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Billing software vs Excel (or a notebook)

Excel works while you make a handful of bills a day and stock is simple. Once you charge GST, give credit or hold stock, billing software saves time and mistakes: it numbers invoices, works out CGST, SGST or IGST, moves stock, tracks who owes you and prepares GSTR-1 — things Excel needs you to do by hand.

Updated 29 October 2026

Where Excel is fine

Very few bills, no GST registration, or a service business with simple invoices.
You're comfortable with formulas and keep one master sheet.

Where billing software wins

GST maths and the right tax split, every time.
Unique invoice numbers per financial year.
Stock that updates as you sell and buy.
Customer balances, reminders and ageing.
GSTR-1 JSON and GSTR-3B from the same data.
Several people billing at once, with each one's access controlled.

Cost

HextaBook's Free plan costs nothing for up to 10 invoices a month; Silver is ₹199 a month plus GST for unlimited invoices and GST reports. Your Excel sheets can be imported to start.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import my Excel data into HextaBook?

Yes. Parties, items with stock and past invoices can be imported from Excel or CSV on every plan.