Companies look at distinct Top Zoho Books Alternatives, invoicing, and financial management in 2025. Whether you are a freelancer, small business, or a scaling company, picking the right software saves compliance and time to maximize productivity.
From QuickBooks and TallyPrime to FreshBooks and Xero, an increasing number of focused tools for the Indian market provide highly efficient software for a variety of business needs, including cloud-based solutions.
What is Zoho Books?
Zoho Books is accounting software that helps you handle invoices, expenses, and other financial functions.
It is utilized by small business owners, accountants, and finance teams due to its automated invoicing, expense monitoring, tax compliance, user-friendliness, and affordability.
Most importantly, financial management is greatly simplified. All in all, Zoho Books provides a cost-effective, simple solution to handle the financial needs of your business.
Key Point
| Software | Best For |
|---|---|
| Giddh | SMEs, Startups |
| QuickBooks | Startups, SMEs |
| TallyPrime | SMEs, Retail |
| Vyapar | Micro & Small Biz |
| FreshBooks | Freelancers |
| Busy | SMEs, Enterprises |
| Xero | Startups, Global |
| Wave | Freelancers |
| Marg ERP | Retail, Pharma |
| Sage | Medium Businesses |
1. Giddh
Giddh Cloud Accounting Software for SMEs and Startups is uncomplicated and effective. Giddh’s services include intuitive financial dashboards, automated GST-compliant invoicing, automated bank reconciliation, and bank reconciliation.

Giddh is the perfect solution for businesses with simple accounting needs. Collaborative accounting is easy with Giddh because multiple users can securely access the same financial data.
Giddh is one of the Top Zoho Books Alternatives primarily because of its affordability, scalability, and seamless accounting design. The simple accounts design is complemented with a simple interface, a mobile application, and efficient customer service for effective financial management.
Giddh Features
- Use for various locations without any restrictions because it is cloud-hosted.
- Expense management automated and invoices generated automatically.
- Reports for all currencies and GST can be managed.
- No manual entries need to be made as all transactions sync to the program.
2. QuickBooks
An accounting solution in the cloud, QuickBooks, is great for startups and smaller medium enterprises (SMEs). It automates and integrates invoicing, expense management, payroll, tax calculations, and numerous third-party applications.

QuickBooks allows for more efficient financial management through automated customizable reports and access anytime on mobile. As a top contender among Zoho Books alternatives, QuickBooks is appreciated for its strong features in automated financial management and ease-of-use interface.
QuickBooks earns its price and value on the higher-end of the range and is highly recommended for businesses that need a sophisticated integrated accounting system that will scale as the business grows.
QuickBooks Features
- Great design, easy to use and very helpful for bookkeeping.
- Contracts can be invoiced, expenditures can be tracked, and employees can be paid.
- Tax calculation is available and support for GST/IVA is there.
- Connects to hundreds of other apps for business automation.
3. TallyPrime
TallyPrime is a strong accounting software that helps especially retail businesses and SMEs with automated GST compliant invoicing, inventory management and advanced reporting on stock tracking. It allows businesses to choose between cloud and offline implementations.

TallyPrime integrates deeply with the Indian tax system and is widely recognized among the best Zoho Books alternatives. It allows multiple users to access it in the cloud and is ideal for small and mid-tier businesses.
The learning curve is steep relative to the features it is packed with especially for businesses that need intricate accounting and detailed financial reports, compliance, and insights focused on the Indian business tax environment. The software supports advanced stock tracking, custom reporting, and GST compliant invoicing.—
TallyPrime Features
- Managing of stock and tracking in several locations.
- Tax compliance for GST, VAT, and income.
- Reports for each employee and payroll are processed.
- Financial reports in real time and features for easy auditing.
4. Vyapar
Vyapar is accounting software for micro and small businesses, especially in India. It has invoicing and inventory management, integrates with banking for easy accounting on the go, and has mobile apps.

Vyapar is designed for businesses with little technical understanding of the software. Among the Top Zoho Books Alternatives, Vyapar is recognized for its low cost, ease of use, and practicality for small businesses.
Automated reporting with tax compliance, multi-device access, and mobile use also simplify financial management for small traders and shop owners, particularly those who appreciate customizable invoice templates.
Vyapar Features
- The program works on ansroid mobile phones for easy use.
- Optional use of the program to manage invoices, billing, and stock.
- Tax reports and invoices are generated as needed for GST.
- Profits or losses can be analyzed and expenses tracked.
5. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is accounting software that caters to the needs of single professionals and small service businesses. It is largely focused on automated invoicing, recurring billing, expense management, project time tracking, and client management.

Users can monitor the financial situation of the company remotely through the mobile app. Among Top Zoho Books Alternatives, FreshBooks is known for its clear menu, allowing even those with little accounting knowledge to gain control over business finances.
It is particularly strong in project invoicing and tracking for small teams and freelancers, with limited scalability for larger businesses, thus facilitating proper, precise record keeping and timely billing.
FreshBooks Features
- Automation of billing and invoices with a cloud host.
- Manage multiple projects and track time.
- Expense capture and reporting for freelancers and SMBs.
- Make use of payment systems like Stripe and PayPal.
6. Busy
Busy is an accounting solution for SMEs and enterprises. It includes GST compliant invoicing, inventory management, multi-currency capabilities, and financial reports. It can be accessed on the desktop and is available in the cloud.

