You do not need to spend ₹10,000+ per year on accounting software to stay GST-compliant. Several good apps offer meaningful free plans. Here is an honest look at what is actually free, what is limited, and what will eventually cost you.
What Should a Free GST App Give You?
- Create GST-compliant invoices with CGST/SGST/IGST auto-calculated
- Basic inventory tracking
- Party ledger (customer and supplier accounts)
- At least a basic P&L or cash summary
- No watermark on invoices (professional output)
- Works on Android — ideally iOS too
1. Credwik — Best Free Plan Overall
Credwik's Solo plan is free forever (not a trial). You get GST invoicing, inventory, party ledgers, P&L reports, cash flow, account ledger, and WhatsApp invoice sharing — all free for a single user. Upgrade to Pro (₹499/month) for multi-user, direct GST filing, API access, and advanced reporting. No watermark on invoices.
2. Vyapar — Free on Android (Paid for PC and Extra Features)
Vyapar offers a free Android app for basic invoicing and stock tracking. PC access, bank reconciliation, and advanced reports require a paid plan starting at ₹1,699/year. A good free option if you only need mobile billing — limited for serious accounting.
3. Zoho Invoice — Free for Up to 1,000 Invoices/Year
Zoho Invoice is free with up to 1,000 invoices per year and 5 customers. Good for freelancers and very small service businesses. Inventory and GST filing are not included on the free plan.
4. Invoice Ninja — Free and Open Source
Invoice Ninja is open source and free for up to 20 clients. It is web-based and self-hostable. GST-specific features (CGST/SGST/IGST auto-split based on Indian rules) are not built in — you would need to configure tax rates manually.
What "Free" Usually Hides
- Watermark on invoices ("Powered by XYZ") — looks unprofessional
- Invoice or customer count limits
- GST filing locked behind paid plan
- Inventory only on paid plans
- No phone/chat support on free
- Time-limited free trial disguised as "free plan"
The Bottom Line on Free GST Apps
For a small business doing under 500 invoices per month, Credwik's free plan covers everything you need to stay GST-compliant, track stock, and understand your business finances. It is the only free app that gives you a complete accounting system — not just a billing tool.