5 Ways Zoho Sucks (by a Competitor)

2025

Written by Asim Qureshi
By Asim Qureshi, CEO Jibble
As a CEO of a time tracking software company I need to know what my competitors are up to. That means my team and I are often researching about and/or playing around with their products, you know, it’s part of the job. Here, I share my findings of that research, giving credit to those competitors where credit is due and being honest about which products I believe you really need to avoid. And so, there you have it, this review, and in it, I try to be honest, fair, and insightful. I hope it helps you make the right decision…

Zoho is not just a time-tracking platform, it is a suite of applications that includes project management as one of its many features. Zoho offers various products such as Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, Zoho Projects, Zoho Meeting, Zoho Inventory, and many others, all of which are designed to help businesses manage their operations.

That being said, while Zoho offers many features to improve business productivity, it does come with some limitations. In this article, I explore all these limitations in detail, outlining five reasons why you may want to consider alternatives to Zoho for your business needs.

1. iOS app crashes and freezes

I must tell you that Zoho’s iOS app isn’t its strongest quality. Zoho One, the most comprehensive suite that Zoho offers, only has a rating of 2/5 stars on the App Store. This is because of frequent crashes and the fact that the app freezes when users try to clock in.

Zoho iSO view

(zoho.com)

2. Navigation is difficult at times

Unfortunately, I find that Zoho’s navigation can be challenging at times. One possible reason for this difficulty in navigation is the vast array of features and options that are available within the platform.

This sometimes results in a cluttered and overwhelming interface, which requires some time and effort to learn how to use it effectively.

Another factor that could contribute to this issue is the lack of intuitive organization in the platform’s layout. It’s difficult to locate specific features or tools that are needed.

view of Zoho's CRM dashboard

(zoho.com)

3. Unreliable check-in and check-out

For someone who is mostly interested in time tracking and attendance, the check-in and check-out elements are frustratingly unreliable. While I love that Zoho has facial recognition within its time tracking features, it’s no good if it does not work.

The app occasionally does not register facial recognition, making it difficult to record attendance accurately. Furthermore, the system frequently crashes or takes a long period of time to verify facial recognition. Zoho needs to get this fixed!

4. Cannot customize financial reports

Another drawback of using Zoho for financial management is that users cannot fully customize financial reports. For example, users cannot add custom fields or calculations to financial reports, nor can they change the format or layout of existing reports.

View of Zoho's financial reporting

(zoho.com)

5. Steep pricing

Whereas Zoho is competitively priced, it is notably higher than some of its competitors. I understand that Zoho has a comprehensive list of features that can handle all ends of running a business, however, for those looking for simple solutions without all of the bells and whistles, there may be better options out there.

Conclusion

So, does Zoho suck? It is evident that Zoho has limitations that leads to a rocky user experience, especially for iOS users. Despite that, Zoho remains a popular choice among businesses, and it is not hard to see why – if you’re willing to pay the high Zoho price tag.

Its intuitive integrations, user-friendly interface, and ease of setup are some of the reasons behind Zoho’s rapid growth, and there are many reasons why Zoho is a great choice for businesses.

However, I always recommend businesses to explore alternatives before deciding on a tool that fits your needs. In this regard, read my verdict on the top time tracking software to identify the best-suited option for you.

I’d also suggest to take a deeper look at Zoho’s pricing too, so you have a clear picture on hidden fees, cancellation policies, and overall flexibility.

Alternatively, why not read my Honest Review of Zoho where I give my full, in-depth opinion, so you can make the right choice for your business?