Accounting is still restricted to “bahi khata” for some businessmen in India. Several small business owners, shopkeepers or even startup owners are yet to upgrade their accounting methods. If the transactions are minimum, it's still okay, but if not, accounting softwares is a need.

The traditional method requires you to manually do lengthy calculations, double-entries, book maintenance, etc. All of this is now cured with the invention of accounting softwares. All you have to do is make the entries and let the computer do the labour work.

What is accounting software?

An accounting software is a computer program that helps an accountant to record and report financial transactions. They help you to analyze, record and understand your accounts easily, and it's also more comfortable to extract the old data. 

Just any software won't work the best for you. It is important that you choose something that perfectly aligns with your needs. How do you know what works? The answer is trial and error.

So basically, you try out different softwares and see what's really meant for you and don't worry it won't be hard on your wallet. This is because most of them offer free trials for their new users.

So here I have listed down the 10 best accounting softwares in India with free trials that you can browse and work on.

Also Read: How to Become an Accountant in India

Top 10 Best Accounting Software In India

1. Tally ERP 9

When it comes to accounting software Tally is the first name that hits the mind. Tally ERP 9 Software is one of the most widely used software for financial accounting and inventory management.

It alone has covered about 70 percent of the accounting software market in India for over two decades. It is also the most pirated software in India due to its high price.

Just so you know that its pirated version reports corruption of data, data mismatching and loss of data. So it is recommended to use the licensed version only.

Features

• It is multilingual accounting software and you can also view the reports in another language.
• Simple installation process.
• Accountancy of up to 99,999 companies can be maintained.
• Can save the data offline.
• Can manage single and multiple group accounting.
• One of the most secure accounting softwares.
• You get a 30-day free trial (plans after the free trial start from rupees 18,000+)

2. Zoho Books

Accounting is a need not only for huge firms or entrepreneurs but also for small freelancers, household businesses, etc. Zoho Books can be called as the best accounting software for microbusinesses.

It provides you with a client portal through which you can collaborate with your client in real-time. It focuses on both price and usability, which are two essential elements for good accounting software for microbusinesses. 

Features

• Automation of workflow like recurring invoices, payment reminders etc.
• Ease of usage from the Zoho mobile application.
• Time-tracking and project management tools make the work easier and faster.
• Can connect to multiple payment gateways for added convenience.
• 15 days free trial (plans after free trial start from rupees 750+)

3. BUSY Accounting Software

If you are looking for accounting software for micro, small or medium scale businesses then BUSY might be for you.

It's an easy to use software that very well helps track financial accounting and assists in recording and analyzing accounting transactions. It simplifies tasks like GST billing and returns filing and eliminates the need for manual data entry.

Features

• Supports multiple currencies.
• In-built features for GST billing, VAT and ITR filing.
• Ease of usage through the mobile application.
• Customizable professional invoices based on customer, item and date.
• 30 days free trial (plans after free trial start from rupees 12,500+)

4. Quickbooks

Quickbooks is an accounting software that helps you keep an eye on the financial health of your business. you are provided with various tools to manage your customers, vendors, clients, inventory and finances.

The QuickBooks product line includes several solutions that work great for anyone, from a freelancer to a midsized business.

Features

• Easily create and track invoices.
• You can set up and schedule recurring invoices.
• Online banking is integrated with the system.
• Cloud-based accounting technology.
• 30 days free trial (plans after free trial start from rupees 530+)

5. Marg ERP 9+

Marg ERP 9+ is an ERP based accounting software that can manage small scale businesses as well as enterprise businesses. The software is fully customizable according to the client's needs.

It also offers automation with reporting on things such as activity, attendance, daily sales etc. Pricing to license the platform varies with features and the number of users.

Features

• Support complete GST solutions. 
• Ease of usage through a mobile application.
• Online banking is integrated with the system.
• Barcode integration in the system.
• Supports multiple currencies.
• 7 days free trial (plans after free trial start from rupees 8,000+)

6. Wave Financial

Wave is a free entry-level accounting software for small-business owners. Besides being free, this software is fully functional and user friendly for even those who are completely new to accounting.

It allows you to manage bookkeeping, accounting and invoicing in one place through internal integrations. Even though it is the best option for small businesses to start with and has appealing options for its service, it has its limitations.

Wave does not provide you with an option to upgrade to additional features, which makes it incompatible for fast-growing businesses.

Features 

• It is absolutely free for a lifetime.
• Dedicated mobile application for invoices.
• Unlimited users with varying user permissions. 
• Unlimited income and expense tracking.
• User-friendly interface

7. Reach Accounting

Reach accounting software is an India based online accounting software that caters for all accounting needs of small scale and medium scale businesses. It has Billing, POS and CRM configuration modules.

In the price of an accounting software, reach promises to help in 21 business verticals in a fully automated function. In a way, you can say that it is a full-fledged bundle for your accounting needs. 

Features

• Barcode integration in the system.
• In-built features for GST billing, VAT and ITR filing.
• Purchase, Inventory Management & Consumption Tracking.
• Over 20 different templates customized for different businesses.
• Can connect to multiple payment gateways for added convenience.
• 30 days free trial (plans after free trial start from rupees 6,000+)

8. Profitbooks

Along with good accounting and technological backed software do you want one that helps follow up with the clients for outstanding payments, then profitbooks might be for you. It is a cloud-based software perfect for small and medium scale businesses.

It not only aids in managing different aspects of invoices but also provides security from all the data threats. Along with its user-friendly interface, it is packed with all essential features for accounting.

Features

• Customized invoices and templates. 
• Easy processing of payments.
• Track daily business expenses
• Visual graphs provide easy to understand insights
• 30 days free trial (plans after free trial start from rupees 2,999+)

9. Saral

Saral is one of the most famous accounting softwares in India. For Billing, you get powerful features such as inventory, barcode integration, integration with weighing machines, price grouping, discounts and loyalty points and most importantly GST compliant billing.

You can bill and generate a tax invoice with just 5 clicks, and you are done. It can also compute accountancy of small, medium and large scale organizations.

It is capable of functioning in multiple business verticals efficiently. Saral is undoubtedly an efficient software with tons of loaded functions that makes accounting easier. 

Features

• Easy data migration.
• Integrated mobile application.
• In-built features for GST billing, VAT and ITR filing.
• Multilingual accounting software
• Online payment gateway integration.
• Free demo of the software (plans after free demo start from rupees 7,500+)

10. Vyapar

Vyapar is an entry-level accounting and inventory management software. Many startups and small businesses widely appreciate it. It helps you generate GST compliant bills and share them with your customers in real-time.

It lets you with advanced features like low-stock alarms and more. It also provides you with detailed reading into your inventory and provides you with an insight into the pace of selling goods. It offers pretty good service for the price charged.

Features

• Complete GST and ITR filing solutions.
• Generates proof of delivery.
• Integrated mobile application.
• Saves data offline as well as online.
• Barcode integration in the system.
• 15 days free trial (plans after free trial start from rupees 1,999+)

Conclusion

These are the best accounting softwares in India with free trials. Of Course, the market leader is Tally, but nowadays, many other options are available in the market.

All the softwares have a lot of features in common but also differentiate on the basis of payment gateways, customer tracking, GST calculation, etc. 

You know your business, and thus you also know what programs you are going to need. Hope this article made your software hunt a little easier.