The 8 Best Accounting Software for Indian Businesses

This article is all about how to select or choose the best accounting software in India for your business. Without computerized accounting it is extremely difficult to manage accounts in business. Therefore if you are a business owner and if you are looking for a software to manage your accounts then choosing an accounting software can often be a complex and time-consuming process.

There are many business accounting software in the market. Most accounting systems provides featurs and functionalites way beyond accounting such as managing your inventory, taxes and payroll in your accounts software. Therefore it all drills down to what specific work you want to perform with an accounting system and accordingly you choose one that fits your need.

This article describes some of the most popular accounting software packages in India. So you can choose wisely which one fits best for you. Today the trend is all about the new-age accounting, software which includes modules such as accounting, inventory, and payroll play a huge role for industries in the Indian market. Not only that, technology also play a great role. Therefore with the arrival of GST in India, a boom in cloud accounting taok place in recent years and concept of free subscription also began to show its trend.

Moreover there is another good news. For example, If you are registered under GST you can find some free software and subscriptionto also on the GST Portal itself. As GST accounting software evolved, the trend for online accounting software is shifting micro small and medim enterprise to the cloud.

Understanding Accounts Software (Software for Accounts)

Accounting software is often referred to as Accounts Software by majority of accountants in India. Accounts software or Accounting software is a type of computer program (software) that helps businesses manage their financial data. It deals with your day to day invoicing activities, payments, expenses, and other financial transactions. Software for accounting typically manages bookkeeping, account management, financial reporting, and payment processing. Therefore, the primary goal of accounting software is to automate reports and provide businesses with an accurate and up-to-date view of their financial information.

Types of Accounting Software

There are various types of accounting software in india, each designed to meet the specific needs of businesses. These software are very much similar to each other however the difference lies in the features and functionalities and the sector the product has been most widely developed for. Here are some of common types of software for accounts.

a) Cloud-based accounting software: These accounting software are accessed through the internet, eliminating the need for businesses to install and maintain software on their servers.

b) AI-based accounting software:  They are built using AI/ML for automated bookkeeping, predictive analysis, fraud detection, real-time reporting, and customizable workflows.

c) Blockchain-based accounting software: These software are often built as DeFi apps. It ensures secure, transparent, and tamper-proof financial transactions.

d) Small business accounting software: These are built specifically for small businesses and typically include features such as Procure to Pay and Order to cash life cycles.

e) Enterprise software for accounting: It is designed for large enterprises and typically include more advanced features such as multi-currency support, inventory management, and project management.

f) Non-profit accounts software: Non-profit organizations’ software for accounting includes features such as grant management, fundraising tracking and so on.

g) Freelance accounting system: They are made for freelancers and self-employed individuals and typically includes minimum features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and tax calculation.

h) Custom-built accounting software: Custom build software are often costly. Therefore these type of accounting software often demands heavy customization for a specific business or for an individual business.

Features & Benefits of Modern Accounting Software

Technology is rapidly changing therefore more features are being added to business accounting software in recent developments.

The boom for Artificial Intelligence has also led to the development of AI accounting software and systems.

Today, AI software engineers are conducting research to enhance accounting systems’ productivity using artificial intelligence which are typically known as AI agents or Agentic AI

Therefore we can see many new features in current and future deverlopment and here are a few of the modern accounting software features in 2025:

• AI-Powered Insights & Predictions
• Web-Based Access
• Automated Bookkeeping
• Invoicing & Payments
• Expense Management
• E-Invoicing & E-Way Bill
• Financial Reporting
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Integration With Other Tools
• Multi-Currency Support
• Mobile Access
• User Access Control
• Payroll & Time Tracking
• Advanced Inventory Management
• Project Management
• Customer Relationship Management

The 8 Best GST-Compliant Accounting Software for India

The following are some of the most widely and popularly used GST-Compliant Indian accounting software. However, most of these systems are purely cloud-based or Windows-based systems. DOS-based software for accounting are almost extinct but they are still popular among old fashioned Indian accountants.

But time has changed, now there is a need for latest technologies, and the world is shifting towards AI as this is the era of cloud, automation and AI.

Today’s accounting systems are getting more automatic in terms of generating more efficient business with the help of AI. Accounting systems online provides accountants a better access to a wide range of near real-time data from several sources saveing 90% of their time in matching data. Therefore today accounting software are integrated business solutions which offers a complete order to cash and procue to pay life cycle process for your business.

You can also integrate your BOM and utilize manufacturing stock journals for production. For this reason, modern technology is beneficial for businesses and people to adopt online and cloud-based accounting systems. Hence I have compiled a list of popular accounting software for Indian businesses, the best accounting software for small to large businesses.

