Sage 50
5.4/10Desktop accounting software with cloud-connected features, giving small and mid-sized businesses ledger, invoicing, inventory, job costing and reporting tools.
Data last updated November 2026 · Our methodology
Overview
Sage 50 is a desktop accounting application with cloud-connected features. In the US it was formerly sold as Peachtree Accounting and was renamed Sage 50 in 2013. It installs on Windows and adds remote data access, Microsoft 365 links and online backup on top of a traditional locally installed ledger. The software covers invoicing and quotes, bill payment, bank reconciliation, more than 150 built-in reports, and inventory tracking that goes further than most small business tools, with serial numbers and bills of materials. The higher editions add job costing, advanced budgeting, role-based permissions and workflow management. Sage sells three US editions as annual subscriptions. Pro is for one user. Premium allows up to five users and adds budgeting, advanced inventory and multi-company features. Quantum allows up to 40 users and adds role-based permissions and industry-specific functions. Payroll is sold as a separate bundle priced by employee count. An October 2026 pricing page reports a one-year minimum term even on monthly billing, automatic renewal, and no free trial, only a TestDrive demo. Integrations go through the Sage Marketplace and include AutoEntry for receipt capture, Stripe, PayPal, Microsoft 365 and Sage HR. Sage 50 suits product-based small businesses, distributors and firms that need detailed reports or inventory costing and are comfortable working on desktop software. Its main limitations are a dated interface, limited mobile and browser access, and subscription prices that reviewers say have risen sharply compared with cloud rivals such as QuickBooks Online and Xero.
Our Rating
Who Sage 50 is best for
Good fit
Independent guides describe it mainly as small business accounting software.
A long-established desktop ledger with an audit trail and 150+ reports that bookkeepers know well.
Bills of materials, serialized inventory and job costing suit product-based firms.
Less suited
- Construction6/10
Premium and Quantum include job costing, and Quantum adds industry-specific functions.
Quantum supports up to 40 users, but reviewers say growing firms often move to Sage Intacct.
- Remote Teams3/10
Reviewers cite limited cloud access and no dedicated US mobile app.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Over 150 built-in reports, including cash flow, income statement and balance sheet, that reviewers say run in a few clicks.
- Inventory tools such as bills of materials, serial number history and profitability reports go beyond typical small business accounting software.
- Job costing and advanced budgeting in Premium and Quantum suit project and product businesses.
- Scales from a single user up to 40 users in Quantum.
- Sage's help pages list a full-time audit trail in all US editions.
Cons
- Reviewers report steep price increases, and an October 2026 source puts Pro at about $118 to $129 a month.
- A one-year minimum commitment applies even on monthly billing, with auto-renewal and 30 days' notice to cancel.
- Reviewers call the interface dated and say limited cloud access makes remote work harder.
- There is no dedicated US mobile app and no free trial, only a TestDrive demo.
- Native integrations are fewer than QuickBooks Online's ecosystem offers.
Key Features
Not included
- Corporate Cards
Sage 50 Pricing
Pro Accounting
or $1,413/year (save 8%)
- 1 user
- Basic reporting
- Bank reconciliation
- One-year minimum term
- Phone and chat support
- Invoicing, bills and payments
Premium Accounting
or $1,947/year (save 11%)
- Audit trail
- Job costing
- Advanced budgeting
- Multi-company features
- Advanced and serialized inventory
- 1 to 5 users (price rises with users)
Quantum Accounting
or $2,841/year (save 13%)
- Role-based permissions
- Industry-specific functionality
- Workflow and project management
- Up to 40 users (price rises with users)
- Manage more than one company with a multi-company license
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Sage offers a TestDrive product tour with sample data rather than a free trial.
No. An October 2026 pricing source reports a one-year minimum even on monthly billing, automatic renewal, and 30 days' notice for termination.
Pro supports 1 user, Premium 1 to 5 users, and Quantum up to 40 users.
No. Payroll is a separate bundle priced by number of employees. Pro with Payroll is listed from about $1,120 a year.
Yes. Users can turn on foreign currency transactions with live exchange rates. Sage's help pages show limits that vary by edition.
It is mainly desktop software with cloud-connected features such as remote data access and Microsoft 365 links. A hosted option is also available at custom pricing.
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