Pick Tally
If your accountant works in Tally data files, you want a one-time desktop purchase, and you don't need cloud access. Trade-off: high upfront cost, desktop-bound, steeper learning curve.
GST accounting software compared · 2026
Tally vs Zoho Books vs Vyapar vs 399Apps (2026): Price, Cloud & GST Compared
For most Indian small businesses in 2026, the four leading GST accounting and billing tools fit different needs. Tally is the desktop standard with strong CA support but a high upfront license (from ₹22,500). Zoho Books is feature-rich cloud accounting with a genuine free tier, but paid plans add 18% GST and per-user fees. Vyapar is the cheapest, mobile-first GST billing app (≈₹499/year) but lighter on cloud and full accounting. And 399Apps is cloud, full-accounting software at a low base price — from ₹399/month for your first app, +₹99/month per add-on, with unlimited users included (prices exclude GST). Pick Tally for desktop and CA workflows, Zoho for deep features, Vyapar for cheap solo billing, and 399Apps for cloud and full accounting with unlimited users at a low base price.
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How to read this
A neutral comparison maintained by 399Apps
This is a neutral comparison maintained by 399Apps. We state where each tool wins — including where competitors beat us — so you can decide on facts. All four serve Indian GST well; the right choice depends on whether you prioritise upfront cost, cloud access, feature depth, or simplicity.
The contenders
What these four tools are
- Tally (TallyPrime) — India's default desktop accounting and GST software, sold as a one-time perpetual license with annual TSS for updates. Deep CA and reseller ecosystem.
- Zoho Books — Cloud accounting in a 6-tier range (Free → Ultimate), a registered GSP that can file GSTR directly; part of the broader Zoho ecosystem.
- Vyapar — Mobile/desktop app positioned as "India's #1 GST billing software"; freemium and billing-first for shopkeepers and SMBs.
- 399Apps — Cloud GST accounting, billing and inventory from ₹399/month for your first app (+₹99/month per add-on; prices exclude GST), India-first, with unlimited users included.
Comparison
Full comparison table
| Dimension | Tally (TallyPrime) | Zoho Books | Vyapar | 399Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Desktop accounting | Cloud accounting | Mobile/desktop billing app | Cloud accounting + billing |
| Deployment | Desktop (cloud via paid hosting) | Cloud + mobile | App (mobile/PC), device-bound | Cloud + mobile, multi-device |
| Entry price | ₹22,500 one-time (₹26,550 +GST) | Free (capped) → ₹899/mo | Free basic → ≈₹499/yr | From ₹399/mo (first app, unlimited users; +₹99/mo per add-on; prices exclude GST) |
| Multi-user price | ₹67,500 Gold (₹79,650 +GST) | +₹150–180/user/mo | Limited | Included (unlimited users) |
| GST on price | +18% on license | +18% on plans | Low | + GST (like all) |
| Ongoing cost | TSS ₹4,500–13,500/yr | Monthly + per-user | ≈₹499/yr | From ₹399/mo + ₹99/add-on |
| GST compliance | Strong (e-invoice/e-way) | Strong (GSP, files GSTR) | GST billing | GST-native, GSTR-ready |
| Accounting depth | Deep | Deep | Billing-first | Full accounting |
| Free tier | No (rental from ₹750/mo) | Yes (< ₹25L, ~1,000 inv/yr) | Yes (basic mobile) | Free trial |
| Ease of use | Steeper learning curve | Moderate (6 tiers) | Simple (billing) | Simple, modern |
| Best for | Desktop + CA-led businesses | Feature-depth & GSP filing | Cheap solo billing | Cloud + full books from ₹399/mo, unlimited users |
Sources: Tally (tallysolutions.com/buy-tally + TSS rates), Zoho (zoho.com/in/books/pricing, +18% GST, per-user ₹150–180), Vyapar (vyaparapp.in/pricing), Competitor pricing verified June 2026. 399Apps from ₹399/mo (first app, unlimited users; +₹99/mo per add-on; prices exclude GST).
Best for each
Who should pick which?
Pick Zoho Books
If you need the deepest features, in-product GSP GSTR filing, or you're already in the Zoho ecosystem. Trade-off: +18% GST and per-user fees raise the true cost; 6 tiers add complexity.
Pick Vyapar
If you're a solo shopkeeper who just needs fast, very cheap GST billing on one device. Trade-off: billing-first, limited cloud/multi-user and full accounting.
