QuickBooks Desktop Premier vs. Sage 300

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
QuickBooks Desktop Premier
Score 8.4 out of 10
N/A
QuickBooks Desktop Premier is an installed version of QuickBooks for general business, contractors, manufacturing and warehouse accounting, as well as nonprofits, professional services, and retail.N/A
Sage 300
Score 7.6 out of 10
N/A
Sage 300 (formerly Sage 300 ERP) is a business management solution that includes strong accounting and financials, as well as multi-currency and multi-language capabilities. Built on accounting best practices, users will be able to track, control, and plan the financial health of their business.
$1,655
Lifetime License per Seat
Pricing
QuickBooks Desktop PremierSage 300
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Sage 300 ERP Standard
$1,655
Lifetime License per Seat
Sage 300 ERP Advanced
$1,665
Lifetime License per Seat
Sage 300 ERP Premium
$1,665
Lifetime License (unlimited seats)
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
QuickBooks Desktop PremierSage 300
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsOur pricing is by module and by license and can range depending on what the customers requirements are. Most of our financial and operational modules are $1655.00 each, plus user license, plus an annual business care of 24%.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
QuickBooks Desktop PremierSage 300
Considered Both Products
QuickBooks Desktop Premier
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
We actually switched with the hiring of a new Chief financial officer to Sage Intacct. We are significantly behind with prior year audits and regulatory reporting and still used QuickBooks Premier for those reasons. In hindsight we should have done more research with …
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
They are similar, my clients like QuickBooks Desktop Premier setup better and I like the payroll better in QuickBooks
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
Online - We have some clients on AgExpert, Xero, and QB Online. All 3 provide good value in my opinion.
QuickBooks Desktop Premier - In our experience, QuickBooks Desktop Premier is the best desktop software we have encountered.
We have some clients using AgExpert and Simply, …
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
We've used QuickBooks Desktop Premier for many, many years. We've not reviewed any other accounting products internally - but have a handful of the customers that use Cyma (mentioned above). While I've never had occasion to functionally use Cyma, I have had to install and …
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
It is so much better with reports and journal entries.
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
We tried a few other options like Bookkeeper and using Excel to track it. Bookeeper was a little outdates and more difficult to use. I had issues find the functions that I needed. Excel is just spreadsheets of the information with no easy way to do reporting. They don't have …
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
[QuickBooks] doesn't have meaningful Reorder Reports. TracLine wouldn't work on my new computer. I'd have to invest $35,000 again & buy new Unix software 7 & new Cobol. I should have done it. I thought [QuickBooks] was a leader.
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
[With] QuickBooks [it] is easy to make corrections without having to do a journal entry every time you need to correct an entry.
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
I have always used QuickBooks and I am not familiar with others.
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
This question really isn’t applicable to me, but I am intrigued by some of the new online systems that are replacing QuickBooks. That said, I really don’t want to be dependent on the delays and other limitations of working on a web-based application only. QuickBooks is still …
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
We reviewed Sage 50/Peachtree and went with QB because of date flexibility in reporting.
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
We have looked at Peachtree and other custom applications for an enterprise organization. Those products might be more robust - but for a small business, our needs are basic. This is easy to learn, intuitive and affordable. It's easy to install and maintain. Even non-technical …
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
The only other accounting software I have used, and it was a long time ago, was Axapta.
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
I think Quicken for my purposes is superior to QuickBooks Premier. I selected QuickBooks at my accountant's urging. It took a significant amount of time to set up, migrate, learn, and maintain. After almost 2 years of use, I abandoned it and returned to Quicken. Easier bank …
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
The other accounting-based programs I have attempted to utilize in this position have been far inferior to the functionality of QB premier. One, in particular, has several methods of use and not all of them were easy to navigate. QB's use of icons and homepage direction chart …
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
I have recently started working with Deltek Vision as a consultant project for a large sized architectural company with firms across the world. Understandably, Vision is a great project for this firm because of the needs that are required for a global firm, but is much more …
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
Although cloud-based platforms with a monthly subscription are very popular, I still prefer a desktop enterprise solution. Profit & Loss reports by Customer are not accurate in the online version because they cannot account for employee-related costs that should be assigned to …
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
Not so user-friendly, and has limitations depending on the level of software that you sign up for.
