Sage One

Pros 

Sage One is efficient, easy-to-use accounting software bundled with project tracking, task management, collaboration and payment processing. It is an online solution, so it is always up to date, backed up, encrypted and accessible via any web connection.

Cons 

If you are looking for traditional accounting software such as products similar to Sage 50 or QuickBooks Pro, this is not it. Sage One is designed for entrepreneurs, freelancers and startups, not companies that need to manage a lot of inventory or many employees.

The Verdict

The VerdictCreate invoices and get paid quickly with Sage One. You can manage projects, track tasks, track time and accept payments using this one solution. In addition, Sage One accounts support unlimited collaborators, projects, tasks and invoicing without any additional fees.

Sage set a new precedent with Sage One. This accounting solution is not limited to traditional, stodgy accounting tools. Sage One resides online, works on all devices, includes project management and collaboration tools, and processes online payments. It does not require installation, and it is always up to date. You don't need formal accounting training to use it either, because it is simple and streamlined, which makes it ideal for sole proprietors, freelancers and independent contractors. Sage One is new to the market, yet it is backed by more than 30 years of accounting software experience. Our TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award winner for online accounting software can easily help you invoice and track projects with style.

More than 90 percent of businesses registered in the U.S. are comprised of a single person. Although big companies require complex accounting solutions, freelancers, contractors and sole proprietors do not. Sage One is the perfect solution for managing your small business and collaborating on projects. This online accounting solution easily creates invoices, tracks tasks, manages projects and performs general accounting duties to help you manage the details of your business.

Sage One accounts support unlimited collaborators, unlimited customers and unlimited invoicing. An account also supports two administrators with full access rights so that you can work with a business partner or accountant without an additional charge. You can add additional administrators for another $10 each per month. Each account comes with 5GB of free storage for your documents and projects.

Sage offers free support to all users. Sage provides full support that includes direct support by email, telephone and instant chat. Because Sage One is still a relatively new product, the company gives you the opportunity to comment on the product and offer feedback via an email link. To keep abreast of the new features and uses for this accounting solution, you can follow Sage on Facebook and Twitter, or read the Sage One Blog.

Invoicing & Billing:      

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Using Sage One, you can easily create, send and track invoices. You can customize your invoices using your own logo, send invoices by email and save them as PDF files. To ensure accuracy, you can preview invoices before you send them to your clients. Sage One can manage multiple sales tax rates, associated purchase orders, invoice comments and even partial payments. Once you have stored information such as client data, Sage One can automatically insert that information into invoices to help you create them in seconds.

This online accounting software tracks payment statuses, so you always know who owes you money. Clients can also make payments directly from the invoice using PayPal or via Sage payment solutions. Sage payment solutions charges a low percentage rate plus a small 20-cent fee per credit card transaction.

Project Tracking:      

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The ability to collaborate and manage projects sets this small business tool apart from basic accounting software. While most freelancers do not need complicated accounting software, they do need to manage projects, and they often work on projects with other people. Using Sage One, you can create and manage tasks and projects for your team and clients. You can easily view assigned tasks, track progress, view estimated costs, control time spent on tasks and manage activities. Sage One also tracks messages, file notes, client feedback and file changes. This project tracker freely supports unlimited collaborators, including employees, contractors, clients and accountants. Sage One also provides up to 5GB of storage for file sharing and storage. To help keep team members on task and informed, it will send out email notifications and reminders. All data is continually backed up and secured using SSL data encryption, and it always accessible via a web connection.

To give you an informed, top-down view of what is going on with your projects, Sage One includes a Smart Dashboard. The dashboard includes infographics, recent activities, tasks, outstanding invoices and project statuses. Straight from the dashboard, you can send out payment reminders, create and assign tasks, create projects and create invoices.

Mobility:      

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Sage One will display on any web-enabled device. Although device-specific apps are not yet available, the interface is optimized to run on PCs, Macs and iPads. Mobile-specific apps are scheduled to be rolled out sometime in 2013. Because Sage One is cloud based, it works across platforms and does not require a download. We asked a representative whether it works on other mobile devices, and they said they had seen it work on other devices, but that it is not officially supported on all of them at this time.

Summary:

Sage has drawn more than 30 years of accounting software experience into one efficient product – Sage One. This online accounting software in not muddled with tools that freelancers and micro companies do not need. It is simple accounting software bundled with project tracking, task management, collaboration and payment processing. Sage One is clever, adept and proficient, just like you want your company to be.