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# QuickBooks Desktop Pro vs Sage 50cloud Accounting Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Desktop ProSage 50cloud Accounting[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro**
Free Trial

**$499.95** · QuickBooks Premier 2017

**$499.95** per year · QuickBooks Premier Plus 2017

**$299.95** · QuickBooks Mac Desktop

**$84** per month · QuickBooks Enterprise

**$299.95** · QuickBooks Pro

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**Sage 50cloud Accounting**

**$124.92** per month · Quantum Accounting

**$45.75** per month · Premium Accounting

**$29.08** per month · Pro Accounting

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro**
$$$$$

**Sage 50cloud Accounting**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro**
12%5% more

**Sage 50cloud Accounting**
7%

Uncover valuable pricing insights from real user feedback to improve your shopping experience.
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Time to Implement

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Sage 50cloud Accounting** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Sage 50cloud Accounting** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

 ![QuickBooks Desktop Pro](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1507301994/quickbooks-desktop-pro.png "QuickBooks Desktop Pro")

 ![Sage 50cloud Accounting](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_14f9ce34aa0bb0f679b3f8e617a83f09/sage-50cloud-accounting.jpg "Sage 50cloud Accounting")

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**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro**

Ease of Use (19)

Accounting Management (10)

Limited Features (12)

Missing Features (9)

**Sage 50cloud Accounting**

Ease of Use (5)

Easy Integration (4)

Not User-Friendly (3)

Poor Aesthetics (2)

Integrations

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_4457eea89c5d9d97f352c54a090240b0/apple-mail.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

Apple Mail

](https://www.g2.com/products/apple-mail/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_ab8dd331091a5e1b4dc7e19bd474f7c3/axiscare-home-care-software.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

AxisCare Home Care Software

](https://www.g2.com/products/axiscare-home-care-software/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_1f937697815ef71dab90f719557a062f/busybusy.png "Product Avatar Image")

BusyBusy

](https://www.g2.com/products/busybusy/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_bb26d5c154eb3fdddc5ebe20294d5888/fingercheck.png "Product Avatar Image")

Fingercheck

](https://www.g2.com/products/fingercheck/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/quickbooks-desktop-pro/integrations)

**Sage 50cloud Accounting**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_eee960ad9f0ca75730fe420bc5b3c15d/autoentry-by-sage.png "Product Avatar Image")

AutoEntry by Sage

](https://www.g2.com/products/autoentry-by-sage/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_a0262af4936c069f30f6065e864afa37/avalara.png "Product Avatar Image")

Avalara

](https://www.g2.com/products/avalara/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_b419d879f1565b869e8e240bb8295a67/bill-ap-ar.png "Product Avatar Image")

BILL AP/AR

](https://www.g2.com/products/bill-ap-ar/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_931fb98e1894dbf37b75c19e02270a07/core-bqe-software-inc.png "Product Avatar Image")

BQE CORE

](https://www.g2.com/products/core-bqe-software-inc/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/sage-50cloud-accounting/integrations)

Screenshots

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro**
 ![QuickBooks Desktop Pro screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/8586/QB15_AddInfo.jpg)

**Sage 50cloud Accounting**
No screenshot available

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro**

**8.9** /10

Based on 1,502 responses

**Sage 50cloud Accounting**

**8.3** /10

Based on 134 responses

Ease of Use

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro**

**8.6** /10

Based on 1,509 responses

**Sage 50cloud Accounting**

**8.1** /10

Based on 134 responses

Ease of Setup

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro**

**8.3** /10

Based on 645 responses

**Sage 50cloud Accounting**

**8.0** /10

Based on 62 responses

Ease of Admin

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro**

**8.6** /10

Based on 626 responses

**Sage 50cloud Accounting**

**7.6** /10

Based on 50 responses

Quality of Support

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro**

**7.7** /10

Based on 1,329 responses

**Sage 50cloud Accounting**

**7.4** /10

Based on 130 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro**

**8.2** /10

Based on 609 responses

**Sage 50cloud Accounting**

**8.0** /10

Based on 50 responses

Product Direction (% positive)

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro**

**7.5** /10

Based on 1,490 responses

**Sage 50cloud Accounting**

**7.0** /10

Based on 131 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Accounting

**8.0** /10

Based on 1,144 responses

**7.8** /10

Based on 68 responses

Payroll

**8.7** /10

Based on 520 responses

Not enough data

Billing

**8.4** /10

Based on 106 responses

Not enough data

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
81.2%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
15.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
3.6%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
81.2%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
15.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
3.6%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
69.9%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
27.6%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
2.6%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
69.9%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
27.6%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
2.6%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![QuickBooks Desktop Pro](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1507301994/quickbooks-desktop-pro.png "QuickBooks Desktop Pro")](https://www.g2.com/products/quickbooks-desktop-pro/reviews)
QuickBooks Desktop Pro

