SnS thin films were prepared by chemical bath deposition using an environmentally friendly and economic complexing agent, tartaric acid (C4H6O6) with different concentrations. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that all the deposited films exhibited polycrystalline nature with a predominant plane of (1 1 1) related to an orthorhombic structure. The intensity of the (1 1 1) plane increased with increasing concentration of the complexing agent. Raman spectra of the films showed the characteristic vibrational modes at 94, 160, 191, and 217 cm(-1), corresponding to orthorhombic SnS. SEM micrographs showed homogeneous surfaces with the presence of nut-shaped grains. The optical absorption coefficient for the prepared films was > 10(4) cm(-1), representing that the deposited films showed high absorption. Electrical studies revealed the p-type conducting nature of the deposited films. The SnS solar cell fabricated with a tartaric acid concentration of 1.2 M showed the highest efficiency of 1.62% with an open-circuit voltage of 0.283 V, a short-circuit current density of 13.9 mA cm(-2), and a fill factor of 41.1%.