AI bookkeeping · GST filed in-app · Web + mobile · Tally Connector · Pricing verified 2026-06-07
Tally is powerful, but it lives on one desktop, keys every voucher by hand, and makes you upload GST JSON to the portal yourself. HelloBooks is the cloud alternative that automates roughly 70% of bookkeeping with AI, files GSTR-1 and 3B from the same screen, and runs on your phone.
And you don't have to abandon Tally to start — use the HelloBooks Tally Connector to push entries into your Tally company, then migrate to the cloud at your own pace. Free Plan to start, Pro from ₹499/mo.
1. Cloud and mobile, not one locked desktop
Tally lives on a single Windows machine — your books are only as available as that PC. HelloBooks is cloud-native with Android and iOS apps, so you, your accountant, and your team see the same live books from anywhere. No remote-desktop hacks, no “the data is on the office computer.”
2. AI that learns your bank transactions
TallyPrime added native document OCR ("Docs by Ira", announced June 2026, in phased rollout) and Connected Banking, but as of July 2026 it still does not learn a ledger for your bank transactions — Tally's own help documentation states there is no automatic ledger suggestion for unmatched bank lines and no user-defined matching rules, so an operator picks the ledger. HelloBooks runs AI agents that categorize transactions, read bills and receipts with OCR, and reconcile bank statements — automating roughly 70% of routine bookkeeping and learning from your corrections each month.
3. GST filed from the same screen
TallyPrime has shipped Connected GST since release 5.0 (September 2024), so GSTR-1 and IFF can be filed from inside Tally with EVC or DSC, and IMS with GSTR-2B recompute arrived in 6.1. HelloBooks files GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B directly, reconciles GSTR-2A/2B, generates e-invoices with IRN, and produces e-way bills — with HSN and rate mismatches flagged before you file, from the same cloud workspace your CA can open.
4. Switch without losing your data
You do not have to abandon Tally on day one. Use the HelloBooks Tally Connector to push entries from HelloBooks into your Tally company, or run a guided migration that brings your masters and history into the cloud. Move at your own pace instead of a risky big-bang cut-over.
The differences that drive switching decisions — including where Tally is genuinely strong. For the full side-by-side, see the detailed HelloBooks vs Tally comparison.
| Feature | HelloBooks | Tally |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing (indicative, verified 2026-06-07) | Free Plan + Pro at ₹499/mo (₹4,999/yr), all features | ~₹18,000 + GST one-time (TallyPrime Silver, 1 user) + ~₹5,400/yr TSS |
| Deployment | Cloud — browser + Android & iOS apps | Desktop install on a single Windows PC (LAN for multi-user) |
| Access from anywhere | Yes — any device, live shared books | Only at the machine (or via remote-desktop workarounds) |
| AI categorization of bank transactions | AI agent — learns vendor patterns, ~70% automation | No AI-learned ledger suggestion for bank lines; operator picks the ledger (July 2026) |
| Bill / receipt OCR | Built-in document extraction with AI coding | Native OCR ("Docs by Ira", announced Jun 2026) — early access / phased rollout |
| GST return filing | GSTR-1 / 3B filed in-app, 2A/2B reconciliation | Connected GST since 5.0 — GSTR-1 / IFF filed in-app with EVC or DSC; IMS + 2B recompute since 6.1 |
| e-Invoicing (IRN) & e-way bill | Native generation in the workflow | Native since 2.0 via Tally GSP — incl. bulk generation, cancellation, e-way bill |
| Bank reconciliation | AI-assisted with bank feeds | Connected Banking since 6.0 — live balances/statements for major banks, auto-reconciles exact matches |
| Migration path | Tally Connector (push to Tally) + guided import to cloud | — |
| Conversational AI assistant | Yes — ask for reports, raise invoices via chat | No conversational assistant (Docs by Ira accepts documents over WhatsApp, but does not answer questions) |
| Security & compliance | SOC 2 Type II, DPDP-aligned, encrypted cloud backups | Local file security is your responsibility |
| Inventory & invoicing | Built-in across every plan | Strong, mature inventory (a genuine Tally strength) |
| Works offline | Cloud-first (needs connectivity) | Yes — fully offline (a genuine Tally strength) |
| Free Plan | Yes — 2,500 AI credits, unlimited invoices | No (paid licence + educational mode only) |
Tally pricing shown is indicative single-user TallyPrime list pricing as of 2026-06-07; confirm current pricing at tallysolutions.com. Tally and TallyPrime are trademarks of Tally Solutions Pvt. Ltd., used here for comparison and identification only.
If month-end means someone has to physically sit at the Tally machine, the cloud is the upgrade. HelloBooks gives you and your CA the same live books on any device — no remote-desktop, no end-of-day file copies on a pen drive.
Tally can file GSTR-1 and IFF directly through Connected GST, but the books still sit on a desktop your CA has to reach. HelloBooks files GSTR-1 and 3B from the same screen where you raise invoices, and reconciles 2A/2B so input credit does not slip — from any device, with your accountant already inside.
Field staff and shop owners cannot carry a Windows desktop. HelloBooks runs on Android and iOS so you can invoice, capture receipts, and check cash position on the move — something Tally cannot do natively.
Keep Tally for what it is good at and start pushing entries from HelloBooks into it via the Tally Connector. As confidence grows, migrate fully to the cloud. You are never forced into a single risky cut-over.
A single-user TallyPrime licence plus annual TSS is several thousand rupees a year for desktop software. HelloBooks Pro is ₹499/mo with cloud, mobile, AI bookkeeping, and GST filing included — and a Free Plan to start.
Guided import with a column-to-field mapper, plus the option to run alongside Tally via the Tally Connector. Move at your own pace — no big-bang cut-over, no data loss. The full walkthrough is in the migrate from Tally guide, and current HelloBooks plans are on the India pricing page.
Step 1
Sign up free
Create your HelloBooks account at no cost — the Free Plan includes 2,500 AI credits to get started and full GST reporting.
Step 2
Export from Tally
From your Tally company, export masters (ledgers, stock items) and transactions. Keep the Tally backup for your records.
Step 3
Import into HelloBooks
Use the guided importer with the column-to-field mapper. It auto-classifies your standard Tally groups and suggests chart-of-accounts mappings for your custom ones — you review and accept.
Step 4
Connect bank & GST
Link your bank for feeds and connect GSTN so returns and e-invoicing run inside HelloBooks.
Step 5
Run alongside Tally (optional)
Not ready to leave Tally? Use the Tally Connector to push HelloBooks entries into your Tally company and reconcile in parallel.
Step 6
Cut over when ready
Once the cloud books match, make HelloBooks your source of truth. Keep a final Tally backup for compliance.
Want a hand moving off Tally? Find a HelloBooks-friendly accountant at hellobooks.ai/find-an-accountant — free public directory, no paid placement.
Free Plan with 2,500 AI credits to get started, full GST reporting, and bank connection. No credit card, no licence fee. Keep Tally running while you try the cloud — switch fully when you're ready.
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