Accounting
17.0%

Construction
6.9%

Non-Profit Organization Management
5.6%

Marketing and Advertising
3.4%

Information Technology and Services
3.3%

Other
63.9%

[![Sage 50cloud Accounting](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_14f9ce34aa0bb0f679b3f8e617a83f09/sage-50cloud-accounting.jpg "Sage 50cloud Accounting")](https://www.g2.com/products/sage-50cloud-accounting/reviews)
Sage 50cloud Accounting

Accounting
25.3%

Construction
7.8%

Financial Services
5.2%

Non-Profit Organization Management
5.2%

Education Management
2.6%

Other
53.9%

Alternatives

**QuickBooks Desktop Pro Alternatives**

 ![FreshBooks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/58c5a614d757ea3d7bd5a61ee1fd9c75/freshbooks.svg "FreshBooks")

[
FreshBooks
](/products/freshbooks/reviews)

 ![NetSuite](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/4b02508eaf1eed7c1c991b5f0ce3fab7/oracle-netsuite.svg "NetSuite")

[
NetSuite
](/products/oracle-netsuite/reviews)

 ![Xero](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/808722a7f32bdeac24cfe7c4f9cd544a/xero.svg "Xero")

[
Xero
](/products/xero/reviews)

 ![Oracle PeopleSoft](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/4a5e2bce3268525177e39759aee1107d/oracle-peoplesoft.svg "Oracle PeopleSoft")

[
Oracle PeopleSoft
](/products/oracle-peoplesoft/reviews)

**Sage 50cloud Accounting Alternatives**

 ![QuickBooks Online](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/b25008554ea0586db2f358c9fa996493/quickbooks-online.svg "QuickBooks Online")

[
QuickBooks Online
](/products/quickbooks-online/reviews)

 ![Xero](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/808722a7f32bdeac24cfe7c4f9cd544a/xero.svg "Xero")

[
Xero
](/products/xero/reviews)

 ![QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/f5e1e2c8fbe9334aa5cea340c933fd3f/quickbooks-desktop-enterprise.svg "QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise")

[
QB Enterprise
](/products/quickbooks-desktop-enterprise/reviews)

 ![NetSuite](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/4b02508eaf1eed7c1c991b5f0ce3fab7/oracle-netsuite.svg "NetSuite")

[
NetSuite
](/products/oracle-netsuite/reviews)

## Desktop Pro vs Sage 50cloud Accounting FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 16, 2026

### What is the difference between Desktop Pro vs Sage 50cloud Accounting?

Desktop Pro stands out for its higher reviewer satisfaction, especially in ease of use and setup, while Sage 50cloud Accounting is noted for its integration capabilities and cloud features.

| [Desktop Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/quickbooks-desktop-pro/reviews) | [Sage 50cloud Accounting](https://www.g2.com/products/sage-50cloud-accounting/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.3/5 (1768 reviews) | 3.9/5 (163 reviews) |
| Small-Business | Small-Business |
| 8.3 | 8.0 |
| 7.7 | 7.4 |
| Ease of Use (19 all-time mentions) | Easy Integration (4 all-time mentions) |

### How do the pricing models of Desktop Pro and Sage 50cloud Accounting compare?

Desktop Pro is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its price and cost structure compared to Sage 50cloud Accounting.

- **Desktop Pro:** In recent reviews, many cite the ability to own the program outright and note that it is more affordable over the long term, though some mention high payroll costs and price jumps for upgrades.
- **Sage 50cloud Accounting:** Reviewers frequently mention that costs can add up as you add users or features, and several describe it as expensive, especially for small businesses or when additional modules are needed.
- **Switching reasons:** Recent reviews highlight that some users move away from Sage 50cloud Accounting due to rising costs and limited customization without extra modules.

### What are the best alternatives to Desktop Pro and Sage 50cloud Accounting?

The best alternatives to Desktop Pro and Sage 50cloud Accounting are QuickBooks Online, FreshBooks, and NetSuite.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Desktop Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/quickbooks-desktop-pro/reviews) | 4.3/5 (1768 reviews) | Small-Business | More affordable over the long term, but payroll and upgrades can be costly | Ease of Use (19 all-time mentions) |
| [Sage 50cloud Accounting](https://www.g2.com/products/sage-50cloud-accounting/reviews) | 3.9/5 (163 reviews) | Small-Business | Costs can add up with users/features, described as expensive | Easy Integration (4 all-time mentions) |
| [QuickBooks Online](https://www.g2.com/products/quickbooks-online/reviews) | 4.0/5 (3871 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Cloud accessibility and modern interface |
| [FreshBooks](https://www.g2.com/products/freshbooks/reviews) | 4.5/5 (981 reviews) | Small-Business | — | User-friendly invoicing and expense tracking |
| [NetSuite](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-netsuite/reviews) | 4.1/5 (4913 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | Comprehensive ERP and scalability |

### Which Accounting features should I prioritize when comparing Desktop Pro and Sage 50cloud Accounting?

Buyers should prioritize ease of use, integration capabilities, reporting features, payroll, and customization when comparing Desktop Pro and Sage 50cloud Accounting.

