IFS Cloud is a versatile and user-friendly ERP software that offers significant advantages in terms of flexibility, stability, and ease of use. It stands out for its low-code/no-code approach, making it easy to customize and adapt to various business needs.

Best For:

We recommend IFS for organizations in the Aerospace and Defense, Energy Utilities and Resources, Construction and Engineering, Manufacturing, and Service Industries. The software is tailored for sectors requiring robust asset management, service delivery, and industry-specific functionalities.

Zoho Books is a popular alternative to QuickBooks Online. It’s a cloud-based accounting software that offers accounts receivables and payables functionality. It lets you manage your financials and banking, create reports, and automate your sales and purchasing workflows.

Best For:

Zoho Books is best for small businesses with up to ten employees in online retail spaces and digital marketing. It’s a great solution for growing organizations that plan to expand their functionality into inventory management, project tracking, and other areas.

10.0

USER RATING

based on 1 user reviews

Our Verdict:

IFS Cloud can be tailored to various industries, making it widely popular. Its ability to seamlessly integrate all business functions such as human capital management and asset management is commendable. The platform’s composable environment ensures adaptability, allowing businesses to select functionalities as per their needs and expand over time.

However, potential users should be aware of some usability concerns. While many appreciate its robust functionality, a few users have found the interface to be less intuitive than desired. This might pose a slight learning curve for newcomers.

Pros:

Responsive customer support
User-friendly interface
Customizable based on features/modules
Integration with 3rd party applications

Cons:

Requires consult call for pricing
Can be a steep learning curve due to wealth of features

9.0

Our Rating

based on our expert editorial analysis

10.0

USER RATING

based on 6 user reviews

Our Verdict:

We like Zoho Books’ time-tracking features, strong inventory management, and easy integrations with other Zoho products. It also offers a free version with limited functionality but even its paid plans are less expensive than QuickBooks.

We don’t think Zoho Books is for companies searching for a comprehensive system beyond simple accounting. Zoho is an ecosystem of product suites that can integrate in a piecemeal fashion. You’ll need additional apps for inventory, CRM, and more.

Pros:

Client portal with sales and purchase approvals
Easily integrate with dozens of Zoho products
Time-tracking
Multiple sales and expense form types
Strong inventory tools included

Cons:

Difficult to modify invoices
Time tracking must be tied to projects
Maximum of 10 users
Limited bank syncing
Will require 'Zoho Inventory' if your inventory grows too large

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price $250,000 (perpetual license)
Client OS Windows, Web

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price $15/month
Client OS Web

Our editorial review team has put to the test two popular ERP solutions: IFS Applications and Zoho Books, and now we’re here to give you our insights.

IFS Applications Overview

IFS Applications is distinguished by its flexible component-based structure. Users can pick and choose from over 100 business components, each with a specific purpose, and add more as required.

IFS Applications is recommended for organizations in the Aerospace and Defense, Energy Utilities and Resources, Construction and Engineering, Manufacturing, and Service Industries. It particularly excels in sectors requiring strong asset management, service delivery, and industry-specific functionalities.

However, it’s worthwhile noting some potential drawbacks. A few users have reported performance issues and also found the user interface to be less intuitive than desired, which can pose a learning curve for newcomers.

Zoho Books Overview

On the other hand, Zoho Books is a cloud-based accounting software that provides accounts receivables and payables functionality. It’s particularly praised for its time-tracking features, strong inventory management, and easy integrations with other Zoho products.

Zoho Books is best suited for small businesses with up to ten employees in online retail spaces and digital marketing. It’s a great solution for growing organizations that plan to expand their functionality into inventory management, project tracking, and other areas.

However, it’s important to note that Zoho Books is not ideal for companies searching for a comprehensive system beyond simple accounting. If your inventory grows too large, for instance, you’ll need ‘Zoho Inventory’, an additional app.

IFS Applications vs. Zoho Books: Choosing the Right ERP Solution

For small businesses, particularly in online retail and digital marketing, Zoho Books is likely the more appropriate choice. It’s cost-effective, has solid inventory management, and can easily integrate with other Zoho products. However, remember that as your business grows, you may need to invest in additional Zoho apps.

For organizations in industries like Aerospace and Defense, Energy Utilities and Resources, and Construction and Engineering, IFS Applications is the better fit. Its strong asset management and service delivery capabilities, along with the option to choose specific business components, make it a versatile choice.

For a broader comparison of ERP software in the market, don’t forget to check our comprehensive roundup of the best ERP software.

IFS Cloud

★★★★★

(1)

Price Range

$ $ $ $ $

Starting Price

$250,000 (perpetual license)

Client OS

Windows, Web

Deployment

Cloud or On-Premises

Zoho Books

★★★★★

(6)

Price Range

$ $ $ $ $

Starting Price

$15/month

Client OS

Web

Deployment

Cloud Hosted