Question 1

How is MargBooks different from Marg Software, and which should I use?

Accepted Answer

Marg Software is a Windows-only desktop ERP that must be installed on a computer. It runs locally and requires a Marg authorized dealer for installation, configuration, and updates. MargBooks is the cloud version — it works in a web browser and on a mobile app, with subscription-based pricing instead of a one-time licence fee. MargBooks carries forward much of Marg ERP's design philosophy: it is feature-rich and built for distribution businesses in pharma and FMCG. The interface, while cloud-hosted, feels like the desktop ERP in a browser — multi-level menus, master configurations, and ERP-style workflows. If you are a pharma wholesaler, FMCG distributor, or medium-sized trading company that needs scheme management, beat planning, or drug batch tracking, MargBooks (or Marg ERP) is designed for you. If you run a retail shop or general wholesale business that needs billing, stock tracking, and GST without ERP complexity, Stock Register is a better fit — simpler, mobile-first, and significantly cheaper.

Question 2

Is MargBooks good for small businesses?

Accepted Answer

MargBooks is a capable product, but its design and pricing are optimised for medium to large distribution businesses — pharma wholesalers, FMCG distributors, and multi-branch trading companies. For these businesses, MargBooks is a strong choice. For small retail shops, hardware stores, electronics retailers, or general wholesale businesses, MargBooks has two main drawbacks. First, the pricing — starting at ₹5,400/year and going up to ₹29,700/year — is significantly higher than what small businesses typically budget for billing software. Second, the interface complexity inherited from Marg ERP means your staff needs training and time to get comfortable with daily operations. Small businesses that need billing, GST invoicing, godown management, and basic inventory tracking will find Stock Register more appropriate — it is designed specifically for this segment, with plans starting at ₹900/year and a self-service setup that takes under 10 minutes.

Question 3

Why is Stock Register so much cheaper than MargBooks?

Accepted Answer

MargBooks is priced for distribution businesses where the software is a mission-critical operational tool with many users, complex workflows, and industry-specific features. The pricing reflects the product's scope, the target customer's willingness to pay, and the support infrastructure behind it. Stock Register is a focused billing and inventory app built for small and medium retail and wholesale shops. It covers what these businesses actually need — GST billing, godown management, item ledger, barcode scanning, and stock reports — without the full ERP feature set built for large distributors. Lower scope means lower development and support costs, which translates directly to lower pricing. Stock Register's Advance Plus plan at ₹3,600/year includes unlimited godowns, item ledger, barcode scanning, batch tracking, and 3 staff accounts. That is ₹1,800 less per year than MargBooks' starting plan, and up to ₹26,100 less per year than their top-tier plan. You get more features relevant to a general shop at a significantly lower cost.

Question 4

Can Stock Register replace MargBooks for inventory management?

Accepted Answer

For general retail and wholesale businesses, yes — Stock Register covers everything you need for inventory management. Unlimited godowns with transfer tracking, item-wise ledger showing every purchase and sale, barcode scanning for fast billing and stock updates, batch and expiry tracking, low stock alerts, and detailed godown-wise reports. Where MargBooks has an advantage is in industry-specific features for pharma and FMCG distribution: drug licence number on invoices, schedule H/H1 tracking, auto scheme calculation for FMCG promotions, salesman beat planning, and retailer order management. These are powerful features for distribution businesses but irrelevant for most general shops. If you are not in pharma or FMCG distribution, Stock Register can replace MargBooks and handle your inventory needs fully. If your business depends on pharma compliance features or FMCG scheme management, MargBooks is the more appropriate tool.

Question 5

How do I migrate from MargBooks to Stock Register?

Accepted Answer

The migration process is straightforward and most businesses complete it in 2-3 hours. Here are the steps: Step 1: Log in to MargBooks and export your item master and party master to Excel files. Also download your current stock position report to use as opening balances. If you need help with the export steps, MargBooks support can guide you. Step 2: Download Stock Register on your Android phone or open the web version in a browser. Set up your business profile, GST number, and godown configuration. This takes about 10 minutes and requires no dealer or support call. Step 3: Use Stock Register's bulk upload feature to import your items and party list from the Excel files. Map the columns to Stock Register's fields — the system guides you through the mapping. Enter your current stock quantities as opening balances per godown. Set minimum stock levels for low stock alerts. You are now ready to bill. We recommend doing this migration during the 7-day free trial so you can test everything thoroughly before committing. Stock Register's support team is available on WhatsApp if you need help at any step.

Question 6

Does Stock Register work on mobile like MargBooks?

Accepted Answer

Stock Register's Android app offers full functionality — not a limited version. You can create sales and purchase bills, manage godown stock, do barcode scanning, view item ledger, transfer stock between godowns, check low stock alerts, and access all reports from your phone. Everything that works on the web version works on the Android app. MargBooks has an Android app, but many users report that it offers a subset of the features available in the browser version. Operations like detailed stock reports, scheme management, and some billing features work better or only on the web. For businesses where the owner or staff operates primarily from a phone, this is a significant limitation. Stock Register was built as a mobile-first cloud app from day one. The mobile experience is not an afterthought or a companion feature — it is the primary way many users run their business.