- **Ease of Use:** Desktop Pro (8.6), Sage 50cloud Accounting (8.1); 19 all-time mentions for Desktop Pro, 4 for Sage 50cloud Accounting.
- **Integration Capabilities:** Sage 50cloud Accounting offers Breadth of Partner Applications and Integration APIs; Easy Integration (4 all-time mentions).
- **Reporting Features:** Desktop Pro (8 all-time mentions), Sage 50cloud Accounting (2 all-time mentions).
- **Payroll:** Both products are frequently cited for payroll, with Desktop Pro noted for payroll processing and Sage 50cloud Accounting for payroll and HR needs.
- **Customization:** Desktop Pro (7 all-time mentions), Sage 50cloud Accounting (3 all-time mentions).

### What are the pros and cons of Desktop Pro vs Sage 50cloud Accounting?

Desktop Pro’s headline strength is ease of use, while Sage 50cloud Accounting is most noted for its integration capabilities.

- **Desktop Pro strengths:** Ease of Use (19 all-time mentions), Accounting Management (10), Comprehensive Features (8), Reporting Features (8), Customization (7), Invoicing Ease (6), Reliability (6).
- **Desktop Pro trade-offs:** Limited Features (12), Missing Features (9), Expensive (6), Poor Customer Support (6), Limited Customization (5), Not Intuitive (5), Outdated Software (5).
- **Sage 50cloud Accounting strengths:** Easy Integration (4 all-time mentions), Ease of Use (4), Accounting Management (3), Customizability (3), Automation Efficiency (2), Cloud-Based (2), Inventory Management (2).
- **Sage 50cloud Accounting trade-offs:** Not User-Friendly (2), Poor Aesthetics (2), Poor Customer Support (2), Expensive (1), Inadequate Reporting (1), Integration Issues (1).

### Is Desktop Pro or Sage 50cloud Accounting better for small businesses?

Desktop Pro is the better fit for small businesses, as both products are most used by small-business reviewers, but Desktop Pro receives higher satisfaction scores and more positive sentiment from this segment.

- **Desktop Pro:** Small-Business is the largest segment, with reviewers consistently praising its ease of use, affordability, and suitability for small business accounting needs.
- **Sage 50cloud Accounting:** Small-Business is also the largest segment, but reviewers more frequently cite concerns about cost and complexity for smaller organizations.

### Which Accounting platform has better integrations?

Sage 50cloud Accounting is favored for integrations due to its Breadth of Partner Applications and Integration APIs, while Desktop Pro is more limited in this area.

- **Desktop Pro:** QuickBooks Online integration is mentioned in 59 all-time reviews, but reviewers note limited integration with newer tools and fewer third-party connections.
- **Sage 50cloud Accounting:** Reviewers highlight integration with Microsoft 365 and mention easy integration capabilities, with 4 all-time mentions for Easy Integration and specific references to integration APIs and partner applications.

### How do Desktop Pro and Sage 50cloud Accounting compare on customer support?

Desktop Pro and Sage 50cloud Accounting are rated within 0.3 points of each other on Quality of Support, indicating near parity with Desktop Pro slightly ahead (7.7 vs 7.4).

- **Desktop Pro:** Reviewers describe support as adequate but sometimes slow or sales-focused, with 6 all-time mentions of poor customer support.
- **Sage 50cloud Accounting:** Reviewers note support can be slow or difficult to reach, with 2 all-time mentions of poor customer support and some positive feedback on knowledgeable technical support.

### Which is easier to implement, Desktop Pro or Sage 50cloud Accounting?

Desktop Pro and Sage 50cloud Accounting score within 0.3 points on Ease of Setup (8.3 vs 8.0), indicating similar implementation experiences.

- **Desktop Pro:** Reviewers frequently describe the setup as straightforward and easy, with guided processes and clear instructions.
- **Sage 50cloud Accounting:** Reviewers mention that setup is generally easy and quick, though some cite a learning curve and the need for additional training for advanced features.

### Which product has better Payroll?

Desktop Pro is more frequently cited for payroll capabilities, with reviewers highlighting its payroll processing and efficiency advantages.

- **Desktop Pro:** Payroll is a recurring theme in recent reviews, with multiple reviewers praising its payroll processing, efficiency, and ease of use for payroll tasks.
- **Sage 50cloud Accounting:** Payroll is also mentioned as a strength, with reviewers noting its usefulness for payroll and HR needs, but with fewer all-time mentions and less emphasis compared to Desktop Pro.