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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Sage 500

    Score9.1 out of 10
    N/ASage 500 ERP includes accounting and finance, distribution and supply chain, and manufacturing operations support modules. The latest Sage 500 release includes accounts payable enhancements, credit card processing, and general updates, as well as updates to the solution's modules.N/A

    Zoho Books

    Score8.9 out of 10
    N/AZoho Books is an accounting solution that is designed to help small businesses manage their finances. This solution includes dashboards and a wide variety of reports. Business users can automate tasks and set up custom workflows. Zoho offers a 14 day free trial.

    $20

    per month

    Pricing
    Sage 500Zoho Books
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    Free
    $0
    For businesses with turnover <50K USD per annum
    Standard
    $20
    per month per org
    Professional
    $50
    per month per org
    Premium
    $70
    per month per org
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Sage 500Zoho Books
    Free Trial
    NoYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoYes
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details—Zoho Books is available for both monthly and yearly plans. Users who sign up for the annual plan get a discount.
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Sage 500Zoho Books
    Considered Both Products
    Sage
    No answer on this topic
    Zoho
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    86%
    Would buy again
    6 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    86%
    Delivers good value for the price
    6 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    86%
    Happy with the feature set
    6 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    83%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    5 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    86%
    Implementation went as expected
    6 Answers
    Features
    Sage 500Zoho Books
    Payroll Management
    Comparison of Payroll Management features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    7.0
    2 Ratings
    2% below category average
    Zoho Books
    -
    Ratings
    Pay calculation9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Benefit plan administration6.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Direct deposit files7.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Customization
    Comparison of Customization features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    8.5
    3 Ratings
    11% above category average
    Zoho Books
    7.9
    16 Ratings
    3% above category average
    API for custom integration9.03 Ratings7.916 Ratings
    Plug-ins8.03 Ratings00 Ratings
    Security
    Comparison of Security features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    8.5
    3 Ratings
    4% above category average
    Zoho Books
    9.1
    25 Ratings
    9% above category average
    Single sign-on capability7.03 Ratings8.320 Ratings
    Role-based user permissions10.03 Ratings10.023 Ratings
    Reporting & Analytics
    Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    8.0
    3 Ratings
    10% above category average
    Zoho Books
    8.7
    24 Ratings
    10% above category average
    Dashboards6.03 Ratings8.124 Ratings
    Standard reports8.03 Ratings9.022 Ratings
    Custom reports10.03 Ratings9.01 Ratings
    General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
    Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    8.0
    3 Ratings
    4% above category average
    Zoho Books
    8.3
    25 Ratings
    6% above category average
    Accounts payable10.03 Ratings8.123 Ratings
    Accounts receivable10.03 Ratings8.124 Ratings
    Global Financial Support10.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Primary and Secondary Ledgers8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Journals and Reconciliations10.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Configurable Accounting10.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Standardized Processes10.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Cash management00 Ratings7.022 Ratings
    Bank reconciliation00 Ratings8.022 Ratings
    Expense management00 Ratings8.923 Ratings
    Time tracking00 Ratings8.915 Ratings
    Multi-currency support00 Ratings9.114 Ratings
    Regulations compliance00 Ratings8.012 Ratings
    Self-service portal00 Ratings9.016 Ratings
    Inventory Management
    Comparison of Inventory Management features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    8.0
    3 Ratings
    1% above category average
    Zoho Books
    7.0
    14 Ratings
    5% below category average
    Inventory tracking6.03 Ratings9.014 Ratings
    Automatic reordering10.03 Ratings5.08 Ratings
    Location management10.03 Ratings00 Ratings
    Order Management
    Comparison of Order Management features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    8.8
    2 Ratings
    11% above category average
    Zoho Books
    8.6
    22 Ratings
    11% above category average
    Pricing8.02 Ratings9.018 Ratings
    Order entry9.02 Ratings9.017 Ratings
    Credit card processing9.02 Ratings6.619 Ratings
    Cost of goods sold10.02 Ratings10.017 Ratings
    Order Orchestration8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Subledger and Financial Process
    Comparison of Subledger and Financial Process features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    5.9
    2 Ratings
    24% below category average
    Zoho Books
    -
    Ratings
