Choose Cadus when
You want to set up on your phone in minutes and don't need accounting software.
You drive for work and want mileage tracking alongside expenses.
You want Schedule C categories as the default way of organizing your records.
Zoho Books alternative
A simpler Zoho Books alternative for self-employed workers
Zoho Books is a full accounting suite with room to grow. Cadus is a lighter app for people who want expenses, receipts, mileage, invoices, and tax records on their phone.
Choose Zoho Books when
You want a full accounting system with a chart of accounts and room to add staff.
You already use other Zoho products.
You expect to outgrow a simple records app soon.
Cadus vs Zoho Books
Category
Cadus
Zoho Books
Starting price
Free plan at $0, with no payment card and no expiration. Pro is $12.99/month, or $99.99/year ($8.33/month).
A free plan for solopreneurs and micro businesses. Paid plans listed from $20 a month, or $15 a month billed annually.
Focus
Daily business records for U.S. self-employed workers and small service businesses.
Accounting software for businesses, with higher tiers for larger teams.
Receipts and mileage
Bank sync, Schedule C categories, 10 smart receipt scans a month, and 30 automatic mileage tracks a month on the Free plan. Pro makes scans and mileage unlimited.
See Zoho's plan comparison for current feature limits by tier.
Invoices
Unlimited Cadus-branded invoices on the Free plan. Pro removes the branding.
Included, with limits that vary by plan.
Jobs and staff hours
Job scheduling and employee hours with an iPad time clock are included on the Free plan.
See Zoho's other products for field service and time clock needs.
Related Cadus workflows
Business expense tracking
Expense Tracker App
Track business expenses, scan receipts, sync bank transactions, and organize tax deductions in Cadus, a U.S. expense tracker app for self-employed workers.
Invoicing and payments
Invoice Tracking App
Create invoices, track payments, and keep income next to expenses in Cadus, a mobile finance app for self-employed workers and small businesses.
Quarterly and yearly tax planning
Quarterly Tax Estimator
Estimate quarterly and yearly tax obligations with cleaner income, expense, and deduction records in Cadus for U.S. self-employed workers.
Related buyer guides
Zoho Books FAQ
Is Cadus accounting software like Zoho Books?
Not exactly. Cadus keeps expenses, income, invoices, and tax records for self-employed workers. Zoho Books is full accounting software, which is more than many sole proprietors need.
Which is better for a one-person business?
If you want simple records on your phone, Cadus is built for that. If you want formal accounting and plan to grow a team, Zoho Books may suit you better.
Where these details come from
We read Zoho Books's own website on November 9, 2026. Prices and limits change, so check the current page before you decide.
Zoho Books is a trademark of its respective owner. Cadus is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Zoho Books. This comparison is for general product-positioning and buyer-research purposes.