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
QB Premier allows us to better track from a cost accounting standpoint and is easy for the average user to understand.
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
Selected QuickBooks over ten years ago due to it's ease of use and low-cost. At the time, it was a good bang for the buck!
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
QuickBooks' user-interface and features are better than that of other accounting systems we have encountered so far. It is easier to navigate through accounting modules and reports even for bookkeeping beginners.
Chose QuickBooks Desktop Premier
QuickBooks Premier is more powerful and versatile than QuickBooks Online. We use QuickBooks Premier in a hosted environment, which allows our clients to access their software online, but retains the great features of QuickBooks Premier that we love. QuickBooks Online's web-page …
Sage 300
Chose Sage 300
Better reports, looks professional
Chose Sage 300
Sage 300 cloud is much more detailed than the other.
About the same in being user friendly
A better layout
Chose Sage 300
Sage 300cloud is a great cloud/web based option when stacked against Sage 300 and Sage 100 Contractor. These other two systems are on premise and require licenses to access. Sage 300cloud can be accessed from any web page and is a pay as you go model. Oracle JD Edwards …
Chose Sage 300
Sage 300 was selected before I came to this company, these are others I've previously used or evaluated. I'm happy overall with Sage 300, as it does what it needs to, even if it's not super fancy. The functionality is as robust as you need it to be; it's scalable.
Chose Sage 300
We have been an Accpac company since day one (1999). We have not tried a competitor, although some of our 'sister organizations' have switched to Altus Dynamics recently. There are also some Great Plains users that we talk to once in a while, but at this time we are not …
Chose Sage 300
Sage offers more features allowing your business to continue to grow and develop while utilizing the same software. Also, the ability to manage the users is more simplified in Sage.
Chose Sage 300
Sage is much better at multicurrency support
Chose Sage 300
As an accountant I find that Sage 300 works logically from an accounting perspective as opposed to other accounting packages that are aimed at users without an accounting background. MAS 500 is an excellent and powerful product but is not appropriate for the company size that I …
Chose Sage 300
Sage 300 is easier to use and more flexible in reporting that products I've used in the past.
Chose Sage 300
The cost was less and it was able to allow donation tracking easily.
Chose Sage 300
Sage deals with Canadian issues much better than the products above. It has better multicurrency capabilities.It address Canadian taxes especially GST input tax credits better. It has better options for Canadian payroll and Candian payments including EFT and Credit Card …
Features
QuickBooks Desktop PremierSage 300
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
QuickBooks Desktop Premier
9.0
Ratings
15% above category average
Sage 300
9.2
Ratings
17% above category average
Pay calculation7.00 Ratings9.30 Ratings
Benefit plan administration10.00 Ratings9.30 Ratings
Direct deposit files8.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management9.90 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Reimbursement management10.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Customization
Comparison of Customization features of Product A and Product B
QuickBooks Desktop Premier
1.3
Ratings
142% below category average
Sage 300
6.1
Ratings
22% below category average
API for custom integration1.30 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Plug-ins1.30 Ratings3.00 Ratings
Security
Comparison of Security features of Product A and Product B
QuickBooks Desktop Premier
10.0
Ratings
18% above category average
Sage 300
9.4
Ratings
12% above category average
Single sign-on capability10.00 Ratings9.40 Ratings
Role-based user permissions10.00 Ratings9.50 Ratings
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
QuickBooks Desktop Premier
8.2
Ratings
4% above category average
Sage 300
9.2
Ratings
15% above category average
Dashboards9.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Standard reports9.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Custom reports6.50 Ratings9.20 Ratings
General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Product A and Product B
QuickBooks Desktop Premier
8.3
Ratings
6% above category average
Sage 300
7.0
Ratings
11% below category average
Accounts payable10.00 Ratings9.50 Ratings
Accounts receivable10.00 Ratings9.50 Ratings
Cash management10.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Bank reconciliation10.00 Ratings6.60 Ratings
Expense management10.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Time tracking5.00 Ratings1.00 Ratings
Fixed asset management5.00 Ratings3.00 Ratings
Multi-currency support9.00 Ratings1.00 Ratings
