ApprovalMax vs. Sage Accounting

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
ApprovalMax
Score 9.8 out of 10
N/A
ApprovalMax provides approval workflow automation for cloud accounting platforms such as Xero and QuickBooks Online. It replaces paper- and email-based approval processes with multi-step and multi-role automated approval workflows that enable automated notifications to approvers, automated audit trails, and mobile approvals. Approval workflows include: Invoice approvals / bill review and bill approval Purchase order approval, including the functionality to create…
$54
per month
Sage Accounting
Score 7.5 out of 10
N/A
Sage Accounting is online accounting software made to simplify life for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and freelancers by providing the functions needed to take care of daily business to-dos. Users can create and send professional quotes and invoices, track income and expenses and know where the business' financials stand. Every Sage Business Cloud Accounting subscription includes unlimited access to support as well as automatic backups and product updates.
$19
per month
Pricing
ApprovalMaxSage Accounting
Editions & Modules
ApprovalMax Standard
$54
per month per organization
ApprovalMax Advanced
$83
per month per organization
ApprovalMax Premium
$121
per month per organization
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ApprovalMaxSage Accounting
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalNo setup fee
Additional DetailsDiscount available for annual pricing and for management of multiple organizations.Versions and pricing listed are for CA products. Versions available and pricing may vary by country. * 2 months free to start, or free for 1 month to try, then $19/$43/$62 +tax/mo (tier depending). Offer valid for new customers only on monthly subscriptions of Sage Business Cloud Accounting. After the promotional period, the monthly subscription rate will renew at the then current rate. May not be combined with any other offers or discounts. To ensure continuous service the subscription plan is an automatically renewing plan. Subsequent months will automatically be billed to the same credit card each month on the anniversary date of purchase. Plans can be terminated at any time prior to the renewal data and not charged for renewal.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ApprovalMaxSage Accounting
Features
ApprovalMaxSage Accounting
Payment Management
Comparison of Payment Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.0
1 Ratings
5% above category average
Sage Accounting
-
Ratings
Customizable Approval Policies9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Financial Document Management9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Payment Status Tracking9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Payment Audit Trail9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Duplicate Bill Detection4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Accounts Payable
Comparison of Accounts Payable features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.5
1 Ratings
17% above category average
Sage Accounting
-
Ratings
Automated Accounts Payable Processes9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Vendor Management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
Sage Accounting
9.3
19 Ratings
21% above category average
Pay calculation00 Ratings10.015 Ratings
Benefit plan administration00 Ratings9.312 Ratings
Direct deposit files00 Ratings8.812 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management00 Ratings9.410 Ratings
Reimbursement management00 Ratings9.112 Ratings
Customization
Comparison of Customization features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
Sage Accounting
8.6
23 Ratings
12% above category average
API for custom integration00 Ratings9.120 Ratings
Plug-ins00 Ratings8.017 Ratings
Security
Comparison of Security features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
Sage Accounting
9.7
42 Ratings
17% above category average
Single sign-on capability00 Ratings9.931 Ratings
Role-based user permissions00 Ratings9.539 Ratings
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
Sage Accounting
9.3
44 Ratings
17% above category average
Dashboards00 Ratings8.340 Ratings
Standard reports00 Ratings9.844 Ratings
Custom reports00 Ratings9.735 Ratings
General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
Sage Accounting
8.8
198 Ratings
14% above category average
Accounts payable00 Ratings8.1185 Ratings
Accounts receivable00 Ratings9.945 Ratings
Cash management00 Ratings8.3157 Ratings
Bank reconciliation00 Ratings7.9188 Ratings
Expense management00 Ratings9.934 Ratings
Time tracking00 Ratings6.611 Ratings
Fixed asset management00 Ratings8.428 Ratings
Multi-currency support00 Ratings10.018 Ratings
Multi-division support00 Ratings9.918 Ratings
Regulations compliance00 Ratings9.529 Ratings
Electronic tax filing00 Ratings7.3100 Ratings
Self-service portal00 Ratings10.025 Ratings
Global Financial Support00 Ratings9.38 Ratings
Primary and Secondary Ledgers00 Ratings9.515 Ratings
Intercompany Accounting00 Ratings8.111 Ratings
Localizations00 Ratings8.49 Ratings
Journals and Reconciliations00 Ratings9.033 Ratings
Enterprise Accounting00 Ratings6.910 Ratings
Configurable Accounting00 Ratings9.318 Ratings
Centralized Rules Framework00 Ratings8.98 Ratings
Standardized Processes00 Ratings9.520 Ratings
Inventory Management
Comparison of Inventory Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
Sage Accounting
6.9
17 Ratings
6% below category average
Inventory tracking00 Ratings6.717 Ratings
Automatic reordering00 Ratings8.36 Ratings
Location management00 Ratings5.77 Ratings
Manufacturing module00 Ratings7.05 Ratings
Order Management
Comparison of Order Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
Sage Accounting
8.2
28 Ratings
10% above category average
Pricing00 Ratings9.917 Ratings
Order entry00 Ratings7.615 Ratings
Credit card processing00 Ratings8.118 Ratings
Cost of goods sold00 Ratings7.620 Ratings
Order Orchestration00 Ratings7.66 Ratings
End-to-end order visibility00 Ratings7.57 Ratings
Order exception Resolution00 Ratings8.95 Ratings
