OwnStore vs Refrens:
The Faster, Watermark-Free Retail Alternative
Why modern Indian retailers, supermarkets, and local merchants choose OwnStore over Refrens for 15-second barcode counter billing, Bluetooth thermal printing, and free online storefronts.
✓ 100% Watermark-Free • ✓ No Credit Card Required • ✓ Dynamic UPI QR • ✓ Free Online Store
Direct Comparison: OwnStore vs Refrens & Legacy Invoicing Tools
See why Indian shopkeepers prefer OwnStore over Refrens, Vyapar, and Tally Prime for daily sales, counter speed, and store management.
| Feature / Capability | OwnStore | Refrens | Vyapar | Tally Prime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Permanent Free Tier (100 inv/mo) | Limited (20 docs/yr free; ₹2,999–₹8,499/yr) | Paid Desktop (₹2,799–₹4,499/yr) | ₹18,000–₹54,000 One-time + AMC |
| Watermark Policy | ✓ 100% Watermark-Free | ✗ Refrens branding on free tier | ✗ Large watermark on free tier | N/A (Desktop software) |
| Counter POS Billing Speed | 15 Seconds (Fast POS Mode) | ✗ Not designed for retail POS | 45 to 60 Seconds | 30 to 45 Seconds (Voucher entry) |
| Integrated Customer Online Store | ✓ Yes (Free e-commerce website) | ✗ No retail storefront included | ✗ Basic catalog link only | ✗ No online store |
| Bluetooth Thermal Slip Printing | ✓ Yes (2-inch & 3-inch ESC/POS) | ✗ No native thermal printing | ✓ Yes | ✗ Requires complex driver tweaks |
| Dynamic UPI QR on Printed Bills | ✓ Yes (Auto-encodes bill amount) | ✗ Static payment links only | ✓ Yes (Paid tier) | ✗ Requires third-party TDL add-on |
| Mobile Barcode Camera Scanner | ✓ Yes (Built-in ML Kit scanner) | ✗ No barcode scanner | ✓ Yes | ✗ No native camera scanner |
| WhatsApp Invoicing & Orders | ✓ Yes (One-click PDF dispatch) | ✓ Yes (Email focused) | ✓ Yes | ✗ Requires third-party plugin |
| Inventory & Stock Alerts | ✓ Yes (Multi-variant & batch alerts) | Basic (Add-on module required) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best Suited For | Retail Shops, Groceries & Supermarkets | Freelancers & Service Agencies | General Small Businesses | Chartered Accountants & Large Enterprises |
Why Indian Retailers Choose OwnStore Over Refrens
Everything your retail shop, wholesale depot, or supermarket needs to speed up checkout, collect payments, and sell online.
15-Second Counter POS Billing
Scan barcodes using your phone camera or wireless barcode gun. Add items, apply line discounts, and produce a GST invoice in under 15 seconds. Keep your customer lines moving quickly.
Dynamic UPI QR Code Payments
Every thermal receipt prints a dynamic UPI payment QR code with the exact total pre-encoded. Customers scan and pay instantly via Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm with zero manual entry errors.
Free Built-in Digital Storefront
Never lose neighborhood grocery and retail orders to quick-commerce apps. Get your own branded online store (ownstore.app/store/yourshop) with direct WhatsApp order routing.
Wireless Thermal Receipt Printing
Connect seamlessly to any 2-inch (58mm) or 3-inch (80mm) Bluetooth or USB thermal receipt printer. Print clean, professional slips with your business logo and GSTIN.
Automated GST Filing Reports
Download GSTR-1 (B2B, B2C, HSN summary) and GSTR-3B tax summaries in official Excel/JSON formats. Share clean reports directly with your CA in seconds.
Customer Khata & Credit Tracking
Maintain digital customer credit ledgers, record partial cash/UPI settlements, and send automated WhatsApp payment reminders to recover pending balances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about switching from Refrens to OwnStore.
Is OwnStore really free compared to Refrens?
Yes. Refrens restricts free users to only 20 documents per year before requiring an annual subscription of ₹2,999 to ₹8,499+. OwnStore gives you a permanent 100% watermark-free plan with up to 100 GST invoices every month (1,200/year), full inventory tracking, thermal printing, and a free digital store with zero credit card required.
Why is Refrens not ideal for retail stores and supermarkets?
Refrens was designed for digital freelancers and service agencies creating occasional formal quotations and A4 invoices. It lacks essential retail features like fast barcode counter scanning, native Bluetooth thermal receipt printing, cash drawer integration, and fast product search.
Can I use OwnStore on my existing mobile phone and PC?
Yes. OwnStore runs on any modern browser across Android phones, iPhones, iPads, Windows laptops, and Mac desktops. All your billing data, stock inventory, and khata records synchronize across all devices in real time.
How do I import my inventory from Refrens to OwnStore?
Export your item list from Refrens as an Excel or CSV file. Then, in OwnStore, go to Inventory → Import and upload the file. In under two minutes, all your product names, barcodes, purchase/selling prices, and GST rates are live in OwnStore.
Does OwnStore support thermal printers and barcode scanners?
Yes. OwnStore natively pairs with standard Bluetooth thermal receipt printers (58mm and 80mm) and USB POS printers. You can scan barcodes with any wireless or USB barcode scanner, or simply use your smartphone camera via our built-in high-speed ML barcode scanner.