Question 7

Is MargBooks better than Stock Register for pharma businesses?

Accepted Answer

Yes, MargBooks is better than Stock Register for pharma distribution businesses. MargBooks has dedicated features for the pharmaceutical industry: drug licence number printing on invoices, Schedule H and H1 drug tracking, batch-wise expiry management with compliance reporting, and integration with pharma distributor workflows. Stock Register supports batch tracking and expiry date management, which are useful for any business dealing with perishable or batch-tracked goods. However, it does not have pharma-specific compliance features like drug licence management or schedule drug classification. For a pharmaceutical wholesaler or C&F agent, MargBooks or Marg ERP is the appropriate tool. For a general medical store that needs billing and basic batch/expiry tracking without full pharma compliance features, Stock Register can work well. The decision depends on the level of pharma compliance your business requires.

Question 8

Can my staff learn Stock Register quickly after using MargBooks?

Accepted Answer

Yes — in fact, most staff who have struggled with MargBooks find Stock Register noticeably easier to pick up. MargBooks uses an ERP-style interface with multi-step workflows, master configurations, and accounting terminology. Staff who are not trained accountants or ERP users often need ongoing guidance. Stock Register follows a straightforward workflow designed for shop staff: open billing, search or scan item, enter quantity, print invoice. The godown management, stock transfer, and reporting screens are similarly direct. There are no voucher types, no ledger groups, and no accounting concepts that non-accountant staff need to understand. New staff members at businesses that have switched from MargBooks to Stock Register typically start billing independently within a few hours. The mobile app, being full-featured, also means staff can use their own phones rather than needing access to a shared computer.

Question 9

Does Stock Register need a dealer or reseller for setup?

Accepted Answer

No. Stock Register is fully self-service. Download the app or open the web version, sign up with your phone number, enter your business details, and you are ready to configure. There is no dealer, reseller, or support call required to get started. MargBooks, by contrast, has an ecosystem of Marg authorized dealers who handle setup, training, and configuration for customers. While this dealer network is helpful for complex distribution setups, it adds cost and dependency for smaller businesses. Any configuration change, new module, or troubleshooting step may require involving the dealer. With Stock Register, you are always in control. Add a new godown, change invoice settings, update item prices, or add a staff member — all without calling anyone. Support is available on WhatsApp if you need help, but the app is designed so you rarely need to reach out.

Question 10

What happens to my MargBooks data if I switch to Stock Register?

Accepted Answer

Your data in MargBooks stays in MargBooks — switching to Stock Register does not delete or affect your existing MargBooks account. You can continue accessing historical data in MargBooks even after you stop using it for active billing. For ongoing operations, you migrate the data you need into Stock Register: your item catalogue, party list, and current stock balances. Historical transactions (old invoices, purchase records) do not need to be migrated — they remain accessible in your MargBooks account for reference. Before switching, export copies of your important data from MargBooks to Excel as a local backup. This gives you permanent access to historical records regardless of your subscription status with MargBooks. Stock Register also allows you to export all your data to Excel at any time, so you always have a portable backup of your business records.

Feature	Stock Register from ₹900/year	MargBooks Online ₹5,400 to ₹29,700/year
Simple Interface for Shop Owners	Designed for shop owners, not ERP users	ERP-style interface, complex to navigate
Full Mobile App	Complete billing and stock on Android	App has limited features vs web version
Self-Service Setup	Ready in 10 minutes, no dealer needed	May need Marg dealer support for setup
Staff Learning Time	New staff ready in hours	Needs training to operate independently
Godown Management	Unlimited godowns with transfer tracking	Available, multi-godown supported
Barcode Support	Scan to bill and manage stock	Available in higher-tier plans only
Item Ledger	Full movement history per product	Available with detailed tracking
GST Billing	Full GST support with multiple formats	Full GST support
Pharma-Specific Features	Not focused on pharma distribution	Drug batch, DL number, schedule tracking
FMCG Scheme Management	Not available	Auto scheme calculation supported
Batch and Expiry Tracking	Batch-wise stock with expiry alerts	Full batch and expiry tracking
Offline Mode	Works offline on Android, syncs later	Cloud-dependent, limited offline use
Cloud-Native Design	Built for cloud and mobile from day one	Adapted from desktop ERP for browser
Price (per year)	₹900 to ₹3,600/year	₹5,400 to ₹29,700/year

MargBooks Feels Like a Desktop ERP in a Browser. There Is a Simpler Way.

Stock Register vs MargBooks Online — Full Feature Comparison

The Verdict: Stock Register vs MargBooks Online

Choose Stock Register if:

Stay with MargBooks Online if:

What Stock Register does better than MargBooks Online

Built for Shop Owners, Not ERP Operators

Full Features on Mobile — Not a Lite Version

Save ₹4,500 to ₹26,100 Every Year

Self-Service Setup in 10 Minutes

Inventory Management That Actually Fits Your Business

True Cloud-Native with Offline Capability

Pricing: Stock Register vs MargBooks Online

Stock Register

MargBooks Online

Try Stock Register free for 7 days

Stock Register vs MargBooks Online — Common Questions