Wave Accounting vs Sage Accounting

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Our analysts compared Wave Accounting vs Sage Accounting based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Accounting Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Wave Accounting Software Tool
Sage Accounting Software Tool

Product Basics

Wave Accounting streamlines financial management for small businesses and freelancers. Its intuitive interface simplifies bookkeeping tasks like expense tracking, invoicing, and receipt scanning. Users praise its ease of use and mobile accessibility, making it ideal for entrepreneurs on the go. Wave offers core accounting features like bank reconciliation and income/expense reports, all for free. Premium plans unlock advanced functionalities like payroll, double-entry bookkeeping, and tax filing for an affordable monthly fee. Compared to similar products, Wave shines in user experience. Reviews highlight its intuitive design, helpful tutorials, and responsive customer support. However, its free plan lacks features crucial for larger businesses, requiring an upgrade for robust accounting needs. Ultimately, Wave excels as a beginner-friendly, cost-effective solution for solopreneurs and small teams seeking hassle-free financial management.

Pros
  • Free core features
  • Easy to use interface
  • Mobile-friendly design
  • Excellent customer support
  • Free bank reconciliation
Cons
  • Limited features in free plan
  • No inventory tracking
  • No double-entry accounting
  • Few integrations with other software
  • Limited reporting options
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Sage Accounting is a robust software solution designed to streamline financial management tasks such as invoicing, expense tracking, and cash flow management. It is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses across various industries, including retail, services, and manufacturing, due to its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. Users benefit from real-time financial insights, automated bank reconciliation, and seamless integration with other business tools. Unique features like customizable dashboards and multi-currency support enhance its appeal. Compared to similar products, users often praise its intuitive design and reliable customer support. Pricing details can vary based on the specific needs and scale of the business, so it is advisable to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote. Sage Accounting stands out for its ability to simplify complex accounting tasks, making it an invaluable asset for businesses seeking efficiency and accuracy in their financial operations.
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$20 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$62/User, Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
Small
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Large
Windows
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Android
Chromebook
Windows
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Android
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Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
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Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
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Videos
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FAQ
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
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24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Free: Utilize Wave Accounting's free features forever, making it a great help for entrepreneurs and freelancers who may find themselves in the preliminary stages of launching their business or service.  
  • Easy Setup: Get to work immediately with easy account setup and installation. 
  • Available Anywhere: Access this solution on computers and mobile devices to access and change anything from practically any location. All changes are automatically saved and synced so users always see current information. 
  • Instant Transactions: Connect bank accounts for instant transaction recordings. It also eliminates manually inputting receipts. 
  • Stay Organized for Tax Season: Sort incomes, expenses, payments and invoices in one centralized location for tax time.  
  • Collaborate with Accountants: Share data and collaborate with accountants for smooth financial processing and advice. 
  • Top-Notch Security: Protect financial information with security components such as bank connections with 256-bit encryption in read-only formats and PCI Level-1 security for managing credit cards and bank account information. 
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  • Streamlined Financial Management: Sage Accounting simplifies complex financial tasks, allowing businesses to manage invoices, track expenses, and reconcile bank transactions efficiently.
  • Real-Time Financial Insights: Gain immediate access to up-to-date financial data, enabling informed decision-making and strategic planning without waiting for end-of-month reports.
  • Improved Cash Flow Management: By automating invoicing and payment reminders, Sage Accounting helps businesses maintain a healthy cash flow and reduce the risk of late payments.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Multiple users can access the system simultaneously, facilitating teamwork and ensuring everyone is on the same page with financial data.
  • Scalability: As your business grows, Sage Accounting can easily scale to accommodate increased transactions and additional users, ensuring continuity and efficiency.
  • Compliance Assurance: Stay compliant with tax regulations and financial reporting standards through automated updates and built-in compliance checks.
  • Time Savings: Automating routine accounting tasks frees up valuable time for business owners and accountants to focus on strategic initiatives and growth opportunities.
  • Cost Efficiency: Reduce the need for extensive manual bookkeeping and minimize errors, leading to cost savings in both time and resources.
  • Data Security: Protect sensitive financial information with robust security measures, including encryption and regular backups, ensuring peace of mind.
