Are you a small business owner or a freelancer looking for the best accounting software?
It’s tough to pick the right one, especially when you have options like Sage and Wave.
Both are popular, but they offer different things.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help you understand the key differences.
We’ll break down Sage vs Wave so you can decide which accounting software is the best.
Overview
We looked closely at both Sage and Wave.
We tested their features, ease of use, and what they cost.
This helped us see which one is better for different kinds of businesses.
Unlock deeper insights and drive smarter decisions.
Pricing: Free Trial Available. Paid plan starts at $61.92/month.
Key Features:
- Inventory Management
- Reporting
- Job Costing
Over 4 million small businesses trust Wave to manage their finances.
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plan starts at $16/month.
Key Features:
- Unlimited Invoicing
- Expense Tracking
- Basic Reporting
What is Sage?
Let’s talk about Sage.
It’s been around for a while.
Lots of businesses use it.
It helps keep track of money.
Think of it like a digital notebook for your business stuff.
Also, explore our favorite Sage alternatives…
Unlock deeper insights and drive smarter decisions. Explore your Sage data today. Try it now!
Key Benefits
Sage shines with its 3 main strengths:
- It offers over 50 different reports. These help you see how your business is doing.
- You can manage invoices and get paid up to 2x faster. This means less waiting for money.
- It has strong inventory management. Keep track of your products easily.
Pricing
Sage has different plans. The most basic one starts at $10 per month. With this, you can:
- Pro Accounting: $61.92/month
- Premium Accounting: $103.92/month
- Quantum Accounting: $177.17/month
Pros
Cons
What is Wave?
Okay, let’s talk about Wave.
Think of it like a helpful friend for your business money.
It lets you do things like send invoices and track what money comes in and goes out.
It can help you see the big picture of your business finances.
Also, explore our favorite Wave alternatives…
Over 4 million small businesses trust Wave to manage their finances. See why 88% of users report saving an average of 5 hours per month on bookkeeping with Wave.
Key Benefits
Wave stands out with:
- A 100% free basic accounting plan.
- Easy to use interface for beginners.
- Seamless integration with its payroll add-on.
- Over 2 million small businesses use it.
Pricing
Free: $0
Pro Plan: $16
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
Let’s dive into what Sage and Wave offer.
We’ve looked at their main tools.
This will help you see a clear comparison and pick the right one for your business.
1. Cost and Free Options
Wave is famous for its free plan. It offers basic accounting and invoicing at no cost.
This is great for freelancers and very small businesses.
Sage, on the other hand, usually has paid plans.
While they offer more features, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee.
2. Ease of Use
Wave is often seen as more user-friendly.
Its design is simple and easy to understand, even if you’re new to accounting.
Sage can be a bit more complex.
It has more features, which can make it harder to learn at first.
3. Invoicing and Billing
Both software let you send invoices.
Wave offers strong billing features, even in its free version.
You can create and send professional invoices easily.
Sage also handles invoicing well, but its basic plans might have fewer options than Wave’s free tools.
4. Payroll Services
Payroll is how you pay your team.
Wave offers payroll as an extra service, but it costs money.
It’s mainly for users in the US and Canada.
Sage also has payroll options.
These are often separate products that work with Sage accounting.
5. Inventory Management
If you sell products, tracking them is key.
Sage generally has better tools for inventory management.
It helps you keep track of what you have in stock.
Wave’s free plan often doesn’t include strong inventory features.
You might need an upgrade or another tool.
6. Reporting
Knowing your business numbers is important.
Sage offers more detailed reports.
These reports can give you deeper insights into your money.
Wave’s free plan has basic reports.
If you need more complex financial views, Sage might be a better fit.
7. Scalability
Scalability means how well the software can grow with your business.
Wave is great for small businesses and freelancers.
But if your business gets much bigger, you might find its features limiting.
Sage is built to handle more complex needs as businesses grow.
It can support more users and advanced functions.
What to look for when choosing an Accounting Software?
Here are some extra things to think about:
- Scalability: Can the software grow with your business?
- Support: What kind of help is available if you have questions?
- Ease of Use: Is it something you and your team can learn quickly?
- Specific Needs: Does it handle the unique things your business does?
- Security: How safe is your financial data with this software?
Final Verdict (Our Pick)
So, which accounting software is best? It truly depends on your needs.
