Puzzle IO vs Zoho Books: Best Accounting Software in 2025?

by | Last updated May 4, 2025

Winner
Puzzle IO Best
9.0
  • Financial Insights
  • Tax Compliance
  • Bookkeeping Services
  • Partner Ecosystem
  • Accrual Automation
  • Free plan available
  • Paid plans from $21.25/month
Runner Up
zoho books
7.0
  • Invoicing
  • Sales Orders
  • Bills
  • Zoho Ecosystem
  • Smart Automations
  • Free trial available
  • Paid Plans from $10/month
Puzzle IO vs Zoho Books

Are you trying to figure out which accounting software is the best for your business? 

It can be tough with so many choices out there. 

Puzzle IO and Zoho Books are two popular options.

But how do you know which one fits your needs best? We get it. 

In this article, we’ll compare Puzzle IO vs Zoho Books to help you make the right decision. 

Overview

Choosing the right accounting software is a big deal for any business.

We’ve taken a close look at both Puzzle IO and Zoho Books.

Putting them through their paces to see how they stack up. 

Puzzle io

Ready to simplify your finances? See how Puzzle IO can save you up to 20 hours a month.

9out of 10

Pricing: Free Plan available. Paid plan starts at $21.25/month.

Key Features:

  • Advanced Reporting
  • Customizable Dashboards
  • Project Accounting
Zoho Books cta

Harness the power of your financial data. Unlock key insights with your Zoho Books data today.

7out of 10

Pricing: It has a free trial. The premium plan starts at $10/month.

Key Features:

  • Client Portal
  • Project Billing
  • Inventory Management

What is Puzzle IO?

So, Puzzle IO, what’s it all about?

Think of it as accounting software designed to keep things simple.

It’s got the tools you need to manage your money without a ton of complicated stuff.

Also, explore our favorite Puzzle IO alternatives…

Puzzle io
Puzzle io
9.0

Ready to simplify your finances? See how Puzzle io can save you up to 20 hours a month. Start your free trial today and experience the difference.

Key Benefits

Puzzle IO really shines when it comes to helping you understand where your business is headed.

  • 92% of users report better financial forecasting accuracy.
  • Get real-time insights into your cash flow.
  • Easily create different financial scenarios to plan.
  • Collaborate seamlessly with your team on financial goals.
  • Track key performance indicators (KPIs) in one place.

Pricing

  • Free: $0
  • Basic: $21.25
  • Starter: $42.50
  • Pro: $85
  • Advanced: Custom
Puzzle io

Pros

  • Love the strong focus on planning.
  • Forecasting tools are impressive.
  • Real-time data is super helpful.
  • Collaboration features work quite well.
  • Interface feels pretty intuitive.

Cons

  • It might be overkill for very small setups.
  • Integration options could be broader.
  • Customer support response time varies.

What is Zoho Books?

Now, let’s talk about Zoho Books.

It’s another popular choice for business accounting.

This software offers a wider range of features.

It can handle more complex needs as your business grows.

Also, explore our favorite Zoho Books alternatives…

Zoho Books cta
Zoho Books
7.0

Harness the power of your financial data. Unlock key insights with your Zoho Books data today.

Key Benefits

Zoho Books shines with its 5 key strengths:

  • It smoothly connects with over 40 other Zoho apps.
  • You can send professional invoices in just a few clicks.
  • It helps you track all the money coming in and going out.
  • Collaborating with your team is super easy.
  • Their reports give you clear insights into your business health.

Pricing

Zoho Books has different plans to fit different needs:

  • Free: $0/month
  • Standard: $10/month
  • Professional: $20/month
  • Premium: $30/month
Zoho Books pricing

Pros

  • It works well with other Zoho apps.
  • Making invoices is really fast.
  • Tracking money is quite simple.
  • Teamwork feels very smooth.
  • Reports are easy to understand.

Cons

  • The basic plan has limited users.
  • Some advanced features cost extra.
  • It might feel complex at first.

Feature Comparison

Let’s break down how Puzzle IO and Zoho Books stack up.

We’ll compare key features to help you determine which accounting software for small businesses best meets your needs.

This will help you manage your finances and gain better financial management.

1. Core Accounting

  • Puzzle IO: Offers a solid set of core accounting features, including invoicing, expense tracking, and bank reconciliation. It aims to simplify basic accounting tasks.
  • Zoho Books: Provides comprehensive core accounting, with added features like bill management and vendor credits. It’s a robust accounting solution for businesses with more complex needs.
Puzzle io

2. User Interface

  • Puzzle IO: Designed with a user-friendly interface. It’s clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate, making it a good accounting tool for those new to accounting.
  • Zoho Books: Offers a functional interface, but it can feel a bit crowded due to the extensive feature set. It might require a steeper learning curve.

3. Automation

  • Puzzle IO: Automates essential tasks like invoice reminders and expense categorization, helping to streamline workflows.
  • Zoho Books: Offers strong automation capabilities, including recurring invoices, payment reminders, and bank feed automation.

4. Reporting

  • Puzzle IO: Generates standard financial reports, such as profit and loss statements and balance sheets, providing insights into your financial health.
  • Zoho Books: Delivers in-depth financial reports, including customizable options and real-time insights into cash flow.

5. Integrations

  • Puzzle IO: Offers a limited number of integrations, focusing on essential business tools.
  • Zoho Books: Integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps (like Zoho CRM and Zoho Inventory) and a wide range of third-party applications.
Zoho Books record expense

6. Scalability

  • Puzzle IO: Suitable for small to medium-sized businesses with basic accounting needs.
  • Zoho Books: Designed to scale with your business, offering plans that can accommodate growth and increasing complexity, rivaling Sage Accounting, QuickBooks, and FreshBooks.

