10 Best Zoho Books Alternatives for 2023

Running a business requires a lot of effort, and one of the most critical aspects is bookkeeping. It helps business owners keep track of their finances and make critical decisions. Zoho Books has been a popular accounting software choice for many businesses, thanks to its intuitive interface, affordability, and robust accounting features. However, it’s prudent to explore other options to Zoho Books at times. Which accounting software you choose for your business ultimately comes down to your specific business requirements. In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best Zoho Books alternatives that you should consider in 2023.

Why Consider Alternatives to Zoho Books?

While we appreciate the robust feature set of Zoho Books, there may be instances when your business needs to consider alternatives. For instance, you may need more advanced features that Zoho Books doesn’t offer, or you may not find the software’s interface user-friendly, or the customer support may not meet your expectations. Whatever the reason for switching from Zoho Books may be, it’s essential to research the best alternatives before selecting one.

One alternative to Zoho Books is QuickBooks Online. QuickBooks Online offers a wide range of features, including inventory management, time tracking, and project management. The software is also user-friendly, making it easy for businesses to navigate and use. Additionally, QuickBooks Online offers excellent customer support, with a dedicated team available to answer any questions or concerns.

Another alternative to Zoho Books is Xero. Xero is a cloud-based accounting software that offers features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and bank reconciliation. The software is known for its user-friendly interface and easy-to-use mobile app. Xero also offers excellent customer support, with a team available to assist with any issues or questions that may arise.

Top Features to Look For in Zoho Books Alternatives

Now that we’ve discussed why you may need to look for Zoho Books alternatives let’s delve into the essential features to look for in them:

• Automation: The accounting software should automate tasks like invoicing, payment reminders, and expense tracking, saving time and reducing errors.
• Scalability: The software should grow with your business and handle increased volume and complexity with ease.
• Security: It should ensure secure access to confidential financial data with multi-factor authentication and encrypted data storage.
• Real-time Financial Reporting: It should provide customizable dashboards, reports, and financial statements, giving you a clear picture of your business’s financial health in real-time.

In addition to the above features, it is also important to consider the pricing and customer support offered by Zoho Books alternatives. Look for software that offers transparent pricing plans with no hidden fees and provides excellent customer support through various channels like phone, email, and chat. It is also beneficial to choose software that integrates with other business tools you use, such as CRM or project management software, to streamline your workflow and increase efficiency.

Quick Comparison of Zoho Books and Its Alternatives

Before we dive into the alternative options in detail, let’s take a quick look at how Zoho Books stacks up against some of the other options available in the market:

Software	Features	Price
Zoho Books	Robust accounting features, workflow automation, project management, inventory management	Starts at $9 per month
Quickbooks	Automated invoicing, payment processing, expense tracking, and income statements	Starts at $25 per month
Xero	Online invoicing and quotes, bank reconciliation, inventory management, and multi-currency support	Starts at $11 per month
Wave	Accounting, invoicing, and receipts, payment tracking.	Free

It’s important to note that while Zoho Books may have a lower starting price point than some of its competitors, it may not be the best fit for every business. For example, if your business requires advanced reporting or integration with other software, you may need to consider a more expensive option like Quickbooks. On the other hand, if you’re a small business with basic accounting needs, Wave’s free option may be the perfect fit. It’s important to evaluate your business’s specific needs and budget when choosing an accounting software.

Best Zoho Books Alternative for Small Businesses

If you’re running a small business and looking for affordable accounting software, here are the best alternatives to Zoho Books to consider:

QuickBooks Online

Quickbooks is a popular accounting software choice for businesses of all sizes. However, it serves small businesses exceptionally well by handling invoicing, payment processing, expense tracking, and income reporting with ease. Quickbooks also offers mobile apps that can access financial data on the go, making it ideal for small businesses that need to work remotely. Additionally, Quickbooks allows users to invite their accountants or bookkeepers for collaborative work.

Xero

Xero is another great alternative to Zoho Books for small businesses. It offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features, including invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and inventory management. Xero also integrates with over 800 third-party apps, making it easy to connect with other business tools you may be using. One of the standout features of Xero is its ability to handle multi-currency transactions, which is particularly useful for businesses that operate internationally.

Wave

Wave is a free accounting software that is perfect for small businesses that are just starting out. It offers a range of features, including invoicing, expense tracking, and receipt scanning. Wave also integrates with payment processing tools, allowing you to accept credit card payments directly from your invoices. While Wave may not have as many features as some of the other options on this list, it is a great choice for small businesses that are looking for a simple, easy-to-use accounting solution that won’t break the bank.

