Updated September 29, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team
Kartra vs Zoho Books
Kartra
Zoho Books
Higher score in this comparison
Kartra vs Zoho Books: the differences
| Compare | KartraReviewVisitVisit | Zoho BooksReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price per user from | $59 | $20Lower |
| Free plan | No | YesHas it |
| Free trial length | 14 days | 15 daysHigher |
| Plan tiers | Essentials, Starter, Growth, Professional | Free, Standard, Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate |
| Product | Help desk | CRM, Help deskCovers more |
| Free plan limits | Not confirmed | Up to 3 users, basic CRM features |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Zoho Books scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.0.
- Price per user from is lower at Zoho Books: $20 vs $59.
- Free plan: only Zoho Books.
- Free trial length is higher at Zoho Books: 15 days vs 14 days.
- Support channels: only Kartra offers Chat, Community.
- Support channels: only Zoho Books offers Phone.
- Audience: only Zoho Books offers Enterprise.
- Pricing model: only Zoho Books offers Free plan.
- Product: only Zoho Books offers CRM.
Our verdict on each
Kartra
Kartra suits beginners and small businesses who want a site, a store and a help desk in a single subscription, but its entry price sits above the middle of the field. Entry pricing runs from $59, and the only no-cost look before paying is a trial.
Zoho Books
Zoho Books suits small businesses that want a usable free tier before they pay, with the free plan covering Up to 3 users, basic CRM features. Founded in 1996, it pairs that free start with a published tier list for teams ready to pay more per user.
Score breakdown
| Area | Kartra | Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7The cost part of the score is 3 against 5.2 overall, and entry price ranks 177 of 199. | 9.5HigherEntry price of $20 per user ranks 25 of 61 brands, mid pack on cost. |
| Offer | 9.4A single subscription for site, store and landing, plus help desk and automation, with 100 templates to start from. | 9.5Higher |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 10.0 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Kartra | Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|
| Email marketing software | 13 of 100 | 37 of 100 |
| Help desk software | 7 of 51 | 13 of 51 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Kartra | Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | India |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kartra | Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Beginners, Small business | Beginners, Small business, EnterpriseCovers more |
| Pricing model | Free trial | Free plan, Free trialCovers more |
| Legal entity | Kartra Inc. | Zoho Corporation Private Limited |
| Headquarters | United States | India |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1996 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre, Community | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Business tools
| Fact | Kartra | Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $59 | $20Lower |
| Usage limits | 500 contacts | Free for 3 users |
| Tool type | Automation | Not confirmed |
| Templates | 100 | Not confirmed |
Email marketing
| Fact | Kartra | Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|
| Price at 1,000 contacts | $119 | Not confirmed |
Accounting software
| Fact | Kartra | Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|
| Local compliance | Not confirmed | Mtd vat, Mtd itsa |
| Bank feeds | Not confirmed | Yes |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kartra | Zoho Books | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per user from | $59highest quarter | $20below the median | $25 |
| Free trial length | 14 daysat the median | 15 daysabove the median | 14 days |
Median across 81 listed software products.
Pros and cons
Kartra
Pros
- A single subscription covers site, store and landing, so a site, a store and a landing page do not need separate tools.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre, which covers most questions without a call.
- Automation and a help desk sit in the same bundle as the builder, widening what the subscription covers.
Cons
- No free plan, so every feature has to be judged inside the trial.
- Entry pricing of $59 asks for more than the group median of €7.89 for website builders.
- Transaction fees run 0% to 5% on store sales, where the group median is 0%.
Zoho Books
Pros
- A free plan is offered, and it covers Up to 3 users, basic CRM features rather than expiring after a fixed run.
- The tier list runs Free, Standard, Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate, so there is a published step between the free tier and the upper tiers.
- A trial of 15 days runs alongside the free plan, giving time to test the paid tiers.
Cons
- Per user pricing starts at $20, above Freshsales at $9.
- The free plan caps teams at Up to 3 users, basic CRM features, so any larger group pays from the first seat.
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre only, with no live chat listed.
Who each suits
Kartra
Who it suits
- Beginners and small businesses in beginners and small business who want one paid subscription for site, store and support.
- Solo sellers who also want a help desk and automation in the same place.
- Buyers who would rather test a full plan than stay on a limited free tier.
Who should look elsewhere
- Shoppers on a tight budget: Ko-fi starts at $12.
- Sellers comparing in a local currency: Mitienda Uruguay starts at UYU 400.
- Automation buyers shopping elsewhere: Shafrik starts at XOF 9,900.
Zoho Books
Who it suits
- Small businesses that fit inside Up to 3 users, basic CRM features and want to stay on a free tier.
- Teams that can budget $20 per user and want the tier list Free, Standard, Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate kept in the open.
- Buyers who want bank feeds and a 15 day trial before committing.
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams focused on the entry rate should start with Freshsales at $9 per user.
- Anyone outgrowing the free allowance, Up to 3 users, basic CRM features, should weigh Infloww at $40 against CreatorHero at $39.99.
Current offers
Kartra
Current offer
Free trial
14 days free on any plan: 14 days
Limited time offer; trial limited to one trial per person per product; payment information must be on file before the account is created; 30-day hold period before a trial rebill counts as a sale
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
30-Day risk-free money back guarantee: 30 days
Applies to new customers; refund request must be made within 30 days of the start of a subscription; trial payments non-refundable
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Zoho Books
Current offer
Bonus
$100 wallet credits for referrals: $100
For referrals via affiliate links
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Kartra
How much does Kartra cost to start?+
Entry pricing runs from $59, and the e-commerce plan price is $59. Both point at the same starting figure, so a shop and a plain site begin in the same place. Renewal is the number to watch once the trial ends.
Is there a free plan?+
No. There is no free plan, so the 14 day trial is the only no-cost way in. The builder, the store and the help desk can all be tried before anything is paid, which suits a buyer who wants to feel the templates out first.
Zoho Books
What does Zoho Books cost per user?+
Entry pricing is $20 per user, and a free plan is offered alongside it. That figure covers the starting paid tier rather than the upper tiers, so a team can enter the product without committing to the whole ladder. Budget on a per user basis, since every added seat sits on the same rate.
What does the free plan include?+
A free plan is offered, and it covers Up to 3 users, basic CRM features. That is the part to check against your own team, because the free tier suits a small number of seats and a larger group moves to the paid plans fairly quickly. The free tier is listed as a standing plan rather than a time-limited offer, so there is nothing to renew.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Kartra
Zoho Books