Zoho Invoice
A comprehensive invoicing software designed for small businesses and freelancers...
Harpoon
Forward-looking time-tracking and invoicing software designed to help freelancer...
Zoho Invoice vs Harpoon: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Zoho Invoice and Harpoon covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Zoho Invoice vs Harpoon: Overview
Choosing between Zoho Invoice and Harpoon is a common dilemma for invoicing users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Zoho Invoice offers a free tier and starts at $0/monthly, while Harpoon also has a free option and begins at $9/monthly. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
Zoho Invoice is best known for comprehensive free plan with unlimited invoices, whereas Harpoon stands out for unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Zoho Invoice
- Best for: Small businesses needing professional invoicing, Freelancers starting their business journey
- Starting price: Free
- Category: invoicing
- Founded: 2008
Harpoon
- Best for: Freelancers seeking profitable growth, Small agencies and design studios
- Starting price: Free
- Category: invoicing
- Founded: 2014
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Zoho Invoice and Harpoon.
| Feature | Z Zoho Invoice | H Harpoon |
|---|---|---|
| Invoice Creation | Customizable templates with branding | |
| Expense Tracking | Receipt scanning and categorization | |
| Online Payments | Multiple payment gateway integrations | |
| Automated Reminders | Customizable payment reminder schedules | |
| Time Tracking | Pro plan and above | Track time across projects and clients |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
Features Deep Dive
Both Zoho Invoice and Harpoon offer core invoicing functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Time Tracking.
Zoho Invoice unique strengths: Invoice Creation, Expense Tracking, Online Payments. This makes it ideal for small businesses needing professional invoicing.
Harpoon unique strengths: Invoicing, Financial Forecasting, Project Scheduling. This makes it better suited for freelancers seeking profitable growth.
Zoho Invoice offers 10 core features with 7 integrations, while Harpoon provides 10 features and 2 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
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
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
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
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
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
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Zoho Invoice Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $0/monthly. 3 plans available: Free, Standard, Professional.
Harpoon Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $9/monthly. 5 plans available: Free Trial, Starter, Freelancer, Studio, Agency.
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 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
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
Final Verdict
Choose Zoho Invoice if: You need small businesses needing professional invoicing or freelancers starting their business journey. It excels at comprehensive free plan with unlimited invoices and professional customizable templates and branding options.
Choose Harpoon if: You prioritize freelancers seeking profitable growth or small agencies and design studios. It's particularly strong for unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability and simple four-rule methodology for business management.
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.
Zoho Invoice vs Harpoon FAQ
What are the main differences between Zoho Invoice and Harpoon?
Zoho Invoice focuses on small businesses needing professional invoicing with comprehensive free plan with unlimited invoices, while Harpoon excels at freelancers seeking profitable growth with unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Zoho Invoice or Harpoon better for small businesses?
Zoho Invoice 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 Zoho Invoice and Harpoon?
Zoho Invoice starts at $0/month with a free tier available, while Harpoon starts at $9/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Zoho Invoice integrate with Harpoon?
While direct integration may vary, both Zoho Invoice and Harpoon support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Zoho Invoice integrates with PayPal, Stripe, Square Payments, while Harpoon works with Stripe, Web browsers.
Which tool is easier to use, Zoho Invoice or Harpoon?
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. Zoho Invoice is known for professional customizable templates and branding options.
Does Zoho Invoice or Harpoon offer better customer support?
Both Zoho Invoice and Harpoon provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Zoho Invoice offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Zoho Invoice compared to Harpoon?
Zoho Invoice's main advantages include: Comprehensive free plan with unlimited invoices, Professional customizable templates and branding options, Seamless integration with other Zoho products. Compared to Harpoon, it's particularly strong for small businesses needing professional invoicing.
What are the cons of Zoho Invoice compared to Harpoon?
Zoho Invoice's potential drawbacks include: Free plan limited to 5 clients only, Steep price jump from free to paid plans. Harpoon may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Zoho Invoice to Harpoon 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. Zoho Invoice excels for small businesses needing professional invoicing, while Harpoon is ideal for freelancers seeking profitable growth.