Multi-division support7.00 Ratings9.40 Ratings
Regulations compliance1.80 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Electronic tax filing10.00 Ratings4.00 Ratings
Self-service portal5.00 Ratings1.00 Ratings
Global Financial Support5.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Primary and Secondary Ledgers7.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Intercompany Accounting10.00 Ratings9.30 Ratings
Localizations10.00 Ratings1.00 Ratings
Journals and Reconciliations10.00 Ratings9.50 Ratings
Enterprise Accounting10.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Configurable Accounting10.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Centralized Rules Framework10.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Standardized Processes10.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Inventory Management
Comparison of Inventory Management features of Product A and Product B
QuickBooks Desktop Premier
2.9
Ratings
87% below category average
Sage 300
5.1
Ratings
36% below category average
Inventory tracking1.70 Ratings1.00 Ratings
Automatic reordering1.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Location management8.00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Manufacturing module1.00 Ratings1.00 Ratings
Order Management
Comparison of Order Management features of Product A and Product B
QuickBooks Desktop Premier
8.0
Ratings
3% above category average
Sage 300
1.0
Ratings
154% below category average
Pricing10.00 Ratings1.00 Ratings
Order entry10.00 Ratings1.00 Ratings
Credit card processing10.00 Ratings1.00 Ratings
Cost of goods sold10.00 Ratings1.00 Ratings
Order Orchestration10.00 Ratings1.00 Ratings
End-to-end order visibility1.00 Ratings1.00 Ratings
Order exception Resolution5.00 Ratings1.00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
QuickBooks Desktop PremierSage 300
Small Businesses
QuickBooks Self-Employed (discontinued)
QuickBooks Self-Employed (discontinued)
Score 8.9 out of 10
QuickBooks Self-Employed (discontinued)
QuickBooks Self-Employed (discontinued)
Score 8.9 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Zoho Books
Zoho Books
Score 9.0 out of 10
Zoho Books
Zoho Books
Score 9.0 out of 10
Enterprises
Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Performance Management
Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Performance Management
Score 10.0 out of 10
Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Performance Management
Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Performance Management
Score 10.0 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
QuickBooks Desktop PremierSage 300
Likelihood to Recommend
10.0
(0 ratings)
7.6
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
1.3
(0 ratings)
8.4
(0 ratings)
Usability
10.0
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Availability
8.9
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
5.7
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
1.0
(0 ratings)
8.6
(0 ratings)
Online Training
1.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
7.2
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Configurability
9.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
7.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
6.2
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
7.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
QuickBooks Desktop PremierSage 300
Likelihood to Recommend
QuickBooks Desktop is an easy-to-use software with good services. Their invoicing, employment, and vendor sections are all wonderful. These sections allow efficient tracking and instant business summaries and reporting. However, the pricing for additional services and upgrades and lack of good customer service makes it a less attractive software for small businesses.
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I believe that Sage 300 ERP is appropriate for a wide variety of companies looking for a system to maintain information in a concise manner. The level of complexity with which it is used is determined by the user group. Therefore, this product is great for companies that are just starting to grow right through to more mature companies looking for detailed data and analytics from their systems.
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Pros
  • QuickBooks Premier is easy to use, yet flexible and powerful enough to handle some complicated accounting scenarios.
  • QuickBooks Premier offers a wide array of canned reports. Custom reports can be easily created.
  • QuickBooks Premier with Enhanced Payroll gives us the tools to handle complex payrolls with multiple variables.
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  • The installation directions are clear and easy to follow.
  • The ability to import and export data is also easy allowing you to perform mundane tasks easily and efficiently.
  • The security features allow you to fine tune the permissions for the end users so that they cannot see data that you do not want them privy to.
Read full review
Cons
  • I would like to be able to choose how i want to view accounts receivable aging. I would like some flexibility to sort and choose how to present the data.
  • For a seasoned accountant, I would like to see some of the restrictive controls that are in place for novices to be able to be relaxed so that I can easily make some entries and adjust some balances that ordinarily a regular user would not be able to do.
  • I would like to see an easy way to clear old outstanding checks that need to be reversed without affecting prior balances/history.
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  • Although I do like the Bank Reconciliation module, I wish it was a bit more advanced and less clunky. Some transactions cannot be reversed and the module seems slower than others.
  • When using copy and paste on all modules, sometimes I receive an error message and the program closes.
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Likelihood to Renew
Because we have been extremely happy with the product and our organization tends to be creatures of habit. We rarely leave a product that works this well for the latest and greatest. Typically we follow the "if it's not broken, don't fix it rule". While QB does make changes we typically just roll with it. If we do find something we don't like we work through it until we fully understand its functionality.
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It is a solid stable product with a large user community and large ISV community. Support and Training are easy to access and obtain and there is larger reseller channel to ensure the firm you work with is honest. It is scalable and there are multiple deployment and payment options.
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Usability
We switched to a more "robust" software program with the hiring of a new CFO. The migration of historical data and ancillary information has been cumbersome and riddle with errors and issues. In hindsight much of what the new software program was touted to accomplish is not come to fruition. QB Desktop Premier was sufficient for the organization needs
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Sage 300cloud is intuitive and user friendly after some training. It does require implementation and training but once that's done, this software is easy to use and navigate. Support for Sage 300cloud is spot on and offers assistance over the simplest to [the] most complex of tasks. Finding information or learning new tasks within Sage 300cloud is relatively easy and educational.
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Reliability and Availability
This is very reliable software, the desktop version is fast. If there is a problem, it is most likely on your own hardware!
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No answers on this topic
Performance
It takes forever to load.
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No answers on this topic
Support Rating
This is where QuickBooks falls short. Many times my staff has had questions that have not been able to get resolved easily with a chat or call. I personally have had more general questions that have not been answered easily as well. I think QuickBooks needs to provide the resources of having readily accessible help in order to make it simpler to get solutions.
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Support for Sage 300cloud is similar to Sage support. Depending on which channel you get to and which Specialist you get, the Support can be spot on and rapid. However, there can be wait times and [occasionally], new functionality isn't always well supported. Support documentation is great and [easily] accessible. Additionally, Support Consultants are great resources when it comes to learning and troubleshooting Sage 300cloud.
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Implementation Rating
It is important to do your research. There are tutorial videos online that could help new user of this accounting system. These tutorials are straightforward and easily understandable.
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No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
We've used QuickBooks Desktop Premier for many, many years. We've not reviewed any other accounting products internally - but have a handful of the customers that use Cyma (mentioned above). While I've never had occasion to functionally use Cyma, I have had to install and troubleshoot problems with it. Put simply... not impressed. I found installation a bit confusing, and once started up, I wasn't able to easily find anything I would have wanted to find - where conversely, QuickBooks Desktop Premier excels on both of these fronts.
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Sage 300cloud is a great cloud/web based option when stacked against Sage 300 and Sage 100 Contractor. These other two systems are on premise and require licenses to access. Sage 300cloud can be accessed from any web page and is a pay as you go model. Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne and Oracle JD Edwards World are better for larger organizations that are heavy into Service and Work Order Management.
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Scalability
They're getting better. Still room for improvement.
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No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
  • Most of our business clients use QuickBooks which makes it efficient for us to work on clients that use the program. We can import QuickBooks data into our software which adds efficiencies to our tax practice.
  • Having staff that are familiar with the software enables our firm to provide quality service to the clients that use QuickBooks.
  • We receive referrals from satisfied QuickBooks clients.
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  • Hard to say - Accpac (in one form or another) is all we have ever used, thus there is no real comparison to make to show impact vs another application.
  • Sage 300 ERP is the backbone of our organization - efficiently dealing with payroll and budgets in excess of 30 million dollars per year.
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ScreenShots