Business accounting is a complicated process. Recurring invoices, payment processing, expense tracking, cash flow management, bookkeeping – the list goes on. While managing accounting can be stressful, it is an indispensable part of your business.
Small business owners can rely on online accounting software to send invoices, pay bills, reconcile their accounts, calculate taxes, and maintain audit trails, among other functions.
Sage Accounting is an online accounting software that helps simplify and automate small business's accounting systems, but it only caters to some business needs.
You can look into the following list of Sage accounting alternatives, explore their functions, and decide on one that fits your requirements better.
List of 4 Best Sage Accounting Alternatives
- ZarMoney
- Xero
- QuickBooks Online
- Wave Accounting
1. ZarMoney 
Compared to Sage Accounting, ZarMoney ranks higher in ease of use, features, and value for money. If you are looking for a top Sage accounting alternative accounting platform, ZarMoney is it.
It performs essential functions small businesses require, like invoicing, billing, expense tracking, and bank reconciliation.
Below are the key features of ZarMoney that fit your business’s needs.
Key Features of ZarMoney
- Accounts receivable and payable
- Online payment processing
- Bank reconciliation
- Billing and invoicing
- Cash management
- Check processing
- Customer statements
- Customizable invoices
- Connection with over 9600 banks
- Automated taxation
- Custom tax order
- Journal entries
- Profit and loss statements
- Alerts and reminders
Top 3 Features of ZarMoney
1- Project and Inventory Management
ZarMoney is a prominent online accounting software with excellent project management features. It helps businesses keep track of how projects are going and allocate resources efficiently.
Inventory tracking is important for any business, and ZarMoney does a great job. The software gives real-time updates on stock levels, making it easier to make smart decisions.
2- Financial Management with Bank Reconciliation
This keeps your balance sheet accurate and clearly shows your business’s financial health better than competitors like Sage Business Cloud Accounting.
3-Expense Tracking with Online Payment Integration
ZarMoney makes handling expenses easy with a user-friendly tracking system.
It sorts and records each business expense. With online payment integration, businesses can manage cash flow, send invoices, and accept payments smoothly.
Pros of ZarMoney
- Optimized professional accounting
- Affordable
- Ease of use
- Feature-rich
- Easy setup
- Several third-party integrations
- It is scalable, depending on the needs of your small business
- It uses data analytics to help you understand your financial performance
Cons of ZarMoney
-
No manual input option
Pricing of ZarMoney
ZarMoney offers three pricing plans.
- Entrepreneur: $15 / month / 1 user
- Small Business: $20 / month / 2 users
- Enterprise: $350 / month / 30+ users
- Free trial for 15 days
Customer Support of ZarMoney
- Knowledge Base
- FAQs/Forum
- Phone Support
- Email/Help Desk
- Chat
- 24/7 (Live rep)
Supported Platforms of ZarMoney
ZarMoney can be accessed on the following platforms:
- Web
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Chromebook
Final Verdict on ZarMoney
When looking for alternatives to Sage accounting, ZarMoney stands out. It's a great option for everyone, from sole traders to medium-sized businesses and larger companies.
ZarMoney is easier to use than traditional platforms like Sage 50 Cloud and Sage Business Cloud Accounting. It has all the essential accounting tools you need, and its user-friendly interface makes it simple for business owners to manage their finances.
2. Xero
Compared to Sage, Xero offers greater flexibility in two key areas of small business accounting: multi-user login and payroll, making it a wide choice as a Sage accounting alternative.
Sage offers limited users on a single accounting dashboard, and Xero allows you to add more team members. If you have a bigger team and want them to collaborate with you on your accounting tool, you can go for Xero.
Key Features of Xero
- 401(k) tracking
- ACH payment processing
- Accounts payable & receivable
- Automated quoting & billing
- Bank reconciliation
- Billing & Invoicing
- Budgeting
- Currency conversion
- Customer statements
- Customizable invoices & reports
- Financial analysis
- Income & balance sheet
- Multi-channel management
- Online invoicing & payments
- Real-time reporting
Top 3 Features of Xero
1- Comprehensive Financial Management
Xero is a cloud-based accounting platform that's great for everyone, from solo business owners to medium-sized companies.
It offers a mix of financial tracking and essential accounting tools, making it a strong competitor to Sage accounting.
2- Efficient Bank Reconciliation and Expense Tracking
Xero makes bank reconciliation easy by automatically matching bank transactions.
It also helps manage expenses and integrates online payments and credit card processing for smooth financial operations.
3- Project Accounting and Management
Xero stands out with its project management and accounting capabilities, from online invoicing to project time tracking.
