Best 5 Zoho Subscriptions Alternatives & Competitors in 2025

If you’re looking for a Zoho subscription alternative, you’ve probably faced Zoho’s steep learning curve, pricey upgrades, and rigid tools. Well, many teams outgrow Zoho Subscriptions once their billing, client, and project needs get more complex.

Inside, we’ll break down the best alternatives, including who they’re built for, what they solve, and how they stack up in the real world. Whether you’re running an agency, startup, or scaling SaaS business, we’ve got options that fit your flow, not fight it.

Quick List of Top Zoho Subscriptions Competitors

Here are the top picks, each great for specific needs —

• Agency Handy: Best for agencies to manage clients, invoices, subscriptions, and payments in one place. 
• Chargebee: Ideal for SaaS teams running complex pricing experiments with ease.
• Maxio: Great for finance teams managing revenue, metrics, and custom billing rules.
• Stripe: Best for global businesses needing fast, flexible payment infrastructure.
• Recurly: Ideal for fast-growing brands needing smart churn and billing automation.

Reasons to Consider Alternatives to Zoho Subscriptions 

Here are some of the most common and frustrating pain points that might push you to look for better Zoho competitors.

Learning Curve 

Zoho tries to offer everything under one roof, but the interface feels overwhelming. Instead of simplifying your workflow, it demands hours just to understand where things live. 

For lean teams, time spent figuring out a tool is time lost on billable work.

Limited Flexibility 

If you’re trying to set up hybrid or usage-based pricing, Zoho hits a wall fast. You can’t mix models easily, and add-ons or one-off charges feel like workarounds, not real features. 

Some businesses offer different service levels or charge based on usage, but their billing systems are too inflexible. As a result, they can’t align their pricing with how they actually bill customers.

Not Built for Real Team Collaboration

Zoho Billing doesn’t talk to your project workflows. There’s no built-in task tracking, client feedback loop, or file versioning. For agencies, consultants, or creatives, this means constantly switching between tools just to keep projects aligned. 

Instead of one streamlined view, your team ends up juggling tabs and miscommunication.

White Labeling Comes at a Premium

It feels odd, but branding your own invoices costs extra. White-labeling something as basic as showing your own company name gets locked behind higher tiers. This isn’t just annoying; it breaks trust with clients when they see another company’s branding. 

Slow, Fragmented Support

Multiple reviews mention long response times or unclear help channels. In fast-paced teams, waiting days to resolve billing issues is not an option. 

Users often face delays when seeking help, whether for bug fixes, feature explanations, or onboarding. Instead of quick answers, they must go through forums or go back and forth with different support staff.

A Quick Comparison of The Top Zoho Subscriptions Alternative

Here’s a straightforward look at how the top Zoho subscriptions management alternatives stack up.

Platforms	Automated Billing & Invoicing	Billing Flows	Subscription Management
Agency Handy	✅	One-timeRecurring	Yes – tied to task & client workflows
Chargebee	✅	Yes	Yes
Maxio	✅	Per-unitVolume-basedTieredPrepaidEvent-based	CustomizableContractsDiscountsUpsells
Stripe	✅	Usage-basedPer-seatHybrid models	Trial setupBilling updatesCancellations
Recurly	✅	Adaptive pricingMulti-subscription support	Modify plans PauseRenew

Top 5 Alternatives to Zoho Billing That Simplify Workflow

So we went out, tested, compared, and gathered feedback from actual users regarding Zoho subscription alternatives. 

What we found was eye-opening. Every alternative featured here was vetted for real-world needs like recurring billing, flexible pricing models, revenue recognition, and ease of scaling. 

1. Agency Handy

If you’re on the hunt for a Zoho Subscriptions alternative, Agency Handy is a smarter choice. That’s especially true if you need more than just billing support. 

Zoho focuses on managing subscriptions, but Agency Handy goes a step further. It gives you one space to handle client work, tasks, payments, and communication without jumping between apps.

Here’s how it works: when a client places an order, the platform automatically generates a custom invoice. Tasks are created, deadlines set, and your team sees updates right away. It acts as a recurring billing software, task tracker, and client hub. All linked together in one neat package!

What really makes a difference is how easy it is to get started. You can build intake forms that collect everything upfront—budgets, timelines, and service choices. Ultimately, it speeds things up and keeps projects on track.

