QuickBooks VS Zoho - Jun 2024

Shlomi Lavi / updated: Jun 18, 2024

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QuickBooks VS Zoho

Functionality

QuickBooks and Zoho Books both offer robust accounting functionalities suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. Both platforms provide essential features like invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting. Users can manage their finances efficiently using either software.

However, QuickBooks has a more extensive feature set, particularly in payroll management and tax filing. QuickBooks Payroll is deeply integrated and caters to various payroll needs, whereas Zoho Books requires integration with Zoho Payroll or third-party services for complete payroll functionality.

Zoho Books shines with its automation capabilities, providing workflow automation that helps streamline repetitive tasks. QuickBooks offers automation as well, but Zoho Books integration with other Zoho apps enhances its automation capabilities significantly.

Both platforms offer project management features, but Zoho Books has an edge with its comprehensive project time tracking and billing functionalities. QuickBooks also supports project management, but it is not as detailed as Zoho Books.

Inventory management is another area where these platforms differ. QuickBooks offers advanced inventory tracking features, making it suitable for businesses with complex inventory needs. Zoho Books provides inventory management, but it is more basic compared to QuickBooks.

Pros and Cons

QuickBooks is highly recognized for its extensive third-party integrations and a vast user base, which ensures ample community support and resources. Additionally, its advanced inventory and payroll features make it suitable for growing businesses with complex needs.

However, QuickBooks can be more expensive than Zoho Books, especially when adding advanced features or multiple users. Some users also find QuickBooks interface less intuitive compared to Zoho Books.

Zoho Books offers a more affordable pricing structure, which is attractive for small businesses and startups. Its integration with the Zoho ecosystem provides seamless connectivity with other business apps, enhancing overall productivity.

On the downside, Zoho Books inventory and payroll features are not as advanced as those in QuickBooks. Additionally, while Zoho Books is user-friendly, it may lack some of the depth required by larger businesses.

Pricing

QuickBooks offers several pricing plans: Simple Start ($25/month), Essentials ($50/month), Plus ($80/month), and Advanced ($180/month). For one user, the total cost of implementation can start from $25 per month. For 10 users, the cost can range from $500 to $1,800 per month depending on the plan. For 100 users, pricing for the Advanced plan will be necessary, costing around $18,000 per month.

Zoho Books pricing is more straightforward: Basic ($15/month), Standard ($50/month), and Professional ($70/month). For one user, the cost is as low as $15 per month. For 10 users, the cost can range from $50 to $700 per month, depending on the plan. For 100 users, the cost would be around $7,000 per month for the Professional plan.

User Interface

QuickBooks has a clean and professional user interface, though some users find it less intuitive. It provides both desktop and mobile interfaces, with the mobile app receiving frequent updates to improve user experience.

Zoho Books is often praised for its intuitive and user-friendly interface. It offers a seamless experience across desktop and mobile platforms. The mobile app is particularly noted for its ease of use and functionality, making it a strong contender in this area.

Integration

QuickBooks integrates with over 650 third-party applications, including popular tools like PayPal, Shopify, and Square. Its open API allows for custom integrations, making it highly adaptable to various business needs.

Zoho Books integrates seamlessly with the Zoho ecosystem (Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, etc.) and third-party applications like PayPal, Stripe, and Office 365. However, its integration options are fewer compared to QuickBooks.

Scalability

QuickBooks is highly scalable, accommodating businesses of all sizes. It offers advanced features and integrations that can support large enterprises with complex needs.

Zoho Books is also scalable, but it is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses. While it can support growth, it may not offer the same depth of features as QuickBooks for larger enterprises.

Security

QuickBooks provides robust security features, including two-factor authentication, data encryption, and regular security updates. It has received several security certifications, such as PCI DSS compliance and SOC 2 certification.

Zoho Books also offers strong security measures, including two-factor authentication, SSL encryption, and data redundancy. It has won awards for its security practices, including ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification.

Reporting and Analytics

QuickBooks offers comprehensive reporting features with over 100 customizable reports. Commonly used reports include Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statements.