It offers flexibility in user collaboration for multiple users. Being one of the Top Zoho Books Alternatives, the Busy accounting software deserves its recognition due to its extensive features and reliability, especially for businesses with substantial inventory.
Its multi-location and multi-user capabilities make it ideal for enterprises requiring accurate tracking across branches. Busy also has built-in tax calculations, tax compliance, and accounting operations which allows easy audits and seamless adherence to legal requirements.
Busy Features
- All accounting, stock, and payroll is managed.
- Compliance with GST and reports that are needed.
- Managing of multiple companies and currencies.
- MIS and audit reports can be exported.
7. Xero
Xero is accounting software in the cloud for new businesses and multi-national enterprises that need financial real-time data, have multi-currency requirements, and need to manage invoicing, expenses, payroll, tax, and incorporations with over 800 third-party tools.

Xero provides its users with one of the most seamless experiences and is scalable with collaborative tools globally which is why it is one of the Top Zoho Books Alternatives. Its cloud structure allows easy access to financial data for business owners and accountants whenever and wherever.
Competitors may have lower prices, however, Xero has the most complete tools which is especially important with international business operations. This is why businesses with strong accounting and financial system integration prefer Xero.—
Xero Features
- Real-time feature integration within the cloud.
- Billing, invoicing, and reminders automation.
- Accounting in multiple currencies and VAT/GST.
- Workflow automation with over 1,000 app integrations.
8. Wave Accounting
Wave Accounting is designed for freelancers and startups as a free cloud-based solution. It also provides basic accounting capabilities including invoicing, expense tracking, receipt scanning, and financial reports in real-time.
For businesses that require more functionality, advanced Wave extensions include paid payroll and tax tools. For its simplicity and affordability, Wave is among the Top Alternatives to Zoho Books.

Its simple user interface allows freelancers and small businesses to handle account management without any complicated training.
Though it is limited in advanced features and scalability, the cost-effectiveness and ease of use clearly portrays the Wave value proposition for entrepreneurs and micro-businesses in search of basic, reliable accounting software.
Wave Features
- Complimentary small business cloud accounting.
- Receipt scanning, invoicing, and billing.
- Payroll services in some countries.
- Tax summary and basic financial reporting.
9. Marg ERP
Marg ERP is an accounting and ERP solution popular in India, offering GST-compliant invoicing, inventory management, multi-location support, and real-time financial reporting. It is customizable and caters to businesses in retail, pharma, and other industries.

Among Top Zoho Books Alternatives, Marg ERP is recognized for its robust functionality, integration capabilities, and suitability for medium-sized businesses with complex accounting and inventory needs.
Its multi-user support and detailed reporting enhance operational efficiency. Although it may be complex for smaller businesses, Marg ERP provides comprehensive tools to manage accounting, stock, and taxation efficiently in Indian business contexts.
Marg ERP Features
- Fully integrated end-to-end ERP with accounting, inventory and manufacturing.
- Generation of e-way bills and GST compliant.
- Management of multiple locations and warehouses.
- Reports of sales, purchases, stock and dashboards with MIS.
10. Sage Accounting
Sage Accounting delivers flexible, cloud-based accounting solutions and makes billing, payroll, bank integration, financial reports, and multi-currency transactions simple for medium-sized businesses.. Sage flexible, reliable, and comprehensive feature set.

Among Top Zoho Books Alternatives, Sage stands out for its seamless integration with other Sage products, creating a comprehensive business management suite.
While Sage’s pricing may be steep, and for very small businesses may feel like a solution providing more than needed, it continues to be a top option for businesses needing cloud-based, scalable, Sage versatile accounting solutions with enhanced advanced financial and operational reporting.
Sage Features
- Accounting solutions in the cloud and on-premise for small and medium sized businesses.
- Policies for automated invoicing, expense and payments processing, and management of expenses.
- Policies for compliance with payroll, VAT and GST.
- Reporting and analytics in real-time for improved decision making.
Conclusion
Alternatives to Zoho Books continue to be dominated by Xero, Quickbooks, Freshbooks, Wave and Tally. For those who put a premium on cross-boarder capabilities and applications, Xero has excellent usability and reporting capabilities. Quickbooks has a more versatile offering at a greater level of maturity and is a brand SMBs tend to trust.
Freelancers and service-oriented businesses particularly value Freshbooks for its time-invoicing and tracking features. Wave is a good option for those on a tight budget. They provide versatile users and organizations even entry level users with a capable accounting system at zero cost.
For businesses based in India, TallyPrime, Giddh and Marg ERP offer strong local, scalable solutions regarding GST and inventory. Sage, a more matured and enterprise level solution is available.
Busy is a straightforward option offering good statutory compliance for more complex environments. Availability of good options means finding an alternative to Zoho Books in 2025 hinges more on enterprise usability, features and cost, with future growth in mind.
FAQ
What are the best alternatives to Zoho Books in 2025?
Some of the top alternatives include QuickBooks, TallyPrime, Xero, FreshBooks, Giddh, Vyapar, Marg ERP, Sage, Busy, and Wave. Each offers unique features suited for different business sizes and needs.
Which Zoho Books alternative is best for small businesses?
For small businesses, QuickBooks, FreshBooks, Wave, and Vyapar are ideal due to their ease of use, affordability, and essential accounting functionalities like invoicing, expense tracking, and tax compliance.
Which accounting software is best for Indian GST compliance?
TallyPrime, Giddh, Marg ERP, and Busy are the most popular choices in India, offering robust GST compliance, e-way bill generation, and inventory management features.
Are there free alternatives to Zoho Books?
Yes, Wave is a free cloud-based accounting software suitable for small businesses and freelancers, offering invoicing, expense tracking, and basic reporting at no cost.
Which software is best for freelancers and service-based businesses?
FreshBooks is optimized for freelancers and service-based businesses with features like time tracking, client management, and professional invoicing.
Can these alternatives integrate with other business apps?
Yes, most alternatives such as QuickBooks, Xero, and Zoho Books competitors like Sage offer integrations with payment gateways, CRM tools, inventory systems, and more for seamless workflow automation.