1. Zohobooks: Best Accounting Software in India for Enterprises

ZohoBooks is the modern topmost accounting software in India when it comes to online automation, integration, and tax compliance. The product is owned by Zoho, a SaaS multinational firm having its operation centers spread across the Globe. With ZohoBooks, you can manage your finances, keep your GST compliant, automate business workflows, and work collectively across departments.

Therefore, Zoho Books is undoubtedly one of the best accounting software in India. The product comes with 40+ apps that can scale your business and integrate your accounting subscription with other apps as your business grows. From negotiating deals to raising sales orders and invoicing, Zoho Books handles all accounting tasks so you can focus on your business. You can also create GST invoices, know your tax liability, and file your tax returns directly by linking the GST portal with your accounting application through an API. Zoho Books is a full-fledged GST-compliant accounting platform.

Zoho is also a registered member of GSP in India which offers integration with the GST portal to make tax filing easier for businesses. The GST portal allows businesses to file their taxes online. The integration between ZohoBooks and the GST portal is made easier by GSP making the tax filing process easier and faster from ZohoBooks.

Pros:

• Seamless Integration with Zoho Ecosystem
• Automation and AI-Driven Features
• User-Friendly Interface
• Compliance and Global Reach
• Affordable Pricing
• Mobile Accessibility
• Strong Security Measures
• Customization and Scalability
• Eco-Friendly and Paperless
• Excellent Customer Support

Cons:

• Limited Advanced Features for Large Enterprises
• Learning Curve for Advanced Features
• Limited Third-Party Integrations Compared to Competitors
• Occasional Performance Issues
• Limited Offline Functionality
• Customization Limitations
• Pricing for Add-Ons
• Limited Industry-Specific Solutions
• Customer Support Response Times
• Data Migration Challenges

ZohoBooks Plans & Pricing:

Zoho Books offers four pricing plans: Free, Standard, Professional, and Premium Plans. Check prices on the official website.
Link to pricing page: https://www.zoho.com/in/books/pricing/

2. TallyPrime: Overall Best for Small Businesses

TallyPrime is the upgraded version of TallyERP 9, the once-dominant accounting software by Tally Solutions. Designed to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses, TallyPrime combines flexibility, robust security, and advanced features to simplify accounting, inventory management, and tax compliance. With over 2 million businesses globally trusting TallyPrime, it has become a top choice for SMEs and large enterprises alike. The latest version of standalone Tally software is Tally Prime 5.1, and its latest cloud counterpart is called Tally Prime Powered by AWS. If you wish to install the software on your computer Download Tally Prime and enjoy using the latest version.

Pros:

• Comprehensive Accounting Features
• GST and Tax Compliance
• Offline Functionality
• User-Friendly Interface
• Scalability
• Extensive Customization and Flexibility
• Strong Data Security
• Reliability and Stability
• Extensive Reporting Capabilities
• Strong Local Support and Community

Cons:

• Limited Cloud Capabilities
• Outdated User Interface
• Steeper Learning Curve for Advanced Features
• Limited Third-Party Integrations
• High Cost for Advanced Features
• No Mobile App (as of 2025)
• Limited Automation
• Regional Focus
• Data Migration Challenges
• Limited Industry-Specific Solutions

TallyPrime Plans & Pricing:

The latest pricing of TallyPrime Silver is INR 22,500 and TallyPrime Gold costs INR 67,500. Rental options and other services are also available with varying prices. You can visit the official website for the latest pricing.

3. RealBooks: Best Indian Accounting Software for Small & Medium Business

RealBooks is one of the upcoming best online accounting software in India. Professionals and enterprises need robust software for accounting and Realbooks is truly scalable and capable of handling millions of transactions on its platform. RealBooks also offers a multitude of features along with a business intelligence system redefined for small to large enterprises.

They are more focused on the automobile sector for core accounting purposes and deliver the best reports on MIS, KPIs, and Dashboards for the automobile industry. With RealBooks, you can also get consolidated reports for branches/group companies along with Auto-posting for inter-branch/inter-company entries and define permissions for users for different branches.

Therefore it is truly a small business accounting software for small to large enterprises. This allows multi-location businesses to track dues, cash flows, and profitability metrics in real-time along with key strategic insights. The DMS (Document Management System) in Realbooks also allows you to upload all bills via Dropbox or directly on the cloud. And improve productivity within your organization with an inbuilt approval system to easily retrieve documents.

