Choosing the right accounting software is one of the most important decisions for a business in Quebec. Invoicing, expense management, GST/QST, cash flow, financial reporting, automation… your accounting tool has a direct impact on both your efficiency and your tax compliance.
Among the most popular solutions, Zoho Books and QuickBooks occupy a dominant position. Both are reliable, robust and widely used in Canada. However, their strengths, limitations and value propositions differ depending on the size of the business, the nature of operations and the real needs in terms of automation.
This article offers a complete and nuanced comparison of Zoho Books vs QuickBooks, with a slight tilt in favour of Zoho Books when it comes to the needs of SMEs, very small businesses, self-employed workers and growing companies — which represent the majority of the market in Quebec.
You will also find internal links to our most relevant resources, including guides on cloud accounting, invoicing automation, QuickBooks/Zoho implementation, as well as specialized articles on each software.
1. Understanding What Really Differentiates Zoho Books and QuickBooks
Both solutions are online accounting software, cloud-based, compatible with Quebec tax requirements, and used by thousands of businesses. However, they respond to different priorities:
QuickBooks
Very large ecosystem
More third-party integrations
Strong reputation across Canada
Well suited to established or more complex SMEs
Zoho Books
Simpler interface
More advantageous pricing
Advanced automation
Seamless integration with the Zoho ecosystem (CRM, Projects, Inventory)
Ideal for SMEs, very small businesses and self-employed professionals
If you’d like a broader overview of accounting software in general, you can refer to our guide:
→ How to choose the best accounting software for your business
2. Zoho Books: A Modern, Simple Platform Designed for Growth
Zoho Books is an accounting solution integrated into a complete ecosystem that includes CRM, project management, inventory, invoicing, automation and productivity tools.
Among our in-depth resources on Zoho Books, you can read:
These articles show why Zoho Books is gaining popularity among Quebec businesses that want a complete and affordable solution.
3. QuickBooks: The Traditional Reference for Canadian SMEs
QuickBooks still dominates the North American market, in part due to its longevity and its ecosystem of modules built up over many years.
To better understand how it works, see:
QuickBooks is generally preferred by more structured SMEs, especially those with several employees or more complex operational flows.
4. Comparison: Zoho Books vs QuickBooks
4.1 Ease of Use
Zoho Books: modern, intuitive interface, easy to use even without an accounting background.
QuickBooks: denser interface, more options, slightly steeper learning curve.
Advantage: Zoho Books, ideal for SMEs and very small businesses looking for a simple tool.
4.2 Automation
Both solutions automate core processes, but Zoho Books stands out with a higher level of native automation.
Examples of automated features:
Recurring invoicing
Automatic reminders
Smart categorization
Bank reconciliation
Customizable automated workflows
To go deeper into this topic, you can read:
→ How to automate your invoicing and save time
Advantage: Zoho Books, which is more flexible for businesses that want to eliminate repetitive tasks.
4.3 GST/QST Management
Both software handle the following very well:
5% GST
9.975% QST
Reporting for Revenu Québec
Multi-product and multi-service tax situations
Result: tie between the two tools.
4.4 Pricing
Pricing is a key issue, especially for startups and young businesses.
QuickBooks
More expensive plans
Add-on modules sometimes required
Cost that increases with the number of users
Zoho Books
More accessible pricing
Several features included from the entry-level plans
Fewer paid add-ons
Advantage: Zoho Books, especially for businesses with limited budgets.
4.5 Ecosystem and Integrations
QuickBooks
Larger ecosystem
750+ integrations
Useful for more complex businesses
Zoho Books
Around 300 integrations
Native integration with Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, Zoho Inventory
Very smooth and coherent ecosystem
If you want professional support for implementation, you can explore:
Advantage: QuickBooks for external integrations.
Advantage: Zoho Books for internal coherence.
4.6 Value for Money
Zoho Books offers a better balance between functionality and cost.
QuickBooks remains more expensive, but more flexible in complex environments.
Advantage: Zoho Books.
5. Comparison Table
| Criteria | Zoho Books | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | Very simple | Moderate |
| Automation | Excellent | Very good |
| GST/QST management | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | More affordable | More expensive |
| Ecosystem | Coherent (Zoho) | Very extensive |
| Best suited for | SMEs, very small businesses, self-employed | Established SMEs |
| Mobile interface | Smooth | Excellent |
6. Zoho Books: Why It Is Better Suited to Quebec SMEs and Very Small Businesses
Zoho Books is particularly well suited to the realities of Quebec businesses:
Simple invoicing
Quebec taxes built into the logic of the software
Advanced automation
Reduced overall cost
Clear, easy-to-understand interface
For growing businesses, the ability to integrate CRM, inventory, project management and automation through the Zoho ecosystem is a major advantage.
7. QuickBooks: A Robust Solution for More Structured SMEs
QuickBooks remains an excellent solution for:
SMEs with several departments
Businesses with complex processes
Structures that rely heavily on many third-party integrations
It is still a solid choice — but often oversized for smaller organisations.
8. Which Accounting Software Should You Choose for Your Business?
Your choice depends on several criteria:
Choose Zoho Books if:
You are starting or managing a small or medium-sized business
You are looking for a simple tool
You have a limited budget
You want to automate your invoicing
You already use, or plan to use, the Zoho ecosystem
Choose QuickBooks if:
Your business is larger or more structured
You need more advanced integrations
You are already familiar with QuickBooks
Your accounting structure is heavier and more complex
Conclusion: Zoho Books, the Best Choice for Most Small Businesses in Quebec
In most real-world cases we see in Quebec, Zoho Books offers a superior value for money, remarkable ease of use, and automation that helps save a significant amount of time.
QuickBooks remains a solid, recognized option, but is more suited to mature SMEs with a higher level of operational and system complexity.
If you would like guidance in choosing or implementing your accounting solution, our team can help you evaluate your situation and make an informed decision.
FAQ — Zoho Books vs QuickBooks
Is Zoho Books compatible with Quebec sales taxes?
Yes. Zoho Books fully supports GST and QST, including the appropriate rates, tax rules and reporting for Quebec businesses.
Is QuickBooks more complete than Zoho Books?
QuickBooks offers more third-party integrations and a very wide ecosystem, which can be an advantage for larger or more complex organisations.
However, for SMEs and very small businesses, Zoho Books often provides all the necessary features, with a simpler interface and a lower level of complexity to manage on a daily basis.
Which software is the least expensive?
In most cases, Zoho Books is less expensive overall. Its pricing structure is more accessible, and many features are included without needing to subscribe to higher-tier plans or add multiple paid modules.
Can you import data from one software to the other?
Yes, it is possible to migrate from one software to the other.
That said, this kind of migration should be planned and handled carefully: exporting data, structuring the chart of accounts, setting opening balances, reconciling bank accounts, etc.
For that reason, professional support is strongly recommended to ensure the accounting remains consistent and that the financial history is transferred properly.
