Zoho Books Resource Center
So, you’ve spotted that Zoho Books has a free plan, and the paid plans undercut almost everyone. Fair question: what’s the catch?
I’ve used Zoho Books myself. There isn’t one big catch, but there are a few small ones. This page collects everything on the site about it, so you can find them before you commit.
Is Zoho Books right for you?
Zoho Books gives you a lot of accounting for the money. The trade-off is a busier screen that takes a little longer to learn than Xero or QuickBooks.
Zoho Books is usually a good fit if you:
- are watching your budget but want proper accounting, not just invoicing
- already use Zoho CRM, Zoho Inventory or other Zoho apps
- want inventory without paying for an add-on
You might want to look elsewhere if you:
- want the software most accountants already know (in many countries that’s Xero or QuickBooks)
- need payroll with prices published upfront
- want phone support
Start here
Zoho Books Review
Where Zoho Books beats bigger names, and where it frustrates.
Zoho Books Pricing
Free plan limits, every paid plan, and monthly against annual billing.
Xero vs Zoho Books
The comparison most people searching for Zoho end up needing.
Before you rely on the free plan
Zoho’s free plan has limits on revenue, invoices and users, and they vary by country. Check them against your numbers for the next 12 months, not just today. The best free accounting software guide compares it with the other free options.
How I review Zoho Books
I’m an accountant, so I look at Zoho Books the way I’d look at any set of books: does it keep the records accurate, does reconciliation get quicker, and can your accountant work in it without a fight? A pretty dashboard doesn’t count for much.
Prices and plan limits change, so the pricing guide is the one place on this site where I keep the numbers. If a price ever looks different elsewhere, trust the pricing guide and tell me. You can read how I test accounting software and how I keep pages up to date.
Questions people ask
Is Zoho Books really free?
There’s a genuine free plan, but it’s for small businesses under its revenue and usage limits. Once you pass them, you’ll need a paid plan. The pricing guide lists the current limits.
Is Zoho Books good for accountants?
It’s capable, and you can invite your accountant. Fewer accountants know it than Xero or QuickBooks, though, so ask yours before you choose.
Where to go next
- Best accounting software for small business: my shortlist across every product.
- How to choose accounting software: the questions to answer before you pick anything.
- Accounting Software Resource Center: every review, comparison and guide on the site.