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Sage 50 Payroll vs FreeAgent: UK Reviews & Prices Compared


Last Updated: 20 May 2025
Reviewed By: Ian Wright (Managing Director)

Which payroll software is better Sage 50 Payroll or FreeAgent?

We compare them based on real user reviews, prices and what features they both offer.

Sage 50 Payroll homepageFreeAgent homepage

Sage 50 Payroll vs FreeAgent Basics


Sage 50 Payroll
FreeAgent
Software WebsiteSage 50 Payroll WebsiteFreeAgent Website
Company NameSage (UK) LtdFreeAgent Central Ltd
Target Company Size (Small, Medium and/or Enterprise)Small – MediumSmall – Medium
Industry FocusNoneNone

Sage 50 Payroll vs FreeAgent Reviews

Wondering if Sage 50 Payroll or FreeAgent has better user reviews. We compared them below.

Sage 50 PayrollFreeAgent
Listed On HMRC WebsiteYesYes
Trustpilot Rating4.44.6
Number of Trustpilot Reviews169062137
iPhone App RatingNo iPhone App4.8
Number of iPhone ReviewsNo Reviews9400
Android App RatingNo Android App4.7
Number of Android ReviewsNo Reviews1100
Please note ratings we’re accurate at the time of writing but may have since changed

Sage 50 Payroll vs FreeAgent Prices

Which is cheaper Sage 50 Payroll or FreeAgent? Here are their prices compared.

Sage 50 Payroll pricingFreeAgent pricing

Free Plans & Trials

Sage 50 PayrollFreeAgent
Listed As Having Free Plan By HMRC?NoNo
Free Plan?NoNo
Free Trial?YesYes
Free Trial Length?30 days30 days
Data taken from each company’s website at the time of writing but may have since changed.

Paid Plan Prices

Sage 50 PayrollFreeAgent
Cheapest Plan Cost Per Month£33.00£9.50
Mid-Tier Plan Cost Per Month£86.50£12.00
Top Plan Cost Per Month£127.50£14.50
Data taken from each company’s website at the time of writing but may have since changed.

Sage 50 Payroll vs FreeAgent Features

Sage 50 Payroll featuresFreeAgent features

Sage 50 Payroll Basic Features

  • Smart, powerful payroll, up-to-date with the latest HMRC legislation
  • Comprehensive reporting for better data visibility and control
  • Integrates seamlessley with Sage 50 Accounts to reduce duplication
  • Automate batch processes to help reduce errors and save time
  • Set up Departments and Cost Centre’s to help analysis & manage costs
  • Includes HR Advice Online, giving you best practice on HR & Employment Law.
  • With 1-2-1 expert onboarding help for new customers.

Sage 50 Payroll Software Integrations

  • NEST
  • NOW
  • People’s Pension

FreeAgent Basic Features

  • Dashboard – See the big picture for your business at a glance with cashflow, profit and loss, invoice timelines and more.
  • Business Insights with Radar – Get intelligent insights, tailored trend-spotting and personalised tips all in one place.
  • Estimates – Win more work with professional estimate templates ready to be converted to invoices.
  • Invoicing – Get paid faster with easy invoicing tools. Send customised invoices, reminders and thank-you emails.
  • Expenses – Track business costs quickly and easily. Snap receipts and record out-of-pocket expenses on the go.
  • Projects – Keep tabs on your project income, expenses and profitability – all in one place.
  • Time Tracking – Track the time you spend on projects, add this to invoices and generate timesheet reports.
  • Payroll – Run monthly payroll and file auto-calculated PAYE and National Insurance directly to HMRC.
  • Banking – Set up a bank feed and let all of your transactions flow into FreeAgent automatically.
  • VAT filing – Generate MTD-compliant VAT returns automatically and file them directly to HMRC in minutes.
  • Self Assessment – Get a real-time view of how much you owe for your tax return and file it directly to HMRC.

FreeAgent Software Integrations

  • IRIS
  • BTCSoftware
  • HMRC
  • GoSimpleTax
  • TaxCalc
  • Staffology
  • BrightPay

Common Feature Comparison

Sage 50 PayrollFreeAgent
Unlimited PayrollsNoNo
Automated Tax Filing and PaymentsNoYes
Live Customer SupportNoNo
Ability To Manage Employee BenefitsNoNo
Employee Access To PlatformYesNo
Direct DepositNoNo
Expense ReimbursementNoYes
Time Off TrackingYesYes
Handle Deductions From PayYesNo
Debt Repayment From PayYesNo
Employee Background ChecksNoNo
Has An APINoYes
Create PayslipYesYes
Create P45NoNo
Create P60YesYes
Pay For Salaried EmployeesYesYes
Pay For Hourly EmployeesYesYes
Bonus / Incentive PayNoNo
Pension FilingYesNo
Statutory Payments (E.g. Sick Pay, Maternity Pay, etc.)YesYes
Direct HMRC SubmissionsYesYes
RTI CompliantYesYes

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