Best Zoho Books Alternative for Mid-Sized Companies

If you are a mid-sized company, you may require more advanced features than that offered in regular accounting software. Here are your best options:

Freshbooks

Freshbooks is a cloud-based accounting software that supports up to 500 clients, making it an ideal choice for mid-sized businesses. It allows users to create invoicing, track expenses, and handle time tracking with ease. Freshbooks also integrates with numerous third-party applications, including Paypal, Dropbox, and GSuite, among others. With Freshbooks, you can also get reports of your business performance by setting the date ranges, tracking the payment progress of your invoices, and generating expense reports.

Xero

Xero is another cloud-based accounting software that is suitable for mid-sized companies. It offers features such as invoicing, expense tracking, inventory management, and payroll processing. Xero also integrates with over 800 third-party applications, including Shopify, Stripe, and Square, among others. With Xero, you can also generate financial reports, such as balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow statements, to help you make informed business decisions.

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online is a popular accounting software that is suitable for mid-sized companies. It offers features such as invoicing, expense tracking, inventory management, and payroll processing. QuickBooks Online also integrates with over 650 third-party applications, including Salesforce, Shopify, and PayPal, among others. With QuickBooks Online, you can also generate financial reports, such as balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow statements, to help you make informed business decisions. Additionally, QuickBooks Online offers a mobile app that allows you to manage your finances on the go.

Best Zoho Books Alternative for Large Enterprises

For large enterprises, there may be a need for an accounting software that caters to the more advanced features they require. The following alternatives to Zoho Books are tailored towards meeting the needs of these businesses:

NetSuite

NetSuite is a cloud-based accounting software that offers a comprehensive business suite, including finance management, e-commerce, supply chain management, and payroll processing, among others. It’s an ideal choice for businesses that need to handle numerous tasks with a single application seamlessly. It offers advanced financial controls, sophisticated revenue management, and an audit trail. However, it is slightly pricier than the other alternatives to Zoho Books.

QuickBooks Enterprise

QuickBooks Enterprise is another alternative to Zoho Books that is designed for large enterprises. It offers advanced features such as inventory management, advanced pricing, and reporting, and job costing. It also has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to use. QuickBooks Enterprise is a popular choice for businesses that need to manage their finances and operations efficiently.

Oracle NetSuite

Oracle NetSuite is a cloud-based accounting software that offers a complete suite of business applications, including financial management, inventory management, and order management. It is designed for businesses of all sizes, including large enterprises. Oracle NetSuite offers advanced features such as real-time financial reporting, multi-currency support, and advanced revenue recognition. It is a powerful alternative to Zoho Books that can help businesses streamline their operations and improve their financial management.

Cloud-Based vs On-Premise Alternatives to Zoho Books

When choosing accounting software, another critical consideration is whether to opt for cloud-based or on-premise solutions. Cloud-based accounting software offers numerous benefits, including scalability, affordability, and data security. On-premise, software, on the other hand, provides greater customization and control over the software and infrastructure. We recommend cloud-based solutions for small and mid-sized businesses since they are more affordable. Large enterprises may prefer on-premise solutions as they have more advanced features.

One of the significant advantages of cloud-based accounting software is that it allows for remote access to financial data. This feature is particularly useful for businesses with multiple locations or remote workers. With cloud-based software, employees can access financial data from anywhere, at any time, as long as they have an internet connection. This feature can significantly improve collaboration and productivity within a business.

Another benefit of cloud-based accounting software is that it is typically easier to set up and use than on-premise solutions. Cloud-based software providers usually offer user-friendly interfaces and provide customer support to help businesses get started. On-premise solutions, on the other hand, require more technical expertise to set up and maintain, which can be a challenge for small businesses with limited IT resources.

Top Free Alternatives to Zoho Books in 2023

While we all love using free software, it’s essential to remember that they may not have all the advanced features you need. Here are some free alternatives to Zoho Books that you can consider:

Wave

Wave is an entirely free accounting software that includes invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning. It’s an ideal choice for freelancers and small businesses. It also allows businesses to add employees for payroll processing for an additional cost. Wave also offers affordable payment processing fees, saving businesses more money in the long run.

GnuCash

GnuCash is a free and open-source accounting software that is suitable for personal and small business use. It offers features such as double-entry accounting, invoicing, and financial reports. GnuCash also supports multiple currencies and can import data from other accounting software. It’s a great option for those who want a free and customizable accounting solution.