Best Alternatives
ApprovalMaxSage Accounting
Small Businesses
Square 9 Softworks
Square 9 Softworks
Score 9.3 out of 10
Intuit Enterprise Suite
Intuit Enterprise Suite
Score 9.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Square 9 Softworks
Square 9 Softworks
Score 9.3 out of 10
Intuit Enterprise Suite
Intuit Enterprise Suite
Score 9.2 out of 10
Enterprises
Yooz
Yooz
Score 8.8 out of 10
SAP Business One
SAP Business One
Score 8.6 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
ApprovalMaxSage Accounting
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(1 ratings)
7.4
(216 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(27 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
7.8
(183 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
8.5
(12 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
7.7
(12 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
7.6
(30 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(3 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.7
(5 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
7.7
(10 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(10 ratings)
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
-
(0 ratings)
7.5
(6 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
5.0
(4 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
6.9
(11 ratings)
Professional Services
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(3 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
7.5
(9 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
7.7
(9 ratings)
User Testimonials
ApprovalMaxSage Accounting
Likelihood to Recommend
ApprovalMax
As mentioned previously - able to send invoice based on amount , program code and division code ,supplier is very useful feature ; If an invoice does not fit into approval process than it is rejected and an email is received mentioning the reason
Read full review
Sage
Sage Accounting seems appropriate for a small business that has basic accounting needs and is just starting from the beginning to set up its accounting software. It is less appropriate for businesses that have been using Sage 50, as Sage Accounting Standard does not successfully transfer important data from Sage 50.
Read full review
Pros
ApprovalMax
  • choice based on Program codes / division codes - we use Xero accounting system and we have 22 program codes and 11 divison codes ; once invoice is entered in Xero depending on relevant program code and divison code, Approval max automatically send invoice to relevant person depending on approval workflow process . One manager could be handling multiple divison and program codes; if our approval work flow process is properly designed - it is accurate in sending invoice to relevant manager.
  • invoice can also send to various managers based on General ledger codes ; this flexibility makes useful when manager is handling only certain nature of expenses regardless of program codes / divisionl.
  • Approval process can also be designed based on level of amount ; and level of amount is derived from our Delegation policy. it makes audit of application of delegation policy easy ; we give copy of delegation policy and print of approval work flow process to auditor.
Read full review
Sage
  • Cloud Based - I work from different offices so I can access anywhere.
  • Whether paying a bill or receiving a payment it's done similarly. The consistency makes it easy to get in workflow.
  • I appreciate the setup of the statements - easy to read.
Read full review
Cons
ApprovalMax
  • date and time of change in approval process ; for example if Mr. A was responsible for all expenses above $1000 in Oct 23 and from Nov 23 it is changed to $5000 . in Dec 23 if it is checked - it will show approval limit of $5000 ; but will not show from which date limit was changed. Auditor always asks this question when the limit was changed in approval max - we cannot prove it.
  • If there is audit trail of who made the changes , when and what changes were made ; will be good.
  • when we are in main page of seeing invoices awaiting approval - there are hundreds of invoices - searching for one invoice from particular supplier is very cumbersome job - we have to go by each and every invoice in order to find that invoice ; it will be good if we have search function on main page itself ; in current scenario we have to go to report section - input all filters and than search for that particular invoice.
Read full review
Sage
  • Sorting reports - I want to sort my projects by what has and has not been paid, and this is unavailable.
  • Print preview.
  • FONT SIZE: This should be an option directly available to increase screen font sizes. Also, report font adjustments are incredibly difficult.
  • Understanding all options and the performance the program can do, I would much prefer an in-person session or scheduled webinar because it is far too overwhelming to search forums/help centers. Just a useless vortex to get sucked into.
  • Updates are easier than they used to be, but there’s still a big communication barrier. E.g., I install updates and restart programs, and then the next day or two it tells me to restart again because there have been updates. I know, I installed them already! It’s frustrating.
  • Removing inactive vendors or clients - why is this so difficult? Can I not just delete and move to the next one? Every time I try it, it just defaults back to the top of the report… It’s fine for the first couple of letters in the alphabet, but that’s about all. Multi-select would be nice!
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Sage
Because we don't have time to migrate to a new system. So, we are kind of stuck with this system until our company grows or we are in a better financial position to afford the larger expense of moving to a new platform and doing what it should be doing in the first place.
Read full review
Usability
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Sage
I find Sage's usability very intuitive. Everything from data entry to high level reporting it easy to navigate. Some of the other accounting software programs I have used have not had adequate forms or menus to help navigate the program. Sage does a good job of balancing providing the proper forms without being overly difficult to understand or use
