The AI TillComparisons · Accounting
Comparison
QuickBooks vs Zoho Books
Cloud accounting with invoicing, expenses and VAT, plus Intuit Intelligence AI features (some in beta). Accounting software with a free plan for very small businesses and paid UK plans.
| QuickBooks | Zoho Books | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | UK plans from £10 a month, with others at £16, £38 and £56 a month; introductory discounts are offered. 30-day free trial. | Free: £0. Standard: £12 a month (£10 billed annually). Professional: £24 (£20). Premium: £30 (£25). Per organisation. |
| Free plan | No. No free plan; 30-day free trial. | Yes. Free plan for sole traders and micro businesses. |
| Best for | Small businesses wanting invoicing and VAT in one place, with AI help on expenses. | Sole traders who want free accounts software in pounds. |
| Watch out for | AI features have limited monthly capacity on some plans. | Check the free plan's limits on revenue and features. |
| UK notes | UK pricing in pounds. | UK pricing in pounds. |
| Made by | Intuit | Zoho |
| Checked | 2026-10-14 | 2026-10-14 |
Our verdict
For most small UK businesses starting out, Zoho Books is the easier first pick because it has a free plan. Pick QuickBooks instead if this sounds like you: small businesses wanting invoicing and VAT in one place, with AI help on expenses.
UK price difference
Cheapest paid plans: QuickBooks £10 (entry plan, per month); Zoho Books £12 (Standard, per month (£10 billed annually)). QuickBooks is £2 a month cheaper at entry level, though billing terms differ. Check on the provider page whether VAT is included before you buy.
Who should pick which?
- Choose QuickBooks for: small businesses wanting invoicing and VAT in one place, with AI help on expenses.
- Choose Zoho Books for: sole traders who want free accounts software in pounds.
Only Zoho Books has a free plan, so you can try it first at no cost. Prices change, so check the provider's page before buying.
Other accounting to consider
Xero
Cloud accounting for invoices, bank feeds, VAT and payroll, with AI-assisted features.
FreeAgent
UK accounting software for sole traders, partnerships and small companies.
Sage Accounting
UK accounting and payroll software with the Sage Copilot AI assistant included in every plan.
Full details
QuickBooks tool page · Zoho Books tool page · How we check prices
Sources
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