Compared to Zoho, which emphasizes billing features, Agency Handy is more practical for everyday agency work. For example, if you upload a design draft, your client can mark changes directly on the file. There would be no emails, no confusion.

You also get useful features like a drag-and-drop Kanban board, custom client portals, automatic payment reminders, and performance reports for your agency. These tools help you stay organized and track progress easily.

So if juggling multiple tools is slowing you down, Agency Handy simplifies everything. 

Features of Agency Handy

If you’re looking for more than just a subscription billing tool, Agency Handy is built for you. It does what Zoho Subscriptions does and then goes further. 

So, here are the standout features where Agency Handy clearly edges ahead.

Billing & Subscription Management

Agency Handy’s billing system allows you to automate invoicing right after an order is placed. It supports both one-time charges and recurring subscriptions, making it easy to manage different pricing models. 

With built-in payment gateways like PayPal, Wise, Stripe, and even manual banking, clients can pay however they prefer. You also get automatic reminders for due or upcoming payments, which helps reduce late invoices and keeps your cash flow steady.

Branded Invoices 

It helps you send professional-looking invoices that match your brand logo, colors, language, and even custom notes. Unlike Zoho Subscriptions, white-labeling comes standard in every Agency Handy plan. It means you don’t have to pay extra just to remove someone else’s branding. 

Clients see your name, your style, and nothing else. It’s a small detail that adds big trust.

Custom Intake & Order Forms

Agency Handy’s forms allow you to collect key details like project goals, budgets, deadlines, and service add-ons before anything begins. You can tailor the forms to suit each service or client type. 

When a form is submitted, it instantly creates a client profile and an order, saving you time and preventing errors. The structure also keeps your team aligned on client needs from day one.

Built-In Task & Order Management

It helps you break down each order into tasks, assign them to team members, and track progress from a visual Kanban board. You can set priorities, due dates, and even attach files to tasks. 

The real-time updates let you catch delays early and avoid miscommunication. It keeps everyone on the same page without needing a separate project management tool.

File Feedback & Version Control

Agency Handy allows clients to leave direct comments on files, whether it’s a design draft, contract, or image. You can upload multiple versions; clients can highlight, annotate, or draw on the file. This removes email chains and makes the feedback process clean and fast. 

Each file is stored inside the client’s order history, so nothing gets lost and everything is easy to track later.

Client Relationship Management (CRM)

It offers a built-in CRM where every client detail is neatly stored. Once added, all their orders, invoices, support tickets, and uploaded files are linked to their profile. 

You don’t need to dig through folders or use separate tools to see client history. It’s an easy way to keep your relationship history intact and make future interactions smoother.

Service Catalog with Packages

Agency Handy allows you to create a public or private catalog of services with multiple packages (e.g. Basic, Standard, and Premium). This makes it easier for clients to compare options and choose a package without emailing back and forth. 

You can also add service descriptions, group related services, offer trials, and include discount codes. The catalog can be embedded on your website or shared via link, turning service selection into a quick, self-serve experience.

Real-Time Collaboration

Agency Handy’s shared workspace supports task comments, file sharing, and feedback in real time. Your clients can approve tasks, ask questions, or give input without using email or outside tools. 

Your team can do the same; no context-switching or app-hopping. It keeps project communication centralized, reducing backlogs and confusion.

Built-In Support Ticketing

It provides a client-facing ticket system where users can log issues or requests directly from their dashboard. You can assign tickets to the right team members, set priorities, and monitor the ticket history to see what has been resolved and what is pending. 

Role-Based Access & Security

Agency Handy helps you assign access levels by role: Super Admin, Admin, Manager, or Assignee. Thus, each user only sees the tools and data they need. This keeps internal information safe and avoids accidental changes. 

Pros of Agency Handy

• Simplifies billing and subscriptions
• Automates invoicing and payment reminders
• Provides all-in-one workspace
• Supports real-time task updates
• Simplifies the client onboarding process
• Delivers fast, personal customer support
• Enables white-label customization

Best Use Cases of Agency Handy

If you’re considering Agency Handy as a Zoho Subscriptions alternative, it’s important to understand who it’s truly built for. Here’s who can make the most of it.