7. User Interface and Usability

  • Puzzle IO: The interface is clean and functional, but might be perceived as less visually polished compared to LastPass or Dashlane. However, its usability is generally praised for being straightforward and efficient. You can find helpful screenshots online.
  • Zoho Books: Aims for a more intuitive and user-friendly interface. Many user reviews highlight its ease of use, especially for beginners. You can find screenshots that showcase its design. Its usability is a key strength.

What to Look For When Choosing Accounting Software?

Here are some key things to consider:

  • Specific Features: Does it have what your business actually needs (e.g., inventory, project billing)?
  • Ease of Use: Will you and your team find it intuitive, or will there be a steep learning curve?
  • Scalability: Can the software grow with your business without requiring a complete switch later?
  • Integrations: Does it connect with the other crucial tools you already use?
  • Support: What kind of customer support is available if you run into issues?
  • Cost: Does the pricing align with your budget, both now and in the future?
  • Mobile Access: Can you manage your finances on the go if needed?
  • Security: How secure is your sensitive financial data with this software?

Final Verdict (Our Pick)

Okay, so we’ve looked closely at Puzzle IO and Zoho Books.

If you’re a really small business or just starting out, Zoho Books has a great free accounting software plan.

It also has a wide range of integrations, which is super helpful as you grow.

While Puzzle IO is easy to use, Zoho Books accounting offers more for the long run.

It can handle more complex stuff and gives you a bigger range of accounting tools.

We lean towards Zoho Books as the better cloud-based accounting choice for most businesses.

Looking beyond basic needs, vs FreshBooks or simple solutions. 

We’ve done the homework, so you can feel good about checking out Zoho Books!

More of Puzzle IO

  • Puzzle IO vs Dext: Dext excels at data capture from receipts and invoices.
  • Puzzle IO vs Xero: Xero offers a wider range of integrations and scalability.
  • Puzzle IO vs Synder: Synder specializes in e-commerce accounting automation.
  • Puzzle IO vs Easy Month End: Easy Month End focuses on streamlining month-end closing processes.
  • Puzzle IO vs Docyt: Docyt automates bookkeeping using AI and document management.
  • Puzzle IO vs RefreshMe: RefreshMe is tailored for automated financial reporting and analysis.
  • Puzzle IO vs Sage: Sage provides robust enterprise-level accounting solutions.
  • Puzzle IO vs Wave: Wave offers free accounting software with basic features for small businesses.
  • Puzzle IO vs Quicken: Quicken is designed for personal finance and small business management.
  • Puzzle IO vs Hubdoc: Hubdoc automates document collection and data entry for bookkeeping.
  • Puzzle IO vs Expensify: Expensify specializes in automated expense reporting and management.
  • Puzzle IO vs QuickBooks: QuickBooks is a popular choice for small businesses with extensive features.
  • Puzzle IO vs AutoEntry: AutoEntry automates data entry from invoices, receipts, and bank statements.
  • Puzzle IO vs FreshBooks: FreshBooks focuses on invoicing and project management for freelancers.
  • Puzzle IO vs NetSuite: NetSuite is a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution.

More of Zoho Books

  • Zoho Books vs Dext: Dext excels in extracting and organizing data from financial documents efficiently.
  • Zoho Books vs Xero: Xero boasts a strong ecosystem with numerous integrations and a user-friendly interface.
  • Zoho Books vs Synder: Synder provides specialized automation for e-commerce accounting and multi-channel sales.
  • Zoho Books vs Easy Month End: Easy Month End focuses specifically on simplifying and automating month-end closing tasks.
  • Zoho Books vs Docyt: Docyt utilizes AI to automate bookkeeping tasks and manage financial documents intelligently.
  • Zoho Books vs RefreshMe: RefreshMe is designed for automated financial reporting and insightful business analytics.
  • Zoho Books vs Sage: Sage offers well-established accounting solutions catering to a wide range of business sizes.
  • Zoho Books vs Wave: Wave provides free accounting software with core features ideal for very small businesses.
  • Zoho Books vs Quicken: Quicken is primarily for personal finance but offers some features for small business tracking.
  • Zoho Books vs Hubdoc: Hubdoc automates the collection and organization of financial documents for easier bookkeeping.
  • Zoho Books vs Expensify: Expensify specializes in streamlining and automating expense reporting and management.
  • Zoho Books vs QuickBooks: QuickBooks is a popular small business accounting solution with a wide array of features and integrations.
  • Zoho Books vs AutoEntry: AutoEntry automates the manual data entry of invoices, receipts, and bank statements.
  • Zoho Books vs FreshBooks: FreshBooks is tailored for service-based businesses with strong invoicing and project management features.
  • Zoho Books vs NetSuite: NetSuite is a comprehensive ERP system offering robust accounting and business management capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is accounting software crucial for my business?

It automates tasks, provides seamless data flow, and generates key financial statements for informed financial decisions.

What are the essential features to look for in accounting software options?

Look for strong invoicing and expense tracking, reporting, bank reconciliation, and integrations with other tools you use.

Can accounting software really make accounting easier?

Yes, it organizes your finances, automates calculations, and reduces manual errors, saving time and improving accuracy.

How do I choose the right accounting software options for my small business?

Consider your budget, required features, ease of use, scalability, and whether it offers a seamless experience.

Will using accounting software help me understand my financial statements better?

Absolutely. It presents data in clear reports, giving you insights into your profitability and overall financial health for better financial decisions.