Sage Intacct vs SAP Business ByDesign
Side-by-side comparison of Sage Intacct and SAP Business ByDesign — features, pricing, modules, and deployment options.
Sage Intacct vs SAP Business ByDesign at a Glance
| Criteria | Sage Intacct | SAP Business ByDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Service companies and nonprofits needing deep financial management | Midsize companies or subsidiaries needing cloud-first SAP |
| Starting Price | Custom quote | $120/user/mo |
| Pricing Model | custom | per-user |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Company Size | 51-250, 251-1000 | 51-250, 251-1000 |
| Implementation | 3–6 months | 4–8 months |
| Typical Cost | $50K–$200K | $100K–$400K |
Module Comparison
| Module | Sage Intacct | SAP Business ByDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Accounting | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Manufacturing | — N/A | ★★ Moderate |
| Supply Chain | ★ Basic | ★★ Moderate |
| CRM | ★ Basic | ★★ Moderate |
| HR & Payroll | ★ Basic | ★★ Moderate |
| Project Management | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Inventory Management | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Procurement | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Warehouse Management | — N/A | ★★ Moderate |
| Ecommerce | — N/A | ★ Basic |
| Business Intelligence | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Quality Management | — N/A | ★ Basic |
| Field Service | — N/A | ★ Basic |
| Asset Management | ★★ Moderate | ★ Basic |
Pros & Cons
Sage Intacct
Pros
- +Best-in-class multi-dimensional financial reporting
- +AICPA preferred solution for accounting firms
- +Excellent multi-entity and fund accounting
- +Open API with 200+ Sage Intacct Marketplace integrations
Cons
- -No manufacturing, warehouse, or field service capabilities
- -Not a full-suite ERP — finance-first with gaps elsewhere
- -Pricing is opaque — requires a sales call
- -Customisation options are more limited than on-prem ERPs
SAP Business ByDesign
Pros
- +True cloud — no infrastructure to manage
- +Strong project management and professional services features
- +Good fit for subsidiaries of SAP S/4HANA parents
- +Built-in multi-company and inter-company support
Cons
- -Limited customisation compared to on-premise SAP
- -Smaller partner ecosystem than Business One or S/4HANA
- -SAP has signalled end-of-life in favour of Cloud ERP
- -Not ideal for heavy discrete manufacturing
When to Choose Sage Intacct
- You need an ERP best suited for service companies and nonprofits needing deep financial management
- Your company has 51-250 or 251-1000 employees
- You operate in Professional Services, Nonprofits, Software / SaaS
- You prefer cloud deployment
When to Choose SAP Business ByDesign
- You need an ERP best suited for midsize companies or subsidiaries needing cloud-first sap
- Your company has 51-250 or 251-1000 employees
- You operate in Professional Services, Wholesale & Distribution
- You prefer cloud deployment
- Your budget aligns with $120/user/mo starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sage Intacct better than SAP Business ByDesign?
It depends on your business needs. Sage Intacct is best for service companies and nonprofits needing deep financial management, while SAP Business ByDesign is best for midsize companies or subsidiaries needing cloud-first sap. Sage Intacct starts at custom pricing and SAP Business ByDesign starts at $120/user/mo.
How does Sage Intacct pricing compare to SAP Business ByDesign?
Sage Intacct uses a custom pricing model, while SAP Business ByDesign uses a per-user model starting at $120/user/mo. Sage Intacct typical total cost is $50K–$200K vs $100K–$400K for SAP Business ByDesign.
Which is better for professional services: Sage Intacct or SAP Business ByDesign?
Both vendors serve professional services companies. Sage Intacct is typically chosen by 51-250, 251-1000 employee organizations, while SAP Business ByDesign targets 51-250, 251-1000 employee companies. Consider your company size and specific module needs to decide.
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