Part of our guide: GoHighLevel in the UK.
Written by Dan Sagar, FoundationsAI. Updated October 2026.
Zoho CRM is cheaper per user and part of a huge suite of business apps, so it's a strong choice if you want accounts, HR and stock control from one company. For a UK service business that lives on calls, texts, bookings and reviews, GoHighLevel usually does more out of the box, because Zoho's own two-way texting only works in the US and Canada. We sell GoHighLevel, so we're biased. These are the facts as of 25 October 2026.
Side by side
Prices checked on 25 October 2026. Zoho prices are from Zoho's UK pricing page and exclude VAT. Dollar prices converted at about $1 = £0.755.
| Zoho CRM | GoHighLevel direct | FoundationsAI | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free for up to 3 users. Standard £12, Professional £18, Enterprise £35 per user a month paid yearly (£16, £28, £45 paid monthly), plus VAT | $97 a month (about £73) or $297 a month (about £224) | £49 to £249 + VAT a month. Automations are on Pro, £149 + VAT |
| Texting UK customers | Zoho's own two-way texting works only in the US and Canada, so UK businesses need a separate app | Yes, from a UK number, charged as you use it | Yes, with a UK number set up for you, about 6p a text |
| Phone calls | Through a separate phone system, often a second paid subscription | Built in, charged as you use it | Built in, with a UK number |
| Website and online booking | Separate Zoho apps | Built in | Built in, from the Website plan |
| Accounts, HR and stock control | Yes, in the wider Zoho suite | No | No. Use Xero or QuickBooks alongside |
| Setup | You, or a paid Zoho partner | You set it up yourself | 5-hour setup session included, or we build it all on Managed |
| Support | Zoho's support team | HighLevel's support team | 24/7 human support, a weekly group call and a UK team |
Zoho charges per user, so a 3-person team on Professional pays £54 a month paid yearly, plus VAT, before any texting app or phone system.
The UK texting gap
Zoho's own help pages say two-way local texting through Zoho Voice is only available in the US and Canada. For a trade, clinic or salon that sends reminders and replies by text, that means paying for a separate texting app and connecting it. GoHighLevel texts UK customers from a UK number once the UK number checks are done, and we sort those out for you.
What Zoho does well
- A low price per user, with a free plan for up to 3 users
- A huge suite of apps, from accounts to HR, if you want everything from one company
- Strong sales pipelines and reporting for teams with a sales process
When Zoho is the better choice
- You want accounts, HR and stock control from the same company
- You have a sales team and want the lowest cost per user
- Your customers mostly email rather than text
- You already use Zoho and it works for you
When GoHighLevel, through FoundationsAI, is the better choice
- You text your customers, or want missed call text back
- You want your website, booking, reviews and one inbox in the same place
- You want a UK team to set it up and support it
Moving from Zoho
Your contacts come across from a Zoho export, which is a spreadsheet file. Workflows and templates have to be rebuilt, and we can help with that during your setup session.
Common questions
Is Zoho cheaper than GoHighLevel?
Per user, often yes. Zoho CRM Standard is £12 per user a month paid yearly, plus VAT. But texting, phone calls, booking and a website are extra apps on Zoho, so the total for a service business can end up similar or higher.
Can Zoho send and receive texts in the UK?
Not with Zoho's own texting. Zoho Voice two-way texting is only available in the US and Canada, so UK businesses use a separate texting app.
Do I need Zoho One or just Zoho CRM?
Zoho CRM if you only need a CRM. Zoho One bundles Zoho's other apps, such as accounts and HR, and is priced per employee or per user.
Can I move from Zoho to FoundationsAI?
Yes. Export your contacts from Zoho and import them. Workflows and templates need rebuilding.
Want an honest view of your setup?
Book a 45-minute demo and we'll tell you honestly which suits your business. For more comparisons, see the best marketing software for UK small businesses.