For freelancers or very small businesses, Wave is often the winner.
It’s free and user-friendly, perfect for managing basic income and expenses.
However, if your business is growing or needs more complex tools, Sage is likely the better choice.
It offers deeper features like better inventory and payroll options.
We’ve looked at both closely, comparing everything from billing to scalability.
Trust our research to help you pick the right tool for your business.
More of Sage
- Sage vs Puzzle IO: Puzzle IO focuses on project accounting, providing tools for detailed cost tracking and client billing.
- Sage vs Dext: Dext automates data capture from receipts and invoices, simplifying expense management and data entry.
- Sage vs Xero: Xero emphasizes a user-friendly cloud platform with a strong app ecosystem and streamlined bank reconciliation.
- Sage vs Synder: Synder specializes in e-commerce accounting, automating sales and payment synchronization across multiple platforms.
- Sage vs Docyt: Docyt uses AI to automate bookkeeping tasks, including document categorization and financial data organization.
- Sage vs Quicken: Quicken focuses on personal finance management, including budgeting, investment tracking, and bill payment.
- Sage vs Hubdoc: Hubdoc automates document collection and data entry, integrating with cloud accounting platforms to streamline bookkeeping.
- Sage vs Expensify: Expensify automates expense reporting with features like receipt scanning, approval workflows, and policy enforcement.
- Sage vs QuickBooks: QuickBooks is a dominant player in small business accounting, known for its user-friendly interface and extensive features.
- Sage vs AutoEntry: AutoEntry automates data entry from scanned documents, streamlining accounts payable and receivable processes.
- Sage vs FreshBooks: FreshBooks is designed for service-based businesses, with a focus on invoicing, time tracking, and project collaboration.
- Sage vs NetSuite: NetSuite is a comprehensive ERP solution for enterprises, offering advanced financials, CRM, and supply chain management.
More of Wave
- Wave vs Puzzle IO: Puzzle IO shines with its AI-powered smart categorization and predictive invoicing for modern accounting.
- Wave vs Dext: Dext excels at automated data capture from receipts and invoices, streamlining expense management.
- Wave vs Xero: Xero offers strong cloud-based accounting, emphasizing cash flow management and multi-currency support.
- Wave vs Synder: Synder specializes in e-commerce accounting, seamlessly syncing data from various online sales platforms.
- Wave vs Docyt: Docyt provides AI-driven bookkeeping and workflow automation, aiming for a fast month-end close.
- Wave vs Zoho Books: Zoho Books provides a broad accounting solution with strong invoicing, expense tracking, and inventory management.
- Wave vs Quicken: Quicken is primarily for personal finance, offering budgeting, investment tracking, and basic invoicing for freelancers.
- Wave vs Hubdoc: Hubdoc automates document collection and data extraction, centralizing financial paperwork for accountants.
- Wave vs Expensify: Expensify is a leader in expense reporting, featuring smart receipt scanning and automated reimbursements.
- Wave vs QuickBooks: QuickBooks is a comprehensive accounting software with robust features for all business sizes, including payroll and inventory.
- Wave vs AutoEntry: AutoEntry excels at automated data extraction from receipts and invoices and integrates with major accounting platforms.
- Wave vs FreshBooks: FreshBooks is optimized for service-based businesses, with strong invoicing, time tracking, and project management.
- Wave vs NetSuite: NetSuite is a full ERP solution that offers extensive financial management, CRM, and supply chain capabilities for larger businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wave truly free for small businesses?
Yes, Wave offers a completely free plan for basic accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning. They make money from payment processing and payroll services, which are optional add-ons.
Can Sage integrate with other business tools?
Yes, Sage offers various integrations with other business software. This allows you to connect it with tools for CRM, e-commerce, and more, depending on your specific Sage product and plan.
Which is better for freelancers, Sage or Wave?
For most freelancers, Wave is generally better. Its free plan and user-friendly interface are perfect for managing simple income and expenses without extra costs.
Does Wave offer payroll services?
Yes, Wave does offer payroll services as a paid add-on. It’s available for businesses in the US and Canada, helping you manage employee payments, taxes, and direct deposits.
Is Sage more complex than QuickBooks?
Sage can be seen as more complex than some entry-level QuickBooks versions. Both offer strong features, but Sage often caters to businesses needing more advanced or industry-specific accounting solutions.