Pros:

• Cloud-Based Accessibility
• Fully GST Compliant
• Document Management
• Real-Time Reporting
• Multi-Company and Multi-Branch Consolidation
• Automation for bank reconciliation
• Scalability
• Mobile App for on-the-go financial management
• Strong Support

Cons:

• Requires a stable internet connection
• Customization Limitations
• Learning Curve for Advanced Features
• Bank Integration Issues:
• Mobile App limitations
• Potential overwhelming for some new users
• Market Competition
• Data migration can be complex
• Reliance on Cloud infrastructure
• Updates sometimes cause temporary issues

RealBooks Plans & Pricing:

It offers 4 types of plans free, professional, business, and enterprise edition. Check prices on their official pricing page https://www.realbooks.in/#pricing

4. Reach: Best Accounting Software for Manufacturers

Reach accounting software is a powerful business application on the cloud and is run by many businesses across India and the world allowing business applications to integrate seamlessly. It is also one of the most popular software for accounting for small businesses. Reach is again another best accounting software in India. This business automation software is powerful enough to run 21 different businesses from end to end.

Reach automation software is one of the ready-to-use business software for accounts on the cloud. It is an integrated accounting software and packaged application that suits different functions within an organization.

Pros:

• Comprehensive Business Solution
• Industry-Specific Customization
• Cloud-Based Accessibility
• End-to-End Automation
• Seamless POS integration
• Built In CRM Functionality
• Robust Inventory Management
• Includes Project Management tool
• Mobile Accessibility
• Customizable Reports and Dashboards

Cons:

• Comprehensive Learning Curve
• Customization Complexity
• Internet Dependency
• Potential for Feature Overload
• Integration with Third-Party Apps can be hard
• Pricing Complexity
• Customer Support Variability
• Data Migration Challenges
• Some User Interface Inconsistency in UI exists
• Reliance on Cloud infrastructurw

Reach Plans & Pricing:

Get in touch with the Reach Team for custom plans and pricing on their official website.

5. Saral: Best Accounting Software for CA’s and Entrepreneurs

Saral is a user-friendly best accounting software for accountants and CA’s that covers all accounting, inventory, and billing needs for small businesses. This Accounting and billing Software is an on-premise software solution for GST invoicing, accounting, and returns filing.

The software application supports invoicing and accounting for Regular and Composition dealers, both in B2B and B2C segments serving most of the trading, manufacturing, and service industry. Saral allows the calculation of GST based on GSTIN and Place of Supply and includes both forward charges and reverse charges.

The Saral GST software module automates GST Return filing of all GSTR forms which allows seamless data transfer to the GSTN portal using the API connectivity. A unique feature of Saral Accounting is its ability to create Tax Invoices in multiple Indian Languages as it supports many local languages.

Pros:

• Focus on Indian Compliance
• User-Friendly Interface
• Comprehensive Accounting Features
• TDS and Income Tax Capabilities
• Inventory Management
• Reporting and Analysis
• Emphasizes data security
• Offline Functionality
• Saral typically provides local support
• Customizable Invoicing

Cons:

• Limited Cloud Capabilities
• Outdated User Interface compared to Other
• Integration Limitations
• Scalability Concern
• Potential lags update frequency
• Potential for Data Loss as it is Desktop based
• Mobile Accessibility Limitations
• Learning Curve for Advanced Features
• Reliance on Local Hardware
• Saral faces strong market competition

Saral Plans & Pricing:

The software has a free billing and invoicing plan and a paid plan is available on a yearly subscription. Check Saral pricing on their official website.

6. Busy: Best for Small To Large Trading Businesses

BUSY is a GST-ready on-premises business software for accounting in India with over 3 lakh licenses sold worldwide in over 20 countries. This accounting software comes with 4 main versions, the Express, Blue, Saffron, and Emerald for Large Businesses, with single-user, dual, and multiple-user options. Some other important features are Auto GSTIN Validation, Auto GSTR-1, GSTR-3B Reconciliation & Auto GSTR-2A Reconciliation Party-wise and voucher-wise.

Other features include Auto E-way bill generation and printing, the option to check pin code distance, annual GST summary, and new proposed GST return – Sahaj and Sugam. However, today Busy also delivers SaaS i.e. Software as a Service Model to avoid complicated accounting setup and maintenance.

So you can remove the barrier of location and time for maintaining your financial accounting, inventory, stock, or statutory data with the help of Busy’s cloud software. This software for accounting supports various industry verticals and sectors such as FMCG, Retail, Trading, Manufacturing, Distribution, and Services by helping them manage their business efficiently.

Busy also has a strong root of marketing channels across India and it is the second-largest desktop accounting software brand next to Tally ERP 9.

