HoneyBook vs. Zoho Books: Find the right fit for your small business

Financial software can keep you organized and efficient, so you don’t have to manually track every invoice and payment in spreadsheets. Both HoneyBook and Zoho Books have finance tracking features, but HoneyBook is a client management platform, while Zoho Books is strictly an accounting tool. Some small businesses use both platforms to handle all of their needs. 

To figure out whether you’re better off with HoneyBook vs. Zoho Books (or both), compare how their main features satisfy different business priorities. 

Key takeaways

• HoneyBook is an integrated client management system that handles everything from first inquiry to final payment. 
• Zoho Books is a complete accounting platform with a full ledger and advanced financial reporting. 
• You can integrate HoneyBook with accounting tools like Quickbooks or Zoho Books for a smoother workflow.

How the two platforms compare: Key differences at a glance

Since HoneyBook and Zoho Books have different feature sets, the right choice for you depends on whether you’re focused on accounting or need a comprehensive client management tool. Here’s how they stack up in areas like usability and pricing.

Pricing comparison

HoneyBook has a flat-rate subscription model with three pricing tiers to make budgeting straightforward for small businesses. 

The Starter plan is $29 per month, with access to proposals, contracts, invoices, payments, client portals, two live lead forms, basic reporting, and HoneyBook AI. The Essentials plan is $49 per month and includes additional features like automations, SMS reminders, a meeting scheduler, and up to 10 live lead forms. The Premium plan is $109 per month and includes advanced reporting and the ability to add multiple businesses to the same account. 

Zoho Books has a scalable subscription model, where pricing increases based on the number of users you have and the specific features you need. This allows you to choose the exact features you want, but it also makes software costs less predictable. 

Zoho Books has a free tier for individual users with basic accounting abilities. Paid tiers range in price from $15 to $240 per month (billed annually) based on the specific capabilities needed. The free tier has essential features like invoices, digital payments, and W-9/1099 support. For features like custom reports and inventory tracking, you need to upgrade to a paid plan. Zoho Books also has several add-ons available for an extra fee, including expense claims. 

Feature comparison

Both HoneyBook and Zoho Books help you handle incoming payments, but they support different points in your operational workflow. HoneyBook manages the client lifecycle, while Zoho Books is built for accounting. Compare each platform’s features to see where they overlap and where they differ, so you can decide what makes sense for your business. 

Client and project management

HoneyBook is a client management platform that tracks your projects from start to finish. With HoneyBook’s customer relationship management (CRM) platform, you can build lead forms, schedule meetings, create proposals and contracts, and send onboarding questionnaires all from one place. 

Since Zoho Books is an accounting tool, it doesn’t have a built-in CRM or project management tools. You can integrate Zoho Books with other Zoho products, like Zoho CRM or Zoho Projects, but the integrations come with additional costs. 

Online payments and payment processing

Both HoneyBook and Zoho Books have online payment options for clients, but they work differently. With HoneyBook, generate branded invoices with embedded digital payment options, so clients can pay in a few clicks. Send your invoices, contracts, and proposals in one document for efficiency. HoneyBook sends automated payment reminders to your clients, so you get paid on time. 

HoneyBook accepts several different payment methods, including credit card, debit card, ACH transfer, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. The platform also supports several payment structures, like recurring payments, payment plans, deposits, and tips.

Zoho Books also helps you create branded digital invoices with automated payment reminders. The platform supports many payment methods and invoice types so you can accept foreign currencies. 

However, Zoho Books’ invoicing features aren’t part of a larger project management workflow. That means you either need to add client data to each invoice manually or set up an integration with a third-party CRM. 

Automation and workflow tools

With HoneyBook, you can automate various administrative tasks to keep client workflows moving forward. For example, you can send automated follow-up messages when clients fill out a lead form or automatically schedule an onboarding call after a client signs their contract. HoneyBook AI lets you build your own custom automations, and you don’t need any technical expertise to set them up. The tool can also take meeting notes or draft outreach emails to save time.

Zoho Books also offers automations and AI features to boost productivity, but they’re focused on finance management rather than speeding up client workflows. For example, you can use Zoho Books’ automations to send recurring invoices and payment reminders. Zoho’s Zia AI also provides financial insights, like forecasted growth by year or the likelihood of a user buying a product. 

Accounting and bookkeeping

Zoho Books is a dedicated accounting software with full ledger capabilities. Notable features include double-entry bookkeeping, tax compliance tools, expense tracking, and inventory tracking. You can also use Zoho Books to create quotes, purchase orders, and custom reports. The platform is built for businesses that need strict financial oversight and detailed documentation. 

HoneyBook is not a direct Zoho Books alternative, as it doesn’t have full ledger capabilities. However, HoneyBook does have some bookkeeping features to help keep your finances organized. For example, you can use HoneyBook to track your spending, categorize business expenses, and save for tax-relevant income reports—or integrate with QuickBooks for full tax preparation and bookkeeping. 

Keep every client relationship organized.

Track leads, manage projects, and follow up at the right time, all from one place built for your business.

Try HoneyBook CRM

When HoneyBook or Zoho Books is the right fit for you

HoneyBook and Zoho Books have very different features, so the right choice for you depends on the complexity of your accounting needs. If you need both a CRM and accounting software, it may make sense to use both platforms together.

When to choose HoneyBook

HoneyBook is best for small business owners who need an all-in-one client management tool. 

HoneyBook might be right for you if: 

• You want to manage proposals, contracts, invoices, and payments in the same platform. 
• You want to automate repetitive administrative tasks in your client workflow to save time. 
• You need to create professional branded documents, but don’t have design experience. 
• You don’t have complex accounting needs. 

When to choose Zoho Books

Zoho Books is best for small businesses with complex accounting and bookkeeping needs. You can also integrate HoneyBook with Zoho to use them together and get the best of both. 

Zoho Books might be right for you if: 

• You need advanced accounting features like bank reconciliation, tax compliance, and expense reporting. 
• You’re already using other Zoho products and want an accounting tool that fits into the same ecosystem. 
• You serve international clients and need to process payments in multiple currencies. 
• You sell physical products and need a platform that can track inventory. 

Why many businesses choose HoneyBook 

HoneyBook manages the entire client relationship from start to finish. The platform’s all-in-one CRM helps maintain organization while tracking incoming leads, onboarding new clients, and managing projects. 

An extensive template library makes it easy to create stunning branded documents in minutes, while automated digital invoicing helps you get paid without manual follow-ups. HoneyBook bookkeeping facilitates basic budgeting and financial tracking, while integrations with tools like Quickbooks and Zoho Books support advanced accounting. 

The right tool depends on your business priorities

When building your business’s tech stack, choose platforms designed with your goals in mind. If you’re focused on client management, HoneyBook may be the better option. If you need in-depth accounting features, Zoho Books may be the right fit. Zoho Books isn’t a direct HoneyBook alternative, and you can consider integrating them together. 

If you’ve outgrown basic invoicing tools, switching to HoneyBook can help take your business to the next level. Extensive templates and automations give you all the tools you need for a thriving business in one place. 

Try HoneyBook free today to see it in action.