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.
14-day free trial · No card required · Cancel anytime
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 the best GST accounting software in India in 2026? +
It depends on your need: Tally for desktop and CA workflows, Zoho Books for deep features and GSP filing, Vyapar for cheap solo billing, and 399Apps for cloud and full accounting from ₹399/month. There's no single winner for every business.
Is Zoho Books or Tally better? +
Zoho Books is cloud-based with a free tier and direct GSTR filing (GSP), while Tally is a desktop standard with deep CA support but a high upfront license and TSS renewals. Choose Zoho for cloud and features; Tally for desktop and accountant compatibility.
Is Vyapar better than Tally? +
For cheap, fast GST billing on a single device, Vyapar is simpler and far cheaper. For deep accounting, multi-user desktop use, and CA workflows, Tally is stronger. They suit different jobs.
What is the cheapest of the four? +
Vyapar (about ₹499/year) is cheapest in raw rupees but is billing-first and device-bound. Among full cloud accounting tools with multi-user included, 399Apps (from ₹399/month) is the lowest-cost cloud option; Tally's upfront license makes it the most expensive in year one.
Which has the best free option? +
Zoho Books has a genuine free plan (businesses under ₹25 lakh turnover, about 1,000 invoices/year, 1 user) and Vyapar has a free basic mobile app. Tally has no free tier (rental from ₹750/month); 399Apps offers a free trial.
Which is best for cloud or multi-device access? +
Zoho Books and 399Apps are true cloud tools usable on any device. Tally is desktop-first (cloud only via paid hosting) and Vyapar is primarily app/device-bound.
Which is easiest for a non-accountant to use? +
399Apps and Vyapar are the simplest for everyday users; Zoho Books is capable but has more tiers and options; Tally has the steepest learning curve.
Does 399Apps replace Tally, Zoho, and Vyapar? +
399Apps covers the common SMB needs of all three — GST billing, full accounting, inventory, multi-user, cloud — from ₹399/month. Businesses needing Tally's deep desktop ERP or Zoho's GSP filing may still prefer those; most SMBs get what they need from 399Apps.
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.