Wave Accounting vs Sage 50cloud Accounting

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared Wave Accounting vs Sage 50cloud 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

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
read more...
Sage 50cloud Accounting is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It helps manage essential financial tasks like bookkeeping, invoicing, payroll, and tax filing. Its user-friendly interface and range of features cater to businesses with varying accounting needs, from basic bookkeeping to complex financial management. Sage 50cloud boasts strong inventory management, allowing for real-time stock tracking and purchase order creation. Additionally, its reporting capabilities offer valuable insights into business performance, aiding in informed decision-making. Users appreciate its mobile accessibility and integration with popular third-party applications. Compared to similar products, Sage 50cloud shines in its ease of use and scalability. However, its pricing structure, which scales with business size and complexity, might be a consideration for startups or solopreneurs. Overall, Sage 50cloud is a well-rounded accounting solution ideal for SMBs seeking a user-friendly and scalable platform to manage their finances.

Pros
  • User-friendly interface
  • Strong inventory management
  • Comprehensive reporting
  • Mobile accessibility
  • Integration with third-party apps
Cons
  • Limited customization options
  • Potentially complex setup
  • Scalable pricing structure
  • Limited integrations
  • Occasional performance issues
read more...
$20 Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$11 Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
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. 
read more...
  • Cost-Effective: A minimal monthly rental fee replaces upfront, installation and maintenance costs. It is cloud-based and doesn’t need dedicated personnel for support as there is a team of available experts hired by the cloud hosting providers.  
  • Easy Access: Clients and employees can work on a single system simultaneously, irrespective of location. Centralized access to data is helpful for companies that have multiple locations or employees working remotely. 
  • Automatic Backup:  Users get automatic data backups without any additional changes. Data is backed up into different paths, which ensures security and maximum data redundancy. If a disaster happens, users can rest assured that their financial data will be secure, without the requirement of any additional backup system.  
  • Paperless Processing: Creates a paperless work culture by eliminating any paperwork with a centralized database that takes care of all documentation needs.  
  • Round the Clock Support: Provides a dedicated support team that is available 24/7 
  • Boost Efficiency and Productivity: Users can view or edit their files and seamlessly perform other functions. Export data through Excel or PDF files without any loss of functionality or efficiency. Download required files or data from any place using any device.  
  • Less Downtime: Unlike traditional systems, users can access all data and files within a system with an internet connection, with reduced or no downtime. 
  • Easy Collaboration: Seamlessly share information with clients, even when they are working on the system. Eliminates the need to sync or copy files while simplifying collaboration with outsourced employees. 
  • Security: Security measures are the responsibility of the cloud hosting provider. They use data encryption technologies, third-party audits, backup power supplies and firewalls to ensure stringent security. Furthermore, since the data is saved in multiple servers and is regularly backed up, there is no risk of data loss.  
  • Free Trial: Experience a 30-day free trial without having to enter any credit card details or install the software. 
read more...
  • 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. 
read more...
  • Cash Flow and Invoicing: Provides a clear picture of finances where cash flow settings can be customized as per the business’s requirements.  
  • Payment and Banking: Automates accounts payable, purchase orders, invoices, payments, invoices, bank feeds and reconciliation. Automatic reconciliation eliminates manual data entry and simplifies payment acceptances.  
  • Advanced Inventory Management: Tracks cost and quantity and stays ahead of purchase orders by keeping everything in stock.  
  • Job Costing: Provides an estimate into how much time projects take and how much money is being made on each job.  
  • Payroll: Tracks employee tips, vacations and hours spent. It also makes payroll processing easy with direct deposit and pay cards.  
  • Reporting: Supports one-click reports for payables, sales tax, expenses, receivables, inventory, payroll and more. Design and customize reports to fit business requirements. 
  • Security Shield: Provides Security Shield for customers to ensure financial security through their partnership with Sontiq 
read more...