Zoho Books provides detailed reporting and analytics capabilities, though with fewer report templates than QuickBooks. Popular reports include Sales by Customer, Expense Summary, and Project Profitability.

Support and Maintenance

QuickBooks offers various support options, including 24/7 chat support, phone support, and extensive online documentation. Its SLA ensures timely assistance, though some users report longer wait times during peak periods.

Zoho Books provides excellent customer support through chat, email, and phone. It also offers extensive documentation and a comprehensive knowledge base. Users generally report positive experiences with Zohos support team.

Training and Implementation

QuickBooks typically requires a few weeks for full implementation, depending on the complexity of the business. Training resources are abundant, with online courses, webinars, and tutorials available. There is no additional cost for basic training, but advanced training sessions may incur fees.

Zoho Books is relatively quick to implement, often taking a few weeks. It provides free online resources, including tutorials and webinars. Personalized training sessions are available at an additional cost, but many users find the platform intuitive enough to learn independently.

Flexibility

QuickBooks supports business growth with scalable features and multiple user options. There is no limit to the number of users, making it suitable for expanding businesses.

Zoho Books also supports growth, with plans that can accommodate an increasing number of users. While it is highly flexible, very large businesses might find QuickBooks advanced features more suitable.

Data Migration

QuickBooks provides tools and assistance for data migration, making it relatively straightforward for new users to transition from other accounting systems.

Zoho Books also offers data migration support and tools. The process is generally smooth, though the level of assistance may vary depending on the complexity of the data.

Mobile Access

QuickBooks offers a robust mobile application that supports various accounting tasks on the go. The UI/UX is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that users can manage their finances efficiently from their mobile devices.

Zoho Books has a well-designed mobile app that is praised for its usability and functionality. It allows users to perform most accounting tasks, ensuring that business operations can continue seamlessly from anywhere.

Cloud-based or On-premise

QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based solution, offering flexibility and accessibility from any location. QuickBooks Desktop is available for businesses preferring an on-premise solution.

Zoho Books is entirely cloud-based, providing easy access and real-time updates from any device with an internet connection.

Vendor Reputation

QuickBooks, launched in 1983, has a long-standing reputation in the accounting software industry. It serves millions of customers worldwide, establishing itself as a trusted and reliable provider.

Zoho Books, introduced in 2011, is part of the Zoho Corporation, which has a strong reputation for delivering quality business applications. It has a growing customer base, particularly among small to medium-sized businesses.

Industry Certifications

QuickBooks has received several industry awards, including PCMags Editors Choice and TrustRadius Top Rated Awards. These accolades highlight its reliability and user satisfaction.

Zoho Books has been recognized with awards such as the FinancesOnline Best Accounting Software Award and SoftwareSuggest Best Software Award, reflecting its excellence in the accounting software domain.

User Reviews

QuickBooks generally receives positive reviews for its comprehensive features and scalability, though some users mention its higher cost and complexity. Overall, it scores around 85 out of 100 in user sentiment.

Zoho Books is praised for its affordability, ease of use, and excellent customer support. However, some users note its limitations in advanced features. It scores around 90 out of 100 in user sentiment.

Technical Requirements

QuickBooks Online requires a stable internet connection and is accessible via web browsers. QuickBooks Desktop has specific system requirements, including a compatible Windows operating system and sufficient hardware resources.

Zoho Books, being cloud-based, only requires an internet connection and a web browser. It has minimal technical requirements, making it accessible to a wide range of users without the need for extensive IT infrastructure.

Implementation Timeline

QuickBooks implementation can vary based on the business size and complexity, typically taking 2 to 6 weeks. QuickBooks offers various support packages to assist with the implementation process.

Zoho Books generally takes 2 to 4 weeks to implement. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive support resources help ensure a smooth transition.

Vendor Stability and Compliance

QuickBooks, with its long history and large customer base, is a stable and reliable provider. It complies with various industry standards, ensuring data security and regulatory adherence.

Zoho Books, backed by the reputable Zoho Corporation, is also stable and reliable. It adheres to industry standards and compliance requirements, offering secure and compliant solutions to its users.