High-step-up DC-DC converters are widely used in photovoltaic (PV) power generation, fuel cells, DC microgrids and hybrid electric vehicles, among other fields. This study presents a zero-input current ripple (ZICR) high-step-up DC-DC converter with soft-switching technology. It achieves ZICR by clamping the input inductor voltage at zero voltage to eliminate the input current ripple. A lower input current ripple can enhance the power generation efficiency and extent the service life of PV panels and fuel cells. High voltage gain is realized through the integration of coupled-inductor and switched-capacitor step-up technology, while the output voltage can be flexibly regulated by adjusting the switch duty cycle and the turns ratio of the coupled-inductor. Meanwhile, all the switches in this converter have achieved zero voltage switching (ZVS), and all the diodes have achieved zero current switching (ZCS). This can reduce the switching loss and the reverse recovery loss of the diodes, thereby improving overall converter efficiency. This study conducted a detailed analysis of the working principle, ZICR characteristics, voltage-current stress and soft-switching characteristics of the converter, and compared the performance parameters of the proposed ZICR converter with other similar high-step-up DC-DC converters. Finally, an experimental prototype of 100 kHz, 200 W and 38~380 V was built to verify the topological structure performance and theoretical analysis correctness of the proposed ZICR converter at the rated power. Meanwhile, the experimental efficiencies of the converters with and without ZICR at the rated power were 95.4% and 96.1% respectively. The experimental results show that the ZICR converter has excellent steady-state performance, achieves high voltage gain and high-efficiency output, and satisfies the power conversion application requirements between new energy and DC microgrids. The proposed topology therefore represents a competitive and effective solution for high-step-up DC-DC power conversion.