Unbelievable price hike for Sage payroll software

Unbelievable price hike for Sage payroll software

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Just been online to source Sage payroll software for a client and I can't believe the price hike. Software for up to 50 employees for a single user is now £774 (net of vat) compared to £325 for Sage 50 payroll last year. 

I can't believe anyone is willing to accept this price hike ??  After years of using Sage payroll it's definately time to say bye bye (no buy) to Sage !!    

  

   

Replies (25)

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By Cheshire
25th Mar 2019 16:03

Fab timing though. No in year manoeuvres to think about!

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By claudialowe
25th Mar 2019 16:08

Hello Moneysoft or Brightpay - being the 2 most recommended on here. Personally I've used Moneysoft since I ditched Sage in 2008. A decade on, and I still think that it's great.

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By tom123
25th Mar 2019 16:18

How were you getting it for £325, we have been paying £700 odd for years,

(yes, I know, other software is available etc)

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Replying to tom123:
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By L Haldane
25th Mar 2019 16:40

Bought from official Sage distributer 'SJ Software' March 2018 cost £325 + vat. Bought as a perpetual licence without Sage support. Cost the same the previous year (2017/18)

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By andy.partridge
25th Mar 2019 16:23

Totally believable.

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By Louisemunro320
25th Mar 2019 16:32

Would highly recommend Moneysoft - great value and really stable program. Never any issues and constantly updated

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RLI
By lionofludesch
25th Mar 2019 16:36

It's probably because fewer people are buying it.

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By DaveyJonesLocker
25th Mar 2019 16:54

Ugh, why would anyone want to use it no matter what the price.

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By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
25th Mar 2019 17:18

Well SAGE is all about seeing how much you will pay each year on the basis that people cant be bothered to change software.

Brightpay, moneysoft. Pretty much anything else will be better and cheaper. Vote with your feet.

If you speak to the vendors they may be able to port standing data which is the main barrier to a switch.

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By Coppice Payroll
25th Mar 2019 18:15

I switched from Sage to BrightPay years ago and haven't looked back. They are considerably cheaper than Sage and I prefer the layout and functionality in every way. They have a trial package (might be 60 days but don't quote me on this) and sample employer files that you can download from their website if you want to try before you buy. I won't go on spouting all of the features it has but there has been a large list of improvements included with the 19/20 Software Package, they list all of these on their blog section of the website and so you can see how often they make improvements. Plus, I have only seen one price hike in the last 4 years and it is still way cheaper than Sage.

Coppice Payroll

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Freddie
By Slim Freddie
25th Mar 2019 18:23

Run for the hills! I cannot understand why anyone would pay those prices when there are excellent alternatives on the market at a fraction of the cost.
We switched to BrightPay a few years ago and we've never looked back. Say bye bye to Sage.

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JCACE
By jcace
25th Mar 2019 18:42

I switched to BrightPay a few years ago and have never regretted it. My main reason was the way it intuitively handles Auto Enrolment, without having to pay extra for different modules, which even then seemed extortionate.
Although BrightPay have announced a price increase for 2019/20, they still get my vote, and I reckon provide excellent value for money.

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By carnmores
25th Mar 2019 19:21

Sage as a whole are way behind the curve . i though they were changing to a subscription service. they have obviously made a calculated decision to double the charges and expect some drop outs

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RLI
By lionofludesch
25th Mar 2019 22:45

They're relying on most of their customers continuing to be muggins.

Sorry, Tom. No offence intended.

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ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
26th Mar 2019 07:59

One thing that seems ‘weird’ about Moneysoft (which I love & have used since I started 5 years ago), is that their subscription is for 12 months rather than the tax year. I think I paid £135 in Jan for unlimited companies, only restriction is <100 e’ees/CIS each, which - let’s face it - will suit 99.999999% of our (as small practices) collective clients.

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Replying to atleastisoundknowledgable...:
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By Wanderer
26th Mar 2019 12:24

Also AFAIK no lock in or silly renewal terms which many software companies have.
+ you can upgrade to 250 employees / unlimited employers for just £68 extra.

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By SXGuy
26th Mar 2019 11:25

Not Sage, but ive just had a renewal notice for Payroll and Personal Tax Software (I wont mention who they are) But lets just say, their fees have gone up around £400 since last year.
Over £700 for Personal Tax, and the rest on Payroll.

Needless to say, I will not be renewing this year.

When I compare these prices to people like TaxCalc and Moneysoft Payroll Manager, its forced my hand to move. Im gonna save around £500 by switching now, and save even more costs down the line, when Corp Tax and Accounts Production become due for renewal also.

The sad part is, our practice have been with this company since 1997, clearly loyalty means nothing anymore.

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Replying to SXGuy:
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By Alex_T
26th Mar 2019 12:42

Sadly, there are no rewards for loyalty. As @ireallyshouldknowthisbut said, your only option is to vote with your feet.
BrightPay or Moneysoft and TaxCalc are all great options. I have been using BrightPay for several years and I would highly recommend it.
Best of luck!

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Replying to SXGuy:
RLI
By lionofludesch
26th Mar 2019 12:56

SXGuy wrote:

The sad part is, our practice have been with this company since 1997, clearly loyalty means nothing anymore.

Yes it does. It means you're a bit of a soft target.

Why not name and shame ?

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By SXGuy
26th Mar 2019 15:12

Keytime. Or should I now say, IRIS.

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counting
By Counting numbers
26th Mar 2019 16:24

IRIS! No surprises there then. You won't regret moving on from Keytime/IRIS @SXGuy. Good luck!

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Replying to SXGuy:
ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
26th Mar 2019 17:31

SXGuy wrote:

Or should I now say, IRIS.

That’s the reason for the increase. Surprised it took so long.

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Replying to SXGuy:
ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
26th Mar 2019 17:35

I went with TaxCalc & Moneysoft when I set up, mainly ‘cos they were v cheap. Throughout everything we use, it’s the best software choice I’ve made. I’m looking at changing client portal, PM, doc filing software - TaxCalc & Moneysoft are the only ones that I won’t consider moving from*. Why would I - they’re great, easy to use & cheap. Can’t recomme them enough.

*unless TaxCalc add a payroll module, which would save a few seconds for each directors’ SATR if they integrated it properly.

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By Mr Hobbit
27th Mar 2019 15:01

How can Sage justify these prices? I have a client who has been a loyal customer of Sage for 20+ years and despite huge price increases over those years, she stayed with them. She called this morning to say she'd received her renewal quote from Sage... £1500 for a single company with 50 employees... What?? I couldn't believe my ears. Daylight robbery!
I've finally convinced her to move to Brightpay which will save her £1300 per year. She'll get far superior software at a fraction of the cost. It makes no sense.

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By ScribbleD
27th Mar 2019 20:23

It's shocking no doubt but Sage and IRIS will continue to charge these prices whilst there are companies willing to pay over the odds for their software. Sad but true!

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