    Billing Management10.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Cash and Asset Management8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Travel & Expense Management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting2.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Period Close8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Project Financial Management
    Comparison of Project Financial Management features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    6.9
    1 Ratings
    10% below category average
    Zoho Books
    -
    Ratings
    Budgeting and Forecasting1.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Project Costing3.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Cost Capture8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Capital Project Management9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Customer Contract Compliance9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Project Revenue Recognition9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Project Execution Management
    Comparison of Project Execution Management features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    4.5
    1 Ratings
    42% below category average
    Zoho Books
    -
    Ratings
    Task Insight for Project Managers7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Project Mobile Functionality5.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Grants Management
    Comparison of Grants Management features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    7.5
    1 Ratings
    1% above category average
    Zoho Books
    -
    Ratings
    Award Lifecycle Management6.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Procurement
    Comparison of Procurement features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    6.0
    1 Ratings
    14% below category average
    Zoho Books
    -
    Ratings
    Contract Authoring8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Contract Repository10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Supplier Management4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Risk Management
    Comparison of Risk Management features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    4.3
    1 Ratings
    41% below category average
    Zoho Books
    -
    Ratings
    Risk Repository3.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Control Management7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Control Efficiency Assessments4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Remediation and Certification3.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Supply Chain
    Comparison of Supply Chain features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    1.3
    1 Ratings
    138% below category average
    Zoho Books
    -
    Ratings
    Forecasting1.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Inventory Planning2.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Performance Monitoring1.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Product Lifecycle Management
    Comparison of Product Lifecycle Management features of Sage 500 ERP and Zoho Books
    Feature
    Sage 500 ERP
    5.3
    1 Ratings
    29% below category average
    Zoho Books
    -
    Ratings
    Proposal Management7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Product Master Data Management4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Sage 500Zoho Books
    Small Businesses
    Zoho One
    Score8.9 out of 10
    Sage Accounting
    Score9.1 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Zoho One
    Score8.9 out of 10
    MYOB
    Score7.7 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Score9.1 out of 10
    Microsoft Dynamics GP
    Score6.8 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Sage 500Zoho Books
    Likelihood to Recommend
    10.0
    (5 ratings)
    8.1
    (26 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    6.3
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Usability
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.3
    (8 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    5.3
    (5 ratings)
    Online Training
    6.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Sage 500Zoho Books
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Sage
    Sage 500 ERP is great for companies with core accounting needs, distributors, and discrete manufacturers. Some areas, such as process manufacturing, would require a companion product from an ISV for the software to be truly functional. Some areas, such as construction or retail apparel, may simply not be well-served.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Zoho
    If using other cloud applications and you wish to create Zoho Books transactions via APIs, Zoho Books is great. The overall UI and flow of the application are great. If you need a detailed job cost accounting solution and robust reporting there is some room for improvement here.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Sage
    • Sage is the one-stop-shop for all of our needs. We're able to control contracts, subcontracts, and field reports from the program.
    • Another strength is the ability to database all the information and export it to excel. This makes data-based investigations a breeze.
    • The ability for Timberscan to be imported to Sage is a huge help with invoice management. Prior to this it all had to be done manually and slowed the process to an essential halt as there are thousands of invoices per month.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Zoho
    • Zoho Books invoicing and receipting features are second to none. We find it easy to quickly invoice clients and add items to their bills and also for our own receipting internally.
    • The accounting features are great for our accounting team to be able to see where we are financially and how the business is doing.
