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Head-to-head · General Ledger Software

LedgerSMB vs BUSY

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score LedgerSMB #3 in General Ledger Software 7.7/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit LedgerSMB
BUSY #5 in General Ledger Software 7.1/10 Free plan · paid from ₹5,000/yr · 15-day trial Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit BUSY

LedgerSMB leads on 0 checks, BUSY on 2, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreLedgerSMB · 7.7/10
  • Free planonly BUSY
  • Most featuresBUSY · 1 of 5

LedgerSMB scores higher on our rubric for general ledger software: 7.7 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

BUSY offers free plan; LedgerSMB doesn't publish it. BUSY offers multi-entity support; LedgerSMB doesn't publish it.

LedgerSMB is the better fit for businesses needing open-source full accounting. BUSY is the better fit for indian businesses needing GST and inventory depth.

  • LedgerSMB fits best

    Businesses needing open-source full accounting

  • BUSY fits best

    Indian businesses needing GST and inventory depth

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature LedgerSMB 7.7/10 Visit ↗ BUSY 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.7 7.1
Ranking #3 in General Ledger Software #5 in General Ledger Software
Best for Businesses needing open-source full accounting Indian businesses needing GST and inventory depth
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan Not published ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Linux Windows, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Community, Docs Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs · 24/7
Built for Small business, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features LedgerSMB 0/5 · BUSY 1/5
Multi-currency Not published Not published
Multi-entity support Not published ✓ (best)
Period locking Not published Not published
Audit trail Not published Not published
Journal approval Not published Not published
Specs
Included entities Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Covers ledger, invoicing, purchasing, reconciliation, inventory, and assets
  • Imports CAMT.053, OFX, and CSV bank statements
  • Offers multi-currency support, budgeting, and a web services API
  • Free plan includes billing, accounting, inventory and multiple companies
  • GST, e-invoices, e-way bills and reconciliation support
  • Inventory, orders, manufacturing and multi-branch capabilities
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment places hosting responsibility on the business
  • Manufacturing capabilities are positioned as light manufacturing
  • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of simple bookkeeping teams
  • GST is charged separately from the listed plan prices
  • Advanced GST and enterprise features require higher-tier plans
  • Core desktop software is Windows-based, with mobile access via apps
Our verdict

LedgerSMB is an open-source, web-based ERP and accounting application for small and mid-size businesses. It is designed for organizations that need more than basic bookkeeping, combining double-entry general ledger and journal entry with…

Read the review →

BUSY is accounting and GST billing software for small and medium-sized businesses in India. It brings together financial accounting, ledgers, vouchers, financial statements, invoicing, GST compliance, receivables, payables, inventory and…

Read the review →
  1. LedgerSMBGeneral Ledger Software 7.7Open source
  2. BUSYGeneral Ledger Software 7.1Free plan · paid from ₹5,000/yr · 15-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • LedgerSMB — where it wins

    • Covers ledger, invoicing, purchasing, reconciliation, inventory, and assets
    • Imports CAMT.053, OFX, and CSV bank statements
    • Offers multi-currency support, budgeting, and a web services API

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment places hosting responsibility on the business
    • Manufacturing capabilities are positioned as light manufacturing
    • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of simple bookkeeping teams

  • BUSY — where it wins

    • Free plan includes billing, accounting, inventory and multiple companies
    • GST, e-invoices, e-way bills and reconciliation support
    • Inventory, orders, manufacturing and multi-branch capabilities

    Where it doesn't

    • GST is charged separately from the listed plan prices
    • Advanced GST and enterprise features require higher-tier plans
    • Core desktop software is Windows-based, with mobile access via apps
  • LedgerSMB7.7/10 · Open source

    A broad self-hosted accounting suite for businesses that want open-source control.

    Visit LedgerSMBFull verdict →
  • BUSY7.1/10 · Free plan · paid from ₹5,000/yr · 15-day trial

    A broad Indian accounting suite for businesses that need GST, inventory and multi-entity support.

    Visit BUSYFull verdict →

More comparisons

All general ledger software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update