Are you a small business owner or a freelancer looking for the best accounting software?
It can be tough to pick between all the options out there.
But which one is truly right for your business?
This guide will break down two popular choices: Zoho Books vs FreshBooks.
We’ll look at their main features, how much they cost, and what kind of business each one is best for.
Overview
We’ve spent many hours testing both Zoho Books and FreshBooks.
We looked at how easy they are to use and what they can do.
Harness the power of your financial data. Unlock key insights with Zoho.
Pricing: It has a free trial. The premium plan starts at $10/month.
Key Features:
- Invoicing
- Expense Tracking
- Customer Portal
Ready to simplify your invoicing and get paid faster? Try it now!
Pricing: It has a free trial. Paid plan starts at $10.50/month.
Key Features:
- Unlimited invoicing
- Expense tracking
- Time tracking
What is Zoho Books?
So, you’re curious about Zoho Books?
It’s like a helpful tool for your business money stuff.
It helps you keep track of your income and expenses.
Think of it as your digital bookkeeper!
Also, explore our favorite Zoho Books alternatives…
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
Pros
Cons
What is FreshBooks?
Okay, so let’s talk about FreshBooks.
Think of it like a helper for your money stuff.
It’s made for people who run small businesses and do freelance work.
It helps you send bills (invoices), keep track of your money coming in, and see where your money is going.
It’s like having a simple way to manage your business finances.
Also, explore our favorite Freshbooks alternatives…
Ready to simplify your invoicing and get paid faster? Over 30 million people have used FreshBooks.
Key Benefits
FreshBooks has some really cool things it does well:
- It makes sending professional-looking invoices super easy. You can even set up automatic payment reminders!
- Keeping track of your time is a breeze with its built-in time tracking tools. This is great if you bill clients by the hour.
- You can easily see how much money you’re making and what you’re spending with its clear reports.
- It lets you work with your team and share information easily.
- FreshBooks can connect with over 100 other apps to make your work smoother.
Pricing
FreshBooks has different plans depending on what you need:
- Lite: $10.50/month
- Plus: $19/month
- Premium: $32.50/month
- Select: Talk to a consultant
Pros
Cons
Future Comparison
It’s time to look closely at what Zoho Books and FreshBooks offer.
We’ll explore their key features so you can see which one fits your business best.
1. Invoicing
Both Zoho Books and FreshBooks let you create and send invoices.
FreshBooks is known for its super-easy invoicing.
You can make invoices that look professional and even add your own logo.
It’s great for quickly sending bills and getting paid.
Zoho Books also has good invoicing.
It offers more ways to customize your invoices to fit your brand exactly.
You can set up automatic payment reminders in both.
2. Expense Tracking
Keeping track of what you spend is key.
FreshBooks helps you track expenses easily.
You can snap pictures of receipts with your phone and upload them.
It tries to sort your expenses for you.
Zoho Books also tracks expenses well.
3. Time Tracking
For service-based businesses, tracking time is a must.
Both platforms have built-in time trackers.
FreshBooks lets you track hours spent on projects.
You can then quickly turn those hours into an invoice for your client.
Zoho Books also lets you track time and bill clients for it.
Some users find Zoho’s time tracking is tied more closely to projects, which can be useful for project-based work.
4. Reporting
Understanding your money picture is important.
FreshBooks offers reports like profit and loss statements.
It’s good for giving you a quick overview of your business health.
Zoho Books generally has more detailed reporting options.
It provides a wider variety of financial reports, helping you dig deeper into your business numbers.
5. Integrations
Sometimes you need your accounting software to talk to other tools you use.
FreshBooks connects with many popular apps for things like payments and marketing.
Zoho Books is part of a bigger family of Zoho products.
If you already use other Zoho tools, Zoho Books will connect very well with them.
It also connects with many outside apps, but FreshBooks might have more choices for certain things.
6. Customer Support
When you get stuck, good help is important.
FreshBooks is known for its strong customer service.
Many users say they get quick and helpful responses when they need support.
Zoho Books also offers customer support through different ways like phone, chat, and email.
Both aim to help you when you have questions.
7. Mobile App
Being able to manage your money on the go is a big plus.
Both Zoho Books and FreshBooks have mobile apps for your phone or tablet.
This lets you send invoices, track expenses, and check your reports even when you’re not at your desk.
Users find both apps helpful for managing basic tasks while away from a computer.
What to look for when choosing an Accounting Software?
- Scalability: Can the software grow with your business?
- Support: What kind of help is available if you have questions?
- Ease of Use: Is it something you and your team can learn quickly?
- Specific Needs: Does it handle the unique things your business does?
