Every company needs software to help with personnel management, accounting, and invoicing. SAGE accounting and Quickbooks are good options for managing this activity in companies.
Thousands of software can help you, but not all of them will fit what you are looking for in your company. It is important to choose the right one to avoid wasting time and money and to know how they work.
What is SAGE?
Sage is a software package used mostly by entrepreneurs and businesses. It can also be used in consultancies and law firms. It offers a wide variety of software in which you will surely find the one that best suits your business, one of which is Sage Accounting software.
What additional software does Sage have?
Although Sage Accounting is the most widely used by small businesses, it is not the only software Sage offers.
Sage 50cloud
Ideal for small businesses. This desktop accounting software will help you control and manage all business areas. It also has a cloud connection and is priced at $576 per year. You can opt for this option if you want advanced budgeting, job costing, or any industry-specific feature.
In addition, it helps reduce time in billing and accounting processes. It enables you to easily map your information to find data and get comprehensive reports.
Sage 100cloud
The price of this software is subject to quotation. It is a business management software. It is connected to the cloud, similar to sage 50cloud and sage accounting. It is recommended for use in mid-sized companies looking for business planning, security, and compliance.
Sage 200 advance
Ideal for all types of medium and small businesses. It lets you connect the company with suppliers and customers, facilitating communication. In addition, it has multiple functions that allow you to save time and money. The price should also be quoted.
Sage X3
Sage X3 will allow you to improve your company’s performance because it is an integrated management ERP. It is ideal for large companies or those in continuous growth.
You can use it in any company department, which helps you control all areas, so it will minimize management costs and help you save money.
What is Sage Accounting all about?
For most small businesses, the best software option is Sage Accounting. This cloud-based software allows you to carry out everything related to payroll and accounting management. Other features are cash flow management, expense tracking, inventory tracking, invoicing, and comprehensive reporting.
This software costs $25 per month and includes a 30-day free trial. Here you can find out if it’s the best option and covers everything you need for your business.
Pros of using Sage Accounting
Among the advantages, the monthly amount to pay of $25 does not vary, making it an affordable option, with a 30-day free trial and double-entry accounting.
It allows you access to unlimited users in the second-level plan and also gives you inventory tracking and comprehensive reports.
Cons of using Sage Accounting
On the other hand, not everything is optimal about this software. It features an outdated user interface, and you must make a separate subscription for the receipt capture service.
You cannot have time tracking because it is not included in their plans. Also, there is no clarity on the website regarding the details of the software.
How do I set up Sage Accounting?
You must first register with the software to log in to your account. Once you log in, you will be presented with a wizard to help you set up your account.
Enter your company’s information, including name and address. You will also be able to link the software with your bank accounts so that transactions will be downloaded automatically.
Proceed to enter supplier and customer information. You can save time by importing the data into spreadsheets.
After you have set up the account, you can log into your dashboard. You will find an overview of sales, cash flow, financial information, and expenses on the main screen. At the top of the dashboard, you will find a navigation bar where you can access the other functions.
If you are not clear on how the software works or configures, you can visit the online help center by clicking on the button in the upper-right corner, where you can chat with customer support, who will answer any questions you may have.
What is Quickbooks?
Quickbooks is the most widely used software by businesses today because it can be used for all kinds of companies, whether small, medium, or large.
This software makes it easy to manage the finances of any company. The accounting information is organized through records and lists the movements occurring within the company in real time.
This software allows you to see your finances’ current status at any time. In addition, it reduces the risk of theft by employees because it continuously tracks the income and expenses that occur in the company.
It lists vendor, customer, and employee information for easy access.
Pros of using Quickbooks
Among the advantages, inventory management is found in Quickbook Advanced and Quickbooks Online + software.
It facilitates interaction with the accountant, and customer service is good. In addition, it generates comprehensive reports and has many services available.
Nowadays, getting experts into this software is easy, and there is a lot of information about it online.
Cons of using Quickbooks
The monthly fee is higher than other software and has limited user access. Because it is a multi-functional program, understanding how to use it can be a bit complicated, and you may need to take time to learn by consulting experts, watching tutorials, or reading the program’s support pages.
How do I set up my Quickbooks?
Quickbooks has many services, but you should not sign up for all of them at once.
It is recommended to start by pinpointing what is most important to your company, such as payroll or accounting software, to learn how to use it correctly.
You will be able to add new services as your business grows. You also have the option to test services and remove them.
To set up your Quickbooks account, start by registering in the accounting software; then, you can add QuickBooks Lives, which will help you through the entire setup process.
Quickbooks has other services, such as Quickbooks Payroll and Quickbooks Time, which help speed up monthly payments and keep track of billable hours.
Quickbooks Pricing
The prices of this software are very high compared to other options. However, you will get a 50% discount on any plan you choose in your first three months of use. The prices below do not include this discount.
The self-employed plan is aimed at workers and independent contractors. It is priced at $15 per month.
The simple start plan you can choose if your business has grown and you need additional features in the accounting software. It is priced at $30 per month.
The essential plan is the one you need if you want to add more users to your account, as it allows you to include up to three users. It costs $55 per month. The plus plan will enable you to add up to five users to your account. It costs $85 per month.
Finally, we have the advanced plan, which allows you to pay invoices in batches, track your employees’ expenses and automate the workflow. It costs $200 per month.
Differences between Sage Accounting Vs. Quickbooks
| Sage | Quickbooks | |
| Plans | $10 to $25. | $15 to $1340. |
| Access | Unlimited access. | Limited access. |
| Payroll Service | Under request. | $45 per month |
| Other | Cash flow forecasting. | Employee mileage service. |
Both have various plans. Sage’s Self-Employed plan costs $10 per month and is fixed, while Quickbooks’ Self-Employed plan starts at $15.
The other Sage Accounting plan costs $25 per month and is geared for small businesses, while other Quickbooks plans start at $25 per month and go up to $1,340 per year.
Sage Accounting gives you access to unlimited users, while QuickBooks limits users. Some QuickBooks plans require you to pay for any additional user accounts. Both have an additional cost for the payroll service. In the case of QuickBooks, these start at $45 per month, and you can save money by combining the accounting plan with the payroll plan.
On the other hand, in Sage Accounting, you have to request your custom quote for the payroll service. Both programs feature reports and have mobile apps.
Quickbooks has a mileage tracking service for your workers, while Sage does not. However, Sage can reimburse employees for gas.
Depending on your plan, both QuickBooks and Sage have a service that allows you to forecast cash flow. Both software has an invoicing service available.