stackswitch

Sage

UK accounting software trusted by small businesses and accountants

£15
Starting price
4/5
G2 rating
3
Pricing plans
1981
Founded

Quick verdict

Sage is built for growing teams and mid-market companies who need solid finance & accounting capabilities. It holds its own against competitors like QuickBooks. There is no free plan, so you need to be fairly sure it fits before committing.

Sage is one of the UK's most established accounting software providers, offering cloud-based bookkeeping, invoicing, payroll, and VAT management. Sage 50 is a desktop solution for more complex needs, while Sage Accounting (formerly Sage One) targets small businesses. Well-regarded by UK accountants for compliance with HMRC Making Tax Digital.

What we like

  • Strong HMRC MTD compliance
  • Trusted by UK accountants
  • Comprehensive UK tax features
  • Good accountant collaboration tools

Watch out for

  • Less intuitive than Xero or FreshBooks
  • Pricing can be high for small teams
  • Older interface on desktop versions
  • Payroll costs extra

Key features

InvoicingVAT returnsBank reconciliationPayroll (add-on)Making Tax DigitalMulti-currencyCash flow forecasting

Who should use Sage?

If you are a Solo / freelancer...

At £15/mo, it is a real investment for a solo operator. Consider a free alternative first, then switch when you outgrow it.

If you are a 5-person startup...

For a team of five, expect to pay roughly £75/mo on the Accounting Start plan. That is reasonable for a startup budget.

If you are a 50+ person company...

You will likely need the Accounting plan or above. At this scale, check the multi-currency and cash flow forecasting capabilities — they matter more as teams grow.

Pricing: the honest take

Starting at £15/mo with no free tier, Sage is positioned for buyers who already know they need this category of tool. The Accounting Start plan is competitively priced for the finance & accounting market.

See full Sage pricing breakdown →
See Sage pricing → See alternatives →

Top Sage alternatives

QuickBooks Accounting software for small and medium businesses
$17.5 Compare →
Xero Beautiful accounting software for small business
$15 Compare →
FreshBooks Invoicing and accounting for freelancers and small businesses
$17 Compare →
See all Sage alternatives →

Our verdict

Sage is a well-regarded finance & accounting tool with 3 pricing plans. Starting at £15/mo, it is priced for growing teams. If the watch-outs above are dealbreakers, see the alternatives below.

Sage: frequently asked questions

Is Sage free?

No — Sage does not have a free plan. Pricing starts at £15/mo.

How much does Sage cost?

Sage has 3 plans. Paid plans start at £15/mo. See full pricing →

What are the best alternatives to Sage?

Top alternatives include QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks. See full comparison →