SalaryBox vs GreytHR: Honest Comparison for Small Businesses in 2026
SalaryBox is the better payroll and attendance software for Indian small businesses in 2026. It is a mobile-first platform that combines AI selfie attendance, GPS tracking, geofencing, biometric integration, and automated payroll starting at Rs 35 per employee per month with no base fee and no hidden charges. GreytHR is an established, web-first HRMS with strong payroll configurability and compliance expertise, but its modern attendance features like AI face recognition and advanced geofencing come as paid per-employee add-ons, pushing the real cost to Rs 70-120 per employee per month for comparable functionality.
If you are a small business owner in India with 5 to 500 employees, frontline staff, field teams, or multiple locations, SalaryBox gives you more attendance accuracy and payroll speed at a lower total cost. GreytHR is a better fit for mid-size traditional businesses (100-1000 employees) that need deeper salary configuration, exit management workflows, and an AI-powered employee chatbot.
This article provides a transparent, side-by-side comparison of SalaryBox and GreytHR across every category that matters: attendance, payroll, compliance, pricing, mobile experience, and customer support.
What Is SalaryBox?
SalaryBox is a cloud-based, mobile-first attendance and payroll platform purpose-built for Indian SMBs. It enables businesses to track employee attendance through AI selfie verification with liveness detection, real-time GPS location tracking, multi-zone geofencing, QR code check-in, and portable biometric devices — all from a single smartphone app. Attendance data flows automatically into payroll, which handles PF, ESI, TDS, Professional Tax, and LWF calculations for all Indian states. SalaryBox is used by over 100,000 businesses across India, predominantly in retail, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, hospitality, and field services.
What Is GreytHR?
GreytHR is one of India’s oldest and most established HRMS and payroll platforms, trusted by over 25,000 companies. It offers a comprehensive suite covering payroll processing, leave and attendance management, employee database, onboarding, exit management, expense claims, and HR analytics. GreytHR is web-first with mobile apps available, and it is particularly strong in payroll compliance and salary structure configuration. It serves businesses from 25 employees to 2,000+, with a free Starter tier available for basic use.
SalaryBox vs GreytHR: Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | SalaryBox | GreytHR |
| AI Selfie Attendance | Yes (native, liveness detection, anti-spoof) | No (not available) |
| GPS Live Tracking | Yes (real-time location trails) | No (basic location stamp only) |
| Geofencing | Yes (multi-zone, customisable) | Yes (available as paid add-on) |
| Fake GPS Blocking | Yes (built-in) | No |
| Biometric Device Integration | Yes (portable devices, cloud sync) | Yes (third-party device integration) |
| Offline Attendance | Yes (syncs when connected) | No (requires internet) |
| Payroll Processing | Yes (60-second runs, 1-click bank pay) | Yes (deep salary configuration) |
| PF/ESI/TDS Compliance | Yes (auto-calculated, all states) | Yes (auto-calculated, all states) |
| Professional Tax | Yes (all Indian states) | Yes (all Indian states) |
| Shift & Roster Management | Yes (drag-and-drop scheduling) | Yes |
| Overtime Calculation | Yes (new Labour Code compliant) | Yes |
| Leave Management | Yes (app-based, instant approval) | Yes (web + app) |
| Employee Self-Service | Yes (Android + iOS) | Yes (Android + iOS + Web) |
| Multi-Location Dashboard | Yes (real-time cross-site) | Yes |
| Performance Management | No | Limited (basic module in higher plans) |
| Recruitment Module | No | No (separate product needed) |
| Expense Management | Yes (basic reimbursements) | Yes (claims, approvals in Growth plan) |
| AI Chatbot | No | Yes (AI-powered chatbot for employees) |
| API Access | Available | Available (Enterprise plan only) |
| Exit Management | Basic | Yes (Growth plan and above) |
How Does SalaryBox Pricing Compare to GreytHR Pricing in 2026?
| Pricing Factor | SalaryBox | GreytHR |
| Free Plan | No (7-day free trial) | Yes (Starter tier with basic features) |
| Base Platform Fee | None | Rs 3,495 to Rs 7,495/month (depending on plan) |
| Per Employee Cost | Rs 35 to Rs 100/employee/month (all features) | Rs 35 to Rs 75/employee/month + base fee |
| Setup Fee | None | Varies by implementation scope |
| AI Selfie Attendance Add-On | Included in all plans | Not available natively |
| Advanced Geofencing Add-On | Included in all plans | Paid add-on (additional per-employee charge) |
| GPS Live Tracking | Included in Locate plan | Not available |
| Cost for 25 Employees/Month | Rs 875 to Rs 2,500 | Rs 3,495 + Rs 875 = Rs 4,370 (Essential) |
| Cost for 100 Employees/Month | Rs 3,500 to Rs 10,000 | Rs 5,495 + Rs 3,500 = Rs 8,995 (Growth) |
| Cost for 50 Employees with GPS + Selfie | Rs 5,000 (Locate plan) | Not possible (no native AI selfie or GPS) |
Key Takeaway: GreytHR’s free Starter tier attracts attention, but it lacks modern attendance features. Once you need geofencing, AI attendance, or multi-location dashboards, GreytHR’s total cost exceeds SalaryBox by 40-75% for comparable functionality. SalaryBox’s all-inclusive pricing model means no surprises.