  • Customizable Reporting: Generate tailored financial reports that meet specific business needs, providing insights into performance and areas for improvement.
  • Seamless Integration: Connect Sage Accounting with other business tools and applications, such as CRM systems and payment processors, for a unified workflow.
  • Accessibility: Access your financial data from anywhere with cloud-based functionality, allowing for flexibility and remote work capabilities.
  • Reduced Human Error: Automated calculations and data entry minimize the risk of mistakes, ensuring accuracy in financial records.
  • Enhanced Customer Relationships: Professional invoicing and timely payment reminders improve customer interactions and satisfaction.
  • Environmental Impact: Digital record-keeping reduces the need for paper, contributing to environmentally sustainable business practices.
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  • Link Accounts and Credit Cards: Connect an unlimited amount of bank accounts and credit cards. Users may supervise multiple businesses with one account. 
  • Smooth Integrations: Integrate Shopify transactions and link with PayPal, Shoeboxed and Etsy accounts. 
  • Intricate Dashboards: Elaborate dashboards that display cash balances, invoice statuses, incomes, expenses and payments. This accessory also provides bill and invoice reminders. 
  • Export Various Reports: Export a variety of accounting reports such as profit and loss, sales tax, cash flow, comparative and others. 
  • Automatic Updates: Receive prompt updates and reminders on invoices, payments and payroll details. 
  • Evaluate High Volumes of Transactions: Process a bulk amount of transactions to ensure rapid bookkeeping practices. Users can also perform and accept transactions in foreign currencies and search for transactions based on descriptions. 
  • Double-Entry Accounting: Operate with double-entry accounting—a method that chronicles transactions in two or more accounts — that performs prompt exchange rate calculations and has a flexible sales tax module. 
  • Adaptable Expense and Income Categories: Use account IDs to create adjustable expense and income categories, sometimes called chart of accounts. There's also an unlimited income and expense tracking accessory. 
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  • Cloud-Based Access: Access your financial data from anywhere with an internet connection, ensuring flexibility and convenience for remote work.
  • Automated Bank Feeds: Automatically import bank transactions to save time on manual data entry and reduce errors.
  • Invoicing Capabilities: Create, send, and track professional invoices with customizable templates to maintain brand consistency.
  • Expense Management: Easily record and categorize expenses, helping you keep track of where your money is going.
  • Multi-Currency Support: Handle transactions in multiple currencies, ideal for businesses dealing with international clients or suppliers.
  • Real-Time Reporting: Generate up-to-date financial reports to gain insights into your business's performance and make informed decisions.
  • VAT Compliance: Automatically calculate VAT and generate VAT returns, ensuring compliance with tax regulations.
  • Integration with Third-Party Apps: Seamlessly connect with other business tools like payment processors and CRM systems to streamline operations.
  • Inventory Management: Track stock levels and manage inventory efficiently to prevent overstocking or stockouts.
  • Project Tracking: Monitor project costs and profitability, helping you stay on budget and assess project performance.
  • Role-Based Access Control: Assign different access levels to team members, ensuring data security and privacy.
  • Mobile App Availability: Manage your accounting tasks on the go with a mobile app that offers core functionalities.
  • Customizable Dashboards: Tailor your dashboard to display key metrics and insights that matter most to your business.
  • Recurring Invoices and Payments: Set up recurring billing for regular clients to automate invoicing and payment collection.
  • Customer and Supplier Management: Maintain detailed records of customers and suppliers, facilitating better relationship management.
  • Audit Trail: Keep a comprehensive log of all transactions and changes for transparency and accountability.
  • Data Import and Export: Easily import and export data to and from other systems, ensuring seamless data migration and backup.
  • Multi-User Collaboration: Allow multiple users to work simultaneously, enhancing team collaboration and productivity.
  • Custom Financial Reports: Create tailored financial reports to meet specific business needs and reporting requirements.
  • Payment Processing Integration: Integrate with payment gateways to facilitate smooth and secure payment processing.
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Product Ranking

#4

among all
Accounting Software

#43

among all
Accounting Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Banking And Cash Management Budget And Expense Management Financial Statements And Revenue Management General Ledger And Chart Of Accounts Integration And Extensibility Inventory Management Journal Entries Mobile Support Multi-company Accounting And Asset Management Platform Capabilities Project Accounting Reporting And Analytics Tax Management 78 92 87 57 98 61 58 50 73 90 65 78 56 70 88 0 25 50 75 100
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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 2602 reviews
Great User Sentiment 890 reviews
88%
of users recommend this product

Wave Accounting has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 88% when considering 2602 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

85%
of users recommend this product

Sage Accounting has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 85% when considering 890 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

4.0 (15)
n/a
4.4 (203)
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4.43 (1298)
4.2 (382)
4.4 (964)
4.2 (382)
4.0 (122)
4.4 (126)