Pros:

• Comprehensive Business Accounting
• Flexible Configuration
• Strong Inventory Management
• GST and TDS Compliance
• Multi-Location Management
• Reporting and Analysis
• Data Security
• Now comes with BUSY Online
• Wide Local Support Network
• Customizable Invoicing

Cons:

• Outdated User Interface
• Steeper learning curve for new users
• BUSY Online Limitations
• Integration Challenges
• Data Migration Complexity
• Desktop Version relies on local hardware
• Cloud Version Internet Dependence
• Update Frequency lagging behind rapidly evolving market trends
• Potential for Data Loss (Desktop)
• Market Competition against cloud based solutions

Busy Plans & Pricing

The price depends on the type of plan you choose. Express Plan is free to use with limited features while Busy Online is priced at INR 10,800 /Yearly

7. Marg: Best for Trading To Manufacturing Business

Marg Business Software is an integrated on-premises ERP Accounting System with a complete mechanism for customer delight. Thus, this application comes with advanced features for the pharmaceuticals and manufacturing industries. It has sound benefits from tax preparation and billing to e-filing for growing businesses.

We can find three editions of Marg Accounting and ERP software i.e. basic, silver, and gold and it all supports multi-currency accounting. In accounting, Marg also features auto reconciliation and with an online payment system, you can reconcile bank transactions with ICICI Bank. Marg ERP & Accounting Software offers a single solution that allows a company to manage all its business information and processes from a single platform.

It is currently deployed across a variety of industries and has proven its ability to seamlessly integrate every module into a single package. Marg ERP also launched its integrated Mobile Apps to integrate orders and inventory on the cloud and seamlessly stay connected with ERP. With its GPS tracking app, you can also stay connected with your on-roll marketing people in real-time and increase marketing efficiency.

Also, with online reviews running strongly in favor of its capabilities, potential customers and Enterprises would love to implement Marg ERP 9. There is a whole lot of other accounting software in India that is popular in its own territory, but it is beyond the scope of this article to list all of them. Marg has also recently launched MargBooks as online accounting software to cater to the needs of customers who want to move to the cloud.

Pros

• GST and Regulatory Compliance
• Strong Inventory Accounting
• Extensive POS Accounting Integration
• Customizable Invoicing and Reporting
• Offline Capability (Desktop)
• Provides a cloud version accounting via MargBooks
• Strong Data Security
• Local Support Network
• Scalable solution for small retailers to large distributors and manufacturers
• Accounting Focused Reporting

Cons:

• User Interface Complexity (Desktop
• Steeper learning curve for (Desktop)
• Potential for Feature Overload
• Interface Not Consistent bewtween MargBooks and Desktop Version
• MargBooks is a relatively newer cloud offering
• Ease of Integration with Third-Party App May Vary
• Can Pose Data Migration Challenges
• Potential Cost for Desktop
• Update Complexity(Desktop)
• Reliance on local hardware (Desktop)

Marg Plans & Pricing

Check official prices on the company’s website for MargERP accounts pricing. For online MargBooks pricing check out https://margbooks.com/pricing.html

8. BookKeeper: Best Standalone Indian Accounting Software & App for ANY business

The Bookkeeper is a user-friendly and cost-effective complete accounting software for Retailers, Wholesalers, Traders, and Manufacturers. A cutting-edge complete mobile and desktop accounting solution for small business owners. It works as a stand-alone app and also works on all devices such as Android, iOS, and Windows with seamless data synchronization across all your devices.

Book Keeper also has around 100,000 active users in the last 6 years with a rating of 4.5 plus on the Play Store and App Store and is used in more than 50 countries (Source: YourStory.Com). The bookkeeper is available for easy invoicing with fully customizable invoice templates.

Features include inventory management, warehousing, barcoding, e-commerce integration, and other bookkeeper features. Bookkeeper updates are available for free and you can download updates either on your Android, iOS & Windows devices. You get alerts on your app whenever there is an update available so you won’t miss out on any new features released from time to time.

Pros

• Triple Platform Flexibility (Destop+Mobile App+BK Web)
• Multi-Language Support
• Works with GST and VAT compliance
• Provides Mobile Accessibility
• Bookkeeper Web for Enhanced Functionality
• Multi-Currency Support
• Offers basic inventory management
• Allows users to customize invoices
• Simplifies expense tracking
• Cloud-Based Synchronization

Cons:

• Limited Advanced Features
• Scalability Concerns
• Integration Limitations
• Customer Support Varies
• Reporting Limitations
• Potential for Data Limitations
• Dependence on Internet Connectivity
• Customization Limitations
• Outdated User Interface
• Not a full fledge online solution

Bookkeeper Plans & Pricing

Visit the official website for the latest pricing https://bookkeeperapp.net/subscription-3

Conclusion:

Now coming to the end the list of software programs mentioned in this article are some of most commonly used accounting software in India.

But the use of these software may vary depending on the region, industry, and the size of the business.

Bookeeper, Tally, and Zoho Books from India are more popular software programs in India due to their ease of use, affordability, and robust features.

While Realbooks is one of the upcoming best accounting software in India in terms of cloud based accounting.

Other than that if you look at the listing, Marg also has a strong presence in India but their latest MargBooks offering accounting online is a new product line.

Therfore you may always go for a trial first and decide which software works best for you.