- Security: How safe is your financial data with this software?
Final Verdict (Our Pick)
We looked closely at both Zoho Books and FreshBooks.
Our top choice for most small businesses and freelancers is FreshBooks.
It’s easier to use.
This is especially true if you are not an accountant.
FreshBooks makes invoicing very simple.
Tracking time and money spent is also easy.
If you want to bill fast and keep your money neat, FreshBooks wins.
Zoho Books has more features. But FreshBooks is great for busy people.
It gives you clear, simple accounting.
Pick FreshBooks for simple, fast accounting.
More of Zoho Books
- Zoho Books vs Puzzle IO: Puzzle IO excels in financial planning and forecasting with its customizable dashboards.
- Zoho Books vs Dext: Dext specializes in automated receipt and invoice data capture, streamlining expense management.
- Zoho Books vs Xero: Xero offers a user-friendly interface and strong bank reconciliation, ideal for growing businesses.
- Zoho Books vs Synder: Synder focuses on e-commerce integrations, automating sales data transfer to accounting systems.
- Zoho Books vs Docyt: Docyt uses AI to automate bookkeeping and intelligently manage financial documents.
- Zoho Books vs Sage: Sage provides established accounting solutions with strong inventory management for various business sizes.
- Zoho Books vs Wave: Wave offers free accounting software with user-friendly invoicing, best for freelancers and very small businesses.
- Zoho Books vs Quicken: Quicken is tailored for personal finance management, including budgeting and investment tracking.
- Zoho Books vs Hubdoc: Hubdoc automates financial document collection and data entry, particularly for bills and receipts.
- Zoho Books vs AutoEntry: AutoEntry automates data entry from scanned documents, focusing on efficiency for bookkeeping tasks.
- Zoho Books vs NetSuite: NetSuite is a comprehensive ERP solution for enterprises that offers advanced features like CRM, supply chain management, & business intelligence.
More of FreshBooks
- FreshBooks vs Puzzle IO: Puzzle IO uses AI for smart financial insights and automated bookkeeping, focusing on real-time data.
- FreshBooks vs Dext: Dext specializes in automated receipt and invoice data capture, streamlining data entry into accounting systems.
- FreshBooks vs Xero: Xero offers comprehensive cloud-based accounting with strong bank reconciliation, suitable for growing small businesses, offering a robust FreshBooks vs Xero choice.
- FreshBooks vs Synder: Synder excels at syncing sales data from multiple platforms directly into accounting software, automating reconciliation.
- FreshBooks vs Docyt: Docyt provides AI-driven bookkeeping automation and real-time financial dashboards, aiming to eliminate manual tasks.
- FreshBooks vs RefreshMe: RefreshMe is designed for personal finance tracking, budgeting, and identity protection, not business needs.
- FreshBooks vs Wave: Wave provides free bookkeeping, invoicing, and basic reporting, great for freelancers on a budget.
- FreshBooks vs Quicken: Quicken is a personal finance manager focused on budgeting and investment tracking, with basic business features.
- FreshBooks vs Hubdoc: Hubdoc automates the collection and categorization of financial documents for easy integration into accounting software.
- FreshBooks vs Expensify: Expensify is primarily an expense management tool, excellent for receipt scanning and employee credit cards reimbursement.
- FreshBooks vs QuickBooks: QuickBooks is a highly versatile, comprehensive accounting software catering to diverse business needs with extensive features.
- FreshBooks vs AutoEntry: AutoEntry focuses on intelligent data capture from documents, automating data entry for accounting systems.
- FreshBooks vs NetSuite: NetSuite is a full-fledged cloud ERP system, offering integrated financials, CRM, and e-commerce for larger enterprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FreshBooks better than Zoho Books for small businesses?
FreshBooks is often better for service-based small businesses due to its easy invoicing and time tracking. Zoho Books might suit you if you need more detailed features like inventory tracking or deep project accounting. Your specific business needs will guide your choice.
Can FreshBooks integrate with Zoho CRM?
Do FreshBooks and Zoho Books offer a free trial?
Yes, both FreshBooks and Zoho Books offer a free trial. This lets you test out all their features before you decide to buy. It’s a great way to see which one fits your business needs without any cost.
Which software has a better user interface?
Many users find FreshBooks to have a more intuitive and simpler user interface. It’s designed for ease of use. Zoho Books is also user-friendly, but some find its interface slightly more complex due to its wider range of features.
Does Zoho Books include inventory tracking?
Yes, Zoho Books includes inventory tracking. This is a key feature that makes it suitable for businesses that sell products and need to manage their stock. FreshBooks does not offer robust inventory tracking, focusing more on service-based businesses.
