Top 10 Free Alternatives to Sage in 2025

As the landscape of accounting software continues to evolve, 2025 has brought forth a variety of powerful alternatives to Sage, each offering unique features and capabilities. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a small business owner, or a freelancer, this article explores the top 10 free accounting software alternatives to Sage, comparing them on key data points like ease of use, key features, limitations, and ideal use cases.

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1. Zoho Books

Description: A comprehensive cloud-based accounting solution particularly good for businesses already using other Zoho services.
Key Features:
Accountant access
Transaction categorization rules
Up to 1,000 invoices included
Scalable with paid plans
Automated workflows
Limitations: Free plan only available for businesses with annual revenue below $50,000.
Ideal Use Case: Small businesses looking for scalability and integration with other Zoho services. Learn more about Zoho Books

2. Wave Accounting

Description: A user-friendly, cloud-based software that is well-suited for freelancers, sole proprietors, and very small businesses.
Key Features:
Unlimited invoices
Expense tracking
Mobile app for invoicing on the go
Basic financial statements (profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow)
Connects to unlimited bank accounts and credit cards
Limitations: May lack some advanced features found in paid software.
Ideal Use Case: Freelancers and small business owners seeking a straightforward and cost-effective accounting solution. Discover Wave Accounting

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3. ZipBooks

Description: Known for its smart insights and project-based accounting features.
Key Features:
Intuitive financial reports
Automated recurring invoices
Free bank account connection
Categorizes expenses
Manages unlimited customers and vendors
Limitations: Free plan limited to one bank account connection and one user.
Ideal Use Case: Project-based businesses wanting detailed financial reporting and automation. Explore ZipBooks

4. Akaunting

Description: Open-source accounting software with a free plan that offers robust features and is great for those needing offline access.
Key Features:
Supports multiple users
Customizable user roles and permissions
Desktop and cloud-based
Single-entry accounting
Generates key financial summaries
Limitations: Requires server hosting for desktop version.
Ideal Use Case: Businesses seeking a customizable and open-source accounting solution. Learn more about Akaunting

5. GnuCash

Description: Open-source software ideal for users familiar with double-entry bookkeeping who want highly customized reports.
Key Features:
Double-entry accounting
Budgeting tools
Customizable reports
Tracks personal and business finances
Highly flexible and customizable
Limitations: Steeper learning curve; may not be as user-friendly as other options.
Ideal Use Case: Users needing advanced customization and detailed reporting. Discover GnuCash

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6. Brightbook

Description: A solid option for remote and virtual teams, catering to freelancers and self-employed professionals.
Key Features:
Suitable for freelancers and the self-employed
Good for remote and virtual teams
User-friendly interface
Limitations: Information on feature details is limited.
Ideal Use Case: Freelancers and small business owners in need of a simple, remote-friendly solution. Explore Brightbook

7. Manager

Description: Offers both desktop and cloud access with support for cash and accrual accounting.
Key Features:
Desktop and cloud access
Supports both cash and accrual accounting
Manages purchase orders
Tracks accounts receivable and payable
Generates various reports (inventory, fixed assets etc.)
Limitations: Some advanced features might require more technical understanding.
Ideal Use Case: Businesses needing both desktop and cloud access solutions. Learn more about Manager

8. SlickPie

Description: Known for its automation capabilities, good for those with limited bookkeeping experience.
Key Features:
Auto-reminders for unpaid invoices
Modern and user-friendly interface
Manages invoices and customer bills
Links unlimited user accounts, bank and credit card numbers
Generates financial reports
Limitations: Free plan is limited to 10 companies, with email support only.
Ideal Use Case: Businesses seeking an automated and user-friendly accounting solution. Discover SlickPie

9. NCH Express Accounts

Description: Free desktop software suitable for businesses with 5 or fewer employees.
Key Features:
Generates quotes and invoices
Tracks expenses
Provides over 20 different financial reports
Free for small businesses with 5 employees or less
Limitations: Desktop-based; not cloud-based and might have some limitations for larger businesses.
Ideal Use Case: Small businesses looking for a straightforward, desktop-based accounting solution. Explore NCH Express Accounts

10. Odoo Accounting

Description: An open-source suite with a modular system that includes accounting, CRM, inventory, etc. It’s good for businesses wanting a fully integrated system.
Key Features:
Integration with Odoo CRM, sales, and inventory
Multi-currency support
Automated invoicing and payment reminders
VAT management
Customizable charts of accounts
Limitations: Free for one app. Standard paid plans are available.
Ideal Use Case: Businesses seeking an integrated, modular ERP solution. Learn more about Odoo Accounting

Note:

Free plans may have limitations, and it's crucial to evaluate the software's features based on your specific business needs.
Some software may offer paid plans with additional features if you need more functionality.
Pricing and features can change, so it's always a good idea to check the official website for the most up-to-date details.

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FAQ

1. What is Zoho Books, and what are its key features?

Zoho Books is a comprehensive cloud-based accounting solution that is particularly good for businesses already using other Zoho services. Its key features include accountant access, transaction categorization rules, up to 1,000 invoices, scalability with paid plans, and automated workflows. Learn more about Zoho Books

2. Who should use Wave Accounting, and what are its key benefits?

Wave Accounting is well-suited for freelancers, sole proprietors, and very small businesses. Its key benefits include unlimited invoices, expense tracking, a mobile app for invoicing on the go, basic financial statements, and the ability to connect to unlimited bank accounts and credit cards. Check out Wave Accounting

3. What are the limitations of the free plan offered by ZipBooks?

ZipBooks' free plan is limited to one bank account connection and one user. Additionally, it does not generate cash flow statements. Discover ZipBooks

4. How does Akaunting offer access to its features, and what are some limitations?

Akaunting is open-source accounting software with a free plan that offers robust features like supporting multiple users, customizable user roles and permissions, desktop and cloud-based access, single-entry accounting, and the generation of key financial summaries. However, it requires server hosting for the desktop version. Learn more about Akaunting

5. What sets GnuCash apart for users familiar with double-entry bookkeeping?

GnuCash is ideal for users familiar with double-entry bookkeeping and those wanting highly customized reports. It features double-entry accounting, budgeting tools, customizable reports, personal and business finance tracking, and high flexibility. Explore GnuCash

6. Who is Brightbook ideal for, and what type of interface does it offer?

Brightbook is ideal for freelancers and self-employed professionals, particularly those working in remote and virtual teams. It offers a user-friendly interface. Learn more about Brightbook

7. What accounting methods does Manager support, and what are its key functionalities?

Manager supports both cash and accrual accounting methods. Key functionalities include desktop and cloud access, managing purchase orders, tracking accounts receivable and payable, and generating various reports such as inventory and fixed assets. Discover Manager

8. What automation features does SlickPie offer, and what are its plan limitations?

SlickPie is known for its automation capabilities, such as auto-reminders for unpaid invoices and modern, user-friendly interface. However, its free plan is limited to 10 companies and offers email support only. Learn more about SlickPie

9. What type of businesses is NCH Express Accounts suitable for, and what are its reporting capabilities?

NCH Express Accounts is free desktop software suitable for businesses with 5 or fewer employees. It can generate quotes and invoices, track expenses, and provide over 20 different financial reports. Explore NCH Express Accounts

10. What makes Odoo Accounting a good choice for businesses wanting an integrated system?

Odoo Accounting is a modular open-source suite that includes accounting, CRM, inventory, and more, making it a good choice for businesses wanting a fully integrated system. It offers integration with Odoo CRM, sales, and inventory, multi-currency support, automated invoicing, payment reminders, VAT management, and customizable charts of accounts. Discover Odoo Accounting

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.