    • The ability to add contacts and run a mini CRM channel with clients within Zoho is invaluable. Since we use this in conjunction with our other CRM channels, it helps to have a centralized place to follow up and see through a sales funnel.
    • Zoho Books allows us to take payments from clients around the globe a feature we didn't have when we used another accounting system.
    • The pricing for Zoho Books is fairly reasonable for an SME organization which is a great for us as it pays itself back many times over every month.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Sage
    • The biggest concern/complaint of Sage 500 users is speed. Some of the screen take a while to load.
    • The user interface needs some refreshing. Screens need to be updated to take advantage of shortcuts and to be more intuitive.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Zoho
    • Zoho Books is only available in Texas and California. There is no integration allowed for paying employee expenses. The absolute worst aspect is the fact that if you make even the slightest error in data input there is no backing up. You cannot undo an error.
    • The system does not allow change once implemented, so you must get every one of your beginning balances perfect. The practice of Journal Entries is cumbersome. When reconciling, Zoho Books has adopted a number of required steps that significantly overcomplicate reconciliation using practices that are not consistent with general accounting principles in the US.
    • On the customer side, you must look in two places to see the beginning balance and the current receivables that might exist for current invoicing.
    • The way the system works, you must avoid having much trust with the balances depicted. So far, it appears that Zoho Books uses what we called in school "that new math."
    • It would be terrifying to rely on this bookkeeping system to support an IRS Audit. The system violates too many fundamental accounting principles.
    • The software is used by so few people that there is concern that we might never find a skilled bookkeeper.
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Sage
    It's too pricey for our size of company.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Zoho
    No answers on this topic
    Usability
    Sage
    I have been using Intacct for almost 10 years in 2 different companies and I just simply love it. I tried SAP (GUI) and Netsuite and they dont come close to what Ive seen.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Zoho
    Customization is the biggest struggle for us and most of the time we need to involve a tech person. The chat support is a great feature and very helpful. It would be great to be able to customize and create invoices and correspondence (templates) such are reminders in multiple languages within one organization. The currency (USD) would be the same. We have clients in different countries that don't speak English but pay in USD.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Sage
    No answers on this topic
    Zoho
    The support team feels very disjointed. We have filtered through a number of "lead" contacts and are frequently spammed by other Zoho members. Once getting an appropriate support contact on the phone - the team is very helpful, it just takes a lot of hoop jumping to get there. We actually unsubscribed from their support package as we were not getting the value we were looking for.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Online Training
    Sage
    The online training courses are not up to date. We experienced technical issues with two of the classes.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Zoho
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation Rating
    Sage
    Keep your database and application in different servers.
    Install Microsoft Office on your application server so you can use some of the data analysis tools in Sage.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Zoho
    No answers on this topic
    Alternatives Considered
    Sage
    500 seems much smoother at handling some of the basic accounting tasks, for example both issuing and later reconciling checks in Dynamics AX seems a little tedious.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Zoho
    We had a lot of problems with Exact Online, support-wise and price-wise. So Zoho Books wins on every point there. While Exact offers way more options, it tends to be really slow... and complex. Again Zoho Books wins. If you want an easy-to-use tool and not pay a lot of money, or if you are a small administration office with a few clients, this tool will be perfect for you.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Sage
    • Positive: The program allows for a lot of data entry and splitting of information. It has the capability of replacing multiple programs and therefore saving cost.
    • Negative: The modules are cumbersome and not user friendly at all. As a result not many user are comfortable using it. This means that the program is not being used to its capacity.
    • Negative: Although the program has the capacity to be great, the user interface destroys that potential. Sage needs to seriously work on their program to simplify it. It's as if it still uses Command-line entries from 1995. Needs to be updated ASAP.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Zoho
    • Integration: Zoho Books offers out of the box integrations to extend the functionality and connect with the applications you love like MailChimp, Microsoft Outlook, PandaDoc, and Quickbooks, etc.
    • Flexibility makes Zoho Books great!
    • Since I can use forecast reports, I can create customizable sales forecast data from the dashboard to accurately measure revenue forecasts and establish sales quotas.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    Zoho Books Screenshots

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