Holded: Cloud-Based Business Management Platform for SMEs
Holded is a cloud-based platform designed for small and medium-sized businesses to manage their entire operation in one place. It allows controlling invoicing, accounting, inventory, projects, human resources, and CRM in an integrated way, without depending on multiple tools. Founded in Barcelona and part of the Visma group since 2021, Holded combines accounting automation, business intelligence, and tax compliance with an intuitive design, designed for entrepreneurs and small teams.
Currently, more than 80,000 companies trust Holded to digitize their administration, issue verifiable invoices, connect banks, create quotes, and maintain complete control of their business.
AgentAya Verdict
Holded is a comprehensive solution well-adapted for business management: electronic invoicing prepared for compliance, accounting automation, and extensive banking connections. Its proposition shines when an SME wants to unify finances, sales, and operations without deploying multiple apps.
Limitations: fiscal localization is centered on specific markets; for purely international operations with obligations outside the EU, it may require additional advisory support or integrations.
Recommendation: for SMEs and freelancers who prioritize compliance, simplicity, and real automation, Holded fits outstandingly.
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score | Description |
| Features and Functionality | 4.7/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Modules for invoicing, accounting, inventory, projects, HR, and CRM in one environment. |
| Integrations | 4.6/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, Stripe, PayPal, Google Drive, Dropbox, Zapier, and API with webhooks. |
| Language and Support | 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ | Interface and help in multiple languages; support via chat, academy, and webinars. |
| Ease of Use | 4.7/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Modern interface, guided flow, short learning curve. |
| Value for Money | 4.4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ | Scalable plans with free trial and optional add-ons. |
AgentAya Overall Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 / 5
Solid for SMEs requiring compliance and automation without complexity.
Ideal for:
- Freelancers and SMEs looking for a single solution for administrative and accounting management.
- Accounting firms collaborating with clients through the cloud.
Not ideal for:
- Large companies requiring advanced ERP systems.
- Companies requiring country-specific configurations outside primary markets.
Holded Main Features
Holded is specifically designed for small and medium-sized businesses that need comprehensive management without advanced technical knowledge. Its visual environment, task automation, and fiscal localization allow an SME to manage its business efficiently from day one.
- Complete electronic invoicing: Customizable templates, recurring invoices, payment reminders, client portal, online payments (card, PayPal, Stripe), and compliant files. Saves hours of management and accelerates collection.
- Automated accounting: Each invoice generates entries; period locking; real-time reports; common tax forms with submission or export. Reduces errors and manual work.
- Banking connection and treasury: Synchronization with European banks, suggested reconciliation and automatic rules; cash flow forecasts and objectives. Anticipates liquidity needs.
- Inventory: Simple and variant products, serial numbers, multiple warehouses, price lists, purchase orders, and delivery notes. Avoids stockouts and improves margins.
- Projects: List, Kanban, and Gantt views; time and profitability control per task/project. Prioritizes work with higher returns.
- HR: Geolocated time tracking, absences, documents, and payroll; employee « zone. » Organizes team management.
- CRM: Customizable pipeline, calendar, activities, and notes linked to sales and invoicing. Closes opportunities with financial context.
AI Functions
Holded doesn’t focus on conversational AI, but on applied automation:
OCR digitizes receipts and received invoices, extracting key data to record expenses in seconds. The platform suggests reconciliations between bank movements and documents, learns from previous actions, and pre-fills accounting entries. Real-time reports and alerts about due dates or anomalies reduce error risk. What’s « intelligent » is in eliminating repetitive tasks and accounting consistency, rather than chatbots.
Integrations
The Holded Store concentrates ready-to-activate integrations.
- E-commerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, and Amazon.
- Payments: Stripe, PayPal, and Square.
- Productivity: Google Drive, Dropbox, and Zapier.
- Expenses: Pleo, among others.
It has REST API and webhooks for custom developments. Banking connection is extensive, facilitating reconciliation. For regional flows, Zapier and the API can be used to adapt processes.
Security and Data Compliance
Holded operates with TLS/HTTPS encryption in transit and maintains practices aligned with GDPR. The Data Processing Agreement (DPA) is available in the client account. The platform allows granular access control by role and recommends multi-factor authentication.
Regarding data ownership, the client retains ownership of their information; Holded processes it to provide the service and offers export and deletion tools upon ending the relationship. Hosting is done on European infrastructure with provider security standards and Visma group policies. For model training, Holded focuses on operational automation; it’s not communicated that client data is used for purposes outside the service without applicable legal basis and consent.
Interface Language and Support
Holded offers complete support in multiple languages, both in the interface and documentation.
