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Xero vs Sage : Why choose Sage for accounting software

Easy invoicing, clear cash flow insights, advanced views for accountants, and Making Tax Digital for VAT compatible - that’s why over 3 million global businesses and half of the UK’s accountants and bookkeepers choose Sage. 

Xero or Sage, which accounting solution works for you?

 Features Sage  Xero 
Core cloud accounting features    
Telephone support    
Submit CIS returns for free    
Unlimited chart of accounts    
Unlimited transactions    
Audit trails    
Advanced views for accountants and bookkeepers    
Free support and resources with Sage Membership    

Human support when you need it

Call our support team, talk online, or email us. Telephone and chat support is available 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Webchat only support is available on Saturdays and Sundays, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

No hidden costs

Small budgets don’t limit your access at Sage. With clear plans and pricing, you can easily choose the functionality that works for you and make the most of game-changing benefits, with no hidden costs.

Compliance made simple

With software you can rely on and over 40 years' experience with UK tax law at Sage, it’s easy to keep up with the latest legislation. Sage Accounting is HMRC-recognised, Making Tax Digital compatible, and has built-in GDPR compliance so that you have everything you need in one place to easily stay compliant.  

Switching is easy and free

Choose which data to take with you – either way is completely free.

Make your move with a simple import

It’s quick and easy to switch to Sage Accounting. You can import your chart of accounts, contacts, services, bank statements and more with simple CSV templates and 1-1 support.

Switch and bring historical data with you

Got historical data? Move from your current accounting software to Sage Accounting with 2 years of transactional data, all of your chart of accounts, your customers and suppliers list, and more. Sage picks up the tab to save you £180.

Plans to support you and your business

-Get 3 months free

Get full access to your product, and upgrade or cancel at any time. No long-term contracts, commitments or hidden fees.

Accounting Start

For VAT-registered sole traders or cash accounting small businesses.
per month / excl. 20 % VAT*
Get 3 months free
Most Popular

Accounting Standard

For small businesses working with suppliers, CIS, or with accrual accounting.
per month / excl. 20% VAT*
Get 3 months free

Accounting Plus

For small businesses managing inventory or working in multiple currencies.
per month / excl. 20% VAT*
Get 3 months free

*Get 3 months free, then £15/£30/£39 + VAT/mo (tier depending). Terms and conditions apply. 

Add Payroll starting at 5 employees from £10.00 per month excl. VAT with the option to add up to 150 employees. Add additional employees in-product at £2.00 per month (Essentials), £4.00 per month (Standard) and £6.00 (Premium). Prices exclude VAT.

Don't forget our easy-to-use Payroll

Sage Payroll integrates with Sage Accounting or comes as a standalone solution with in-built HR capabilities. Breeze through pay runs in 4 steps, save time with automatic employee assessments and enrolments into workplace pensions, and keep up to date with HMRC requirements. Pay and manage your people with ease.

Sage Membership. Get more than software and solutions.

Any customer with Sage software gets exclusive, members-only access to:

Member Masterclass

Explore articles and tap into weekly videos on the topics that matter to you

Learning and certifications

Grow your knowledge and boost skills across your team 

Community

Network, share knowledge, and get the most out of Sage software

Xero vs Sage FAQs

Sage Accounting is software for managing your business’s accounting. It allows you to quickly and easily create and track invoices, track cash flow, accept payments, record transactions, automate admin, capture expenses, and much more.

Sage Accounting is designed for small business owners (supports unlimited users) and sole traders (with or without staff) operating in any industry – from professional services to construction to retail. You can use Sage Accounting either by yourself or with collaborators. It’s easy to give access to multiple users, including an accountant (if you use one). You don’t need any previous experience with accounting software to get started. Functionality can be extended with Sage Payroll, which also includes core HR capabilities.

Buy now for £15/month + VAT for Sage Accounting Start. Alternatively, click here to check our latest offers.

Yes, it’s fast and easy to make the move and transfer accounts from Xero to Sage Accounting. All you need to do is sign-up to Movemybooks and they will help you migrate quickly and securely for free. Simply fill in an online order form and provide them with your Xero login to get started. It only takes 2-4 hours to migrate, so you can be ready to go by lunch time.

With Sage you get a complete package of accounting software with free bank feeds and unlimited data included. You get more detailed functionality with audit trails that show details like invoice and transaction numbers. And most importantly, you get support over the phone or online for faster help when you need it.

To make it easier to choose the accounting solution that’s right for your business, here are some questions to ask when making your decision:

  • Will I get the support I need?
    Make sure you get phone and online support so that help is available when you need it. Not all organisations have phone lines which can mean longer wait times for support.
  • Does the software help me remain compliant?
    Choose a solution that makes it easy to comply with changing regulations. And pick a compliance specialist. Look out for GDPR functionality and HMRC and MTD compatible software.
  • Will the accounting software grow with me as my business grows?
    It’s important to pick a solution that works for you now and in the future. Ask about future plans for the product around Brexit changes, compliance, artificial intelligence and automation – you want a forward-thinking team of experts by your side.
  • Can the right people get the information they need?
    Make sure you have fast, easy access to your information. Make sure you have access to your finances on the go with an intuitive mobile app with customised views. If you’re using an accountant, make sure you can collaborate with them easily in real-time.
  • What’s included and what costs extra?

Yes. Unlike other providers, we give you the option to adopt Sage Payroll separately. Sage Payroll is an intuitive cloud-based solution that makes it effortless to confidently manage your payroll with security, accuracy, and compliance you can trust. Sage Payroll also includes basic HR capabilities so you can also manage your people, alongside your payroll tasks. Easily switch from QuickBooks or Xero to Sage with simple set up and data import.

  • Manage payroll for up to 150 employees.
  • Easy-to-use, cloud-based payroll that let’s you pay your people in four simple steps.
  • Avoid mistakes with fully HMRC compatible software.
  • Automated payroll calculations and submissions.
  • Secure self-serve payslips and P60s for employees.
  • Multi-user access providing unique individual logins and added security.
  • Easily manage pension requirements and submissions.
  • Access reporting to analyse your payroll and make informed decisions.
  • Manage employee leave and timesheets.
  • Expert support whenever you need – 24/7, all year round.
  • Easily switch to Sage with a simple setup and data import.
  • Organise, manage, and sign document electronically.
  • Share access with your accountant.
  • Upgrade your plan to unlock performance management and shift scheduling.
  • Automatically track your payroll data in Sage Accounting.

Click here to see our latest Payroll offers. 

If you've decided to move to Sage Accounting using a simple data import, your ledger accounts can only be imported before you create any transactions and records so be sure to include all of the data you wish to move across before creating any records in Sage Accounting.

Access Sage Accounting from the mobile app

Take control of your business when you’re on the move with the free Sage mobile app.

  • Get a clear view of money going in and out of your business each week, month or year

  • Quickly and easily send invoices to customers and see when they’re paid

  • View unpaid and overdue invoices and send reminders to customers

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