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

System Performance: Of the users who mentioned this solution's performance, precisely 65% said it's easy to use, documents all tasks performed and provides accurate information.
Modules: Approximately 57% of users who discussed this program's functionality said it has a variety of capabilities such as an assortment of reports, bank account synching and invoice reminders.
Cost: Of the users who mentioned this application's pricing, approximately 87% of users said they like the free version because it comes with plenty of appliances.
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Unlimited Invoices: User reviews highlight that Sage Accounting allows for unlimited quotes and invoices, which is a key advantage over some competitors that impose limitations on these features.
Cash Flow Tracking: Users praise Sage Accounting for its effectiveness in managing cash flow, a critical aspect of running a business successfully.
Strong Customer Support: Reviews consistently mention Sage 50 Accounting's excellent customer support, indicating a positive user experience and reliable assistance when needed.
Comprehensive Features: Sage 50 Accounting is lauded for its wide array of features, including invoicing, bill payments, inventory management, cost control, and payroll functions, making it a suitable choice for businesses seeking a complete accounting solution.
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Frustrating reconciliation process: Users often describe matching transactions as difficult and time-consuming, leading to delayed reconciliation and potential errors.
Limited reporting options: Users express a desire for more robust and flexible reporting features, including better sorting, exporting, and preset date options for generating customized reports.
Lack of phone support: Wave relies primarily on email and online resources for support, which can be frustrating for users who prefer immediate assistance or have complex issues to resolve.
Occasional glitches and errors: Users have reported occasional software glitches, such as duplicated transactions or difficulties with bank syncing, which can disrupt workflows and create data inconsistencies.
No inventory management: Wave lacks full-fledged inventory tracking and management capabilities, making it unsuitable for businesses with complex inventory needs or those who sell directly through eCommerce platforms.
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Limited Features: User reviews indicate Sage Accounting lacks features like bill pay, which may be a dealbreaker for some businesses.
Potential Performance Issues: Some user reviews mention slowness when handling large data volumes, suggesting potential performance bottlenecks for businesses with high transaction volumes.
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Wave Accounting users appreciate its simplicity and affordability, making it a popular choice for freelancers and solopreneurs. The free plan covers essential features like invoicing, expense tracking, and basic reporting, catering to those with straightforward accounting needs. Users praise its intuitive interface and mobile app for on-the-go tracking, highlighting its convenience compared to clunky desktop software. However, Wave's limitations become apparent as businesses grow. Users cite frustrating reconciliation issues, limited reporting options, and the lack of advanced features like inventory management or payroll integrations. Compared to competitors like Quickbooks or Xero, Wave feels less capable of handling complex accounting workflows. While its automatic bank imports save time, the absence of phone support can be a dealbreaker for some users who need immediate help troubleshooting issues. Ultimately, Wave shines for its ease of use and zero-cost entry point, but its lack of scalability and robust features might necessitate switching to more powerful alternatives as businesses evolve. Choosing Wave comes down to prioritizing convenience and affordability over comprehensive functionality and expert support.

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How can Sage Accounting help your business grow with the times? Sage Accounting software has garnered a mixed bag of user reviews over the past year, with some users singing its praises while others hit a sour note. Users appreciate Sage Accounting's robust automation capabilities, particularly for tasks like bank reconciliation and financial reporting, which streamline financial operations and reduce manual effort. Its comprehensive add-ons, such as payroll and HR, are also seen as major pluses, transforming it into a comprehensive business management solution. However, the software's steep learning curve and less intuitive interface have left some users feeling like they're stuck in a maze. Users have also pointed out that Sage Accounting's pricing, while not publicly disclosed, is often higher than that of competitors, making it a potential budget buster for smaller businesses or startups. A key differentiator for Sage Accounting is its scalability, making it a good fit for businesses anticipating rapid growth or those with complex accounting needs, such as multi-entity consolidation. This is particularly beneficial for businesses with ambitious expansion plans, as they can avoid the headache of switching software as they grow. However, this strength also underscores a significant weakness: Sage Accounting's complexity can be overwhelming for smaller businesses or those with simpler accounting requirements. In essence, it's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut – overkill for some. In conclusion, Sage Accounting is most suitable for medium to large businesses with experienced accounting personnel who can navigate its advanced features and leverage its automation capabilities. It's a powerful tool for businesses that need to manage complex financial operations and have the resources to invest in a premium solution. However, smaller businesses or those new to accounting software might find more user-friendly and affordable options on the market.

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