When it comes to bookkeeping, there are a lot of options out there. It can be hard to decide which one is right for you. In this article, we'll be comparing two of the most popular bookkeeping software programs: Sage 50 and FreeAgent. We'll go over the features of each, so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you and your business.
What is Sage 50?
Sage 50 is a bookkeeping software program that has been around for a long time. It's been through a few name changes - it used to be called Sage Peachtree - but it's still the same program at its core. Sage 50 is a desktop program, which means you install it on your computer and access it there. It's not a cloud-based program, so you don't access it through the internet. This can be good or bad, depending on your preferences. Some people prefer desktop programs because they feel like they're more secure, while others prefer cloud-based programs because they're more convenient.
Sage 50 comes in a few different versions, depending on your needs. There's Sage 50 Accounting, which is the basic version, and then there's Sage 50 Premium Accounting, which has more features. There's also Sage 50 Quantum Accounting, which is the most expensive and has the most features. If you're not sure which version you need, you can always start with the basic version and upgrade later if you find that you need more features.
What is FreeAgent?
FreeAgent is a newer bookkeeping software program that is entirely web-based. That means you access it through the internet instead of installing it on your computer. This can be good or bad, depending on your preferences. Some people prefer web-based programs because they're more convenient, while others prefer desktop programs because they feel like they're more secure.
FreeAgent has a few different versions, depending on your needs. There's FreeAgent Central, which is the basic version, and then there's FreeAgent Professional, which has more features. If you're not sure which version you need, you can always start with the basic version and upgrade later if you find that you need more features.
Features
Sage 50
Sage 50 has a lot of features, including:
- Invoicing
- Billing
- Accounts receivable
- Accounts payable
- Inventory management
- Money management
- Project management
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Payroll
Sage 50 also has a few unique features, like the ability to track time and expenses, and the ability to manage projects. If you need those features, then Sage 50 is a good choice. If you don't need those features, then you might be better off with a different bookkeeping software program.
FreeAgent
FreeAgent has a lot of features, including:
- Invoicing
- Billing
- Accounts receivable
- Accounts payable
- Inventory management
- Money management
- Project management
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Payroll
FreeAgent also has a few unique features, like the ability to track time and expenses, and the ability to manage projects. If you need those features, then FreeAgent is a good choice. If you don't need those features, then you might be better off with a different bookkeeping software program.
Pricing
Pricing is always an important consideration when choosing any type of software. Here's a comparison of the pricing for Sage 50 and FreeAgent:
- Sage 50 Accounting: starting at $39.95/month
- Sage 50 Premium Accounting: starting at $59.95/month
- Sage 50 Quantum Accounting: starting at $119.95/month
- FreeAgent Central: starting at $9/month
- FreeAgent Professional: starting at $29/month
As you can see, Sage 50 is more expensive than FreeAgent. However, it's important to remember that Sage 50 has more features than FreeAgent. So, if you need those extra features, then the higher price might be worth it. If you don't need those extra features, then you might be better off with FreeAgent.
Conclusion
There's a lot to consider when choosing a bookkeeping software program. In this article, we've compared two of the most popular programs: Sage 50 and FreeAgent. We've gone over the features of each, so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you and your business. Hopefully, this article has helped you make that decision.