# ZipBooks

ZipBooks is a free small business accounting software with invoicing and expense tracking. Rated 4.6/5 on G2. Profile: pricing tiers, features, and comparison to Wave and QuickBooks.

**Category:** Small business accounting software  
**Vendor:** ZipBooks Inc.  
**Founded:** 2015  
**HQ:** Orem, Utah, US  
**Website:** https://zipbooks.com  


## About

ZipBooks is a simple, cloud-based accounting platform for freelancers and small businesses. Founded in 2015 in Orem, Utah, ZipBooks offers a free tier with unlimited invoicing, basic bookkeeping, and expense tracking. The platform is designed to be significantly simpler than QuickBooks while offering double-entry accounting. ZipBooks gained recognition as a strong free alternative to Wave (before Wave added fees) and QuickBooks Simple Start. The platform has received CNET Editor's Choice and PCMag recognition. ZipBooks targets businesses with 1-10 employees that need clean invoicing, basic accounting, and time tracking without paying for software they barely use.

## Ratings

| Source | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | 4.6/5 | ~200 |
| Capterra | 4.5/5 | ~150 |

## Funding

Undisclosed (bootstrapped primarily)

## Viability

Small bootstrapped company with 10+ years of operation. Limited funding means slower feature development. Reliable for the basic use case; not suitable for growing companies needing advanced features.

## Pricing

ZipBooks Starter is free forever. Smarter: $15/month (automatic receipt scanning, unlimited collaborators). Sophisticated: $35/month (advanced accounting, time tracking). Enterprise: custom pricing.

| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Free | Freelancers, 1 user, basic invoicing |
| Smarter | $15/mo | Small businesses, multiple users, receipt scanning |
| Sophisticated | $35/mo | Advanced accounting, time tracking |

## What reviewers say

_~350 G2 and Capterra reviews, 2025-2026_

**Praised:**
- Best free accounting software after Wave's fee changes
- Clean, easy-to-understand interface for non-accountants
- Unlimited invoicing on the free plan is genuinely useful
- High G2 satisfaction scores across multiple years

**Complaints:**
- Feature development has been slow
- Mobile app is limited vs. competitors
- Bank connections can be unreliable for some institutions
- Payroll not built in (requires integration)

## Compliance

- **SOC 2:** Unverified
- **GDPR:** Yes
- **HIPAA:** N/A
- **SSO:** No

## Integrations

- Stripe
- PayPal
- Square
- Bank sync (limited)
- Chase, Bank of America (bank import)

## FAQs

### How does ZipBooks compare to Wave?

Both offer free tiers. Wave has stronger bank feeds and longer history. ZipBooks has slightly cleaner invoicing and a simpler UI. Wave added payment processing fees; ZipBooks' free tier remains broader for basic needs.

### Does ZipBooks have payroll?

No built-in payroll. ZipBooks integrates with Gusto for payroll.


## Sources

- [ZipBooks website](https://zipbooks.com): Product and pricing
- [G2 ZipBooks reviews](https://www.g2.com/products/zipbooks/reviews): User reviews