In 2026, Indian businesses, especially startups and SMEs are racing to adopt cloud payroll software India, payroll automation software India, and modern HRMS for startups India that handle everything from statutory compliance (PF, ESI, TDS) to hybrid workforce attendance tracking. If you’re searching for the best payroll software in India, payroll software for SMEs in India, or a reliable payroll software India with compliance, this SalaryBox vs GreytHR features comparison will help you decide.

Both tools are popular Indian payroll software for small businesses, but they serve slightly different needs. SalaryBox is a modern, mobile-first, modular platform built for speed, affordability, and hybrid/remote/field teams. GreytHR is a more established full-suite HRMS with strong compliance roots. After comparing features, pricing, attendance capabilities, and real-world fit for 2026 workplaces, SalaryBox emerges as the clear winner for most SMEs and startups seeking the best HRMS software in India 2026.

SalaryBox vs GreytHR: Side-by-Side Feature Comparison (2026)

Feature	SalaryBox	GreytHR	Winner
Payroll Automation	1-click payments, overtime auto, advances, reimbursements, tax filings	Automated with unlimited components, F&F settlements	SalaryBox (faster for SMEs)
Attendance Tracking	AI Selfie + Geo-fence + Live GPS + Biometric integration (native in Pro)	Web/selfie + GeoMark+ & Visage (AI face) as paid add-ons	SalaryBox
Face Recognition / AI Attendance	Built-in AI Selfie Attendance (Pro plan)	Visage AI Face (₹20/emp/mo add-on)	SalaryBox
Biometric Attendance Integration	Yes + Mobile as kiosk	Yes (hardware + add-ons)	Tie (SalaryBox easier)
Mobile App & ESS Portal	Fully mobile-first, zero-training, employee self-service	Good mobile + ESS, but less intuitive for field teams	SalaryBox
Statutory Compliance (PF, ESI, TDS, PT, LWF)	Fully automated with regular updates	Excellent, long-standing reputation	Tie
Hybrid / Remote / Field Support	Live location, geo-fence, multiple timezones	GeoMark+ add-on, limited live tracking	SalaryBox
Pricing Model	Modular fixed starting prices (no heavy per-emp scaling)	Flat base + ₹30–₹105 per employee/month	SalaryBox
Scalability for Startups/SMEs	Excellent (pay only for modules you need)	Good but costs rise fast with headcount	SalaryBox
Reports & Analytics	Customizable, real-time dashboards	Strong but advanced in higher tiers	Tie
Free Trial	Yes (3–7 days)	Yes	Tie

SalaryBox wins 7 out of 10 categories — especially where 2026 trends matter most: AI-powered attendance, mobile experience for hybrid teams, and transparent low-cost pricing.

Pricing Comparison 2026: Which is More Affordable?

SalaryBox Pricing (Modular – Best for SMEs)

• SB Attendance Lite: ₹500/month
• SB Attendance Pro (AI Selfie + Rosters + Breaks): ₹1,000/month
• SB Payroll Pro (full automation + compliance + 1-click payouts): ₹700/month
• SB HR & Skills (onboarding, documents, training): ₹500/month
• SB Locate (Live GPS): ₹2,500/month

Total core stack for a typical SME: ~₹2,200–3,500/month flat — unlimited employees in most cases with pro-rata flexibility. No expensive per-employee multipliers for core AI features.

GreytHR Pricing (Per-Employee Heavy)

• Essential (50 employees base): ₹3,495/month + ₹30/additional employee
• Growth: ₹5,495/month + ₹60/employee
• AI Face (Visage) & Geo (GeoMark+): Extra ₹20–₹50 per employee/month

For 50 employees, GreytHR easily crosses ₹4,000–6,000+/month once you add modern attendance. For 100+ employees, the gap widens dramatically.

Verdict on affordability: SalaryBox is significantly more affordable for SMEs in India in 2026. Its modular model lets growing startups start small and scale without sudden cost shocks — making it one of the best payroll software under budget for Indian small business.

Payroll Automation & Statutory Compliance

Both handle Indian payroll compliance (PF, ESI, TDS) excellently with automatic updates after every budget announcement. SalaryBox stands out with true 60-second payroll runs, 1-click bank payments, and built-in expense/reimbursement workflows that sync directly to payslips. GreytHR offers deeper configurable salary structures but feels heavier for daily use.

Winner: SalaryBox for speed and simplicity — ideal for payroll automation software India needs in fast-moving SMEs.

Attendance Management: The 2026 Game-Changer

This is where the real difference shows.

SalaryBox delivers native AI selfie attendance, geo-fencing, live location tracking, and turns any smartphone into a biometric kiosk. It prevents buddy punching and time theft perfectly for field, hybrid, and remote teams. Biometric hardware integration is seamless without extra per-employee fees.

GreytHR offers solid options (selfie, web, biometric devices) but its advanced facial recognition attendance system (Visage) and map-based geo attendance (GeoMark+) are paid add-ons. Many users report the base attendance feels dated compared to modern mobile-first tools.

Does SalaryBox offer better attendance tracking than greytHR? Yes — especially for hybrid/remote/field workforces in 2026. It’s frequently called the best biometric attendance system and best face recognition attendance machine for Indian SMEs because everything is included without extra cost.

The best biometric attendance system features 2025–2026 that SalaryBox nails: touchless AI, cloud sync with payroll, real-time reports, and prevention of time theft — all in one affordable package.

Best for Whom?