Read full review
Reliability and Availability
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Sage
Sage has been always available when I want it. If there is any maintenance work to be done by the Sage team, you are told well in advance. Maintenance is generally carried out late at night or before the day begins for most of us. It continues to be the most reliable software I use.
Read full review
Performance
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Sage
The day-to-day performance is very good. Items such as transactions or reports load and process quickly. You never feel like you're waiting in Sage. I have never seen Sage Accounting affect the speed or performance of any integrated system. However, I do think when you are bringing very old files up to date the updates are slow but that'll be a rare occurrence and not reflective of the day-to-day usage.
Read full review
Support Rating
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Sage
Sage Accounting are easy to contact and have knowledgeable and helpful staff. Whenever I've encountered a problem I've always been able to get assistance and guidance and it feels like the person at the end of the phone/screen knows the product well.
Read full review
In-Person Training
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Sage
Staff are always friendly, and patient, always work at a speed that suits you. You are never rushed, and In only a short time they seem to be able to help you make great strides. It has been a pleasure not a chore, learning how SAGE Accounting works and benefits me and the company.
Read full review
Online Training
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Sage
I find the online training was very informative and they answered all my questions. I am also certified in Sage One and provided online training in the program which I have set up several people on and they love how it keeps them organized.
Read full review
Implementation Rating
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Sage
This was generally a very straightforward process. I have previously implemented other software which required considerable external support. I implemented Sage Accounting with only a minimal amount of reference to the Sage support desk. I was extremely pleased with the implementation process.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
ApprovalMax
Read full review
Sage
I also like Quickbooks Desktop, however, they are forcing customers to switch to Quickbooks Online. I will be moving forward with SAGE in this case, unless there is a valid reason the client would like to use QBO instead. I have not used the version of SAGE where the client doesn't need to purchase the full version, themselves, in order to access their file so this is something that I may consider looking into, in the near future, for this reason.
Read full review
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Sage
The pricing structure is fair and offers good value for money. The billing is done through their online system and you can access your bills at any time. Most contacts only require 30 days' notice, so no need to feel tied in, although I can't imagine why you would want to leave Sage.
Read full review
Scalability
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Sage
You can use Sage in your company for various aspects/positions such as bookkeepers, invoicing clerks, accountant, purchasing etc. Everyone can have their own user login and permissions can be set that specific people can do specific jobs without being able to access other peoples progress or accounts of the company.
Read full review
Professional Services
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Sage
Do not use
Read full review
Return on Investment
ApprovalMax
  • It has certainly made a positive impact ; it is definately worth its value ; when we are processing hundreds of invoices every fortnight ; getting approval of invoices in timely manner for all invoices is of paramount importance . as approval max has its own app - approval can be done on mobile phone also ; this is particularly helpful when staff is travelling .
Read full review
Sage
  • Sage has allowed us to be self-supporting and to perform full-cycle accounting up to the point of handing off to the accountant at year-end.
  • We are self-sustaining and do not need outside accounting assistance, such as an independent bookkeeper.
  • Sage has allowed us to save money at year's end, as we can do all the prep internally up until the handoff to the accountant, minimizing the hours he has to spend on our file.
Read full review
ScreenShots

ApprovalMax Screenshots

Screenshot of where approval processes are set up  – no matter how simple or complex.Screenshot of the interface to build approval steps that follow any business rules – whether approvals happen one after another, all at once, or only in certain cases. The user can also control who approves based on things like amount, supplier, account code, or category.Screenshot of where to approve bills and purchase orders the way that works best.Screenshot of the interface that matches bills to approved purchase orders from the same supplier to keep coding accurate and control spending. Unmatched bills can also be stopped from being approved.Screenshot of where to mention others in comments to bring them in or get their input – even if they’re not part of the original approval. If they don’t have access, a prompt to add them as a Watcher is sent. Mentions work on web and mobile, sending notifications as soon as access is granted.Screenshot of where to raise purchase orders, approve requests, and extract key details from bills and purchase orders – all on the go with the ApprovalMax mobile app for iOS and Android.

Sage Accounting Screenshots

Screenshot of the All-in-One DashboardScreenshot of the Accounting DashboardScreenshot of an Invoicing Quote EstimateScreenshot of the Purchases TrackerScreenshot of Stock InventoryScreenshot of a VAT Returns List