Introduction
Running a kirana store or small shop in India comes with unique challenges. You need to manage inventory, track customer credit, handle GST, and serve customers quickly - often with limited budget and space. The right billing machine can solve many of these problems.
But with so many options from ₹3,000 to ₹50,000, how do you choose? This guide explores the best billing machine solutions for kirana stores and small shops in India, with a focus on affordability and practicality.
What Kirana Stores Actually Need
Before buying any billing machine, understand what your shop actually needs:
Essential Requirements
- Fast billing - Quick checkout during rush hours
- Inventory tracking - Know what's in stock
- Customer khata - Manage credit/dues
- GST compliance - Proper tax invoices
- Easy to use - No technical knowledge needed
Nice to Have
- Barcode scanning & printing - Scan existing barcodes and print your own barcode labels
- Receipt printing - Paper receipts for customers
- Reports - Sales and profit tracking
- WhatsApp sharing - Digital receipts
Best Billing Solutions for Kirana Stores
1. BillingFast on Smartphone - Best Budget Option
The Solution: BillingFast app on your existing Android phone
What You Get:
- Complete billing system
- Inventory management
- Customer credit tracking
- GST-compliant invoices
- 45+ business reports
- WhatsApp bill sharing
- QR code for UPI payments
Cost: Free trial to start, then affordable subscription plans
Best For: New shops starting out, shops with low footfall, testing before investing more.
How to Start:
- Download BillingFast from Play Store
- Register with phone number
- Add your products
- Start billing!
2. BillingFast + Bluetooth Printer - Best Value
The Solution: BillingFast app + small thermal printer
What You Get:
- Everything from Option 1
- Plus printed receipts
- Professional appearance
- Faster customer checkout
Cost: ₹2,500-4,000 (printer) + subscription after free trial
Best For: Small kirana stores, shops wanting printed receipts, budget-conscious owners.
3. Tablet + Printer Setup - Best for Busy Stores
The Solution: Android tablet + BillingFast + thermal printer
What You Get:
- Large screen for easy billing
- Faster product selection
- Better visibility
- Professional billing counter
- All BillingFast features
Cost: ₹12,000-20,000
Best For: Busy kirana stores, shops with counter space, multiple products to manage.
4. Complete POS System - Best for High Volume
The Solution: Full POS setup with all hardware
What You Get:
- Tablet/touchscreen
- Barcode scanner
- Receipt printer
- Cash drawer
- Complete billing ecosystem
Cost: ₹20,000-25,000
Best For: High footfall stores, stores with many barcoded products, shops with multiple staff members, mini supermarkets.
5. Traditional Billing Machines - Alternative Option
The Solution: All-in-one dedicated billing machines
Popular Options:
- TVS PT262 - ₹18,000 - Basic billing, built-in printer
- WeP BP 2100 - ₹22,000 - Billing, inventory
- WeP BP Joy - ₹12,000 - Simple billing
Pros: Single device, durable hardware, simple operation
Cons: Expensive for features offered, limited functionality, no mobile access, rarely updated, poor support
Our Recommendation: Unless you specifically want traditional hardware, smartphone/tablet solutions offer much better value.
Cost Comparison Summary
Here's how the different solutions compare in terms of total cost:
- BillingFast (Phone only) - Setup: ₹0, Yearly: ₹3,588 (after free trial), Year 1: ₹3,588
- BillingFast + Printer - Setup: ₹3,000, Yearly: ₹3,588, Year 1: ₹6,588
- Tablet + Printer - Setup: ₹15,000, Yearly: ₹3,588, Year 1: ₹18,588
- Full POS Setup - Setup: ₹22,000, Yearly: ₹3,588, Year 1: ₹25,588
- Traditional Machine - Setup: ₹18,000, Monthly: ₹0, Year 1: ₹18,000
Winner: BillingFast solutions offer the best value at every price point.
