The AI TillComparisons · Accounting
Comparison
Sage Accounting vs Zoho Books
UK accounting and payroll software with the Sage Copilot AI assistant included in every plan. Accounting software with a free plan for very small businesses and paid UK plans.
| Sage Accounting | Zoho Books | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Start: £20 a month. Standard: £43 a month. All excl. VAT. Offer when checked: 90% off for 6 months. | Free: £0. Standard: £12 a month (£10 billed annually). Professional: £24 (£20). Premium: £30 (£25). Per organisation. |
| Free plan | No. No free plan; introductory discount instead. | Yes. Free plan for sole traders and micro businesses. |
| Best for | VAT-registered sole traders and small firms wanting payroll and CIS in one place. | Sole traders who want free accounts software in pounds. |
| Watch out for | Check the price after the introductory offer ends. | Check the free plan's limits on revenue and features. |
| UK notes | UK company, pounds, Making Tax Digital and CIS support. | UK pricing in pounds. |
| Made by | Sage | Zoho |
| Checked | 2026-10-14 | 2026-10-14 |
Our verdict
For most small UK businesses starting out, Zoho Books is the easier first pick because it has a free plan and its entry plan costs less. Pick Sage Accounting instead if this sounds like you: vAT-registered sole traders and small firms wanting payroll and CIS in one place.
UK price difference
Cheapest paid plans: Sage Accounting £20 (Start, per month excl. VAT); Zoho Books £12 (Standard, per month (£10 billed annually)). Zoho Books is £8 a month cheaper at entry level, though billing terms differ. Check on the provider page whether VAT is included before you buy.
Who should pick which?
- Choose Sage Accounting for: vAT-registered sole traders and small firms wanting payroll and CIS in one place.
- Choose Zoho Books for: sole traders who want free accounts software in pounds.
Only Zoho Books has a free plan, so you can try it first at no cost. Prices change, so check the provider's page before buying.
Other accounting to consider
Xero
Cloud accounting for invoices, bank feeds, VAT and payroll, with AI-assisted features.
QuickBooks
Cloud accounting with invoicing, expenses and VAT, plus Intuit Intelligence AI features (some in beta).
FreeAgent
UK accounting software for sole traders, partnerships and small companies.
Full details
Sage Accounting tool page · Zoho Books tool page · How we check prices
Sources
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