4 Best Zoho Books Alternatives in 2025
Last updated: February 2026 • 14 min read
Zoho Books is a popular tool for growing businesses in the zoho ecosystem. While it offers a free tier (Free for <$50K revenue), its paid plans start at $15/mo. Whether you're looking for a cheaper option, better features, or an open-source solution, we've compiled the 4 best Zoho Books alternatives to help you find the right fit.
📋 Quick Summary
- Total alternatives: 4
- Free alternatives: 1 (Wave)
- Best overall: QuickBooks
- Best free: Wave
Why Look for Zoho Books Alternatives?
People commonly look for Zoho Books alternatives for several reasons:
- Cost: While Zoho Books has a free tier, its paid plans starting at $15/mo can add up quickly for growing teams.
- Feature gaps: Complex interface and steep learning curve are common complaints.
- Simplicity: Some users find Zoho Books overly complex for their needs and prefer simpler solutions.
- Data ownership: Organizations wanting data sovereignty prefer open-source, self-hosted alternatives.
- Better fit: Different tools excel at different use cases — you may find a tool that's specifically built for your workflow.
📊 Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Free Tier | Starting Price | Rating | Open Source | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoho Books | ✓ Free for <$50K revenue | $15/mo | ⭐ 4.2 | No | Growing businesses in the Zoho ecosystem |
| QuickBooks | ✗ No | $30/mo | ⭐ 4.2 | No | Small businesses needing comprehensive accounting |
| Xero | ✗ No | $15/mo | ⭐ 4.3 | No | Small businesses outside the US |
| FreshBooks | ✗ No | $17/mo | ⭐ 4.3 | No | Freelancers and service businesses |
| Wave | ✓ Free accounting and invoicing | Free | ⭐ 4 | No | Freelancers and micro-businesses wanting free accounting |
Detailed Reviews of Each Alternative
QuickBooks
Leading small business accounting software by Intuit.
QuickBooks by Intuit is the most popular accounting software for small and medium businesses. It offers invoicing, expense tracking, tax preparation, payroll, and financial reporting. Available in both online and desktop versions, QuickBooks serves millions of businesses worldwide.
Pros
- ✓ Industry standard
- ✓ Comprehensive features
- ✓ Great for taxes
- ✓ Large ecosystem
Cons
- ✗ Expensive
- ✗ Can be complex
- ✗ Price increases
- ✗ Subscription only
Xero
Cloud-based accounting software for small businesses.
Xero is a cloud-based accounting platform that's particularly popular in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. It offers beautiful design, strong bank reconciliation, and a large ecosystem of add-ons. Xero is known for being more user-friendly than QuickBooks while still offering powerful accounting features.
Pros
- ✓ Beautiful interface
- ✓ Great bank reconciliation
- ✓ Large app ecosystem
- ✓ Good for non-US businesses
Cons
- ✗ Limited US payroll
- ✗ Can be pricey
- ✗ Reporting limitations
- ✗ Learning curve
FreshBooks
Accounting software built for service-based businesses.
FreshBooks is an accounting platform designed specifically for self-employed professionals and small service-based businesses. It excels at invoicing, time tracking, and expense management with an incredibly user-friendly interface that makes accounting less intimidating.
Pros
- ✓ Very user-friendly
- ✓ Great invoicing
- ✓ Time tracking built-in
- ✓ Beautiful design
Cons
- ✗ Limited for complex accounting
- ✗ Expensive for features
- ✗ Basic inventory
- ✗ Client limits on plans
Wave
Free accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.
Wave is a free accounting platform that offers invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning at no cost. It makes money through payment processing and payroll services. Wave is ideal for freelancers and very small businesses who need basic accounting without the cost.
Pros
- ✓ Completely free
- ✓ Easy to use
- ✓ Good for basics
- ✓ Receipt scanning
Cons
- ✗ Limited features
- ✗ No inventory
- ✗ No time tracking
- ✗ Basic reporting
🏆 Our Recommendations
Best Overall Alternative:
QuickBooks — Small businesses needing comprehensive accounting
Best Free Alternative:
Wave — Free accounting and invoicing
❓ FAQ
What is the best free alternative to Zoho Books?
The best free alternative to Zoho Books is Wave, which offers Free accounting and invoicing.
Is there an open-source alternative to Zoho Books?
There are no widely-used open-source alternatives to Zoho Books at this time, but several affordable options exist.
What is the cheapest alternative to Zoho Books?
The cheapest alternatives are the free options: Wave. For paid alternatives, prices start from as low as $15/mo.
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