Akaunting vs Zoho Books: Which Accounting Software Should You Use?
A side-by-side comparison of Akaunting's free, open-source accounting software and Zoho Books' cloud accounting suite, covering pricing, features, and who each is best for.
Updated 2026-10 · 2026
Akaunting
Free, open-source online accounting software
Strengths
- +Fully free and open source if self-hosted
- +No per-user limits on the self-hosted version
- +Clean, modern UI for invoicing and expense tracking
Weaknesses
- -Self-hosting requires server/technical setup and maintenance
- -Smaller ecosystem of integrations compared to Zoho
- -Advanced features (inventory, multi-currency) depend on paid apps
Best for
Freelancers, developers, and small businesses comfortable self-hosting who want zero software cost.
Zoho Books
Online accounting software for growing businesses
Strengths
- +Free tier for businesses under revenue threshold
- +Deep integration with Zoho's broader suite (CRM, Inventory, Payroll)
- +Automated workflows, bank feeds, and recurring invoices
Weaknesses
- -Free plan capped by annual revenue ($50k in US)
- -Costs scale quickly as you add users or need advanced plans
- -Can feel bloated if you only need basic invoicing
Best for
Small-to-mid businesses that want a hosted, supported solution and may already use other Zoho products.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free (self-hosted) or paid cloud hosting | Free tier, then tiered monthly plans |
| Hosting | Self-hosted (or Akaunting cloud) | Cloud-only (Zoho servers) |
| Invoicing | Yes, customizable templates | Yes, customizable + automated reminders |
| Expense tracking | Yes | Yes, with receipt scanning |
| Bank reconciliation | Via manual import or paid apps | Automated bank feeds (region-dependent) |
| Multi-currency | Via add-on apps | Built-in on higher plans |
| Inventory management | Limited, via apps | Built-in on Professional+ plans |
| Mobile app | Basic | Full-featured iOS/Android apps |
| Integrations | Marketplace apps, limited third-party | Wide Zoho ecosystem + Zapier, PayPal, Stripe |
| Multi-user access | Unlimited on self-hosted | Limited by plan tier |
| Tax compliance | Manual/region add-ons | Built-in GST/VAT support by region |
| Source code access | Yes (open source) | No |
The Verdict
Akaunting wins on raw cost if you're willing to self-host and tinker — it's genuinely free with no user caps. Zoho Books wins on convenience, support, and ecosystem, but its free tier has a hard revenue ceiling and costs climb fast once you need multiple users or advanced features. Pick Akaunting if you're technical and cost-sensitive; pick Zoho Books if you want a supported, scalable system and don't mind paying for it.
How to switch from Akaunting to Zoho Books
- 1Export all your Akaunting data: go to each module (Invoices, Bills, Transactions, Contacts) and use the Export button to download CSV files, and take a full MySQL database backup if self-hosted.
- 2Sign up for Zoho Books and choose a plan based on your revenue and team size (Free tier if under $50k revenue/year).
- 3Use Zoho Books' Import feature (Settings > Import Data) to upload your Akaunting CSV exports for contacts, invoices, and chart of accounts, mapping fields as prompted.
- 4Recreate any custom invoice templates, tax rates, and recurring billing rules manually in Zoho Books, since these don't transfer automatically.
- 5Reconnect bank feeds and reconfigure any third-party integrations (Stripe, PayPal, Zapier) directly inside Zoho Books.
- 6Run both systems in parallel for one billing cycle to confirm invoices, balances, and reports match before fully cutting over your team to Zoho Books.
Akaunting vs Zoho Books: common questions
How do I export my data from Akaunting before switching?+
Akaunting lets you export invoices, bills, transactions, and contacts as CSV or PDF files from each module's list view using the Export button. For a full backup, self-hosted users can also export the entire MySQL database directly. Keep both the CSV exports and a database backup before migrating.
What do I lose moving from Akaunting to Zoho Books?+
You lose direct access to the source code and the ability to self-host for free, so ongoing costs start again. Any custom apps or plugins you installed in Akaunting's marketplace won't carry over and need Zoho equivalents, if they exist. You may also need to manually recreate custom invoice templates and workflow automations.
Is Zoho Books' free plan enough for a small team?+
Zoho Books' free plan only applies if your business revenue is under $50,000/year (US), and it limits users and some features like multi-currency. If your team exceeds that revenue or needs more than 1-2 users, you'll need the Standard plan at $20/org/month. Check Zoho's current pricing page since thresholds vary by region.
Does Zoho Books integrate with the tools I already use?+
Yes — Zoho Books connects natively with other Zoho apps (CRM, Inventory, Payroll) and supports Stripe, PayPal, Zapier, and major banks for feed imports. This is generally broader than Akaunting's integration options, which rely more on community-built apps. If you use non-Zoho tools heavily, check Zoho's integrations list first.
Will switching to Zoho Books cost more over time than staying on Akaunting?+
Yes, almost certainly, since Akaunting self-hosted has no software license fee beyond server hosting (often $5-20/month). Zoho Books' paid plans start at $20/org/month and scale up to $275/org/month depending on features and user count. If budget is the main driver, Akaunting stays cheaper long-term; if you need support and scalability, Zoho's cost is the tradeoff.
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