• Marketing Agencies: If you run a marketing agency juggling multiple clients, projects, and services, Agency Handy helps bring structure. You can onboard clients with intake forms, break down tasks on a Kanban board, send branded invoices, and keep everything under one roof. 
• Freelancers and Solo Consultants: For solo professionals, it simplifies everything from collecting client details to sending invoices and managing feedback. You don’t have to manage three platforms to do what one clean dashboard now handles. It’s simple, clear, and saves time.
• Creative and Design Studios: If your workflow depends on exchanging files, getting client feedback, and managing revisions, the built-in file feedback system is a major plus. Clients can comment right on designs or documents.
• Service-Based Startups: Startups offering digital services (like SEO, content, or development) benefit from the ability to list and sell packages directly. You can set up service catalogs with pricing tiers, offer trials, and share direct links for quick checkout.
• Agencies Managing Remote Teams: With built-in task assignments, time tracking, and file sharing, Agency Handy gives remote teams clarity. Everyone sees what needs to be done, by when, and for whom, without needing Trello, Slack, and Google Docs to talk to each other.
• SMBs Scaling Operations: Small businesses looking to grow can use Agency Handy to replace spreadsheets and disconnected tools. Its CRM, billing automation, and built-in support ticketing help keep customer operations smooth and scalable.

Agency Handy Pricing

You can pick from three different pricing plans at Agency Handy unlike Zoho Subscription pricing, where there’s a custom package.

What Do People Say About Agency Handy?

Review on AppSumo: 5 out of 5

“Just got started with Agency Handy and I must say, I’m genuinely impressed. The platform is polished, professional, and ideal for agencies looking to streamline client onboarding and task management.” – Diran_LinkDeal

Review on G2: 5 out of 5

“As far now everything good from my side and hope they will add more feature which can beat market standard” – Rasel A.

Why Should You Use Agency Handy over Zoho Subscriptions?

Here’s a quick side-by-side breakdown of where Zoho Subscription lacks and Agency Handy fills up.

Zoho Subscriptions Limitations	How Agency Handy Meets the Requirement
Steep learning curve	Simple layout and ready-to-use tools make setup easy
Limited support for complex pricing	Let’s you build tiered, custom, and add-on pricing
Heavily tied to Zoho ecosystem	Works independently with built-in CRM and project tools
White-labeling locked behind higher tiers	Branding is included in all plans, even the basic one
Support can be slow on tougher issues	Fast, hands-on help from real team members
Not cost-effective for small teams	Lifetime pricing with full access, no upsells
No project or task tracking	Built-in Kanban board for tasks and project updates

2. Chargebee

Chargebee is a better Zoho Subscriptions alternative if you’re looking to test pricing strategies, manage usage-based billing, or automate revenue tasks without needing to code. 

Sure, Zoho lets you create discounts! However, Chargebee lets you go further by bundling offers, keeping old plans intact, and setting up complex pricing models, including hybrid ones. It also supports real-time tracking and proration automatically.

You’ll find Chargebee easy to use, especially if you want to skip the technical work. From setting up trials to managing the full subscription journey, most things can be done with just a few clicks. It also helps reduce customer drop-offs with cancel pages that show custom offers and self-serve options.

That said, Recurly offers similar tools, but Chargebee stands out for handling large-scale billing. That’s even if you process hundreds of thousands of usage events per second.

So, whether you’re a founder or part of a growing SaaS team, Chargebee gives you the tools to scale with confidence.

Features of Chargebee

Here’s a closer look at what it offers —

• Automated Billing & Invoicing: This feature lets you automate everything from invoice generation to sending payment reminders. It handles multiple billing scenarios like flat-fee, usage-based, or tiered pricing.
• Subscription Lifecycle Management: You can manage upgrades, downgrades, renewals, and cancellations in one place. It supports proration, smart routing, and trial-to-paid transitions while offering self-serve options to reduce support load.
• Pricing Experiments: Chargebee allows you to roll out new plans, bundles, or pricing models quickly without needing engineers. You can test what works, tweak pricing, and track performance without disrupting your existing setup.
• Quote-to-Cash (CPQ): This tool simplifies how you send quotes and close deals. You can customize pricing, contract terms, and renewal details for each customer, making your sales process faster and more transparent.
• Usage-Based & Hybrid Billing: You can bill customers based on how much they use, combine recurring and one-time charges, or even use tiered and outcome-based models.
• Checkout & Payment Flexibility: Chargebee supports over 30 payment gateways and 100 currencies. You can build a smooth, branded checkout experience that fits your business and meets customers where they are.
• Tax Automation: Handling EU-VAT, US Sales Tax, and GST becomes effortless. The system adapts to changing tax laws and applies the correct rates without manual input.
• Trial & Coupon Management: It lets you run free and paid trials, extend them when needed, and manage discounts or gift subscriptions easily, helping you convert users without a heavy sales push.

