Ever since I co-founded ProfitBooks over a decade ago, I’ve been closely monitoring the accounting software landscape in the UAE.
Why?
Because understanding what works (and what doesn’t) for UAE businesses has been crucial to developing our own software.
In my 12+ years in the SaaS industry, I’ve seen countless UAE business owners struggle with choosing the right accounting solution.
According to recent market research, over 65% of UAE small businesses switch accounting software within the first year due to compatibility issues with local regulations. That’s a problem I’m passionate about solving.
In this article, we’ll cover the four major Zohobooks alternatives in the United States Emirates (UAE), for small business owners.
About Zohobooks
Zohobooks Accounting software
Before diving into alternatives, let’s understand what ZohoBooks offers.
Like ProfitBooks, ZohoBooks is an Indian accounting software that has gained traction in the UAE market.
ZohoBooks blends user-friendly design with robust functionality, offering features like customizable invoice templates, expense tracking, and team collaboration capabilities. It integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps and third-party tools.
While ZohoBooks has established itself in the UAE, many businesses find that it has limitations for their specific needs:
- Limited customizable delivery notes (making UAE law compliance challenging)
- VAT handling is described as “meh” by many users
- Limited branch creation capabilities
- A separate purchase is required for multi-company support
- Need to purchase Zoho Books and Zoho Inventory separately
These limitations are precisely why many UAE business owners come to me asking about alternatives. Let’s explore them.
Top 4 Zohobooks Alternatives in The UAE
1. FreshBooks
Freshbooks Dashboard
Over 24 million people use FreshBooks, a popular accounting program, across more than 160 countries.
One of the most popular Zohobooks alternatives in the UAE, both small and large businesses, as well as independent contractors, can use it.
Invoicing, expense management, and time tracking are important features.
The platform provides easily navigable invoice templates that can be customized.
However, the $15 to $50 monthly price range can be viewed as somewhat expensive. Although it offers seamless third-party app integration and support for international payments, some users complain that it lacks advanced accounting features.
There is no 24/7 hotline, but there is a Help Center, online chat, and phone support available at certain times.
Customizable invoices, expense management, project collaboration, custom estimates, accounting reports, mileage tracking, and multi-currency support are just a few of the accounting features available.
It integrates with Gusto for payroll needs, even though it doesn’t have internal payroll.
Pricing:
Zohobooks Pricing
Lite Plan: USD 17.00 per month
– Essential features for invoicing
Plus Plan: USD 30.00 per month
– Includes automatic expense tracking
– Suitable for businesses with additional needs
Premium Plan: USD 55.00 per month
– Enhanced customization features
– Tailored for more advanced users
Select Plan:
– Personalized pricing
– Customized solution for specific business requirements
2. ProfitBooks
ProfitBooks Accounting software
ProfitBooks creates a pretty welcoming environment for businesses to thrive.
What’s good about them is that they’ve made it super user-friendly, so you don’t even need to hire an accountant. I mean, even if you’re clueless about accounting, you can handle it with ease.
They’re not big on direct integrations with other platforms, but they’ve got a workaround using Excel to move data around if you ever need it.
One more thing that sets ProfitBooks apart is its simplicity.
They don’t overwhelm you with super complicated reports. Instead, they keep it focused on what matters. It helps you concentrate on the essentials, which later leads to a more solid and non-negotiable analysis of crucial points, resulting in steady but significant growth.
They’re one of the very few accounting software providers worldwide that offer a lifetime FREE plan. It’s not some stripped-down version either; it’s quite valuable, especially for startups and small businesses.
I’ve found it to be quite handy myself. It is probably the best in the list of Sage alternatives in the UAE.
Looking for ZohoBooks alternatives? ProfitBooks is an excellent choice that stands out in simplicity and affordability.
Pricing:
ProfitBooks Pricing Plans
Startup Plan (Free):
– Full-time free plan
– Comprehensive features included
SMB Plan ($15/month):
– Affordable at $15 per month
– Robust set of services
– Comparable or superior to competitors in the same price range
3. QuickBooks
QuickBooks online accounting software
QuickBooks is restricted to a particular range of business models or industries. It is utilized by every kind of company imaginable. They’ve done well by releasing several versions of their software to the demands of the industry.
The primary market for QuickBooks desktops is business and professional services. Professional service companies and independent freelancers are increasingly using QuickBooks Online.
Contractors, manufacturers and distributors, lawyers, and even retail and restaurant enterprises are among the target markets for QuickBooks Enterprise. This means that QuickBooks appears to be effective and useful in nearly every industry.