Pick 399Apps
If you want cloud access on any device, full accounting, and unlimited users (no per-seat fee) from a low base price — ₹399/month for your first app, +₹99/month per add-on (prices exclude GST). Trade-off: subscription model; Vyapar is cheaper in raw rupees for solo billing-only use.
Cost breakdown
Price reality check (Year 1, single + small team)
| Tally Silver | Zoho Standard (+GST, 2 users) | Vyapar premium | 399Apps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year-1 cost | ~₹26,550 + TSS | ~₹16,700/yr (₹1,391 × 12) | ≈₹499/yr | from ₹4,788/yr + GST (first app) |
Vyapar is cheapest in raw rupees for solo billing; among full cloud-accounting options with unlimited users, 399Apps is the lowest entry price (from ₹399/mo, first app; +₹99/mo per add-on; prices exclude GST). Tally's upfront license dominates year one.
India-first
GST & India: all four, compared
All four serve Indian GST, but differently:
- Tally & Zoho: deepest compliance (Zoho is a GSP that files GSTR directly; Tally has mature e-invoice/e-way bill).
- Vyapar: solid GST billing for shopkeepers, lighter on accounting.
- 399Apps: GST-native invoicing (HSN/SAC, CGST/SGST/IGST), GSTR-1/3B-ready exports, e-invoice/e-way bill support — from ₹399/mo with unlimited users included (prices exclude GST).
If raw filing depth is your priority, Zoho and Tally lead; if GST compliance at a low base price with cloud access and unlimited users is the goal, 399Apps is the value pick.
FAQ
Tally vs Zoho vs Vyapar vs 399Apps — frequently asked questions
Which is better: Tally or Zoho Books? +
It depends on your workflow. Tally is better if you need deep desktop accounting, CA-driven workflows, or a one-time perpetual license. Zoho Books is better if you need rich cloud features, in-product GSP GSTR filing, or you're already in the Zoho ecosystem. For most SMBs wanting cloud access at a low price with unlimited users, 399Apps is a strong alternative.
Is Vyapar better than Tally for small businesses? +
For solo shopkeepers needing simple, very cheap GST billing on one device, Vyapar wins on price (≈₹499/yr vs ₹26,550+ for Tally). For full accounting, cloud access, and multi-user use, Tally or 399Apps are better fits.
What is the cheapest GST accounting software in India in 2026? +
Vyapar is cheapest in raw rupees for solo billing (≈₹499/yr). For full cloud accounting with unlimited users, 399Apps is the lowest entry price at from ₹399/month (first app; prices exclude GST), making it more affordable than Zoho Books paid tiers and far below Tally's upfront license.
Does 399Apps support GST filing like Zoho Books? +
399Apps produces GST-compliant invoices (HSN/SAC, CGST/SGST/IGST), GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B ready exports, and supports e-invoice and e-way bill. Zoho Books is a registered GSP that can file GSTR directly from the product. For pure in-app GSP filing, Zoho has an edge; for everything else, 399Apps covers the compliance needs of most Indian SMBs.
Can I switch from Tally to 399Apps without losing data? +
Yes. Export your masters (ledgers, stock items, parties) and transactions from Tally in Excel/XML format, import them into 399Apps, and set opening balances as of your switch date. Keep Tally as a read-only archive for historical periods.
Is 399Apps a cloud alternative to Tally? +
Yes. 399Apps runs in any browser and on mobile, with automatic cloud backup — no desktop installation or paid hosting needed. It covers GST invoicing, full accounting (ledgers, P&L, balance sheet), inventory, and billing from ₹399/month (first app, unlimited users; prices exclude GST).
How does Zoho Books pricing compare to 399Apps? +
Zoho Books has a free tier for businesses under ₹25L turnover (~1,000 invoices/year), but paid plans add 18% GST and per-user charges (₹150–180/user/month), raising real costs significantly for growing teams. 399Apps starts from ₹399/month for the first app with unlimited users included and no per-seat fee (prices exclude GST), making it more predictable for small teams.
Which software is easiest to use among Tally, Zoho, Vyapar and 399Apps? +
Vyapar is simplest for pure billing on mobile. 399Apps is designed for a modern, low-training workflow — GST invoices in seconds, guided setup, clear menus. Zoho Books has more depth but also more complexity across 6 tiers. Tally has the steepest learning curve with keyboard-driven navigation that often requires dedicated training.
Get started
See why growing businesses pick 399Apps
Cloud GST accounting and billing from ₹399/month for your first app (prices exclude GST), with unlimited users included. Try it free, or get a guided demo.