Pros of Chargebee

• Improves subscription and billing automation
• Offers flexible pricing and integrations
• Ensures responsive, knowledgeable support
• Offers smooth API and webhook setup
• Enables scalable product catalog management

Cons of Chargebee

• Learning curve for new users
• UI can feel overwhelming initially
• Limited control over invoice timing

Chargebee Pricing

Chargebee offers three plans.

• Starter is free until you hit $250K in total billing, perfect if you’re just starting out. 
• Performance, at $599/month, suits growing teams with complex billing needs like metered pricing, smart dunning, and consolidated invoicing. If you go over $100K in monthly billing, there’s a 0.75% overage fee. 
• For advanced setups like multi-entity billing and custom contracts, Enterprise is tailored to your needs.  

From our observation, for serious billing and subscription management, Performance hits the sweet spot.

What Do People Say about Chargebee

G2 review: 4.4/5 

“I can track all my subscribers and payments, and I can integrate third party Crypto payments too!” – Stefan T.

Trustpilot: 3.4/5

“I am grateful for Chargebee’s support in helping us work through some integration issues. Overall, the platform has helped us manage our SaaS business well and is therefore a key piece of our tech stack.” – Isaac Szijjarto

Is Chargebee better than Zoho Subscriptions?

Chargebee is a better fit when you’re dealing with complex subscription models, advanced billing automation, or need deep API flexibility. It’s built for scaling fast-growing SaaS and eCommerce businesses with layered pricing, dunning logic, and real-time sync between systems.

3. Maxio

Whether you’re managing recurring plans or scaling into usage-based pricing, Maxio gives you the control Zoho Subscriptions often lacks. Zoho handles basic billing tasks well. 

However, Maxio steps in when your business model gets more layered. It offers robust tools for revenue recognition, advanced reporting, and contract-level flexibility.

Despite its advanced features, Maxio is surprisingly easy to explore. You can define pricing, set up contracts, and automate complex billing rules without any code. Plus, it covers everything from subscription billing and usage metering to dunning, collections, and ASC 606 revenue recognition.

Unlike Stripe, which is strong in payment processing, Maxio outshines when it comes to revenue analytics and custom billing workflows. Its one-click reports (MRR, cohort, ARR, DSO) and custom dashboards let finance teams dig deep without dev help.

Features of Maxio

Maxio goes beyond basic tools like Zoho Subscriptions by combining powerful features. 

• Usage-Based Billing: This feature lets you bill customers based on real-time product usage, whether it’s per-unit, tiered, volume-based, or event-triggered. 
• Subscription Management: You can customize subscription plans, contracts, and pricing with full control. Add setup fees, discounts, and upsells, and use no-code tools to update product catalogs, avoiding the clutter of too many plans.
• Revenue Recognition: Maxio helps automate ASC 606/IFRS 15-compliant revenue rules. You can apply recognition schedules across contracts, drill into audit-ready reports, and update revenue timelines.
• Financial Reporting & Dashboards: This feature provides one-click reports for metrics like ARR, churn, MRR, and DSO. You can create dashboards for your team, track customer-level revenue data, and give limited access to auditors for transparency.
• CRM & Accounting Integrations: Maxio syncs bi-directionally with HubSpot, Salesforce, Xero, QuickBooks, NetSuite, and more. It ensures invoicing, payment, and tax data stay consistent across tools.
• Custom Invoicing & Portals: You can design invoice layouts with as much or as little detail as needed. Plus, customers get a self-service billing portal to view charges, manage payments, and avoid back-and-forth with support.
• Tax Compliance (via Avalara): This feature automates sales tax calculations based on location and supports audit-ready tax tracking. With Avalara integration, you don’t need to worry about manually validating addresses or tax rules.

Pros of Maxio

• Helps manage renewals and AR efficiently
• Offers deep SaaS metrics and KPIs
• Provides reliable integrations with CRMs and GLs
• Improves subscription billing automation
• Ensures audit-ready financial reports
• Supports flexible, usage-based pricing

Cons of Maxio

• Requires time to learn report logic
• Lacks modern UI in some areas

Maxio Pricing

Maxio offers two pricing plans. The options are Grow at $599 per month for up to $100K in monthly billings, and Scale, a custom plan for higher volumes. Both give you tools like usage-based billing, recurring payments, dunning, and CRM integrations.

What Do People Say about Maxio

G2 Review: 4.3/5

“Maxio helps us keep track of our revenue data. I use it almost daily for reporting and commission plans.” – Chandler O.

Capterra Review: 4.3/5

“It would be nice to have features to send one-off charges to existing clients, where you don’t want them to recur.” – Chad K.

Is Maxio better than Zoho Subscriptions?

For finance teams managing revenue recognition, audits, and complex billing logic, Maxio is the better choice. Its strength lies in automation, GAAP-compliant reporting, and visibility across recurring, usage-based, and contract billing.

On the flip side, Zoho Subscriptions is better for small teams looking for an easy, plug-and-play setup. If you want quick product launches, lightweight automation, and simple subscription handling, with a smooth learning curve, Zoho is ideal.

4. Stripe

If you’re outgrowing basic billing tools like Zoho Subscriptions and need a system that moves as fast as your business, Stripe is the clear next step.

Stripe is sleek and intuitive but built for serious scale. It supports everything from flat-rate and usage-based billing to advanced revenue recognition and AI-driven fraud protection. You can customize nearly every part of your payment flow. The best part, you won’t have to go through complex code, unless you want to.

We’ve already seen that Chargebee is great for pricing experiments. However, Stripe wins with its global payment infrastructure, over 130 currencies, and smart automation tools. These features help you capture revenue you might otherwise lose.

Plus, with plug-and-play integrations, developer-friendly APIs, and lightning-fast data syncs, Stripe fits right into your stack. It’s ideal for startups, SaaS businesses, marketplaces, and platforms ready to level up. 

Features of Stripe

Stripe steps ahead with a range of features that scale with your business. Some of them are — 

• Stripe Billing: This feature supports flat-rate, usage-based, per-seat, and hybrid billing models. You can set up free trials, coupons, prorations, and automate dunning. 
• Smart Retries & Revenue Recovery: Stripe uses AI to reduce failed payments and involuntary churn. With built-in workflows like Smart Retries and recovery automations, you can retain more customers and recover more revenue without extra effort.
• Hosted Checkout & Payment Methods: You can accept global payments through over 100 methods across over 130 currencies. Stripe’s hosted checkout offers one-click payments, optimized for speed, security, and conversion.
• Revenue Recognition: This tool automates GAAP-compliant accrual accounting. It tracks deferred revenue, handles upgrades, disputes, and refunds, and gives you audit-ready reports straight from the dashboard.
• Stripe Tax: Stripe simplifies tax compliance globally. It monitors tax obligations, calculates the correct rates, collects taxes, and helps you file all in real-time. 
• Invoicing: Stripe lets you create, send, and automate invoices in minutes. Whether it’s one-time or recurring, invoices are optimized for speed and conversion. APIs and email reminders streamline your entire receivables process.
• Stripe Sigma: This feature provides advanced analytics using SQL and AI prompts. You can build custom reports, automate delivery schedules, and get clear business insights directly from your Stripe data.
• Stripe Connect: With Connect, you can manage multiparty payouts for platforms and marketplaces. It handles user onboarding, split payments, KYC, and tax reporting, letting you focus on growth, not backend logistics.
• Stripe Radar: Radar fights fraud using machine learning trained on billions of transactions. It blocks fraud in real-time, supports 3D Secure, and adapts to new threats.
• Stripe API & Integration: Stripe’s APIs are developer-friendly and modular. You can embed billing logic, automate workflows, and scale without having to rebuild. It plays well with your ERP, CRM, and custom tools with minimal setup.

Pros of Stripe

• Offers flexible billing options
• Improves global payment access
• Provides developer-friendly APIs
• Ensures fast product setup
• Increases fraud protection
• Simplifies financial reporting

Cons of Stripe

• Charges higher processing fees
• Requires technical onboarding
• Limits checkout customization

Stripe Pricing

Stripe keeps things simple with a Standard plan at 2.9% + 30¢ per successful domestic card transaction. You don’t need to set up or pay monthly fees. You only pay when you earn. 

If you handle higher volumes or run a unique model, Stripe offers a Custom plan with IC+ pricing, volume discounts, and country-specific rates. You also get extra tools bundled in. It’s pay-as-you-go, flexible, and designed to grow with you, whether you’re just starting out or scaling fast.

What Do People Say about Stripe

Capterra review: 4.6/5

“We can collect customer payments on our website very easily.Stripe also offers great integration with audit accounting software” – Joseph T.

G2 review: 4.2/5

“I don’t like that we still pay processing fees for refunds – doesn’t make a lot of sense when the variable cost is so low” – Nicholas V.

Is Stripe better than Zoho Subscriptions?

Stripe is the better choice if you need flexible billing models, advanced automation, or plan to scale globally. It supports usage-based billing, tiered pricing, dynamic checkout flows, and lets developers customize just about everything.

That said, Zoho Subscriptions is perfect if you’re looking for simplicity and tight integration within the Zoho ecosystem. It’s intuitive, cost-effective, and works brilliantly for businesses already using Zoho Books or Zoho CRM. 

5. Recurly

If you’ve ever outgrown the “plug-and-play” limits of Zoho Subscriptions, Recurly is what scaling feels like. While Zoho gets the basics right, Recurly is built for businesses ready to flex. 

Most importantly, Recurly makes subscription management feel effortless. It’s easy to explore, fast to deploy, and designed to remove your billing bottlenecks. Also, you can automate taxes, prorations, dunning, and renewals without calling in devs for every change.

If we bring Maxio against Recurly, Maxio performs best for detailed financial reports and strict revenue tracking. On the other hand, Recurly is the stronger choice for live billing changes, adapting plans on the fly, and hassle-free setup.

So, if growth is your priority, Recurly isn’t just a tool; it’s your infrastructure.

Features of Recurly

Here’s a closer look at Recurly’s standout features —

• Subscription Management: Recurly offers a central hub for full lifecycle control. Modify plans, pause accounts, or update pricing without friction. It handles multi-subscription scenarios, account hierarchies, and even lets customers manage their own details via a portal.
• Automated Billing & Invoicing: This feature simplifies recurring billing with global tax compliance. Whether billing is weekly, monthly, or custom, Recurly keeps things running. 
• Customization & Flexibility: You can tailor invoices, receipts, and plans to match your business. It allows you to adapt billing layouts, add logos, or customize emails. From trial management to promotions, it adjusts to your structure not the other way around.
• Churn Management: This feature reduces both voluntary and failed-payment churn. Recurly proactively recovers revenue using intelligent retries, dunning campaigns, and backup payment methods. 
• Analytics & Reporting: You can track real-time subscription health and spot growth levers. With pre-built dashboards and custom reports, Recurly gives instant insights into MRR, churn, plan performance, and customer retention. 
• Payments Orchestration: It offers multiple gateways, currencies, and payment methods. You can accept cards, ACH, PayPal, Apple Pay, and more with support for over 140 currencies. 
• AI-Powered Insights: Recurly Compass delivers next-step recommendations with data-driven clarity. From growth playbooks to cohort analyses, AI helps optimize pricing, spot churn risks, and drive better subscriber outcomes.

Pros of Recurly

• Improves subscription billing flexibility
• Provides real-time churn reduction tools
• Offers clean, intuitive user interface
• Ensures easy invoice and refund tracking
• Supports global payments and tax rules
• Delivers responsive customer support

Cons of Recurly

• Triggers auto-logout too quickly
• Lacks strong export and email filters
• Costs more than simpler tools

Recurly Pricing

Recurly keeps things simple. 

• If you’re just starting out, the Starter plan gives you three free months. There are no monthly fees until your payment volume hits $40,000, then it’s just 0.9% on the overage. 
• After that, it’s $249 monthly. For bigger businesses, the Enterprise plan offers full access with custom pricing tailored to your growth.

