Sage 100 vs ART

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Enterprise

Xero

QuickBooks Online is an all-in-one online business software designed to help manage business finances. The platform is built to scale businesses, unlocking insights and providing the functionality of a larger team, all on one integrated platform.

QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise is an accounting software for small businesses which provides users with real-time access to customer, employee, and vendor information. The software includes tools for managing inventory, shipping, sales orders, pricing, tasks, invoicing, reporting, and more.

Xero is an award-winning online accounting software designed for small business owners and accountants, available on any computer or mobile device with an internet connection. Simplify business admin and get a range of financial insights to help you make better decisions for your business.

Group Financial Controller

The customer support response times can also be inconsistent.

Controller

There are issues needed to be sorted out with the customer representatives which is not good

accounting specialist

On top of the software's performance, their customer service is consistently great, providing prompt and helpful support whenever questions arise.

Management

The customer support is exceptional, the webinars are always available and we don't need to run around if we need help, just an email or call away from assistance.

Sage 100 is a customizable business management solution that helps businesses automate financials, operations, and payroll, providing complete visibility into the operations. Sage 100 grows with the business, allowing teams to scale and meet specific needs as a small or medium-sized enterprise.

Accounting

Accounting Integration

Accounts Payable

Accounts Receivable

Ad hoc Reporting

Approval Process Control

Asset Lifecycle Management

Automated Scheduling

Bank Reconciliation

Barcode/Ticket Scanning

Barcoding/RFID

Billing & Invoicing

Bills of Material

BOM Creation

Budgeting/Forecasting

Business Intelligence

Capacity Planning

Cash Flow Management

Cash Management

Chart of Accounts

Collaboration Tools

Commission Management

Compliance Management

Consolidation/Roll-Up

Core Accounting

Cost Management

Credit Card Processing

Customer Database

Customizable Dashboard

Customizable Reports

Customization

Dashboard

Data Connectors

Data Import/Export

Data Visualization

Demand Forecasting

Distribution Management

Document Management

Drag & Drop

ERP integration

Expense Management

Expense Tracking

Financial Analysis

Financial Management

Financial Reporting

For AEC Industry

For Distributors

Forecasting

For Medical Purposes

For Metal Fabrication

For Real Estate

For Small Businesses

General Ledger

Import/Export Management

Income & Balance Sheet

Integrated Business Operations

Inventory Management

Inventory Optimization

Inventory Tracking

Invoice Creation

Invoice History

Invoice Processing

Item Management

Marketing Reports

Material Requirements Planning

Mobile Access

Mobile App

Multi-Company

Multi-Currency

Multi-Department/Project

Online Invoicing

Order Entry

Order Fulfillment

Order Management

Order Tracking

Payment Processing

Payroll Management

Predictive Analytics

Procurement Management

Product Identification

Production Scheduling

Profit/Loss Statement

Projections

Project Management

Purchase Order Management

Purchasing & Receiving

Quality Control

Quality Management

Real-Time Analytics

Real-Time Data

Real-Time Reporting

Remote Access/Control

Reporting/Analytics

Requisition Management

Resource Management

RFP Management

Sales & Operations Planning

Reviewers appreciate Sage 100’s customizable features and say the pricing is more affordable than some competitors. However, some users report escalating costs from add-ons, maintenance, support fees, and no free trial for evaluation.

Value for money

Reviews for Sage 100 come from a wide variety of industries, including construction (11% of reviewers), accounting (8%), and electrical/electronic manufacturing (7%). The most frequent use case for Sage 100 cited by reviewers is accounting (54% of reviewers).

Sage 100

Windows

Web-based

Linux

NetSuite

QuickBooks Desktop

FreshBooks

SAP S/4HANA Cloud

JD Edwards EnterpriseOne

Basic

Cumbersome transaction processing

74% of reviewers feel negative about Sage 100’s transaction processing. Users report difficulties with correcting or voiding transactions, often requiring manual workarounds that are time-consuming and frustrating. They mention issues with data discrepancies, lack of shortcuts for common tasks, and limited visibility into transaction history. Reviewers say that some processes, like order entry and payment voiding, are overly complex and can lead to errors or inefficiencies, especially for smaller companies without dedicated accounting staff.

High and increasing costs

67% of reviewers feel negative about Sage 100’s pricing. Users say the software becomes expensive due to the need to purchase additional modules and pay for ongoing support or updates. They express frustration with frequent price increases, costly add-ons, and maintenance contracts. Reviewers note that the lack of a free trial and the requirement for paid support add to the overall expense, making it challenging for startups or small businesses to justify the investment.

Frequent bugs and technical issues

72% of reviewers feel negative about Sage 100’s bugs and technical issues. Reviewers indicate that system glitches, crashes, and slow loading times disrupt their workflow and can require repeated work. They mention that errors are often difficult to diagnose and fix, especially when multiple users are involved or after software updates. Users find that making corrections is complicated, and some problems remain unresolved for extended periods, leading to frustration and lost productivity.

Inconsistent customer support experience

45% of reviewers feel negative about Sage 100’s customer support. Users report difficulty reaching knowledgeable support staff and express dissatisfaction with slow response times and unresolved issues. They mention that support often requires additional payment and that navigating multiple service partners can be confusing. Reviewers feel that customer service lacks attention to detail and follow-through, leaving them to rely on knowledge bases or external consultants for problem resolution.

Flexible payroll management

84% of reviewers feel positive about Sage 100’s payroll management. Users say the payroll features are robust, allowing for flexible processing options and integration with time clock systems. They appreciate the variety of pay methods, such as direct deposit and company-generated checks, and find the system effective for managing payroll records and adjustments. Reviewers mention that payroll is easy to navigate, and the ability to handle complex requirements, like tracking COVID-related refunds, is particularly useful for their businesses.

