Beancount vs BUSY

Beancount is a double-entry bookkeeping language for recording transactions in text files and producing reports. The `bean-check` command checks ledger files, while `bean-query` extracts tables of data from them. Documentation covers importing files downloaded from financial institutions and automating parts of that process. The `bean-price` tool can retrieve prices for commodities held in accounts, but ledger processing does not fetch prices automatically; reports can therefore run offline and remain deterministic. Beancount supports multiple currencies and documents portfolio export to external tracking websites. Version 3 is identified as the current stable, maintained branch, while version 2 is frozen and obsolete. The v3 guide notes that some tools were removed and that `bean-report` and `bean-web` are deprecated. Installation instructions cover uv, pipx, pip and source, including Windows instructions for v3. Contributed editor support includes Emacs, Sublime Text, Vim and two Visual Studio Code extensions. Beancount is open source under GNU GPLv2 only and has a free plan priced at free; it has no free trial.

BUSY is billing, accounting and business operations software from a company headquartered in New Delhi, India, and founded in 1997. It is available as desktop software and as a cloud-based online version, with hybrid deployment listed. Its modules cover finance, inventory, order management, manufacturing and multiple entities. Inventory tools track items and warehouses and support ordering, batches, serial numbers and reorder levels. GST reconciliation covers GSTR-1, 2A, 2B and 3B, including ITC mismatch tracking. Other listed functions include IRP integration for e-invoices and WhatsApp invoice sharing. The free Express plan includes billing and accounting, invoices, receipts, inventory, multiple companies, reports and financial statements. Paid plans start at ₹5,000 per year, and a 15-day trial does not require a credit card. The mobile app supports reports, orders, quotations, invoices, ledgers, stock and payment reminders. Regular SQL plans include server backups; user access rights and activity logs provide user controls. Support includes 24/7 phone service, email and WhatsApp.