Tin monosulfide (SnS) thin films were deposited on both soda lime glass (SLG) and Mo-coated SLG substrates by radio-frequency (RF) sputtering at a substrate temperature (T-s) from room temperature (RT) to 420 degrees C. The structural and optical properties were investigated by performing the scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman, and ultraviolet-visible-near infrared spectroscopy measurements. For T-s greater than RT showed the well-defined grain features with increased grain sizes. At 350 degrees C, the films showed the [S/Sn] ratio close to the stoichiometric SnS. The X-ray diffraction studies unveiled the orthorhombic crystal structure of SnS with the (111) preferred orientation for all the T. The Raman analysis confirmed the single phase of SnS without any secondary phases. The optical properties revealed a direct energy bandgap of SnS was around 1.2-1.4 eV and the bandgap decreased with increasing T-s. We fabricated the SnS/CdS heterojunction solar cell with the SnS grown at 350 degrees C. The device with a structure of SLG/Mo/SnS/CdS/i-ZnO/ITO/Ni/Ag exhibited the power conversion efficiency of 0.35% with an open-circuit voltage of 0.143 V, short-circuit current density of 6.7 mA cm(-2), and fill factor of 40.3%.