Its user-friendly interface ensures a smooth experience, making it a preferred choice over Sage accounting alternatives.
Xero Pros
- Easy to implement and use.
- Affordable in pricing.
- Customer billing portal.
Xero Cons
- Features for inventory and purchase order management are not extensive.
- Its reporting function keeps changing, making it difficult for many business owners to use.
- Limited bank connections.
Pricing of Xero
- Starter: $29 / month
- Standard: $46 / month
- Premium: $62 / month
Supported Platforms of Xero
- Web
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
Final Verdict on Xero
Xero is a prominent choice among Sage accounting alternatives, offering a complete suite of online accounting software features. With capabilities ranging from tax management, bank reconciliation, and project accounting to inventory management and expense tracking, Xero stands out among many online accounting platforms.
3. QuickBooks Online
Compared to Sage, QuickBooks is a very easy-to-use accounting software, making it a great choice for Sage's accounting alternative. Both tools offer entry-level accounting functions.
However, while Sage has a steep learning curve, QuickBooks requires no training and very little time to use. It provides a financial reporting feature that helps you and your team gain insights into your financial standing.
QuickBooks Key Features
- Cloud Accounting
- Automatic Billing
- Compliance Management
- Data Import/Export
- Expense Tracking
- Invoice Management
- Multi-Currency Support
- Payroll Management
- Sales Tax Management
- Third-Party Integrations
- Time Tracking
QuickBooks Top 3 Features
1- Bank Reconciliation
2- Inventory Management and Tracking 
QuickBooks isn't just for accounting, it also manages inventory.
The software's inventory tracking helps small to medium-sized businesses keep detailed reports of their stock levels and sales.
3- Project Accounting and Management
QuickBooks offers a wide range of project management and accounting tools. It aids businesses in tracking the financial performance of individual projects, making sure that they remain profitable.
With its user-friendly interface, business owners can manage project time tracking, expense tracking, and even invoice creation all under one roof.
QuickBooks Pros
- Can be used for accounting, customer, and payroll management.
- Tracks expenses accurately.
- Manages global clients with multi-currency support, avoiding conversion issues.
QuickBooks Cons
- It has limited industry-specific functions.
- It allows you to add only a few users to the accounting dashboard.
- Too many error messages.
Pricing of QuickBooks
- Simple Start: $18 / month
- Essentials: $27 / month
- Plus: $38 / month
Supported Platforms of QuickBooks Online
- Web
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Chromebook
- iOS
- Android
Final Verdict on QuickBooks
QuickBooks Online offers features like tax management, bank reconciliation, and project accounting.
Its inventory management and expense tracking are also impressive. With affordable pricing and a lot of features, it's a great option for modern businesses needing an alternative to Sage accounting.
4. Wave Accounting
Unlike Sage, Wave Accounting is perfect for small businesses, sole traders, and medium-sized businesses with simple accounting needs.
The app focuses on clear, easy-to-use functions at a reasonable cost. For example, it connects to your bank automatically, so you don't have to enter transaction data manually.
Wave Key Features
- ACH payment processing
- Accounts payable
- Accounts receivable
- Automatic billing
- Bank reconciliation
- Invoice management
- Cash flow management
- Customer statements
- Customizable branding
- Expense tracking
- Financial reporting
- General ledger
- Income & balance sheet
Wave Top 3 Features
1- Reliable Accounting Solution
Wave Accounting is a top alternative to Sage accounting software. It’s an online tool perfect for small businesses, sole traders, and medium-sized businesses.
The best part? Wave Accounting offers a free plan forever. This makes it a great choice for business owners looking to save money without compromising on essential accounting features.
2- Comprehensive Financial Management
Wave Accounting isn’t just a Sage alternative. It has many features, such as bank reconciliation, financial reports, and expense tracking.
These fearures help businesses understand their finances better.
3- User-friendly Interface with Online Payment Options
One of the biggest challenges for business owners when picking an accounting app is the user interface.
Wave Accounting does a great job here by offering a user-friendly interface that is easy for even beginners to use.
Wave Pros
- Prices are listed upfront, with no hidden fees.
- Offers free accounting software for small business owners.
- Modern, easy-to-use interface for beginners.
Wave Cons
- Sending recurring invoices is slow and tricky.
- The tool sometimes hangs.
- The accounting features are limited.
Pricing of Wave
- Invoicing and Accounting: $0 / month (free)
- Credit card processing: 2.9% per transaction
- Mobile Receipts: $8 / month
- Payroll: $40 / month
- Advisors: $149 / month
Supported Platforms of Wave
- Windows
- MacOS
- Android
- iOS
Final Verdict on Wave
Wave Accounting is a popular choice for small businesses and sole traders looking for an alternative to Sage.