Users can configure both languages separately:
- Interface: Can be changed from My Profile > Language, allowing navigation of the entire platform in your preferred language.
- Documents: From Settings > Account > Preferences > Language, it’s possible to define the default language for invoices and other documents without altering existing information (account names, concepts, etc.).
This flexibility allows, for example, working with the interface in one language and generating documentation in another, or vice versa. The support team is also available in multiple languages via chat, offering direct attention to SMEs and freelancers. Additionally, documentation, tutorials, and webinars are translated and localized for international audiences.
AI Language
Automations work naturally in multiple languages: OCR recognizes local documents, accounting categorization is based on standard accounting plans, and local tax forms are integrated. A conversational AI assistant is not offered, as the focus is on advanced automations behind processes.
Mobile Access
Has native apps for iOS and Android. On mobile, you can issue invoices, record expenses with photos, consult dashboards, and interact with clients. Some advanced configurations are better managed from desktop, but daily operations are fully usable from mobile.
Support, Onboarding Process, and Account Management
Guided onboarding shows initial steps to issue the first invoice, connect banks, and configure taxes. Holded’s academy offers tutorials and articles segmented by module. There are live and recorded webinars, and a network of partners (advisories) that provide assisted implementation. Suitable for SMEs with little technical experience.
Ease of Use
UX is one of its strong points: modern design, clear navigation by modules, and contextual help. A user without accounting training can produce value in a few days: issue invoices, record expenses, and view basic indicators. Accountants find advanced functions without obstructing the non-expert user.
Pricing and Plans
Holded offers a personalized pricing model according to each company’s needs, with scalable plans and no permanence commitment. All users can try the platform for free and continue with an initial welcome offer before choosing the most suitable plan.
Plans are designed for different profiles:
- Freelancers: Ideal for self-employed individuals looking to issue invoices, control collections, and keep accounts up to date without accounting knowledge.
- Small businesses: Designed for SMEs with multiple users who need electronic invoicing, bank reconciliation, and advanced reports.
- Medium-sized companies: Oriented to businesses that want to automate accounting, manage employees, and access financial analysis and internal control functions.
- Accounting firms: Professional version for advisories and accountants working with multiple clients from a single interface.
Each level includes key functions like electronic invoicing, bank connection, advanced reports, user roles, employee management, customizable client portal, mass collections and payments, and accounting automations. Companies can expand their environment with additional modules (e.g., projects, inventory, point of sale (POS), or manufacturing) according to their sector or volume of operations.
Holded allows changing plans at any time, either from the subscription panel or by contacting the support team via chat. If limits are exceeded (such as number of users or invoices), the platform automatically notifies and offers the possibility to upgrade without interruptions.
Case Study
A fashion store with an online channel and two physical points migrates its management to Holded. Previously it used spreadsheets and isolated invoicing software. With Holded:
- Unifies catalog, sales, and stock between e-commerce and stores.
- Automates invoicing and collection registration with online payments.
- Daily reconciliation with their bank and cash alerts.
- Projects for seasonal campaigns and margin control.
Result: reduction of weekly administrative hours, better inventory control, and faster collection thanks to reminders and client portal.
Holded vs Alternatives
Holded vs Zoho Books
Holded offers native fiscal localization and unified modules (projects, inventory, HR, CRM), while Zoho Books stands out for its global ecosystem and low cost.
If you operate in markets with specific compliance requirements and prioritize ease of use, choose Holded. If you manage operations in multiple countries and already work with the Zoho ecosystem, Zoho Books may be more suitable.
Holded vs Xero
Holded is optimized for businesses with local legal compliance and an intuitive interface; Xero has more international integrations and advanced Anglo-Saxon style accounting.
For SMEs and users who prefer a localized tool, Holded is the natural option; Xero is more suitable for global teams with external accounting support.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Holded good for SMEs?
Yes. It centralizes invoicing, accounting, and operations, automates tasks, and helps comply with local regulations, reducing costs and errors.
Does it support multiple languages in interface and support?
Yes. Interface, materials, and support in multiple languages, with integrated chat, Academy, and webinars.
Does Holded’s AI work in multiple languages?
Yes. AI/automation operates « behind the scenes » with OCR and accounting rules oriented to local environments. There’s no conversational assistant; the focus is productivity.
What integrations does it offer?
E-commerce (Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Amazon), payments (Stripe, PayPal), productivity (Drive, Dropbox, Zapier), expenses (Pleo), and API with webhooks.
What plans exist and how do I start?
There are tiered plans, free trial, and optional add-ons. You can start with the trial, import data, and scale as you grow.