When choosing the right accounting software for your business, price is often a key factor. Zoho Books and QuickBooks Online are two of the most popular cloud-based accounting solutions for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). While both offer essential accounting features, their pricing structures differ significantly. In this article, we will break down the 2025 pricing plans for both software.
Overview of Zoho Books and QuickBooks Online
Zoho Books
Zoho Books is part of Zoho One and Zoho Finance Plus, providing businesses with an affordable and feature-rich accounting solution. It’s ideal for small businesses looking for automation, invoicing, expense tracking, and tax compliance.
QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online (QBO) by Intuit is a widely used accounting software that offers advanced reporting, third-party integrations, and a robust feature set tailored to businesses of all sizes.
Zoho Books Pricing in 2025
Zoho Books offers multiple pricing plans, including a free option for small businesses with limited transactions. Below is a breakdown of its paid plans:
- Free Plan – Best for businesses with less than $50K in annual revenue. Limited to 1 user + 1 accountant.
- Standard Plan ($15/month or $150/year) – Includes 3 users, bank reconciliation, invoices, and expense tracking.
- Professional Plan ($40/month or $400/year) – Covers 5 users, project accounting, purchase orders, and inventory tracking.
- Premium Plan ($60/month or $600/year) – Supports 10 users, advanced reporting, budgeting, and custom workflows.
- Elite Plan ($120/month or $1,200/year) – Includes 10 users, multi-currency handling, advanced inventory features, and Zoho Analytics integration.
- Ultimate Plan ($240/month or $2,400/year) – Offers all features, including AI-powered insights and custom reporting with Zoho Analytics.
Zoho Books also provides add-ons such as additional users ($3 per user/month) and automation extensions.
QuickBooks Online Pricing in 2025
QuickBooks Online has four main pricing tiers, each catering to different business needs:
- Simple Start ($30/month) – Best for sole proprietors; includes invoicing, expense tracking, and tax deduction features.
- Essentials ($60/month) – Supports 3 users and adds bill management and time tracking.
- Plus ($90/month) – Includes inventory tracking, project profitability, and supports 5 users.
- Advanced ($200/month) – Tailored for larger businesses; offers premium automation, analytics, and 25 user access.
QuickBooks often provides limited-time discounts, such as 50% off for the first three months, which can lower initial costs.
Zoho Books vs. QuickBooks Online: Feature-to-Price Comparison
Zoho Books’ Professional Plan ($40/month) includes 5 users, invoicing, expense tracking, and inventory management. However, multi-currency support is available only in the Elite plan ($120/month). Advanced reporting is included in the Premium plan.
QuickBooks Online’s Plus Plan ($90/month) also includes 5 users, invoicing, expense tracking, and inventory management. However, multi-currency support and advanced reporting are only available in the Advanced plan ($200/month). QuickBooks offers extensive third-party integrations compared to Zoho Books.
Which Software Offers Better Value for Money?
Zoho Books: Best for Small Businesses on a Budget
- More affordable plans with comprehensive features.
- Free plan available for small businesses.
- Strong automation and integration within the Zoho ecosystem.
- Suitable for businesses that need cost-effective accounting software.
QuickBooks Online: Best for Businesses That Need Extensive Integrations
- Higher pricing but offers robust third-party integrations.
- More widely adopted in the U.S., making it easier to find accountants familiar with it.
- Advanced analytics and reporting are only available in the higher-priced plans.
- Ideal for businesses that require extensive financial management tools.
Zoho Books or QuickBooks Online: Recommendations
Both Zoho Books and QuickBooks Online are excellent accounting tools, but their 2025 pricing structures cater to different business needs.
- Zoho Books is the budget-friendly choice with a free plan and strong core features.
- QuickBooks Online is the premium option for businesses needing deeper financial controls.
Before deciding, consider your business size, required features, and budget. Many businesses find Zoho Books a more cost-effective solution to QuickBooks Online.
If you need further consultation on either Zoho Books or QuickBooks Online, contact Droidedge Consulting for a personalized approach.
