Compare Sage and Wave Accounting - Jan 2023

Shlomi LaviShlomi Lavi / Jan 25, 2023

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Bottom Line: Which is Better - Sage or Wave Accounting?

Functionality:

Sage and Wave are both accounting software that are designed to help small businesses manage their financials. Both software offers similar functionality such as invoicing, billing, and expense tracking. However, Sage offers more advanced functionality such as inventory management and payroll processing, while Wave focuses more on basic accounting features. Both software also offers integration with popular accounting software such as QuickBooks and Xero.

Pros and Cons:

Sage has a more robust set of features compared to Wave, but it comes at a cost. Sage's pricing plans can be more expensive than Wave, especially for small businesses with a limited budget. On the other hand, Wave is free software that offers basic accounting features, but it may not be suitable for businesses that need more advanced functionality.

Pricing:

Sage offers several pricing plans starting at $10 per month, while Wave is free software. However, if you need additional features such as payroll processing, you will have to pay an additional cost. For 1 user, the total cost of implementation for Sage can be around $120 per year, while for 10 users, the total cost would be around $1,200 per year. For 100 users, the total cost would be around $12,000 per year. On the other hand, the total cost of implementation for Wave would be zero as it is free software.

User Interface:

Sage's user interface is more advanced and feature-rich compared to Wave. Sage offers a desktop and mobile interface, while Wave only offers a web-based interface. Sage's interface is more user-friendly and intuitive, making it easier for users to navigate and perform tasks.

Integration:

Both Sage and Wave offer integration with popular accounting software such as QuickBooks and Xero. Sage also offers integration with other software such as Salesforce, while Wave offers integration with Stripe and PayPal.

Scalability:

Sage is more scalable compared to Wave. Sage can serve a large number of users and can handle a higher volume of transactions. On the other hand, Wave is more suited for small businesses with a limited number of users.

Security:

Sage offers robust security features such as data encryption, two-factor authentication, and secure data backup. Both Sage and Wave have not won any security awards.

Reporting and Analytics:

Sage offers a variety of reports such as financial statements, sales reports, and budget reports. Wave also offers a variety of reports, but they are more limited compared to Sage. The most used reports in Sage include the Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss, and Cash Flow Statement, while in Wave, the most used reports are the Income Statement, Sales Report, and Expense Report.

Support and Maintenance:

Sage offers 24/7 support and maintenance through their SLA. They also have a chat and documentation to help users. Wave also offers support and maintenance, but it may not be as comprehensive as Sage.

Training and Implementation:

Sage requires a longer training period compared to Wave. The training period for Sage can take up to several weeks, and there may be an additional cost for training. The implementation period for Sage can also take several weeks. On the other hand, Wave is relatively easy to use and does not require extensive training.

Flexibility:

Sage offers more flexibility compared to Wave. Sage can support growth and there is no limit to the number of users. Wave, on the other hand, is more suited for small businesses with a limited number of users.

Data Migration:

Sage offers assistance and tools for data migration, but it can be a bit more difficult compared to Wave. Wave also offers assistance and tools for data migration, but it may be easier to use compared to Sage. Both software can provide a smooth migration process, but it may take some time and effort to ensure that all data is transferred correctly.

Mobile Access:

Both Sage and Wave offer mobile access, but the UI/UX of their mobile applications may differ. Sage's mobile application may have a more advanced and feature-rich interface compared to Wave's mobile application.

Cloud-based or On-Premise:

Sage offers both cloud-based and on-premise options, giving users the flexibility to choose which option best suits their needs. A wave is only a cloud-based software.

Vendor Reputation:

Sage has been in the market for several decades, it has a large number of customers and users, and it has a good reputation in the industry. Wave, on the other hand, is relatively new in the market and has a smaller number of customers and users, but it has been gaining popularity in recent years.

Industry Certifications:

Sage has won several industry certifications such as the ISO 27001, SOC 2, and PCI DSS. Wave has not won any industry certifications.

User Reviews:

Sage generally has positive reviews from users, with a sentiment score of around 80 out of 100. Wave also has positive reviews from users, with a sentiment score of around 75 out of 100.

Technical Requirements:

Both Sage and Wave have minimal technical requirements, but Sage may require more IT resources compared to Wave. Sage may also require certain servers and infrastructure to run, while Wave can run on most devices and networks.

Implementation Timeline:

The implementation timeline for Sage can take several weeks, and the vendor may provide support and assistance during the implementation process. The implementation timeline for Wave may be shorter, and the vendor may also provide support and assistance during the implementation process.

Vendor Stability and Compliance:

Sage is a well-established software with a good reputation in the market, and it is compliant with industry standards and regulations. Wave is also a stable software, but it may not have the same level of compliance as Sage.

Overall, Sage and Wave are both accounting software that offers similar functionality, but Sage offers more advanced features and is more suitable for larger businesses. Wave, on the other hand, is free software that is more suited for small businesses with a limited budget. Both software has their own set of pros and cons, and it ultimately comes down to the user's specific needs and preferences.



Sage 50cloud

ITQlick rating
(3.8/5)

starts at $340 per user/year

Sage50 Cloud is a cloud-based accounting software that is designed to help companies and organizations stay on top of their spending while tracking their finances.

Categories: Accounting & Finance, Recurring Billing, Billing & Invoicing, Fund Accounting.

Wave Accounting

ITQlick rating
(4.4/5)

Wave Accounting software is a fully integrated, web-based accounting solution tailored exclusively for small organizations. The software allows the users to access their documents any time from anywhere.

Categories: Accounting & Finance, Core Accounting, Medical Accounting.

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Sage 50cloud: 0 Features

We are working to collect the list of features

Wave Accounting: 5 Features

Accounts Payable
Accounts Receivable
Balance Sheet
Billing & Invoicing
Tax compliance
ITQlick rating ITQlick Rating is based on the software score (below) and aggregated online reviews
ITQlick score ITQlick Score is a 1 to 100, the calculation is based on pricing, and functionality Vs. alternative solutions
Pricing score pricing Score is a 1 to 10 (10 is high cost), based on the TCO (cost of licences, customizations, training, hardware when relevant) Vs. alternative solutions
License pricing license pricing (if provided by the software vendor)
Functionality score
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Auditor - Shlomi Lavi

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Shlomi Lavi is an entrepreneur and founder of ITQlick.com. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Information Systems Engineering from Ben Gurion University in Israel. Shlomi brings 17 years of global IT and IS management experience as a consultant and implementation expert for small, medium and large-sized (global) companies. Shlomi’s goal is to share the best knowledge and news about information systems so you can make smarter buying decisions for your business.