Sage vs. QuickBooks: Which Accounting Software is Better?

Whether you run a small or large business, having accounting software that keeps your finances organized is essential. QuickBooks Online and Sage Accounting are two of the most widely used accounting software products, trusted by millions of accountants worldwide.

But which is a good choice for your business? This Sage vs. QuickBooks guide compares the features, pricing plans, and add-ons available, so you can choose the software that best fits your needs.

30-Seconds Summary:

• QuickBooks is a cloud-based accounting software that is designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It has tools for accounting, payroll, time tracking, and inventory management. You can also get solutions for invoicing, expense tracking, bank feeds, and even e-commerce integration.
• Sage, on the other hand, is another accounting software suitable for growing businesses with complex financial needs. It offers features for nearly all business aspects, including inventory management, project management, and HR. Sage offers software tailored to specific industries and businesses, including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and e-commerce.
• QuickBooks is a more affordable option than Sage, and it is beginner-friendly, as you can easily learn how to use it. Pricing for QuickBooks starts at £10 per month, excluding VAT, while Sage starts at £18 per month, excluding VAT.

What is QuickBooks Online?

QuickBooks Online is cloud-based accounting software developed by Intuit. Many small and medium-sized businesses use it to manage their finances. It has tools for managing invoices, tracking expenses, handling taxes, and even e-commerce integration.

Most users know it for its easy-to-use interface and a wide range of features. Since it is a cloud-based software, you can access your account from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. Many accountants already use it, so you’ll easily find accountants and bookkeepers to collaborate with.

QuickBooks offers five pricing plans in the UK:

• Self-Employed
• Simple Start
• Essentials
• Plus
• Advanced

Pricing starts as low as £10 per month, excluding VAT. If you are a new user, you will also have access to a 30-day free trial. After this period, you will be charged only £1 a month for the first six months.

You can also add the QuickBooks Payroll plan to QuickBooks Online, starting at £5 per month plus £1.30 per paid employee.

Want to send invoices and track your cash on the go? Try QuickBooks and see how easy it is.

If you are looking for expert accountancy services, get in touch with Fincsol Accountancy. As a QuickBooks Certified Advanced ProAdvisor and an Elite QuickBooks Partner, we can help your Business stay compliant, organized, and ready for tax season.

What is Sage?

Sage, on the other hand, is a complete business solution that handles bookkeeping, payroll, tax, invoicing, and even project management.

Sage Accounting is a good choice for small to medium-sized businesses. It now comes with Sage Copilot, which utilizes AI to help automate tasks such as cash flow, tax estimates, and invoice chasing.

Sage Accounting has three plans: Accounting Start, Accounting Standard, and Accounting Plus. However, it is a bit pricier than QuickBooks. The prices start at £18 per month, excluding VAT. If you are a new user, you can get 90% off for the first 12 months. This is also a cloud-based system, which means you can access it from any cloud-based device.

Sage Intacct is an ideal option for businesses with 50+ employees. It is an advanced financial management platform with AI for professionals in growing companies. Pricing is available on request.

Looking for a smarter way to handle your accounts? Give Sage a try, it’s 90% off for your first 12 months.

Need help with Sage? At Finscol Accountancy, we know it inside and out and are prepared to support your business. Manage your accounts quickly and easily, with Fincsol as your expert in Sage.

Sage vs QuickBooks: A Comparison

What is the Difference Between Sage and QuickBooks?

Both QuickBooks and Sage are designed to help you manage your finances; however, there are a few essential differences between the two:

• QuickBooks is simple accounting software ideal for small teams that want to handle sales, expenses, and taxes quickly. However, Sage is not merely for accounting; it is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system with features for almost all business aspects, including inventory, project management, and HR.
• Although both software allow some customization, Sage has software designed for specific industries and businesses, such as construction, manufacturing, healthcare, e-commerce, etc.
• Sage is suitable for businesses of all sizes, while QuickBooks is ideal for SMEs.

QuickBooks vs Sage: Pros & Cons

Pros and Cons of Sage

With Sage, growing businesses get more control over their finances. It has plenty of features, but may not be the right choice for everyone:

What’s Great About Sage?

• With every plan, you get access to inventory tools that help you track stock and products.
• It is ideal for teams as you can add up to 40 users.
• Sage’s support team is helpful, and you get access to multiple training guides.
• You can manage more than one business in one account.

Things to Watch Out For

• It doesn’t work with as many outside apps as tools like QuickBooks or Xero.
• If you need payroll features, you will have to subscribe to Sage Payroll separately.
• New business owners may initially struggle to learn how to use it.
• Its mobile app doesn’t have great reviews from users.

Pros and Cons of QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online is a popular choice for small businesses. It is simple and covers all the basics, but there are a few things to consider before choosing it.

What People Like About QuickBooks?

• New users get free help with setup.
• It is easy to use, even for those who are not accountants.
• You can pay extra for live bookkeeping help if you need it.

What Could Be Better?

• Its starting price is slightly higher than tools like Xero or Zoho Books.
• Payroll tools are generally more basic and less flexible.
• Many users have reported slow or unhelpful customer support.

Sage vs. QuickBooks: Which is Better?

QuickBooks is a good option for solo workers, freelancers, and small startups as it is simple to use and budget-friendly. Plus, you’ll have all the tools to send invoices and manage taxes in one place.

However, if you are a growing business with complex needs, Sage is an ideal solution.

Although Sage and QuickBooks share overlapping features, each is best suited for a specific type and size of business. Hence, it is difficult to say that one is better than the other, as the choice depends on the user's needs.

Over To You

QuickBooks and Sage are both the world’s leading accounting software. When compared, QuickBooks is ideal for SMEs, while Sage has complex features and is better suited for companies with complicated financial and business needs.

If you are unsure which software might work for you or have any other financial queries, contact Fincsol Accountancy today. We deliver online accountancy services globally at affordable prices.