QuickBooks Online Vs Sage50 Cloud Accounting
Continuing our comparison of software, today we looked into Sage50 Cloud Accounting, which some of you may remember as Peachtree, Sage50, or just Sage. It’s a very popular brand mostly because of its longevity.
However, this cloud-based version is not quite what everyone expects when they think of Sage, so today we’re going to discuss how pricing and features compare, and what can be done with the pro we’ve discussed.
So the actual cloud-based version, Sage 50 Cloud Accounting, used to be called Peachtree, whereas Sage 50 was their desktop version. It was a direct competitor to QuickBooks Desktop. But of course, just like with QuickBooks, desktop versions are becoming obsolete because we have the Internet at our fingertips all the time.
Phage 50 cloud is kind of built closer to a database, which, unfortunately, means that database products are becoming obsolete in terms of their interfaces. An example would be Microsoft’s Access, which was a wonderful database product for many years. However, it is no longer available, which I think speaks volumes about the direction that database products are going.
Now, Sage50 Cloud accounting will perform functions similar to QuickBooks Online accounting, but the differences will lie in how the information is presented. QuickBooks Online prides itself on offering detailed, customizable dashboards and more thoughtful ways to present information visually. While many accounting firms don’t use these functions, the ability to market to individuals who handle their own books and need these extras to understand what’s going on really sets them apart.
Pricing Tiers
Most software has pricing tiers to try to fit everyone’s budgets and needs. This is still true for Sage50 Cloud.
Sage50 Cloud has 3 tiers:
Pro Accounting
Designed for businesses that need strong accounting functionality without the complexity of supporting multiple users. It includes access for one user and provides essential tools such as invoice and bill tracking, purchase order creation and approval, comprehensive reporting, expense management, and automated bank reconciliation. This edition is a solid choice for small businesses looking to streamline their day-to-day accounting processes while maintaining accurate financial records.
Premium Accounting
Includes everything available in Pro Accounting, plus expanded functionality for growing businesses. It supports 1 to 5 users and includes features such as managing multiple companies, advanced budgeting and reporting tools, inventory tracking, and job costing. With these additional capabilities, Premium Accounting helps businesses gain deeper financial insights, improve project profitability, and better manage more complex operations.
Quantum Accounting
builds on all the features found in Premium Accounting and is designed for larger businesses with more advanced operational needs. It supports one to forty users and includes role-based user permissions for enhanced security and control. Quantum also offers faster processing speeds, order processing workflows, workflow management, and project management tools. These advanced features make it an excellent solution for organizations that require greater scalability, improved collaboration, and more sophisticated business process management.
Compared to QBO, QBO Plus is comparable to Sage50 Cloud’s lowest tier. This means there is no comparison to QBO’s Simple Start or Essentials, which are great for newer businesses.
Effects on your Wallet
Pricing-wise, Sage50 Cloud can be comparable to QBO’s pricing. You also have to be very cautious because you are locked into a year-long contract with them at this price. It is not like QBO, where you can cancel your subscription whenever you want.
ProAccounting – $128.67/mo
Premium Accounting – $182.50/mo
Quantum Accounting – 271.17/mo
In addition to being able to cancel your subscription at any time, you get discounts when you pay for multiple months at once. For example, at this moment, QBO is offering 50% off their monthly prices if you pay for 3 months in advance.
QBO:
Simple Start: $38
Essentials: $75
Plus: $115
Advanced $275
Overall, while we may be a little biased because we predominantly work in QuickBooks, there is a solid reason that we chose this software to headline for our clients. We looked at all economic aspects to ensure they would be lower cost than some of the other software we’ve reviewed.
We also looked at ease of access so that our clients can understand what is going on in their books. These are very important aspects for us because we are working with people who are contractors, meaning they are fantastic at what they do, but they hire us for a reason. We want to make sure that all information is accessible.
If you need help making this accounting setup, making this accounting transition, or just understanding your finances in the first place, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Waterford Business Solutions.
