Software Register
All comparisons

Sage Accounting vs QuickBooks Online

Sage Accounting starts cheaper at R270 /mo incl VAT against R322 /mo for QuickBooks Online.

Sage Accounting handles SARS returns. Both are sold and supported in South Africa.

Sage Accounting price read 11 OCT 2026 · QuickBooks Online price read 11 OCT 2026

Side by sideOur notes

The contenders

Prices are compared only when both are on the same VAT footing.

All prices are in rand. Where a vendor lists in dollars, pounds or euros we convert at R16.53 per US dollar, R21.86 per pound and R18.53 per euro (European Central Bank reference rates, via Frankfurter, 9 OCT 2026).

Side by side

Sage Accounting compared with QuickBooks Online
MeasureSage AccountingSage Group plcQuickBooks OnlineIntuit Inc.
Pricing
Starting priceR270R322
Basis/mo incl VAT/mo
Price read11 OCT 202611 OCT 2026
South Africa
AvailabilitySold in South AfricaSold in South Africa
SARS filing
Handles SARS returnsYesNot listed
SARS returns listed1 listedNot listed
VAT201YesNot listed
Bank feeds
Banks listed6 listedNot listed
CapitecYesNot listed
FNBYesNot listed
AbsaYesNot listed
Standard BankYesNot listed
NedbankYesNot listed
TymeBankNoNot listed
InvestecYesNot listed
Discovery BankNoNot listed
Compliance
Items listedNone listedNot listed
POPIANoNot listed
Features
Invoices and quotes in secondsYesNo
Track what customers owe youYesNo
Automatic bank reconciliation on every planYesNo
AI drafts bills from invoices and writes customer emailsYesNo
Bookkeeping and VAT return calculation on StandardYesNo
Receipt capture with AutoEntry on StandardYesNo
Access for your accountantYesNo
Submit VAT returns to SARS from the product with your SARS user IDYesNo
Mobile app for iOS and AndroidYesNo
Automated bank feeds and bookkeepingNoYes
Invoicing and online paymentsNoYes
Income and expense trackingNoYes
Inventory, purchase and sales orders from PlusNoYes
Project management and profitability from PlusNoYes
Multiple currencies from EssentialsNoYes
Access for your accountant on every planNoYes
Plans
Free trialYesYes
Free planNoNo

In each row the stronger cell is dark and the weaker is grey. A row of ticks appears only where a vendor's page lists the item.

Our detailed comparison

Researched 11 October 2026 from both vendors' own pages

Sage spells out the VAT basis and the banks. QuickBooks lists lower prices and offers free phone help.

Sage Accounting lists rand prices from R270 a month including VAT and names the direct bank feeds it offers. QuickBooks Online lists four plans from R322 a month for one to 25 users, with free phone support with a paid plan and no contract, but does not state its VAT basis. Both give a 30 day trial. If you value certainty on VAT and local detail, Sage is clearer today. If you value a roomy plan ladder and included phone support, QuickBooks deserves a look.

Choose Sage Accounting if

  • You want the VAT basis and the named direct bank feeds in front of you
  • You want a South African phone line and a local community
  • You want payroll from the same vendor

Choose QuickBooks Online if

  • You want free phone support with every paid plan
  • You may need more than five users, up to 25
  • You want a plan with inventory and projects built in
Sage Accounting and QuickBooks Online, side by side
At a glanceSage AccountingQuickBooks Online
Starting priceR270 a month including VAT, R3 240 a yearR322 a month, VAT basis not stated
PlansStart R270 and Standard R490Simple Start R322, Essentials R508, Plus R708 and Advanced R1 144
Users1 on Start, 2 to 5 on Standard1, 3, 5 and 25
Free trial30 days, plus a 30 day refund promise30 days
Bank feedsDirect with FNB, Nedbank and InvestecListed on every plan, banks not named
Multi currencyR185 a month add onIncluded from Essentials
Phone support0861 237 243Free with a paid plan
ContractNo long term contractsNone, cancel anytime

Pricing compared

Sage's pricing is explicit: Start from R270 a month including VAT and Standard from R490, with a long, clear list of add ons priced in rand. QuickBooks lists Simple Start at R322, Essentials at R508, Plus at R708 and Advanced at R1 144 a month and does not say whether VAT is included, so ask before comparing. The structure differs too. Sage keeps multi currency as an R185 add on, while QuickBooks includes it from Essentials. Sage sells extra users at R85 a month, while QuickBooks builds users into its plan ladder at 1, 3, 5 and 25.

Features compared

Both do invoicing, bank reconciliation, VAT and reporting. QuickBooks adds invoice capture from photos, PDFs and emails and inventory from Plus. Sage adds AutoEntry receipt capture, AI drafting of bills and optional modules such as debtors manager and time tracking.

South African fit

Sage is more specific: its pages discuss VAT returns with your accountant, and its bank page lists First National Bank, Nedbank and Investec for direct feeds. QuickBooks describes VAT tracking and tax return preparation in general terms and does not name South African banks.

Support and getting started

Both offer phone support, and QuickBooks includes it free with a paid plan and adds a free onboarding call. Sage offers a local line, a community hub and a 30 day refund promise on top of the trial.

Where each falls short

Sage's Start plan is single user and its add ons add up. QuickBooks gives fewer South African specifics and does not state its VAT basis.

The verdict

Sage is the safer choice when you want the VAT basis, the rand price and your bank feed spelled out. QuickBooks is worth trialling when included phone support, a roomier plan ladder and lower list prices matter.

Ready to try one?

Sage Accounting

Sage Group plc

Visit Sage Accounting

QuickBooks Online

Intuit Inc.

Visit QuickBooks Online

Prices are read from each vendor's own pages and dated. How we read prices.

Compare another pair

Sage Accounting

Sage Group plc

From R270 /mo incl VAT

QuickBooks Online

Intuit Inc.

From R322 /mo

Prices in rand, plans, features and SARS filing side by side. No winner is picked for you.