OwnStore vs Saral Billing: The Smart Cloud Choice for Indian Retailers
Tired of expensive desktop license fees, annual maintenance contracts (AMCs), and being tied to a single store PC? Compare Relyon Saral Billing vs OwnStore's 100% free cloud billing, mobile POS, and instant online storefront.
Start Free — No Credit Card →Executive Summary: Why Retailers Choose OwnStore Over Saral Billing
Saral Billing (by Relyon Softech) has served Indian SMEs and accountants for over a decade as an on-premise desktop accounting software. However, in 2026, retail stores and trading businesses face serious friction with Saral's legacy desktop architecture: upfront license fees of ₹5,000 to ₹18,000+, recurring annual AMC charges for routine GST rate patches, local database crashes, and complete lack of mobile accessibility when outside the shop.
OwnStore is engineered from the ground up for modern Indian retailers, supermarkets, pharmacies, and kirana stores. With a permanent free tier (100 free invoices/month), instant 15-second counter POS checkout, barcode scanning via standard scanners or phone camera, dynamic UPI payment QR codes on every receipt, and an automated free digital storefront, OwnStore gives you complete business control right on your smartphone with zero hardware lock-in.
Feature & Cost Breakdown: Side-by-Side Comparison
See how OwnStore compares directly against Relyon Saral Billing, Marg ERP, and TallyPrime.
| Capability | OwnStore | Saral Billing | Marg ERP | TallyPrime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | 100% Free Forever Tier (100 bills/mo free) | ₹5,000 – ₹18,000+ Upfront | ₹9,999 – ₹25,200+ | ₹18,000 – ₹54,000+ |
| Annual Maintenance (AMC) | ₹0 (Zero AMC Forever) | ₹2,000 – ₹5,000/year | ₹3,000 – ₹6,000/year | ₹4,500 – ₹13,500/year |
| Cloud & Mobile Phone Access | ✓ Built-in Cloud (iOS, Android, Web) | ✗ Desktop PC Only | ✗ Local Desktop PC | ✗ Desktop LAN Only |
| 15-Second Counter POS Checkout | ✓ Lightning Fast POS UI | Complex Menus (Slow) | Keyboard Heavy | Voucher Entry (Slow) |
| Dynamic UPI Payment QR Codes | ✓ Auto-Generated on Every Receipt | ✗ Static or Requires Addon | Paid Add-on | Complex Config |
| Free Online Storefront (yourshop.ownstore.app) | ✓ Free 0% Commission E-Commerce | ✗ Not Available | ✗ Not Available | ✗ Not Available |
| WhatsApp Invoice & Payment Sharing | ✓ 1-Click WhatsApp PDF Invoices | Third-party SMS/Email | Paid SMS Pack | Manual Export |
| Thermal Receipt Printer Support | ✓ Bluetooth & USB (2-inch / 3-inch) | Windows Drivers Only | Windows Drivers | Standard Paper |
| Automatic Cloud Backups | ✓ Continuous Real-Time Cloud Sync | Manual .bak Files | Manual Backup | Manual Backup |
Top 3 Reasons Shop Owners Replace Saral Billing with OwnStore
Avoid heavy desktop lock-in, database crashes, and high maintenance overhead.
1. Zero Software Installation & Hardware Freedom
Saral Billing locks you to specific Windows PCs, local database files, and technician visits for installation. OwnStore runs directly inside Google Chrome or Safari on any smartphone, Android tablet, iPad, or laptop. No installation, no database crashes, and zero IT headaches.
2. Save ₹15,000+ Every Year in Software & AMC Fees
Saral Billing charges thousands upfront plus recurring annual maintenance contracts (AMCs) just to receive mandatory GST tax updates. OwnStore offers a permanent free tier with 100 free invoices every month. Even our unlimited pro plan costs a fraction of Saral's recurring AMC fees.
3. Complete Business Control on Your Phone
Whether you are visiting distributors, traveling, or at home, OwnStore lets you monitor live store sales, view cashier performance, track cash in drawer, and inspect inventory levels in real time from your mobile phone without complex VPNs or Remote Desktop software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered for retailers migrating from Saral Billing to OwnStore.
What is the main difference between OwnStore and Saral Billing?
Saral Billing (by Relyon Softech) is a traditional desktop-only accounting and billing software that requires single-PC licenses (₹5,000 to ₹18,000+ per terminal), mandatory annual maintenance contracts (AMCs) for tax updates, and dedicated Windows hardware. OwnStore is a 100% modern cloud-based POS and GST billing software with a permanent free tier (100 bills/month free forever), zero hardware lock-in, mobile smartphone access from anywhere, and an integrated zero-commission online store.
How much does Relyon Saral Billing cost compared to OwnStore?
Saral Billing charges ₹5,000 to ₹18,000+ for single-user desktop editions, plus ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 yearly in recurring AMC and update fees. Multi-user LAN versions cost significantly more. In contrast, OwnStore provides a permanent 100% free plan for up to 100 invoices each month with no credit card required. For unlimited high-volume billing across multiple counters, OwnStore's premium plan starts at just ₹299/month with zero AMC fees.
Can I access my shop billing and inventory on mobile with OwnStore?
Yes. Because OwnStore is cloud-native, retailers can access real-time sales dashboards, check current stock levels, view customer khata balances, and track cashier collections directly on any Android smartphone, iPhone, iPad, or laptop. Saral Billing is tied to a specific Windows PC in your store and cannot be accessed remotely without third-party desktop sharing tools.
How fast is counter billing in OwnStore compared to Saral Billing?
OwnStore is built specifically for retail counter speed. Cashiers can scan barcodes with any standard laser/2D scanner or mobile camera, apply discounts, choose payment modes (Cash, UPI, Card, Split), and print 2-inch or 3-inch thermal receipts in under 15 seconds. Saral Billing is heavily accounting-focused with complex double-entry menus that slow down busy retail checkout queues.
Does Saral Billing offer a free customer-facing online store?
No. Saral Billing is strictly an internal accounting and desktop billing program. OwnStore gives every business owner a free digital storefront (e.g., yourshop.ownstore.app) that automatically syncs with your POS inventory, enabling customers to browse your catalog and order directly on WhatsApp with zero marketplace commissions.
Does OwnStore support dynamic UPI QR codes on printed receipts?
Yes. Every invoice and thermal receipt generated by OwnStore includes a dynamic UPI QR code containing the exact bill amount. Customers scan with PhonePe, Google Pay, or Paytm and pay instantly into your store bank account without manual entry errors.
Start Modern Retail Billing in Under 60 Seconds
Join thousands of Indian retailers using OwnStore for high-speed POS, barcode scanning, and GST compliance.
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