The verdict
Sage takes it, 3–2 on rounds.
On the published figures and the independent review sites, Sage takes 3 of 6 rounds. Treat that as a starting point and check the current figures on both pages, because prices and plans move.
Choose Xero if…
- • You want Xero's edge on what it costs to start and how many people can log in
Choose Sage if…
- • You want Sage's edge on who picks up when you are stuck and who runs your payroll
Round by round
- Round 1What it costs to startXero winsXero8/10
$27
Early plan, per month at list price (introductory $5.40 for three months)
Source: xero.com ↗
Xero wins this round on what the company itself publishes.
- Round 2Who picks up when you are stuckSage winsXero5/10
24/7 online support, callback on request
no support phone line, but they will call you
- 24/7 online support, callback on request, against Unlimited phone and chat
Source: xero.com ↗
Sage8/10Unlimited phone and chat
every plan includes unlimited phone and online chat support
Source: sage.com ↗
Sage wins this round on what the company itself publishes.
- Round 3How many people can log inXero wins
Xero wins this round on what the company itself publishes.
- Round 4Who runs your payrollSage winsXero5/10
Optional add-on via Gusto
payroll is handed to a partner
- Optional add-on via Gusto, against Own payroll module
Source: xero.com ↗
Sage wins this round on what the company itself publishes.
- Round 5Tracking stockSage winsXero5/10
Built-in core feature
Inventory tracking method
- Through connected apps, against Included
Source: xero.com ↗
Sage wins this round on what the company itself publishes.
- Round 6Tracking billable timeTie
Nothing to separate them here.
Side by side
- inventory comes from integrations rather than the core plan
- 30 days on Sage 50 Cloud, no trial of the desktop edition
- 24/7 online support, callback on request, against Phone support included
- Optional add-on via Gusto, against Own payroll product
- 20 invoices a month, against Unlimited invoices
- $27, against $23
- $124.42, against $38
- $124.42, against $27
- 1 user, against Unlimited users
- $124.42, against $23