When exploring options, it’s essential to consider ZohoBooks alternatives for a more tailored solution to your specific business needs. Keep in mind that finding the right fit among ZohoBooks alternatives ensures optimal functionality and efficiency for your accounting processes.
Evaluate various ZohoBooks alternatives to determine the one that aligns best with your business requirements and preferences.
Pricing:
Quickbooks Pricing
QuickBooks Pricing Plans:
– Simple Start: $9/month
– Essentials: $13.50/month
– Plus: $19/month
4. Xero
Xero dashboard
Xero has very good functionalities, and it is confirmed by every decent source that I researched. It has a huge set of reports and analyses. Xero mingles well with other APIs and software. Large and medium-sized businesses could look forward to Xero as their accounting software.
Xero proves to be an upgrade on QuickBooks as an alternative, but it is still very pricey. Other ‘ZohoBooks alternatives’ mentioned in the article are not very expensive and offer enough services. Xero also seems to be an accountant’s software due to its complexity. It may lead to the necessity of an accountant.
Despite this, Xero is recommended among the ‘ZohoBooks alternatives’ if you think your business needs a very robust and complexly functional software.
Pricing:
- Starter Plan: $29/month
- Standard Plan: $59/month
- Premium 5 Plan: $76/month
- Ultimate 10 Plan: $110/month
How To Choose the Best Software For Your Accounting Needs?
After helping numerous UAE businesses select the right accounting software, I’ve developed a straightforward framework for making this crucial decision:
- Cloud vs. Desktop Consideration
I typically recommend cloud-based solutions for most UAE businesses due to three key advantages:
- Automatic data syncing and backup
- Accessibility from anywhere with internet
- Simplified updates and maintenance
However, if you’re in an area with unreliable internet or need extremely fast local processing, desktop software might be preferable. I learned this lesson when working with a client in a remote UAE location with spotty connectivity.
- Security Protocols
Data security isn’t optional—it’s essential. Ensure any software you consider uses HTTPS for secure data transfer. When I audit software for clients, I also look for:
- Two-factor authentication
- Role-based access controls
- Regular security updates
Additionally, considering the growing demand for digital infrastructure in the UAE, partnering with reputable cloud hosting companies like Amazon or Rackspace can enhance performance and reliability for your UAE VPS hosting needs.
- Feature Requirements Analysis
I always tell UAE business owners to make a list of must-have features before shopping around. Common requirements include:
- Invoicing capabilities
- Expense tracking
- Inventory management
- Bank reconciliation
- VAT compliance features specificto the UAE
Be honest about what you actually need versus what sounds nice to have. I’ve seen too many businesses pay for features they never use.
- Scalability Potential
Your business will (hopefully) grow. Can your accounting software grow with you? This is something I learned the hard way with ProfitBooks in our early days—we had to rebuild significant portions of our software to accommodate growing businesses.
- Data Portability
I always recommend checking how easily you can export your data if you decide to switch software later. Watch out for vendor lock-in tactics and formats that aren’t widely compatible.
- Hidden Costs Awareness
Beyond the advertised monthly fee, look for:
- Transaction fees
- Integration costs
- User limits
- Storage limitations
- Support charges
I recently helped a UAE e-commerce business switch from a seemingly “affordable” solution that was charging excessive per-transaction fees as they scaled.
- Support Quality
In my experience, great support is worth its weight in gold. Check for:
- Multiple support channels
- Response times
- Knowledge base quality
- Regular updates
- UAE business hours availability
Additionally, considering the growing demand for digital infrastructure in the UAE, partnering with reputable cloud hosting companies like Amazon or Rackspace could pave the way for enhanced performance and reliability, specifically tailored to UAE VPS hosting needs.
In the end, when you’re picking your accounting software, just remember these things and match them up with what your company needs and wants.
One option to consider is ProfitBooks.
It’s great for small and medium-sized businesses, with user-friendly features, room to grow, a reasonable price, excellent support, and clear expenses.
Conclusion
When choosing accounting software in the UAE, prioritize factors like cloud benefits, security through reliable hosting and HTTPS protocols, and alignment with current and future accounting needs.
Assess features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and inventory control. Watch for hidden fees and understand trial limitations.
Opt for software with excellent customer service for ongoing support.
Consider alternatives like ProfitBooks for affordability and features, and explore alternatives like ProfitBooks for affordability and features.
Ensure compliance with UAE regulations by selecting software tailored to your company’s requirements.
In conclusion, choose software that adapts and grows with your business, emphasizing security, functionality, and reliable customer support.
Also Read:
4 SAGE Alternatives In The UAE