Features That Matter for Small Shops
1. Khata/Credit Management
Many kirana customers buy on credit. Your billing system should:
- Record dues against customers
- Track partial payments
- Send WhatsApp reminders
- Show total outstanding
BillingFast: Full khata management included
2. Stock Tracking
Know what's in your store:
- Automatic stock updates on sales
- Low stock alerts
- Stock value reports
- Purchase recording
BillingFast: Complete inventory management included
3. GST Compliance
Legal requirement for most businesses:
- GST-compliant invoice format
- Automatic tax calculations
- HSN codes support
- GST reports
BillingFast: GST billing included
4. WhatsApp Sharing
Modern customers prefer digital:
- Send bills via WhatsApp
- Save paper
- Customer has record
- Payment reminders
BillingFast: One-tap WhatsApp sharing
How to Choose the Right Solution
Consider Your Daily Customers
BillingFast is built to handle any volume - whether you serve 100, 500, or 1000+ customers daily. With full POS support, it scales with your business:
- Under 50 customers/day: Phone + BillingFast works perfectly
- 50-200 customers/day: Phone/Tablet + Printer for faster checkout + BillingFast
- 200-500 customers/day: Tablet + Printer + Barcode Scanner + BillingFast
- 500-1000+ customers/day: Full POS Setup - BillingFast handles high volume easily
Consider Your Budget
- ₹0-3,000: Phone + BillingFast (start with free trial)
- ₹3,000-10,000: Phone + Bluetooth Printer
- ₹10,000-20,000: Tablet + Printer
- ₹20,000+: Complete POS
Consider Your Products
- Loose items (atta, dal): Basic billing - Phone works
- Mix of loose + packed: Phone/Tablet + Printer
- Mostly barcoded: Add barcode scanner - BillingFast supports scanning
- Need custom barcodes: BillingFast can print barcode labels for your products
- All barcoded: Full POS recommended
Setting Up Your Kirana Billing System
Week 1: Start Simple
Day 1: Download BillingFast, create account, add shop details
Day 2-3: Add your top 50 products, set prices and stock
Day 4-7: Start billing, get comfortable with the app, add more products gradually
Week 2: Add Hardware (If Needed)
If you need receipts:
- Research printers
- Buy Bluetooth thermal printer
- Connect to BillingFast
- Start printing receipts
Week 2+: Grow as Needed
- Add barcode scanner for faster billing - BillingFast supports barcode scanning
- Print custom barcode labels for products without barcodes
- Upgrade to tablet for better view
- Add cash drawer for staff
- Subscribe to BillingFast Premium for advanced features
Real Cost Savings with BillingFast
Vs. Traditional Billing Machine
- Hardware: Traditional ₹18,000 vs BillingFast ₹0-15,000
- Software: Traditional ₹0-5,000/year vs BillingFast ₹3,588/year
- Updates: Traditional Paid vs BillingFast Included
- Support: Traditional Extra vs BillingFast Included
- 3-Year Total: Traditional ₹25,000-40,000 vs BillingFast ₹10,000-25,000
Savings: ₹15,000-30,000 over 3 years
Vs. No Billing System
Benefits you can't put a price on:
- Time saved per day: 1-2 hours
- Reduced stock losses: 5-10% inventory
- Better credit collection: 15-20% improvement
- Business insights: Informed decisions
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest billing machine for kirana store?
The most affordable solution is BillingFast on your existing smartphone - start with a free trial and then choose an affordable subscription plan that fits your needs.
Do I need to buy special hardware?
No. BillingFast works on any Android or iOS phone you already have. Add printer only if you want paper receipts.
Does BillingFast offer a free trial?
Yes. BillingFast offers a free trial so you can experience all features - billing, inventory, customer management, and reports. After the trial, affordable subscription plans are available.
Can I manage customer udhar (credit)?
Yes. BillingFast has built-in khata management - track dues, record payments, send reminders.
Can my staff use it easily?
Yes. BillingFast is designed to be simple. Most users learn it in under 30 minutes. Available in Hindi too.
Is my data safe?
Yes. BillingFast uses secure cloud storage with automatic backups. Your data is safe even if your phone is lost.
Conclusion
For kirana stores and small shops in India, BillingFast offers the best billing machine solution:
- Affordable: Free trial to start, then budget-friendly plans
- Easy: No training needed
- Complete: Billing + Inventory + Credit + Barcode printing & scanning
- Scalable: Handles 100, 500, or 1000+ customers daily with full POS support
- Flexible: Phone, tablet, or computer
- Supported: 24/7 help in Hindi/English
Start your free trial today. Use your existing phone. Add hardware only when you're ready.
Ready to transform your kirana store billing? Download BillingFast now - available on iOS and Android. Start your free trial today!