Best Paid Alternatives to Zoho Books in 2023

If you are willing to spend money on accounting software, you may want to explore these best-paid alternatives to Zoho Books:

QuickBooks Online Plus

Quickbooks Online offers multiple pricing options depending on the features that you need. QuickBooks Online Plus is the most comprehensive option that includes additional features like inventory management, 1099 reporting, and project management. With this plan, users can set user permissions and invoice multiple customers at once.

Xero

Xero is another popular accounting software that offers a range of features for small businesses. With Xero, users can manage invoices, expenses, and inventory, as well as track time and create purchase orders. The software also integrates with over 800 third-party apps, making it easy to connect with other business tools.

Wave

Wave is a free accounting software that offers a range of features for small businesses. However, for more advanced features, users can upgrade to Wave’s paid plan, which includes features like recurring invoicing, automatic payment reminders, and bank payment integration. Wave also offers a range of add-ons, such as payroll and bookkeeping services, to help businesses manage their finances more efficiently.

How to Choose the Right Alternative to Zoho Books for Your Business Needs

Before selecting the best accounting software to meet your business needs, consider the following:

• Budget: Determine the amount of money that you are willing to spend on accounting software.
• Features: Determine which features are critical to your business’s accounting needs. Review the software features closely to ensure they meet your specific business requirements.
• Scalability: Consider whether the software can grow alongside your business and handle increased volume and complexity.
• Customer support: Determine whether the software offers adequate customer support and how responsive the support team is.

Pros and Cons of Each of the 10 Best Alternatives to Zoho Books

Here are some of the pros and cons of each of the 10 best alternatives to Zoho Books:

QuickBooks Online

• Pros: Robust accounting features, excellent support, affordable pricing.
• Cons: May be complex for some users.

Xero

• Pros: Robust accounting features, affordable pricing, intuitive user interface.
• Cons: Limited integrations with third-party applications.

FreshBooks

• Pros: User friendly, invoicing, and expense tracking, affordable pricing.
• Cons: Lacks advanced features for businesses with complex operations.

Wave

• Pros: Completely free, payroll processing, user-friendly interface.
• Cons: Limited feature set, may not accommodate complex operations.

NetSuite

• Pros: Comprehensive suite of accounting features, exceptional scalability, and advanced control settings.
• Cons: Expensive, steep learning curve, and may not be ideal for small businesses.

Best Accounting Software for E-commerce Businesses as an Alternative to Zoho Books

If you are running an e-commerce business, the following accounting software is a smart choice:

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks online is an ideal choice for e-commerce businesses. It offers expense tracking, payment processing, and inventory management, allowing you to track your cash flow and inventory in real-time. QuickBooks Online also allows integration with leading e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Shopify, among others. With these integrations, you can track payouts automatically and avoid manual syncing of data.

How Each Alternative Integrates with Other Business Software and Apps

When selecting accounting software, consider how well each option integrates with your business’s other software and apps. For instance, does the accounting software integrate with your CRM software or payment processing system?

• QuickBooks Online: Integrates with a wide range of third-party software, including PayPal, Shopify, Salesforce, and T-Sheets, among others.
• Xero: Integrates with over 700 third-party apps, including HubSpot, Square, and Shopify.
• FreshBooks: Offers integration with G Suite, Paypal, and HubSpot, among others.
• Wave: Offers integration with Paypal, Stripe, and Zapier, among others.
• NetSuite: Offers integration with numerous third-party apps, including Salesforce, Shopify, and T-sheets.

Customer Support Comparison: How Do the 10 Best Alternatives Stack Up Against Each Other?

Customer support is an essential aspect of every software. Choose accounting software that offers good customer support and multiple means of reaching them. Let’s take a look at how the ten best alternatives to Zoho Books stack up against each other.

Software	Customer Support Channels
Zoho Books	Phone, email, live chat, and knowledgebase
QuickBooks Online	Phone, email, live chat, and knowledgebase
Xero	Phone, email, and knowledgebase
FreshBooks	Phone, email, live chat, and knowledgebase
Wave	Email and knowledgebase
NetSuite	Phone, email, and knowledgebase

Well, there you have it, a comprehensive guide on the best alternatives to Zoho Books. Remember, when choosing the accounting software for your business, consider your business’s specific requirements and opt for a software that meets your needs. We hope this guide has been helpful in making your decision-making process smoother and informed.