Top Tally Alternatives in India (2025): Pricing, Features, Pros & Market Share Comparison

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by

Himanshu
in

🇮🇳 Accounting Software Alternatives to Tally in India

✅ 1. TallyPrime (Tally Solutions)

➤ Overview:

The dominant accounting software in India, especially in the SME and retail sector. Popular for GST compliance, offline functionality, and wide acceptance by accountants.

➤ Market Share:

  • Estimated to hold 70–90% of India’s accounting software market in the MSME sector.

➤ Pros:

  • Offline-first and reliable
  • Strong inventory and taxation features
  • Industry-standard format
  • Works well in low-connectivity environments

➤ Cons:

  • Desktop-based (limited cloud features)
  • Outdated UI compared to modern apps
  • Lacks real-time collaboration

➤ Pricing:

  • ₹18,000/year for single-user Silver license
  • ₹54,000/year for multi-user Gold license

✅ 2. Zoho Books

➤ Overview:

A modern, cloud-based accounting platform developed by an Indian company. Designed for startups, freelancers, and small businesses.

➤ Market Share:

  • Single-digit percentage, but growing fast especially in urban and tech-savvy businesses.

➤ Pros:

  • Fully cloud-based and mobile-friendly
  • GST, e-invoice, e-waybill ready
  • Integrated with other Zoho tools (CRM, Inventory, Payroll)
  • Great UI and user experience

➤ Cons:

  • No offline access
  • Might not suit complex manufacturing needs

➤ Pricing:

  • Free for businesses under ₹25 lakh turnover
  • Paid plans from ₹899/month to ₹3,599/month

✅ 3. Marg ERP

➤ Overview:

Focused on distributors, retailers, and pharma industries. Desktop-first but offers some cloud accessibility.

➤ Market Share:

  • Small, estimated under 5% nationally, but strong presence in pharma and FMCG sectors.

➤ Pros:

  • Industry-specific modules
  • Strong billing, inventory, and GST features
  • Customizable for business types

➤ Cons:

  • UI is dated
  • Requires local installation and support

➤ Pricing:

  • Starts from ₹7,200/year (desktop version)
  • Cloud starts from ₹12,000/year and varies by configuration

✅ 4. BUSY Accounting Software

➤ Overview:

Desktop-based accounting tool popular among small manufacturers and traders.

➤ Market Share:

  • Low single-digit, mostly in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities.

➤ Pros:

  • Strong reporting and inventory handling
  • Multi-branch and multi-location support
  • GST-compliant

➤ Cons:

  • Limited cloud access
  • Steep learning curve for new users

➤ Pricing:

  • ₹9,000 – ₹12,000 (one-time license)
  • Cloud version costs extra (~₹2,000/month)

✅ 5. Vyapar

➤ Overview:

A mobile-first billing and accounting app aimed at small shops, freelancers, and micro-businesses.

➤ Market Share:

  • Fast-growing with wide adoption in small retail — estimated user base over 1 crore, though market share remains under 5%.

➤ Pros:

  • Simple, intuitive interface
  • Mobile and desktop support
  • Works offline
  • Affordable pricing

➤ Cons:

  • Lacks features for medium/large businesses
  • Not ideal for complex accounting needs

➤ Pricing:

  • Mobile version starts from ₹599/year
  • Desktop version ~₹2,399/year

✅ 6. myBillBook

➤ Overview:

Designed for micro and small businesses for invoicing, billing, and basic accounting.

➤ Market Share:

  • Small but increasing rapidly in small business space, especially due to ease of use.

➤ Pros:

  • Easy invoice creation and sharing via WhatsApp
  • Barcode, inventory, and GST billing
  • Mobile-first solution

➤ Cons:

  • Not a full accounting suite
  • Limited financial reporting

➤ Pricing:

  • Basic: ₹399/year
  • Premium: ₹1,999/year

✅ 7. AlignBooks

➤ Overview:

Indian-developed, cloud-first accounting and billing software with competitive pricing.

➤ Market Share:

  • Very small, but slowly expanding among startups and service professionals.

➤ Pros:

  • Web-based access from anywhere
  • Affordable
  • Payroll and POS options included
  • Multiple integrations

➤ Cons:

  • Still growing; fewer users
  • Limited offline support

➤ Pricing:

  • Free basic version
  • Paid plans: ₹250/month to ₹500/month

✅ 8. SAP Business One (India Localized)

➤ Overview:

An enterprise-grade ERP with robust accounting, CRM, and inventory management features.

➤ Market Share:

  • Minimal in MSME; more in large organizations and corporates.

➤ Pros:

  • Highly scalable and secure
  • Extensive automation and reporting
  • Ideal for businesses with multiple verticals

➤ Cons:

  • Very expensive
  • Requires IT infrastructure and trained personnel

➤ Pricing:

  • Starts from ₹3–5 lakh/year (implementation + license)
  • Cloud options with monthly enterprise pricing also available

🔢 Market Share Summary Table

SoftwareEstimated Market ShareTarget Segment
Tally70–90%SMEs, Traders, Accountants
Zoho Books5–8% (growing)Startups, Freelancers, Online Biz
Marg ERP~3–5%Pharma, FMCG, Retail
BUSY~2–4%Manufacturers, Traders
Vyapar<5% (high users)Kirana stores, Small shops
myBillBook<3%Micro-business, Billing focused
AlignBooks<2%Service providers, Startups
SAP B1NicheEnterprises, Corporates

🧾 Final Verdict

  • Tally is still the king but slowly being challenged by modern, cloud-based, or mobile-first tools.
  • Zoho Books and Vyapar are emerging stars for tech-savvy and mobile-first users.
  • Marg and BUSY serve niche needs well, especially in retail and manufacturing.
  • AlignBooks and myBillBook are worth watching for smaller setups needing value for money.

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