Which Is Better for Attendance: SalaryBox or GreytHR?
SalaryBox is significantly better for attendance tracking. Its core differentiators — native AI selfie attendance with liveness detection, real-time GPS tracking with location trails, multi-zone geofencing with fake GPS blocking, and offline functionality — are built into the platform from the ground up. These are not add-ons or integrations; they are core features available from the lowest pricing tier.
GreytHR’s attendance module handles basic clock-in/out, IP-based restrictions, and simple location capture well. However, it does not offer native AI selfie verification, does not have real-time GPS tracking, and makes advanced geofencing a paid add-on. For any business that needs to verify that employees are physically present at the right location at the right time, SalaryBox provides a substantially more robust solution.
Verdict: SalaryBox wins on attendance tracking by a wide margin, especially for businesses with field staff, multiple locations, or frontline workers.
Which Is Better for Payroll: SalaryBox or GreytHR?
Both platforms handle Indian payroll compliance comprehensively — PF, ESI, TDS, Professional Tax, LWF, gratuity, and bonus calculations are automated in both. Where they differ is in approach and depth.
SalaryBox is designed for speed and simplicity. Its 60-second payroll run processes salaries for all employees with one click, and attendance data feeds directly into payroll with zero manual intervention. It supports bank-level salary disbursement to any Indian bank. This approach is ideal for small business owners who run payroll themselves.
GreytHR offers deeper salary structure configuration with support for complex pay grades, multiple salary components, advanced reimbursement workflows, and detailed tax computation. It is better suited for businesses with HR teams that need granular control over compensation structures.
Verdict: Tie. SalaryBox wins on speed and simplicity. GreytHR wins on configurability. Choose based on whether you value fast, simple payroll or deep, customisable payroll.
Which Has a Better Mobile Experience: SalaryBox or GreytHR?
SalaryBox is mobile-first — the entire platform is designed around the smartphone. Business owners manage attendance, approve leaves, run payroll, and view reports from their phone. Employees mark attendance, apply for leaves, and view payslips through the same app. The app works offline and supports Indian regional languages.
GreytHR is web-first with mobile apps that mirror the web experience. While functional, the mobile app is primarily for employee self-service (leave applications, payslips, directory) rather than full admin operations. Business owners typically need a desktop browser for payroll processing and advanced configuration.
Verdict: SalaryBox wins on mobile experience. If you run your business from your phone (as most Indian SMB owners do), SalaryBox is the more natural fit.
Does GreytHR Have a Free Plan? Is It Worth It?
Yes, GreytHR offers a free Starter tier that includes core HR, basic payroll, leave and attendance management, employee self-onboarding, and analytics. This makes it attractive for very early-stage businesses or those evaluating HRMS options.
However, the free tier has significant limitations: it lacks geofencing, exit management, expense claims, advanced reports, API access, and modern attendance features. As soon as your business needs any of these, you must upgrade to the Essential plan (Rs 3,495/month + Rs 35/employee) or higher. For most growing Indian businesses, the free tier serves as an entry point rather than a long-term solution.
When Should You Choose SalaryBox Over GreytHR?
- You are a small business with 5 to 500 employees
- You need AI selfie attendance, GPS tracking, or geofencing
- Your workforce includes field staff, delivery teams, retail workers, or factory employees
- You want all-inclusive pricing with no hidden fees or add-on charges
- You need offline attendance for areas with poor connectivity
- You run your business primarily from your smartphone
- You want 60-second payroll processing with zero manual data entry
- You operate multiple locations and need real-time visibility
When Should You Choose GreytHR Over SalaryBox?
- You are a mid-size business with 100 to 2,000 employees
- You need deep salary structure configuration with complex pay grades
- You want a free tier to start with basic HR and payroll
- You need an AI-powered employee chatbot for self-service queries
- You need exit management workflows with full-and-final settlement automation
- You prefer a web-first platform with desktop-centric administration
- You need SSO, REST API access, and group company support (Enterprise tier)
Final Verdict: SalaryBox vs GreytHR for Small Businesses
For Indian small businesses in 2026, SalaryBox delivers superior attendance tracking, faster payroll processing, better mobile experience, and lower total cost of ownership compared to GreytHR. Its all-inclusive pricing model, native AI attendance, and offline capability make it the ideal choice for businesses with frontline, field, and multi-location workforces.
GreytHR is a solid, mature HRMS with strong payroll compliance roots and a generous free tier. It is the better choice for mid-size traditional businesses that need deep payroll configuration and do not require advanced mobile attendance features.
