Zoho Projects vs Melio
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects is a full-featured project management tool offering task management, Gantt charts, time tracking, and budget management at a very competitive price point within the Zoho ecosystem.
Melio
Melio is a business bill payment platform that simplifies accounts payable for small businesses. It lets you pay any vendor by bank transfer or card, even if they only accept checks, and syncs with QuickBooks and Xero.
Pros
- ✓Very affordable pricing
- ✓Strong Gantt chart features
- ✓Built-in time tracking and budgeting
- ✓Good Zoho ecosystem integration
- ✓Solid feature set for the price
Cons
- ✗Interface less polished than competitors
- ✗Best value within Zoho ecosystem
- ✗Mobile app could be improved
- ✗Support can be slow
Pros
- ✓Free to use for bank transfers
- ✓Pay vendors who only accept checks
- ✓Seamless QuickBooks and Xero sync
- ✓Good for managing AP workflows
- ✓Fast setup
Cons
- ✗Focused only on accounts payable, not full accounting
- ✗Card payments carry a fee
- ✗Limited reporting
- ✗Not a replacement for full accounting software
Zoho Projects vs Melio: Side by Side
| Factor | Zoho Projects | Melio |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | Accounting Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Budget-conscious teams already in the Zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool | Small businesses wanting a simple free tool to manage bill payments and accounts payable alongside their existing accounting software |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Zoho Projects Features
- ✓Project management
- ✓task tracking
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓time tracking
- ✓team collaboration
- ✓portfolio management
Melio Features
- ✓Bill payments
- ✓invoicing
- ✓payment scheduling
- ✓vendor management
- ✓bank sync
- ✓approval workflows
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Zoho Projects if budget-conscious teams already in the zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool. Choose Melio if small businesses wanting a simple free tool to manage bill payments and accounts payable alongside their existing accounting software.
Best For
Budget-conscious teams already in the Zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool
Best For
Small businesses wanting a simple free tool to manage bill payments and accounts payable alongside their existing accounting software
Also Consider
If neither Zoho Projects nor Melio is the right fit, Wrike is worth evaluating.
Wrike
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
From Free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Zoho Projects and Melio?
Zoho Projects is best for budget-conscious teams already in the zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool. Melio is best for small businesses wanting a simple free tool to manage bill payments and accounts payable alongside their existing accounting software.
Which is better, Zoho Projects or Melio?
Choose Zoho Projects if budget-conscious teams already in the zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool. Choose Melio if small businesses wanting a simple free tool to manage bill payments and accounts payable alongside their existing accounting software.
How much does Zoho Projects cost?
Visit Zoho Projects website for current pricing.
How much does Melio cost?
Visit Melio website for current pricing.
Who should use Zoho Projects?
Budget-conscious teams already in the Zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool
Who should use Melio?
Small businesses wanting a simple free tool to manage bill payments and accounts payable alongside their existing accounting software