Integrated modular structure

Owner

All modules are integrated with the other modules so there is no need to upload and run sync programs - it is all done for you.

84% of reviewers feel positive about Sage 100’s modular structure. Reviewers appreciate the ability to choose and add modules as needed, which allows the software to scale with their business. They find that modules are well-integrated, enabling smooth information flow and consistent workflows across different business functions. Users value that once they learn one module, it’s easy to adapt to others, and they note that specialized modules for tasks like general ledger, accounts payable, and inventory make daily operations more efficient.

Scalable for small businesses

Business Analyst

It is a great ERP tool for small to medium sized organization who are looking more than just a cookie cutter system.

83% of reviewers feel positive about Sage 100’s suitability for small businesses. Reviewers indicate the software meets the accounting and management needs of small to medium-sized organizations, providing essential features without overwhelming complexity. They value its affordability and scalability, noting that it can grow alongside their business. Users find it easy to implement and adaptable to various industries, making it a practical choice for companies seeking a reliable ERP solution as they expand.

Comprehensive accounting capabilities

Chief Financial Officer

We've been using Sage 100 for over 25 years.   As our business has changed and grown, Sage 100 has meet all of the accounting challenges we have faced.

Trading.

What I really like about this sage is it comprehensive accounting features, and a strong financial reporting capabilities.

87% of reviewers feel positive about Sage 100’s accounting capabilities. Reviewers appreciate that the software centralizes all accounting and financial operations, making it suitable for both standard and complex accounting needs. They find its robust financial reporting and audit-compliance features valuable for maintaining accurate records and operational oversight. Users indicate the system’s reliability and adherence to GAAP principles are essential for their businesses. Many mention the flexibility to adapt to various company sizes and the abundance of available resources and consultants, which helps them address accounting challenges as their businesses grow.

Intuitive and accessible interface

Accountant 

The new interface is very easy to use and makes it easy to navigate through both desktop and online.

85% of reviewers feel positive about Sage 100’s ease of use. Users think the interface is straightforward, with consistent navigation across modules and clearly labeled functions. They find the software quick to learn, with helpful tutorials and in-program resources for guidance. Reviewers appreciate that daily tasks are streamlined, and the system adapts well to both new and experienced users. Many mention that the simple layout and logical workflow reduce the learning curve, making it easier to manage operations without extensive training.

HR director

It provided a stable system for managing accounting, stock control, and order processing, which helped maintain accurate records and improve operational oversight.

Head of Finance

Enhanced reporting features which have allowed us to connect with both Microsoft Excel and SAP Crystal Reports to provide the Senior Leadership Team with dashboard real time reporting analysis

It handled accounting, inventory, and order processing in a structured and reliable way, which helped improve accuracy and reduce manual errors.

Office Manager

Consideration should be given to a tiered system, if you use the basic package, then payment for basic package etc, if you use the full range of facilities then I would expect to pay more.

Office Administrator

I like the addition of some advanced reporting options that help with tracking job costs & productivity much more efficiently.

Project manager

We went and got alternative softwarew for the placing and receiving orders side of the business. If you did just want to get one piece of software though, it can do it all.

Our small 9-person company must subcontract a part-time Sage expert to get Sage 100 to function with 25 years of company information.

accounting

The least favorable thing about Sage 100 is encountered with different user's abilities and lack of knowledge resulting in errors hampering complete accurate reporting.

Director of Finance

Reporting lacks adequate options for exporting to Excel to review and analyze data.  

Purchasing

I do not like using a remote desktop to use Sage 100, our IT department does not host its own server for Sage.

What I liked most about Sage 100 was its strong core functionality for managing key business processes in one system.

We used it for the accountancy side and we also used it as our ordering software.

The user interface feels dated which as a first time user meant that it took longer to learn than accounting software's I have used in the past.

The only thing I do not like about Sage 100 is that their job cost module does not have a lot of characters for comments.

Upgrades require too much labor - requiring install on new server and data transfer.  

While our small company bought Sage 100 (and it was more complicated than what we actually needed at the time plus we struggled through training), it has proved to be a very dependable product even with the age of it.

Sage did not work with third parties (Scanco) to make sure that their products still worked in the upgrade (Production Management).

Supervisor - Financial Application Support Service

I consider that Sage 100 is a complete accounting application, which allows you to adapt to the needs of customers.

Online Facilitator

Although functional, the interface feels dated and not as intuitive as newer platforms.

Assistant Controller

The integration to pVault, a paperless document management platform used to approve or reject A/P invoices, worked well but there would be errors for large batches.

It comes with a 400-page manual that is comprehensive but really user friendly or functional for beginners.

Consultant

A couple of samples:  1) Bank reconciliation module should create any transaction that posts to a general ledger cash account.  

It’s a reliable system for organizations that need more than basic bookkeeping

There are issues with the software updates along with the additional cost associated with it.

Accounting Director

The Best thing is that they have realized how loyal customers are to Sage100 and have decided to continue supporting and building on the current product to make it better.

What I liked least about Sage 100 was that it did not offer an cloud based services for remote access for myself and the team.

The function is dependable but takes some time to learn the different functions.

They've been responsive on payroll changes and updates and generally maintain a solid product.

Sr Sage Consultant

It is uncomfortable when I am not able to assist my clients in a timely fashion.

Dir, Communications and Engagement

We then have to create a new payroll record, run Trial Compute again, make the changes, run Final Compute.

Edcuator

I started using Simply Accounting over 20 years ago in my accounting courses.  

Sage 100 vs ART Comparison (2026)

Sage 100

ART

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives