PaidFast vs Zoho for Kenyan businesses
Zoho Books is a full accounting suite with a Kenya edition. PaidFast is a lighter tool for sending invoices and getting paid over WhatsApp and M-Pesa. They solve different problems, so here is how to choose.
Last reviewed October 2026
At a glance
| PaidFast | Zoho | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Invoicing and payment collection | A full accounting suite (Zoho Books), with invoicing tools |
| Best for | Small businesses that want to send invoices fast and get paid | Businesses that want bookkeeping and VAT in one place |
| Full accounting (ledger, bank feeds, VAT returns) | No. PaidFast is not an accounting package | Yes |
| Pay link on the invoice (M-Pesa, Airtel Money, card) | Yes, on Starter, through your own Pesapal account | Depends on the payment gateways you connect. Check what is available for Kenya |
| Sending invoices on WhatsApp | Yes. Free plan includes trial messages; Starter is unlimited | Check with Zoho |
| Getting started | Minutes: add your business, add a customer, send | More to set up, because it covers more |
| Price | Free plan; Starter is KES 499 per month | Free and paid plans. See Zoho's pricing |
This comparison uses information from each vendor's public website as of October 2026. Features, availability and prices change, so check the vendor's site before you decide. Product names are trademarks of their owners; PaidFast is not affiliated with them.
Choose PaidFast if
- You mainly need to send invoices and get paid, and want to start in minutes.
- Your customers live on WhatsApp and pay by M-Pesa.
- You don't need a full ledger, bank feeds or VAT returns yet.
Choose Zoho if
- You want full accounting, VAT returns and reporting in one system.
- Your accountant already works in Zoho.
- You would rather run one system than several.
Frequently asked questions
Is PaidFast a replacement for Zoho Books?
Only if you mainly need invoicing and payment collection. PaidFast is not an accounting package, so if you need bookkeeping or VAT returns, Zoho Books is the better fit.
Which is cheaper?
PaidFast has a free plan, and Starter is KES 499 per month. Check Zoho's pricing page for their current plans and eligibility.
Create your first invoice free
Set up in minutes. No card needed on the Free plan.