Like ZarMoney and QuickBooks Online, Wave is an online accounting tool. It's very user-friendly, making it great for business owners and beginners.
Wave offers tools for managing taxes and reconciling bank accounts. If you need to add more users, consider other alternatives to Wave.
Table Comparison - Top 4 Sage Accounting Alternatives
|
Features |
ZarMoney |
Xero |
QuickBooks |
Wave |
|
Bank Reconciliation |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Project Management |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Inventory Management |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Expense Tracking |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Online Invoicing |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Online Payment |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Financial Reports |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Unlimited Users |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
|
Customer Relationship Management |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
Best of Best - Top 3 Sage Accounting Alternatives
1. ZarMoney
ZarMoney is the best alternative to Sage accounting software. It offers a full set of financial tools that make managing money easy. With ZarMoney, you can quickly reconcile bank accounts and manage inventory efficiently.
It is cloud-based, so you can process payments and send invoices online. Business owners will appreciate its advanced features and easy-to-use interface.
2. Xero
Securing the second spot is Xero, a strong alternative to Sage accounting. Its unique features include financial tracking and inventory tracking. Xero offers bank transaction management and expense tracking, which are essential for business growth.
Xero is easy to use, even for beginners, thanks to its user-friendly interface. Its mobile app lets you manage finances on the go, making it perfect for small and mid-sized businesses that need flexible accounting software.
With Xero, users can easily reconcile accounts, understand their financial health, and improve financial management.
3. QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online's best strengths include project management, bank reconciliation, and the generation of financial reports.
Advanced features like asset management and processing credit cards make it even more attractive.
QuickBooks Online is the best alternative to Sage Accounting because of the competitive pricing plans and good online payment options for clients.
Conclusion
Sage Accounting is important for many businesses because it helps track finances easily. There are good alternatives to Sage Accounting that offer different features. ZarMoney, QuickBooks Online, Xero and FreshBooks, and all have unique tools that can help manage your business finances effectively.
Before buying new software, study your business needs. The accounting needs of a retail business are different from those of an e-commerce store. Also, determine your budget for the tool.
Now that you know the best Sage Accounting alternatives, what's stopping you? Explore and experiment. Start by trying out ZarMoney for free. Take the free trial today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why would someone consider Sage accounting alternatives?
Businesses and individual users often look for Sage accounting alternatives to find a solution that better suits their financial tracking needs, user interface preferences, or specific accounting requirements concerning their business requirements.
2. Is QuickBooks Online a viable Sage accounting alternative?
Yes, QuickBooks Online is a good alternative to Sage accounting. It has features like online invoicing, bank reconciliation, and inventory tracking. Many businesses find it works well for their financial management.
3. What are some essential accounting features that Sage alternatives should offer?
Comprehensive features like bank reconciliation, tax management, project accounting, expense tracking, and online payment processing are essential accounting tools businesses often look for in Sage alternatives.
4. How do ZarMoney and other Sage accounting alternatives support businesses with project management?
Many Sage accounting alternatives, including ZarMoney, offer project management tools. These can help businesses track expenses, manage project time, and ensure efficient financial management throughout the project cycle.
5. What features are vital in Sage accounting alternatives for small to medium-sized businesses?
Medium-sized businesses and sole traders often prioritize features like online accounting software capabilities, cloud-based accounting software flexibility, and user-friendly interfaces in their Sage accounting alternatives.
6. Can Sage accounting alternatives handle inventory management?
Yes, many Sage accounting alternatives offer comprehensive tools for inventory management. This includes inventory tracking, ensuring businesses can monitor stock levels and manage sales orders efficiently.
7. Is it easy to transition to a Sage accounting alternative?
Making the switch to better and more effective Sage accounting options such as ZarMoney often means that users will have to learn new systems, though most often, they will use an easy-to-operate and master program. They often provide professional services to aid the transition so business accounting activities can continue.
8. Do most Sage accounting alternatives offer mobile capabilities?
Yes, a wide range of Sage accounting alternatives provide mobile capabilities in today's digital age. This ensures that businesses can manage their financial health, create invoices, or even perform bank transactions on the go.
9. Is there an affordable accounting software that can be considered an alternative to Sage 50cloud?
While Sage 50cloud is a comprehensive accounting platform, other affordable accounting software options exist in the market. Wave Accounting and other platforms often offer basic or even free-forever plans to cater to businesses with varying budgets.
10. How do Sage accounting alternatives support online payment processes?
Sage accounting alternatives typically provide various online payment options like ZarMoney, including credit card payments and online payment integrations. This ensures businesses have the flexibility to process payments in a way that suits their operations best.
