Running a small business anywhere is tough. In India, it can feel like a hundred things coming at you at once—sales, vendors, GST returns, chasing late payments, and somewhere in there, trying to grow. For years, many local businesses just got by using notebooks, Excel sheets, and whatever their accountant set up for them once a quarter.
But that’s changing—fast.
More small business owners are now looking for software that makes their lives easier. Not fancy stuff, but real, usable tools that take care of billing, help keep track of payments, and don’t require a degree in finance to understand. And with GST being what it is, compliance can no longer be an afterthought.
So, what software are Indian small businesses actually using in 2025? Here’s a look at five that have caught on—not because of advertising, but because they work.
NewRise Technosys – Trusted by Retailers and Traders
One name that keeps popping up, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, is NewRise Technosys. This isn’t one of those Silicon Valley-backed names; it’s Indian, built with local businesses in mind, and surprisingly practical.
Most users find it simple to set up. There’s no need to call in a tech guy. It runs offline too, which still matters in plenty of areas. The invoices it generates look professional, and sharing them over WhatsApp is baked in—not an afterthought.
It also doesn’t overcomplicate things. You get GST-ready billing, inventory that updates in the background, and the ability to manage multiple locations or users if the business expands.
Business owners like it because it doesn’t try to be a full accounting suite—it just does the invoicing job well, and in a way that makes sense for the Indian market.
Key Features:
- GST-ready invoicing
- Inventory tracking with low-stock alerts
- Customizable invoice formats
- Multi-user and multi-location functionality
- WhatsApp and email invoice delivery
Zoho Invoice – Ideal for Freelancers and Service Pros
Not every business is a retail shop. There’s a whole generation of designers, consultants, and small agencies who mostly send invoices over email, collect digital payments, and track hours worked.
Zoho Invoice fits that world nicely. It’s clean, built for cloud use, and you don’t need to install anything. Freelancers, especially those who bill by the hour or by project, often turn to it for its recurring invoice and time-tracking features. It even lets you add your logo and brand colours to invoices, which looks good when emailing international clients.
For businesses that live online and don’t have to manage stock or handle walk-in customers, Zoho Invoice is a strong, no-fuss option, and the free plan covers more than most people expect.
Key Features:
- Recurring invoices for ongoing projects
- Time tracking for billable hours
- Custom branding and templates
- Online payment support
- Email reminders for pending payments
Vyapar – Reliable Choice for Shopkeepers
In the local kirana stores and small trading offices, there’s a noticeable preference for Vyapar. It doesn’t have the flashiest interface, but it feels familiar. The software has been around for a few years now and has done a decent job of keeping up with GST norms without losing its simplicity.
Vyapar runs offline, which is probably one of the reasons it remains popular in regions where internet service isn’t reliable. It also works in Hindi and other regional languages, which is more than can be said for most imported apps.
It’s not perfect, but for a shopkeeper who’s replacing a ledger and doesn’t want a subscription-based system in English, this is often the first software they try—and many stick with it.
Key Features:
- GST invoicing and e-way bill generation
- Stock and inventory tracking
- Expense management and payment tracking
- Hindi and regional language options
- Compatible with both Android and Windows
TallyPrime – Preferred by CAs and Accountants
Some businesses don’t just want to generate bills—they need full-scale accounting, financial reporting, compliance audits, and bank reconciliations. That’s where TallyPrime comes in.
Tally has been around for decades. It’s not the easiest software to learn, but most Indian accountants are already familiar with it. That alone makes it a safer bet for some companies.
If a business already has a chartered accountant involved, chances are they’re using or recommending Tally. It handles billing, too, but that’s just one part of a much larger set of features. In some ways, it’s too much for a small business—but for those that need more than basic invoicing, it’s still very relevant.
Key Features:
- Detailed GST, TDS, and VAT compliance
- Ledger and journal management
- Payroll and inventory modules
- Multi-location and multi-company support
- Audit-ready reports for tax filing
MyBillBook – Mobile-First Billing for Modern Stores
In newer businesses—ones opened by younger entrepreneurs or people switching from other industries—myBillBook has gained traction. It’s designed for mobile first, and that alone puts it ahead for owners who want to run things from their phones.
The setup is quick. It handles GST without drama, connects to UPI payments, and gives you a snapshot of daily sales, profit margins, and pending payments in just a few taps. That’s more than enough for many small stores, especially those not managing complex stock.
It’s not for everyone. Some older business owners still prefer desktop setups. But if the owner is comfortable with mobile apps, this one tends to get adopted and kept.
Key Features:
- GST-compliant invoices with QR code support
- Real-time inventory and purchase tracking
- Expense recording and cash flow analysis
- Payment links and UPI support
- Daily data backup and app-based control
Is There One Best Billing Software?
Not really. What works for a consultant in Bengaluru won’t work for a general store in Bhopal. The real question isn’t “Which software is best?” but “Which one makes life easier for this particular business?”
Some businesses need multilingual support. Others want to accept UPI. Some just want GST to be auto-calculated so they don’t mess up returns.
What’s clear is this: the days of manual billing are numbered. More businesses—small and large—are switching to digital tools. And the ones who do? They’re finding they have more time for actual business and fewer headaches at tax time.
