Most billing apps look similar on the store page. The differences only show up after a week of real use. Here is what to check before you move your whole khata into one.
1. Does it work without internet?
Shops lose signal. If the app freezes when the network drops, you cannot bill a customer standing in front of you. Test it: turn on aeroplane mode and try to make a bill.
2. Can you get your data out?
This is the one nobody checks, and it is the most important. If the app cannot export your parties and ledger to a file you keep, you are locked in forever. Ask before you commit: can I download my own data?
3. Does the bill look professional?
Your invoice is what your customer sees. It should carry your business name, GSTIN, address, bank details and ideally a UPI QR so they can pay immediately. A bill that says "Your Business" or carries someone else's branding costs you credibility.
4. How does it handle reminders?
Collecting money is the real problem, not printing bills. Check whether the app can send a payment reminder on WhatsApp — and importantly, whether it sends from your own number. Messages from an unknown number get ignored.
5. What happens when you change your phone?
Ask this before you enter a year of data. If your books live only on the device, one lost phone wipes everything. The account should be tied to your email or login, so a new phone just needs a sign-in.
6. What does it cost after the free plan?
| Question to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What stops working on the free plan? | Some apps lock printing or export |
| Is the price per user or per shop? | Adds up fast if you have staff |
| Can you cancel any time? | Avoid annual lock-ins early on |
A short checklist
- Works offline ✓
- Free data export ✓
- GST-correct invoice with your branding ✓
- WhatsApp reminders from your own number ✓
- Cloud account so a new phone restores everything ✓
- Clear, honest pricing ✓
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