Harpoon
Forward-looking time-tracking and invoicing software designed to help freelancer...
Zoho Invoice
A comprehensive invoicing software designed for small businesses and freelancers...
Harpoon vs Zoho Invoice: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Harpoon and Zoho Invoice covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Harpoon vs Zoho Invoice: Overview
Choosing between Harpoon and Zoho Invoice is a common dilemma for invoicing users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Harpoon offers a free tier and starts at $9/monthly, while Zoho Invoice also has a free option and begins at $0/monthly. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
Harpoon is best known for unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability, whereas Zoho Invoice stands out for comprehensive free plan with unlimited invoices. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Harpoon
- Best for: Freelancers seeking profitable growth, Small agencies and design studios
- Starting price: Free
- Category: invoicing
- Founded: 2014
Zoho Invoice
- Best for: Small businesses needing professional invoicing, Freelancers starting their business journey
- Starting price: Free
- Category: invoicing
- Founded: 2008
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Harpoon and Zoho Invoice.
| Feature | H Harpoon | Z Zoho Invoice |
|---|---|---|
| Time Tracking | Track time across projects and clients | Pro plan and above |
| Invoicing | Professional invoice generation and management | |
| Financial Forecasting | Plan and predict future revenue streams | |
| Project Scheduling | Schedule projects and estimate cash flow | |
| The Harpoon Method | Four-rule system for financial clarity | |
| SSL Encryption | Secure data protection like online banking | |
| Stripe Integration | Secure payment processing for client payments | |
| Team Management | Studio and Agency plans only | |
| Dashboard Analytics | Key business metrics at a glance | |
| No Software Installation | Web-based platform with automatic updates | |
| Invoice Creation | Customizable templates with branding | |
| Expense Tracking | Receipt scanning and categorization | |
| Online Payments | Multiple payment gateway integrations | |
| Automated Reminders | Customizable payment reminder schedules | |
| Multi-currency Support | Handle international transactions | |
| Client Portal | Self-service portal for clients | |
| Mobile App | iOS and Android applications | |
| Recurring Invoices | Automated billing for regular services | |
| Custom Branding | Paid plans only |
Features Deep Dive
Both Harpoon and Zoho Invoice offer core invoicing functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Time Tracking.
Harpoon unique strengths: Invoicing, Financial Forecasting, Project Scheduling. This makes it ideal for freelancers seeking profitable growth.
Zoho Invoice unique strengths: Invoice Creation, Expense Tracking, Online Payments. This makes it better suited for small businesses needing professional invoicing.
Harpoon offers 10 core features with 2 integrations, while Zoho Invoice provides 10 features and 7 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Zoho Invoice edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Zoho Invoice offers better overall user satisfaction. Harpoon remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize freelancers seeking profitable growth.
Zoho Invoice
Best for Small businesses needing professional invoicing and Freelancers starting their business journey. Comprehensive free plan with unlimited invoices.
Try Zoho InvoiceHarpoon
Best for Freelancers seeking profitable growth and Small agencies and design studios. Unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability.
Try HarpoonPros & Cons
Harpoon Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability
- Simple four-rule methodology for business management
- 14-day free trial with no credit card required
- 21% discount for annual billing
- No hidden fees or setup costs
Cons
- Starter plan limited to only 3 clients
- No free permanent plan available
- Additional team members cost $5 each beyond 20 users
- May be too simple for complex enterprise needs
Zoho Invoice Pros & Cons
Pros
- Comprehensive free plan with unlimited invoices
- Professional customizable templates and branding options
- Seamless integration with other Zoho products
- Multiple payment gateway integrations for faster payments
- Mobile apps for invoicing on the go
Cons
- Free plan limited to 5 clients only
- Steep price jump from free to paid plans
- Limited integrations with non-Zoho applications
- Some users report occasional login and technical glitches
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
Harpoon
subscription- 14-day trial
- All features included
- No credit card required
- Up to 3 clients
- Basic time tracking
- Invoicing
- Unlimited clients
- Time tracking
- Invoicing
- Multiple team members
- Advanced reporting
- Project scheduling
- Up to 20 team members
- Advanced analytics
- Custom reporting
Zoho Invoice
freemium- Unlimited invoices
- Basic expense tracking
- 5 clients max
- Remove Zoho branding
- Custom fields
- Automated workflows
- Everything in Standard
- Time tracking
- Project management
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Harpoon Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $9/monthly. 5 plans available: Free Trial, Starter, Freelancer, Studio, Agency.
Zoho Invoice Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $0/monthly. 3 plans available: Free, Standard, Professional.
Verdict: Zoho Invoice is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, Harpoon may offer better value at scale with more advanced features.
For budget-conscious teams, Zoho Invoice is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing freelancers seeking profitable growth, Harpoon's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Harpoon if you need:
- Freelancers seeking profitable growth
- Small agencies and design studios
- Service-based businesses needing financial clarity
- Teams wanting to predict future revenue streams
- Unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability
- Simple four-rule methodology for business management
Choose Zoho Invoice if you need:
- Small businesses needing professional invoicing
- Freelancers starting their business journey
- Companies already using Zoho ecosystem
- Businesses requiring multi-currency invoicing
- Comprehensive free plan with unlimited invoices
- Professional customizable templates and branding options
Final Verdict
Choose Harpoon if: You need freelancers seeking profitable growth or small agencies and design studios. It excels at unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability and simple four-rule methodology for business management.
Choose Zoho Invoice if: You prioritize small businesses needing professional invoicing or freelancers starting their business journey. It's particularly strong for comprehensive free plan with unlimited invoices and professional customizable templates and branding options.
Overall: Zoho Invoice has a slight edge with a 4.7/5 rating from 1,290 reviews. However, Zoho Invoice has a larger user base with 1,290 reviews, suggesting broader market validation.
Both tools are solid choices in the invoicing space. Your decision should ultimately depend on your specific requirements, team size, and budget.
Harpoon vs Zoho Invoice FAQ
What are the main differences between Harpoon and Zoho Invoice?
Harpoon focuses on freelancers seeking profitable growth with unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability, while Zoho Invoice excels at small businesses needing professional invoicing with comprehensive free plan with unlimited invoices. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Harpoon or Zoho Invoice better for small businesses?
Harpoon offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Zoho Invoice's lower starting price of $0/month.
What is the pricing difference between Harpoon and Zoho Invoice?
Harpoon starts at $9/month with a free tier available, while Zoho Invoice starts at $0/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Harpoon integrate with Zoho Invoice?
While direct integration may vary, both Harpoon and Zoho Invoice support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Harpoon integrates with Stripe, Web browsers, while Zoho Invoice works with PayPal, Stripe, Square Payments.
Which tool is easier to use, Harpoon or Zoho Invoice?
Based on user reviews, Zoho Invoice generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.7 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Harpoon is known for simple four-rule methodology for business management.
Does Harpoon or Zoho Invoice offer better customer support?
Both Harpoon and Zoho Invoice provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Harpoon offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Harpoon compared to Zoho Invoice?
Harpoon's main advantages include: Unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability, Simple four-rule methodology for business management, 14-day free trial with no credit card required. Compared to Zoho Invoice, it's particularly strong for freelancers seeking profitable growth.
What are the cons of Harpoon compared to Zoho Invoice?
Harpoon's potential drawbacks include: Starter plan limited to only 3 clients, No free permanent plan available. Zoho Invoice may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Harpoon to Zoho Invoice or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for invoicing in 2026?
In 2026, Zoho Invoice leads in this comparison with a 4.7 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Harpoon excels for freelancers seeking profitable growth, while Zoho Invoice is ideal for small businesses needing professional invoicing.