Cast irons are commonly used in case of many machine parts in different industry branches, also in agricultural industry. A lot of such machine parts are exposed to tribological wear and corrosion. Therefore, surface layers with improved properties are needed. This paper refers to two different ways of modification of the surface layer of nodular iron. The aim of this research was to compare the effects of the laser boronizing and diffusion boronizing of nodular iron, especially the influence of boron concentration on the hardness of modified surface layer. An optical and scanning electron microscopes, Auger electron spectroscope (AES) and hardness Vickers tester were used to assess the results of the surface layer treatments. The performed research showed, that after diffusion, as well as, after laser boronizing of nodular iron higher hardness of the surface layer (in comparison to the core material) was obtained. Coarse-grained, needle-like shape of iron borides with ferrite grains after diffusive boronizing and very fine-crystalline, homogenous microstructure after laser alloying were observed. Hardness changes measurement from the surface on the cross-section for both cast irons treated with those methods of boronizing were correlated with the registered changes of boron concentration. Nevertheless, this correlation was stronger for diffusion boronizing than for laser modification. Smaller correlation for the zone achieved after laser boronizing is possibly a result of other aspects which influences the hardness and are characteristic for laser treatment like creation of very fine grains or supersaturated solid solutions (unlike diffusion treatment). It was stated, that it is possible to use less alloying element in case of laser treatment to achieve similar hardness to the surface layer after diffusion modification. Higher microstructure fineness and homogeneity, gentle hardness changes on the cross section of the surface layer form the surface to the core material after laser boronizing (in comparison to diffusion boronizing) should favor the wear resistance of machine part as well as be conducive to the selection of this kind of treatment.