Sage vs QuickBooks: Choosing the right accounting software in South Africa

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. Sage Payroll, which also includes core HR capabilities is included in each plan with more advanced features unlocked when you upgrade your plan. 

Buy now for R240 per month incl. 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 QuickBooks 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 QuickBooks login to get started. It only takes 2-4 hours to migrate, so you can be ready to go by lunch time.

Sage Accounting gives you a reliable platform that brings confidence and clarity to your finances. It’s built to support South African businesses with tools to manage invoicing, track cash flow, stay on top of VAT, and keep a clear audit trail of your financial data. Sage also makes it easier to collaborate with your accountant, giving them the visibility they need to help you manage your business more efficiently.

Deciding between QuickBooks and Sage? 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.
• Does the software help me remain compliant?
Choose a solution that makes it easy to comply with changing regulations. Look for software that helps you manage VAT, keep accurate financial records and stay aligned with South African tax requirements.
• 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. Look for a platform that continues to evolve with automation, smart reporting and tools designed to support growing businesses.
• Can the right people get the information they need?
Make sure you have fast, easy access to your financial information. Choose software that lets you access your finances on the go with an intuitive mobile experience and makes it easy to collaborate with your accountant in real time.
• What’s included and what costs extra?
Some companies charge extra for features like bank feeds or place limits on the amount of data you can add before charging more. Be sure to understand the costs and what’s included before you choose your solution.

Yes. Sage Payroll can be included with your Sage Accounting plan at no extra cost, with the option to unlock more advanced payroll and HR features as your business grows. Sage Payroll is an intuitive cloud-based solution designed to help South African businesses manage payroll with accuracy, security and compliance. It also includes basic HR capabilities so you can manage your people alongside your payroll tasks. You can easily switch from QuickBooks or Xero to Sage with simple setup and data import.

• Manage payroll for up to 150 employees.
• Easy-to-use, cloud-based payroll that lets you pay your team in just a few simple steps.
• Stay compliant with South African payroll regulations including PAYE, UIF and SDL.
• Automated payroll calculations and submissions.
• Secure employee payslips and self-service access.
• Multi-user access with secure individual logins.
• Access reporting to analyse payroll costs and make informed decisions.
• Manage employee leave and timesheets.
• Expert support when you need it.
• Easily switch to Sage with simple setup and data import.
• Organise, manage and sign documents electronically.
• Share access with your accountant or bookkeeper.
• Upgrade your plan to unlock additional HR and people management tools.
• Automatically sync your payroll data with Sage Accounting.

Click here to see our latest Payroll offers. If you only need payroll, you can also choose a standalone payroll plan designed for small South African businesses.