Sage Business Cloud Accounting is cloud-based accounting software designed for small businesses. It offers features such as expense tracking, cash flow management, invoicing, automation, Mac compatibility and reporting. It comes in two plans: Sage Accounting Start and Sage Accounting. The Start plan is $10 per month, and the Accounting plan is $25 per month. Both plans come with a free 30-day trial to test drive before committing to the plan.
Intuit QuickBooks offers both Desktop and Online versions, with a variety of plans under each option. It provides features such as a mobile app, invoicing, income tracking, cash flow management, management of 1099 contractors, mileage tracking and app integrations. Chances are, whether you outsource your accounting or keep it in-house, your accountant or bookkeeper knows how to use it. This is because it’s one of the most popular accounting platforms available.
QuickBooks plans start at $30 per month for its Self-Employed version and its Desktop plans go up to $1,340 per year. None of its Desktop plans can be paid annually and to pay annually with its Online plans, you make the switch in the settings after signing up for a monthly plan.
Sage
4.1
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Starting price
$10
per month
Integrated Payroll
For a fee
On Sage's Website
$10
per month
For a fee
Yes
Why We Picked It
Sage Business Cloud Accounting is online accounting software that helps small businesses manage their finances. The software is easy to use and provides a variety of features to help businesses track their income and expenses, create invoices and estimates, and manage their cash flow. It’s an affordable and comprehensive solution for small business accounting needs.
Its Sage Accounting Start plan costs $10 per month and is best for entry-level accounting needs, such as micro-businesses or those who are self-employed. Its full-fledged Sage Accounting plan costs $25 per month and is best suited for small businesses. If you need unlimited users, this is an ideal solution for you. Upload receipts, send quotes, deliver estimates, manage invoices and forecast cash flow with Sage.
A key feature of Sage is the ability to automate workflows in your business. This means you can auto-invoice, auto-expense and auto-pay right from your connected accounts. It integrates with Stripe, which means you get paid quickly when a customer clicks on the “pay now” button on your invoices. Another attractive feature is it works from the cloud, so you can collaborate in real time on the go, no matter the device.
Plus, get 24/7 chat support and speak with an expert Monday through Friday during business hours for a live Q&A session with a Sage Success Coach. With phone support, its hours are limited to 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. If you need assistance outside business hours, check out the step-by-step guides, online community and instructor-led courses. There are also prerecorded webinars and video guides to assist you.
Pros & Cons
- Automate essential tasks
- Has a mobile app
- Free 30-day trial
- Payroll is additional
- AutoEntry costs extra
- No annual billing
QuickBooks
4.3
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Starting Price
$30 per month
(discounts of 50 percent off for the first three months available)
Integrated Payroll
For a fee
Sales Tax Returns
Yes
On QuickBooks' Website
$30 per month
(discounts of 50 percent off for the first three months available)
For a fee
Yes
Why We Picked It
QuickBooks is a popular accounting software that offers both online and desktop versions. There are two versions available, each with multiple plans. QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based software that allows users to access their accounts from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection.
With QuickBooks Desktop, the software is installed locally and isn’t reliant on internet connectivity. QuickBooks Online is cloud-based, so you can access it from anywhere you have an internet connection. It’s important to understand if you pay for both versions, you cannot sync between the two—they’re separate products. However, you can collaborate with other users, provided your plan comes with multiple users.
For Desktop, you pay an annual fee starting at $349.99 and get features such as sales tax tracking, invoicing, up to three users (although they must pay for their own accounts), time tracking, inventory, reports, unlimited customer support and accounts payable.
Online is available with a monthly fee starting at $30 and includes self-employed features, such as Schedule C deductions, mileage tracking and automatic calculation of quarterly estimated taxes. Starting at $55 per month, invest in one of its small business plans and send invoices, accept payments, manage cash flow, track mileage, send estimates, manage 1099 contractors and take advantage of its robust mobile app. Discounts of 50 percent off for the first three months of each plan are often available.
Pros & Cons
- Easy to use
- Most bookkeepers and accountants know how to use it
- Pay 1099 contractors
- Some plans require all users to pay for their own accounts
- Limited amount of users for every plan
- No monthly billing for Desktop