The bottom line: if your primary need is ensuring employees show up at the right place, at the right time, and getting paid accurately for it — SalaryBox is the better tool for the job.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is SalaryBox better than GreytHR for small businesses?
Yes. SalaryBox is purpose-built for Indian SMBs and offers AI selfie attendance, GPS tracking, geofencing, and automated payroll at Rs 35 per employee per month with no base fee. GreytHR requires a base platform fee of Rs 3,495+ per month plus per-employee charges, making it 40-75% more expensive for comparable attendance and payroll features.
Does GreytHR offer AI selfie attendance like SalaryBox?
No. GreytHR does not offer native AI selfie attendance with liveness detection. SalaryBox provides this as a built-in feature across all plans. GreytHR’s attendance relies on web/app clock-in, IP restrictions, and basic location stamps.
Is GreytHR free to use?
GreytHR offers a free Starter tier with basic HR, payroll, and leave management. However, it lacks geofencing, exit management, expense claims, and modern attendance features. Most growing businesses outgrow the free tier within 3-6 months and need to upgrade to paid plans starting at Rs 3,495 per month.
Can I migrate from GreytHR to SalaryBox?
Yes. SalaryBox provides a dedicated migration team that imports employee data, attendance records, leave balances, and payroll history from GreytHR. Most migrations are completed within 2-3 business days with zero data loss.
Which has better compliance support: SalaryBox or GreytHR?
Both platforms offer excellent Indian payroll compliance including PF, ESI, TDS, Professional Tax, LWF, and gratuity. Both auto-update after budget announcements and generate statutory reports. GreytHR has a slight edge in deep salary structure compliance for complex organisations, while SalaryBox excels in attendance compliance for the new Labour Codes.
Does SalaryBox work without internet?
Yes. SalaryBox’s attendance features work offline — employees can mark attendance without internet, and the data syncs automatically when connectivity is restored. GreytHR requires an active internet connection for attendance marking.
Which is better for field employee tracking?
SalaryBox. It offers real-time GPS tracking with location trails, multi-zone geofencing, fake GPS blocking, and AI selfie verification — all built-in. GreytHR does not offer real-time GPS tracking or native AI selfie attendance, making SalaryBox the significantly better choice for field teams.
How Easy Is It to Set Up SalaryBox vs GreytHR?
SalaryBox is built for instant setup. Business owners download the app, add their employees, configure attendance zones and geofences, and can run their first payroll within 30 minutes. No implementation consultant, no IT team, no multi-week onboarding process. The platform provides step-by-step in-app guidance, WhatsApp-based support, and video tutorials in Hindi and English. For biometric devices, SalaryBox ships pre-configured hardware that pairs with the cloud dashboard automatically.
GreytHR offers a smooth setup on the free Starter tier — most businesses can get started within a day for basic payroll and leave management. However, configuring complex salary structures, setting up exit management workflows, integrating third-party biometric devices, and enabling advanced features on the Growth or Enterprise plans requires more time and may involve GreytHR’s professional services team. Typical setup for mid-size businesses on paid plans takes 1-3 weeks depending on complexity.
Which Industries Should Choose SalaryBox Over GreytHR?
SalaryBox is the stronger choice for industries where attendance accuracy, field workforce management, and mobile-first operations are critical. This includes retail and multi-store chains needing geofencing across locations, manufacturing and factory operations requiring biometric integration and overtime compliance, logistics and delivery companies needing real-time GPS fleet tracking, healthcare clinics and hospitals with multi-shift staff across branches, hospitality and restaurants with rotational shifts and daily-wage workers, construction and real estate with GPS-based site attendance and contractor management, field sales and service teams needing live tracking with visit logging, and education and coaching centres with multi-branch staff management.
GreytHR is better suited for traditional office-based businesses in sectors like IT services, consulting, financial services, and professional services firms where the workforce is primarily desk-based, salary structures are complex, and the priority is payroll depth rather than mobile attendance tracking. If your employees work from a single office location, use laptops, and primarily need payroll, leave management, and an employee self-service portal, GreytHR’s established platform serves those needs well.
What Do Real Users Say About SalaryBox vs GreytHR?
SalaryBox users consistently highlight three things in their reviews: the AI selfie attendance accuracy that eliminates buddy punching, the speed of payroll processing (60-second runs), and the transparent pricing model with no surprise add-on charges. The app has a 4.5+ rating on the Google Play Store with over 100,000 downloads. Small business owners particularly value how the app works offline in areas with poor connectivity and handles everything from attendance tracking to payslip generation in a single mobile platform.
GreytHR users appreciate the platform’s payroll reliability, deep statutory compliance knowledge, and the free Starter tier that allows businesses to begin without any financial commitment. GreytHR has over 25,000 customers and decades of payroll expertise. Common concerns from users include the web-heavy interface that feels less intuitive on mobile devices, the cumulative cost of add-ons that stacks up quickly as businesses grow, and the limited modern attendance features (no native AI selfie, no real-time GPS tracking) compared to mobile-first competitors.
