Tally is powerful but complex and expensive. Discover free Tally alternatives for Indian SMBs that handle GST, inventory, and billing without the learning curve.
Why small businesses are moving away from Tally
Tally is India's most used accounting software — but it was built for accountants, not shop owners. Common complaints:
**Steep learning curve** — takes weeks to train staff**₹18,750+ per year** (TallyPrime Silver) — expensive for a small shop**No mobile app** — you're tied to a desktop**No online store** — Tally is accounting-only**No customer-facing features** — can't share invoice links, accept UPI, or manage online ordersTally vs OwnStore for small businesses
| Feature | OwnStore | TallyPrime |
|---|
| Price | Free / ₹299/month | ₹18,750+/year |
| Mobile app | ✅ Android | ❌ None |
| Online store | ✅ Included | ❌ None |
| GST filing | ✅ GSTR-1/3B | ✅ Full |
| Learning curve | 15 minutes | Weeks |
| Inventory | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-user | ✅ | ✅ Paid |
| Double-entry accounting | Simplified | Full |
When to use Tally vs OwnStore
Use Tally if you:
Have a dedicated accountant managing booksNeed full double-entry accounting (balance sheet, P&L per Ind AS)Are a mid-size company with 10+ crore turnoverUse OwnStore if you:
Are a shop owner who bills customers directlyWant to set up in 15 minutes, not 15 daysNeed a mobile app and online store alongside billingHave budget under ₹5,000/yearCan I migrate from Tally to OwnStore?
Yes. Export your customer master, vendor master, and stock ledger from Tally as CSV files. Import into OwnStore via Settings → Migrate Data. Opening balances for debtors and creditors can be entered as journal entries.
Ready to simplify your business?
Free GST invoicing, inventory, and online store. No credit card needed.
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