freshness note#
Updated on 3 May 2026. Payroll features, collective agreement coverage, DSN handling and integrations must be confirmed in vendor documentation and Net-entreprises guidance.
Article written by Samuel HAYOT
Chartered Accountant, registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Regulated French accounting and audit firm based in Paris 8, built to support companies across France with a digital and decision-oriented approach.
Sources
Official and operational sources cited for this page.
This topic is part of our service French payroll outsourcing | DSN, payslips, HR
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