
What Are The Differences Between Sage 50 and Sage Accounting? A Complete Guide in 2026
If you are a CPA, professionals and business, you must have come across the Sage accounting software. It is one of the most popular accounting and financial management software in the world. Likewise, it is crucial for users to understand the key differences between Sage 50 and Sage Accounting (Sage One). Sage 50 Accounting is desktop-based and can also be hosted in the cloud, while Sage One (Sage Accounting) is web-based and can be accessed from a portable device anytime.
When you compare the differences between Sage 50 and Sage Accounting, both cater to different business segments and have different features and options. Sage, along with QuickBooks, has built a massive global user base, with QuickBooks in the United States and Sage in the UK and beyond.
In this blog post, we will be exploring the key differences between Sage 50 and Sage Accounting software.
What is Sage 50 Accounting?
Sage 50 is designed for small to medium-sized businesses that need additional features and enhanced accounting and financial management capabilities. It was primarily developed for accounting and payroll services. Sage 50 offers more features and greater flexibility than Sage One (Sage accounting). Did you know? Over 4 lac companies use the Sage 50 accounting software in the UK alone.
Sage 50 software primarily addresses complex accounting needs for businesses and is available in two versions: Sage 50 Standard and Sage 50 Professional. The software seamlessly integrates with HR, CRMs and Payroll services. It offers third-party integrations and add-ons to streamline accounting and financial management. Sage 50 vs Sage Accounting is not new.
Benefits of Sage 50 Accounting
| Enhanced features | Scalable solution | Best for growing businesses |
| Better addons and integrations | Safe and secure solution | Desktop version as well as cloud-based hosting are available |
What is Sage Accounting (Sage One)?
Like Sage 50, Sage accounting is designed for very small businesses that need only basic accounting and financial control. Sage One offers simple, easy-to-use accounting features and options.
Sage 50 is desktop-based and can be hosted in the cloud, while Sage Accounting is available online via a web-based format. Did you know? Sage Accounting was primarily launched in the UK and Ireland in the year 2011. It offers basic payroll, payments, and time tracking and is suitable for solo businesses.
Benefits of Sage Accounting at a Glance
| Easy to use | Secure | Affordable |
| Scalable solution | Collabotaive | Mobile device access |
What is The Difference Between Sage 50 and Sage Accounting? A Complete Comparison Table
| Sage 50 | Sage Accounting | |
| Free Trial | Available | Available |
| Ideal For | Small to medium businesses | Very small businesses |
| Device Availability | Desktop-based. Hosted Sage on the cloud is also available | Cloud web-based format |
| Main Features | Profit/loss statement, invoice processing, invoice history, financial reporting, payment processing, payroll management, expense tracking, tax calculation, billing portal, and more | Invoice creation, income balance sheet, general ledger, bank reconciliation, invoicing, online payments, tax managements and more |
| Integrates With | Microsoft 365, Realtrac, Avalara, Time Tracker, Fortis, Stripe, QCommission, Autoentry, and more | Stripe, OnePAGE CRM, 9Sopkes, Zapier, and more |
| Pros | Easy to navigate and separate companies.
Affordable and good features. |
Cloud-based access from anywhere, anytime, and remote access.
Unlimited sales invoice creation with Mac support. |
| Cons | Old and spreadsheet-like outlook. | Has limited features and basic accounting needs, not designed for large or medium businesses |
| Support Options | FAQs, phone support, chat, 24/7 Representative, and knowledge base | Email support, FAQs, phone support, chat, and knowledge base |
| Pricing Plans | Starts at $124 per month | Starts at $20 per month |
| Note: The features and options available are not limited to those listed above. Pricing plans are also subject to changes and offers available. | ||
Concluding Words
So the next time you’re confused about the difference between Sage 50 and Sage Accounting, this blog post will make it clear. Sage 50 is primarily designed for small to medium-sized businesses that need advanced accounting features and options, while Sage Accounting, also known as Sage One, is designed for very small businesses and sole proprietors that require only basic accounting and financial features. Sage 50 is priced higher but offers more features than Sage Accounting, whose pricing is affordable but limited. For more information on the topic of Sage Accounting and QuickBooks Accounting, explore Sagenext blogs.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is Sage accounting the same as Sage 50?
No, Sage 50 Accounting is designed for small to medium-sized businesses and offers enhanced features and options. Sage Accounting is a basic accounting system designed primarily for very small businesses. Sage 50 pricing is higher than that of Sage Accoting also known as Sage One.
Is Sage 50 being phased out?
Sage 50 is not being phased out, but its one-time license purchase is being replaced by a subscription-based model. However, Sage 50 v26.2 and below have already been discontinued. However, you can get Sage 50 hosted in the cloud for anytime, anywhere access.
What is the old name for Sage accounting?
Sage 50 Accounting was formerly known as Peachtree Accounting and was rebranded as Sage 50 in 2013. Sage Accounting, also known as Sage One, is a standalone cloud-based platform.