Product Ranking

#4

among all
Accounting Software

#212

among all
Accounting Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

72
88
78
100
92
92
87
94
Show More Show More
Financial Statements and Revenue Management
Accounts Receivable
Mobile Support
Tax Management
Banking and Cash Management
Accounts Payable
General Ledger and Chart of Accounts
Journal Entries
Platform Security
Tax Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Wave Accounting
Sage 50cloud Accounting
+ Add Product + Add Product
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 88 100 92 94 86 98 100 88 99 100 51 73 84 60 86 100 0 25 50 75 100
56%
0%
44%
100%
0%
0%
83%
11%
6%
94%
0%
6%
80%
0%
20%
80%
20%
0%
31%
15%
54%
77%
15%
8%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
63%
0%
37%
100%
0%
0%
23%
0%
77%
77%
0%
23%
0%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
60%
0%
40%
100%
0%
0%
80%
0%
20%
20%
40%
40%
50%
0%
50%
60%
20%
20%
78%
0%
22%
78%
11%
11%
0%
40%
60%
60%
0%
40%
47%
5%
48%
79%
5%
16%
80%
0%
20%
100%
0%
0%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

33%
0%
67%
67%
0%
33%
83%
0%
17%
100%
0%
0%

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 2602 reviews
we're gathering data
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.

we're gathering data
4.0 (15)
n/a
4.4 (203)
n/a
4.43 (1298)
n/a
4.4 (964)
n/a
4.0 (122)
n/a

Awards

we're gathering data

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Sage 50cloud Accounting and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Accounts Payable.

Accounts Payable Award

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.
Show more
Ease of use: Intuitive interface and simple navigation for everyday accounting tasks.
Cloud-based: Access your data from anywhere with an internet connection, simplifying remote work and collaboration.
Mobile app: Manage your finances on the go with the Sage 50cloud mobile app.
Automation: Automate repetitive tasks like bank reconciliations and invoicing to save time and reduce errors.
Reporting and analytics: Gain insights into your business performance with customizable reports and dashboards.
Integrations: Connect Sage 50cloud with other business applications you use, like CRM and e-commerce platforms, for a streamlined workflow.
Scalability: Grows with your business, accommodating increasing data volumes and user needs.
Security: Robust security features to protect your financial data.
Show more
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.
Show more
Pricing: Can be expensive for small businesses compared to some competitors.
Limited features: May lack some advanced features needed by larger businesses.
Learning curve: Interface can be complex for new users, requiring training or investment in onboarding.
Integrations: Not all third-party applications integrate seamlessly, requiring workarounds or additional costs.
Performance: Some users report occasional lag or slowness, especially on older hardware or with large datasets.
Customer support: Mixed reviews on customer support responsiveness and helpfulness.
Show more

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.

Show more

Sage 50cloud Accounting receives praise for its ease of use, cloud accessibility, and automation features. Users with typical accounting needs appreciate the intuitive interface and simple navigation, making it a breeze to handle everyday tasks like invoicing and bank reconciliations. The cloud-based nature allows for remote work and collaboration, a major plus in today's world. Automation takes repetitive tasks off their plate, saving time and minimizing errors. However, some users find the pricing to be on the steeper side compared to competitors like QuickBooks. While Sage 50cloud boasts strong core accounting functionalities, it may lack the advanced features needed by larger businesses, prompting them to consider alternatives like Xero or NetSuite. Additionally, the interface can feel complex for new users, requiring dedicated training or onboarding resources. Differentiating factors like robust security features and seamless integrations with CRM and e-commerce platforms appeal to businesses looking for a secure and streamlined workflow. Sage 50cloud's scalability further attracts users planning for future growth, as it can accommodate increasing data volumes and user needs. Overall, user reviews suggest Sage 50cloud shines for its user-friendliness, cloud accessibility, and automation tools. However, its pricing strategy and potential lack of advanced features might nudge some users towards competitors. Businesses that prioritize security, integrations, and scalability will find Sage 50cloud a compelling option, especially considering its potential to grow alongside their company's needs.

Show more

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Accounting Software


Accounting Seed

Acumatica

BQE Core

Dynamics 365 Finance

FreeAgent

Freshbooks

Manager

Odoo Accounting

Oracle Financials Cloud

Patriot Accounting

QuickBooks Online

Sage 50cloud Accounting

Sage Intacct

SAP Business One

SAP S/4 HANA Finance

TallyPrime

Workday Financial Management

Xero

ZarMoney

Zoho Books

Related Categories

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings