
For independent contractors and small companies, selecting the appropriate invoicing solution is crucial. In order to help users make an informed choice, this comparison highlights Sage Accounting and Square Invoices, describing their various philosophies and target audiences.
With paid tiers of $49/month for Plus and $149/month for Premium, Square Invoices offers a free plan at $0/month which appeals to novices. Sage Accounting offers prospective customers a 30-day free trial but has no free tier and starts at $10/month for its Start Plan and $25/month for Standard. Budget-conscious independent contractors can benefit from Square’s free plan and companies can test a feature-rich platform risk-free with Sage’s trial.
The features of Square Invoices and Sage Accounting are very different. For companies that operate globally, Sage provides extensive expense tracking, multi-currency support, localization options and nine custom invoice templates. Square excels in terms of automated payment reminders, superior project-based billing, robust custom report creation and an easier-to-use interface for users who are not familiar with invoicing software. Both platforms allow file uploads, user permissions, tax processing, recurring billing automation and the sending of quotes and estimates.
Sage Accounting connects to QuickBooks, Sage ecosystem and Stripe and PayPal. Square Invoices offers businesses more flexibility by supporting a wider range of payment options, such as credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App Pay, ACH transfers and Afterpay. Both platforms integrate with Xero and QuickBooks Online for accounting and have API access.
With a clear user interface and a fully functional mobile app that enables users to create, send and accept payments while on the go, Square Invoices stands out for its simplicity. Sage Accounting is rated as moderately complex while its mobile app can track expenses and create and send invoices. It does not provide the same smooth experience as Square.
With data encryption, GDPR compliance and automated backups, both services guarantee professional security standards. While Square offers comparable choices with round-the-clock assistance available on its Premium subscription, Sage offers support by phone, email and live chat. Sage doesn’t have 24/7 assistance. Both platforms serve small and medium-sized enterprises as well as independent contractors.
For companies with global clientele that need multi-currency invoicing, robust expense monitoring and interaction with a larger accounting environment, go with Sage Accounting. It’s perfect for well-established SMBs that require global flexibility and financial depth. If you’re a freelancer or an early-stage company looking for a free solution, choose Square Invoices because of its user-friendly layout, variety of payment options and strong mobile capability. Businesses that value accessibility and ease are catered to by its simplicity and flexible payment options.
| Sage Accounting | Square Invoices | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Features | ||
| Custom Templates | 9 invoice templates | Yes |
| Send Estimates / Quotations | Yes | Yes |
| Recurring Billing Automation | Yes | Yes |
| Expense Tracking | Yes | Limited |
| Time Tracking | No | No |
| Mileage Tracking | No | No |
| Automated Payment Reminders | No | Yes |
| Project-Based Billing | Limited | Yes |
| Tax Handling | Yes | Yes |
| User Permissions / Role Management | Yes | Yes |
| File Uploads | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing and Plans | ||
| Free Plan Availability | No | Yes |
| Pricing Range | Start Plan: $10/month Standard Plan: $25/month Plus Plan: Varies by region |
Free plan: $0/month Plus: $49/month Premium: $149/month |
| Trial Period | 30-day free trial | No |
| User Limits | Start Plan: 1 user Standard & Plus: Unlimited users |
No strict limits |
| Client Limits | Unlimited clients | Unlimited clients |
| Storage Limits | Cloud-based with reasonable limits | Unlimited cloud storage |
| Payment Processing Fees | Stripe fees apply | Varies by payment gateway |
| Ease of Use | ||
| User Interface | Moderate | Simple |
| Onboarding Experience | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App Availability | Yes (iOS & Android) | Yes |
| Mobile App Functionality | Create & send invoices, track cash flow, manage expenses | Create, send invoices, accept payments |
| Integration | ||
| Payment Gateways Supported | Stripe, PayPal | Credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App Pay, ACH, Afterpay |
| Accounting Software Compatibility | Sage ecosystem, QuickBooks | QuickBooks Online, Xero |
| CRM Integration | Limited native CRM, Zapier support | Built-in customer directory |
| API Availability | Yes | Yes |
| Reporting & Analytics | ||
| Bank Connections | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Built Financial Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Report Creation | Limited | Yes |
| Security & Compliance | ||
| Dashboard Metrics | Yes | Yes |
| Data Encryption | Yes | Yes |
| GDPR Compliance | Yes | Yes |
| Backup Options | Automatic | Automatic |
| Customer Support | ||
| Support Channels | Phone, Email, Live Chat | Phone, Chat, Email |
| Help Center / Knowledge Base | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 Support | No | Partial (24/7 for premium plans) |
| Adaptability | ||
| Multi-Currency Support | Yes | No |
| Localization | Yes | English |
| Industry-Specific Customization | Limited | Yes |
| Scalability | Freelancers and small businesses | Freelancers to small/medium businesses |
| Read Sage Accounting Review | Read Square Invoices Review |