Processing payroll manually in India means calculating PF deductions, ESI contributions, TDS, professional tax, and generating payslips – a process that takes 2-3 days per month for most Indian HR managers. greytHR automates all of this and more, and uniquely offers a free plan for up to 25 employees that covers most small business needs. Here’s why 25,000+ Indian companies use greytHR.
What is greytHR? (And Why Indian Businesses Are Using It in 2026)
greytHR is a Bangalore-based payroll and HR automation platform founded in 2012 by Greytip Software, which has been building HR software for Indian businesses since 1994. With 25,000+ customers across India, greytHR is one of the most widely adopted HRMS platforms for Indian SMBs. Their deep expertise in Indian statutory compliance – built over 30+ years – translates into payroll processing that automatically handles every Indian deduction and filing requirement. The free plan for up to 25 employees is genuinely comprehensive.
Key Features of greytHR for Indian Users
greytHR’s core capabilities: automated monthly payroll processing with all Indian statutory deductions (PF, ESI, PT, TDS, gratuity), statutory filing directly from the platform (PF ECR, ESI challan, TDS returns), Form 16 generation, leave management, attendance management (GPS mobile app, biometric integration), employee onboarding, payslip generation, HR documents and letters, exit management, and a self-service mobile app for employees. The platform handles both regular employees and contract/gig workers.
greytHR Pricing in India (INR) – 2026
| Plan | Price (INR/month) | Key Inclusions | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | ₹0 | Up to 25 employees, payroll, leave, attendance | Small businesses |
| Starter | ₹3,495/month | Up to 50 employees, full features | Growing SMBs |
| Growth | ₹5,995/month | Up to 200 employees | Scaling companies |
| Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited employees, API, dedicated support | Large companies |
Prices accurate as of March 2026. USD converted at ₹84/USD.
Pros and Cons of greytHR for Indian Users
✅ What We Love (Pros)
- Free plan for up to 25 employees is genuinely useful – not a stripped-down demo
- 30+ years of Indian statutory compliance expertise
- Direct statutory filing (PF ECR, ESI challan) from the platform
- Strong mobile app for employee self-service
- 25,000+ customers makes it the most battle-tested Indian payroll tool
❌ What Needs Improvement (Cons)
- UI feels dated but functional
- Advanced analytics and custom reports require paid plans
- Initial setup can take 2-3 weeks for larger companies
- Mobile app could use a design refresh
- Customer support prioritises paid plan customers
India Readiness Score: 5/5
| Criteria | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| INR Pricing Available | ✅ | Full INR pricing |
| Indian Payment Methods | ✅ | All Indian payment methods |
| Hindi/Regional Language Support | ✅ | Hindi interface available |
| GST Invoice Available | ✅ | Full GST invoices |
| India-Based Support | ✅ | Bangalore-based support |
| Indian Case Studies | ✅ | Extensive India case studies |
How Indian Businesses Use greytHR: Real-World Use Cases
A 20-person Ahmedabad accounting firm uses greytHR’s free plan to process payroll for all 20 employees – completely free, handling PF and ESI automatically. A Delhi-based SME with 80 employees uses greytHR’s Starter plan (₹3,495/month) to process payroll, generate Form 16, and file PF returns without any external CA involvement. A Bangalore e-commerce company with 200 employees uses greytHR’s Growth plan to manage the full HR lifecycle from offer letter to exit formalities.
Best Alternatives to greytHR for Indian Businesses
- HROne: Similar pricing, stronger in manufacturing/blue-collar HR
- Keka: More modern UI, stronger for employee experience, slightly higher cost
- Zoho People: Good for Zoho ecosystem users, slightly less statutory compliance depth
IndiAgent Verdict: Is greytHR Worth It for Indian Businesses?
greytHR is our top recommendation for Indian SMBs starting their payroll automation journey. The free plan for up to 25 employees eliminates the financial risk of trying, and the paid plans are competitively priced. greytHR’s statutory compliance engine – built over 30+ years – handles every Indian payroll regulation reliably. If your current process involves manual payroll calculation in Excel, greytHR will save you 2-3 days per month from day one.
Is greytHR free?
Yes, greytHR offers a genuinely useful free plan for up to 25 employees that includes payroll processing, leave management, and attendance management. It’s the best free HR tool available for Indian small businesses.
Does greytHR handle PF and ESI compliance?
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Join 1,200+ Indian SMB owners
Yes, greytHR automatically calculates and files PF (ECR generation) and ESI (challan generation) as part of the payroll process. This is greytHR’s core strength – 30+ years of Indian statutory compliance expertise.
How many companies use greytHR in India?
greytHR serves 25,000+ companies in India, making it one of the most widely adopted HRMS platforms in the country.
Is greytHR good for startups?
Yes, greytHR is excellent for Indian startups. The free plan handles payroll for up to 25 employees – meaning most early-stage startups can use it completely free.
How does greytHR compare to Keka?
greytHR has deeper statutory compliance experience and a better free plan. Keka has a more modern, employee-friendly interface and stronger performance management features. For pure payroll reliability, greytHR. For employee experience, Keka.