Choose SalaryBox if you are:

• A startup or SME (10–500 employees)
• Managing hybrid, remote, or field sales/service teams
• Wanting mobile payroll software India with zero training
• Looking for affordable payroll software India with modern AI attendance
• Needing quick ROI through automation and compliance peace of mind

Choose GreytHR if you are:

• A larger mid-size company with complex traditional HR processes
• Already deeply invested in heavy compliance reporting
• Prefer a single-vendor full HR suite even if some features cost extra

Final Recommendation

In the SalaryBox vs GreytHR review 2026, SalaryBox is the better HRMS and payroll software for the vast majority of Indian SMEs and startups. It delivers superior mobile experience, built-in AI attendance, lower total cost of ownership, and faster implementation — exactly what growing businesses need today.

Switching to SalaryBox typically saves 30–50% on HR admin time and reduces payroll errors to near zero. Start your free trial today at salarybox.in and experience why it’s ranked among the top payroll software India 2026 and best HRMS software in India for small businesses.

Ready to simplify payroll, attendance, and compliance in 2026? SalaryBox is built for exactly that.

FAQs

What is the main difference between SalaryBox and greytHR?

The core difference lies in design philosophy and target use-case. SalaryBox is a lightweight, fully mobile-first platform optimized for startups and SMEs with hybrid or field workforces. It shines with native AI selfie attendance, geo-fencing, live GPS tracking, and modular pricing that keeps costs predictable. GreytHR is a more comprehensive, traditional HRMS with deep payroll configurability and long-standing compliance expertise, but many advanced features (AI face recognition, advanced geo) come as paid per-employee add-ons. For businesses prioritizing ease, mobility, and affordability in 2026, SalaryBox feels modern and future-ready; GreytHR feels solid but heavier. 

How do SalaryBox and greytHR pricing models compare?

SalaryBox uses a modular fixed-price model (e.g., Payroll Pro ₹700/mo, Attendance Pro with AI ₹1,000/mo) that scales gently — perfect for SMEs. GreytHR uses a base fee plus per-employee pricing (₹30–₹105/emp/mo) plus add-ons for AI attendance. For a 50-employee company, SalaryBox core stack usually costs 30–50% less. This makes SalaryBox one of the most affordable payroll software India options in 2026 without sacrificing modern features. 

Which tool has better payroll automation features?

Both automate payroll well, but SalaryBox edges ahead with true 1-click online payments, instant overtime calculation, seamless expense integration, and 60-second processing. It also includes tax declarations and Form-16 generation out of the box. GreytHR excels at complex salary structures, but the workflow feels more steps for daily use. For payroll automation software India focused on speed and accuracy, SalaryBox delivers better day-to-day experience for SMEs. 

Does SalaryBox offer better attendance tracking than greytHR?

Yes — especially for 2026 hybrid and remote teams. SalaryBox’s built-in AI Selfie Attendance, unlimited geo-fences, live location tracking, and smartphone-as-kiosk features are included in the Pro plan with no extra per-employee fees. GreytHR requires add-ons (Visage AI face + GeoMark+) that add significant cost. SalaryBox is repeatedly praised as the best face recognition attendance system and best biometric attendance system for preventing buddy punching and enabling field workforce management. 

Which software is more affordable for SMEs in India?

SalaryBox is clearly more affordable for SMEs in 2026. Its modular pricing starts under ₹3,000/month for core payroll + advanced attendance, with no heavy per-employee scaling. GreytHR’s per-employee model plus add-ons quickly becomes expensive as teams grow. Independent comparisons and user reviews consistently rate SalaryBox higher for ROI of payroll automation tools and best payroll software for SMEs India 2026. 

Does greytHR support biometric attendance devices?

Yes, GreytHR supports biometric devices and offers hardware integration along with its Visage AI face recognition (add-on). However, the advanced features carry extra per-employee costs. SalaryBox also integrates biometric machines but provides native AI selfie and mobile kiosk capabilities at a lower fixed price — giving better value for most Indian enterprises seeking biometric attendance integration with HRMS. 

Can SalaryBox handle statutory compliance (PF, ESI, TDS)?

Absolutely. SalaryBox’s Payroll Pro module fully automates PF, ESI, TDS, PT, LWF deductions, generates compliance reports, and receives automatic updates after every government notification. It matches or exceeds industry standards for payroll software India with compliance (PF, ESI, TDS) while keeping the interface simple. Users report zero compliance headaches after switching. 

Is there a free trial available for SalaryBox or greytHR?

Yes — both offer free trials. SalaryBox provides a 3–7 day hands-on trial so you can test AI attendance and payroll end-to-end. GreytHR also offers a free trial (duration varies by plan). We recommend starting with SalaryBox’s trial first if mobility and cost are priorities.

Which HR software is better for hybrid or remote teams?

SalaryBox is significantly better for hybrid or remote teams in 2026. Its live GPS, geo-fencing, AI selfie attendance, and fully mobile employee self-service portal give real-time visibility without hardware dependency. GreytHR’s geo features are add-ons and less seamless for field or multi-location work. If you manage distributed or frontline staff, SalaryBox is the clear choice for hybrid workforce attendance tracking. 

What integrations do SalaryBox and greytHR offer (ESS, mobile app, reports)?

Both offer strong employee self-service (ESS) portals, mobile apps, and customizable reports. SalaryBox’s mobile app is rated more intuitive and truly zero-training — with WhatsApp-friendly flows in many cases. Reports sync instantly with payroll. GreytHR provides deeper analytics but requires more configuration. For payroll software India with ESS portal and modern mobile experience, SalaryBox delivers superior usability.