Comparison · UAE & Saudi Arabia
ZeroFin vs Wafeq: which AI accounting software fits your business?
Wafeq is the better choice for most UAE and Saudi small businesses: it is an accredited UAE e-invoicing provider, it is in ZATCA's directory at Phase 2, it works in Arabic and English, and Wafeq AI drafts bills, VAT returns and month-end closes for your approval. ZeroFin fits a narrower case: English-speaking founders who want plain-English answers on burn, runway and P&L, AI drafts they approve, and a lower entry price, used alongside a compliant invoicing tool.
Last checked · Zerofin LLC
How do ZeroFin and Wafeq compare?
| Wafeq | ZeroFin | |
|---|---|---|
| Price, UAE | Starter (invoicing only) AED 69/month or AED 57 billed yearly; Plus AED 99 (AED 80); Premium AED 249 (AED 200) | Lite $8, Growth $25, Scale $50 a month (about AED 29, AED 92 and AED 184), billed in USD |
| Price, Saudi Arabia | Starter SAR 119/month or SAR 99 billed yearly; Plus SAR 149 (SAR 119); Premium SAR 249 (SAR 199) | About SAR 30, SAR 94 and SAR 188 a month, billed in USD |
| Free trial | 14 days, no card | One free month of Lite per new organization |
| UAE e-invoicing | Accredited service provider (no. 129932); e-invoicing included in its plans | No. Use a separate accredited provider |
| FTA tax accounting software register | Listing for Wafeq 26 shows "Till Aug 2026" | Not listed |
| ZATCA e-invoicing | In ZATCA's directory at Phase 2 | Not in the directory; no ZATCA e-invoices |
| Language | Arabic and English, including the AI | English only |
| AI that drafts work | Reads bills and receipts (Arabic or English) into drafts; prepares the VAT return for review; runs a month-end close that waits for approval; turns requests into drafts | ZeroFin Mr. Accountant drafts journal entries, bills and invoices from text, photos, PDFs or voice; nothing posts until you approve |
| AI answers about your numbers | Answers questions and explains rules in plain language; flags anomalies such as duplicate supplier payments | ZeroFin Mr. CFO answers cash, burn, runway, P&L, receivables and payables questions from your ledger |
| Runway and burn answers | Not advertised | Yes, on every plan (10, 100 or 300 questions a month) |
| Keep books in AED or SAR | Yes | Yes |
About Wafeq's FTA register entry
The FTA register lists each software version with a valid-till date. On 30 October 2026, the entry for Wafeq 26 showed August 2026. Wafeq remains an accredited e-invoicing provider on the Ministry of Finance list, which is a separate list. If the FTA listing matters to you, ask Wafeq about its renewal.
Where is Wafeq stronger?
Wafeq is stronger on compliance and on the depth of its AI for day-to-day accounting. Your accounting system is your e-invoicing provider in the UAE, and it is set up for ZATCA Phase 2 in Saudi Arabia, so there is nothing extra to connect. It works in Arabic and English, which Saudi VAT rules require for official records. Wafeq AI also prepares VAT returns and month-end closes for your review, which ZeroFin does not do.
Where is ZeroFin stronger?
ZeroFin is built for founders who think in burn and runway. ZeroFin Mr. CFO answers "how many months of runway do we have?" or "what was our burn last quarter?" from your own ledger on every plan, and from the Growth plan ZeroFin sends daily, weekly and monthly briefings by email. On the Growth plan you can also import old bank statements and ledger exports (PDF, Excel or CSV) and review the drafted entries before posting, which helps when past years need rebuilding. And the entry price is lower: ZeroFin Lite is $8 a month, against AED 57 to 69 for Wafeq's invoicing-only Starter plan.
Choose Wafeq if you…
- need UAE e-invoicing or ZATCA Phase 2 built into your books
- need Arabic invoices, records or an Arabic interface
- want AI to prepare VAT returns and close the month
- want one system for invoicing, VAT and accounting
Choose ZeroFin if you…
- mainly want answers on burn, runway and P&L in plain English
- want daily, weekly and monthly finance briefings by email (Growth and up)
- need to rebuild past years from bank statements (Growth and up)
- already send invoices from a compliant tool and work in English
Can I use ZeroFin and Wafeq together?
Yes, but it means two ledgers. ZeroFin has no direct Wafeq connection, so you would either record transactions in both or export from Wafeq and import the files into ZeroFin on the Growth plan. It can make sense for a founder who keeps Wafeq for invoicing, VAT and Arabic records, and wants ZeroFin Mr. CFO for runway answers in English. For most small businesses, Wafeq alone is simpler.
See also ZeroFin vs Zoho Books, AI accounting software in the UAE and AI CFO software for UAE startups.
What ZeroFin does not do (that Wafeq does)
- ZeroFin is not an accredited UAE e-invoicing provider and is not in ZATCA's directory. It does not issue e-invoices.
- ZeroFin does not prepare or file VAT returns, and it does not run an automated month-end close.
- ZeroFin has no Arabic interface, Arabic invoices or Arabic records.
Frequently asked questions
Is ZeroFin a Wafeq alternative?
For most UAE and Saudi small businesses, no. Wafeq covers e-invoicing, ZATCA Phase 2, VAT returns and Arabic, and ZeroFin does not. ZeroFin is an alternative only if what you mainly need is an English AI bookkeeper and AI CFO, with invoices issued from another compliant tool.
Is Wafeq an accredited e-invoicing provider in the UAE?
Yes. Wafeq FZ-LLC appeared on the Ministry of Finance accredited service provider list updated on 29 October 2026, with accreditation number 129932.
Does Wafeq have an AI CFO or runway forecasting?
Wafeq AI answers questions about your books in plain language and flags anomalies, but its pages checked on 30 October 2026 did not advertise runway or cash forecasting. ZeroFin Mr. CFO answers burn and runway questions from your ledger but does not forecast either.
Which is cheaper, ZeroFin or Wafeq?
ZeroFin Lite is $8 a month, about AED 29. Wafeq's invoicing-only Starter plan in the UAE is AED 57 a month billed yearly or AED 69 monthly, and its Plus plan with accounting is AED 80 or AED 99. Wafeq includes e-invoicing in that price, which ZeroFin does not offer.
Can I move from Wafeq to ZeroFin?
There is no direct connection. On the Growth plan and above, you can import ledger exports and bank statements as PDF, Excel or CSV files, review the drafted entries and then post them. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia you would still need a compliant tool for e-invoices.
Sources
- Wafeq UAE pricing
- Wafeq Saudi pricing
- Wafeq UAE home (accreditation and trial)
- Wafeq AI
- UAE Ministry of Finance: accredited e-invoicing service providers (updated 29 Oct 2026)
- Federal Tax Authority: accredited tax accounting software vendors
- ZATCA: e-invoicing solution providers directory
- ZATCA: VAT Implementing Regulations (records in Arabic, Article 66)
See your own numbers in ZeroFin
Every new organization gets one free month of the Lite plan. Prices are in US dollars, billed monthly or yearly.