What Do People Say about Recurly

G2 Review: 4/5

“Customer and billing information is easy to search through and locate. The steps to process refunds or provide invoices to customers are available in only a couple clicks. Allows us to support our customers quickly and efficiently!” – Tracee G.

Capterra Review: 4.6/5

“Would be nice of they could include “usernames” in their data spreadsheet so it’s easy for me to navigate and filter. The usernames are available, but apparently is not used for data.” – Chris L.

Is Recurly better than Zoho Subscriptions?

Yes, especially if you’re running a fast-moving business that needs global-ready billing with powerful automation. Recurly handles complex subscription scenarios, retries failed payments intelligently, and makes scaling across borders feel surprisingly smooth.

Again, you can stick with Zoho Subscriptions if your setup is lightweight and focused. It’s a solid choice when you want to plug billing into your existing Zoho ecosystem, like CRM, Books, Projects, and just get going. 

Key Features to Consider While Choosing a Zoho Subscriptions Alternative

If you’re ready to move past Zoho Subscriptions, you’re probably looking for more than just a billing tool. To help you choose wisely, here are five features that really matter.

Smart Billing & Subscription Management

Go for a tool that can handle both one-time payments and recurring charges. It should support discounts, trials, and reminders. The best part is that you shouldn’t need to do anything manually. 

Plus, it should provide support for common gateways like PayPal and Stripe, so your clients can pay however they like. This way, you spend less time chasing payments and more time focusing on work.

Built-In Task and Project Tools

Make sure the platform lets you manage tasks alongside billing. It should allow you to break down work, set deadlines, assign team members, and track progress easily. 

When everything runs in one place, it’s much easier to stay organized and avoid confusion.

Custom Forms and Client Intake

Pick a tool that helps you gather all the right details from the start. Whether it’s a client’s goals, budget, or timeline, custom forms can save you from back-and-forth emails. It also ensures your team is aligned before the real work begins.

Usage-Based and Flexible Billing Options

Look for tools that let you bill in different ways by usage, by seat, or with tiered pricing. Your billing setup should grow with your business, not hold it back. And you shouldn’t need a developer to make changes.

Real-Time Reports and Insights

You’ll want a system that shows you exactly how your business is doing. It should give you quick access to key numbers like revenue, churn, and outstanding invoices, so you can make smart decisions faster.

So, What’s The Best Zoho Subscriptions Alternative?

If you’re looking for a practical upgrade from Zoho Subscriptions, Agency Handy is the strongest contender. It offers automated invoicing, custom payment workflows, and client-specific pricing options, all in one clean workspace.

You also get branded invoices in every plan, task tracking built in, and real-time updates to avoid delays. Plus, the intuitive dashboard and flexible client intake forms make it ideal for agencies managing daily operations and scaling smoothly.

Chargebee is a great choice if you’re experimenting with hybrid pricing or scaling fast. Again, Stripe suits developers or SaaS teams needing deep customization and global payments. 

But for a no-fuss setup that covers both project work and billing, Agency Handy takes the lead.

Final Words

We’ve explored a range of Zoho Subscriptions alternatives from billing specialists like Chargebee and Maxio to more flexible players like Stripe and Recurly. 

Each tool brings something different to the table, whether it’s usage-based pricing, deeper automation, or smarter reporting.

But picking the right tool isn’t just about features. It’s about how it fits your workflow, your team, and your clients. 

If you’re juggling clients, tasks, payments, and feedback under one roof, Agency Handy is a solid Zoho Subscriptions alternative. It goes beyond billing and helps you run your service-based business without the usual chaos.

FAQs

Does Agency Handy support recurring billing like Zoho?

Yes, Agency Handy supports recurring and one-time billing, with automated invoicing and reminders. It’s easy to manage subscriptions and cash flow without needing extra tools or manual work.

Are there Zoho Subscriptions alternatives with better CRM integration?

Maxio, Stripe, and Chargebee provide deep integrations with tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, and QuickBooks, unlike Zoho’s ecosystem lock-in. These integrations allow for a smoother workflow across sales, finance, and support without needing custom workarounds or middleware.

What is the most affordable Zoho Subscriptions alternative?

Pricing varies, but Agency Handy offers flat-rate plans, while Chargebee and Recurly have usage-based fees that scale. If you’re a freelancer or a small agency, fixed pricing with full access may offer better value than tools that charge based on revenue or features.