Compare
Zivobooks vs Sage
Sage has served Southern African businesses for decades, and Sage Pastel desktop is still common in South Africa, Zimbabwe and their neighbours. Sage’s products differ by country. Zivobooks is a single cloud product for businesses across Southern Africa and the Gulf, with the till, payroll, tax and the books together.
Side by side
What matters for a business here
The points that decide whether accounting software works in Southern Africa and the Gulf, and how each product handles them.
Two currencies in one sale
Zivobooks
Price in US dollars and take ZiG (or rand, or any currency you trade in) at the till or on an invoice, in the same sale, with exchange differences posted.
Sage Accounting and Sage Pastel
Depends on the Sage product and country. Check whether it handles a sale paid in two currencies.
Fiscalisation with the tax authority
Zivobooks
Built in, to each authority’s specification, for ZIMRA (Zimbabwe), ZRA (Zambia), MRA (Malawi), AGT (Angola), BURS (Botswana), Lesotho, ZATCA (Saudi Arabia) and the UAE; live in each country once its authority approves Zivobooks.
Sage Accounting and Sage Pastel
Depends on the product and country. Check which tax authorities it connects to.
A till for the counter and tables
Zivobooks
An offline till with X and Z reports, supervisor PINs, loyalty, vouchers, lay-bys, and tables with a kitchen screen.
Sage Accounting and Sage Pastel
Counter sales usually come from a separate POS system.
Mobile money
Zivobooks
EcoCash, MoMo, Airtel Money and M-Pesa numbers on every invoice, Paynow and Pesepay checkouts, and mobile money at the till.
Sage Accounting and Sage Pastel
Depends on the product and country.
Payroll with local rules
Zivobooks
Built in across Southern Africa and the Gulf, from ZIMRA PAYE and NSSA to SARS EMP501, the UAE WPS file and Saudi GOSI.
Sage Accounting and Sage Pastel
Sage sells payroll products in South Africa and other countries, usually separately from accounting.
Languages
Zivobooks
English, Portuguese and Arabic (right to left), for Mozambique, Angola and the Gulf.
Sage Accounting and Sage Pastel
Depends on the product and country.
Moving across
Zivobooks
Imports from QuickBooks, Xero, Sage and Zoho Books, and every report as PDF, Excel or CSV.
Sage Accounting and Sage Pastel
Exports reports and lists; desktop versions keep data on your own computer.
About Sage Accounting and Sage Pastel: from its own public website, checked October 2026. Products change, and some features depend on the plan and the country; check with them before you decide. Sage Accounting and Sage Pastel is a trademark of its owner, and Zivobooks is not connected to it.
When Sage may suit you better
We would rather you choose the right tool. Sage is a good choice if:
- You want desktop software that runs without the internet all day.
- You already use other Sage products, such as Sage payroll, and want them together.
- Your accountant works mainly in Sage Pastel.
Moving from Sage
Bring your customers, suppliers, items, chart of accounts and balances across from Sage or Pastel exports with the Sage import.
- 1Start your free trial and choose your country.
- 2Connect or upload your Sage export.
- 3Check the opening balances, then invite your team and accountant.
Switching from Sage: your questions
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Ask us directly, and a person will answer.
Can I move my books from Sage to Zivobooks?
Bring your customers, suppliers, items, chart of accounts and balances across from Sage or Pastel exports with the Sage import.
Does Zivobooks work in my country?
Zivobooks is built for 20 countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Angola; the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait; and the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand.
Can I try Zivobooks before I switch?
Yes. Every feature is free for 30 days, with no card. Import your data, run the two side by side for a month, and decide.
Will my accountant be able to work in it?
Yes. Invite your accountant with the role you choose. Accountants can manage their first client free, and every report downloads as PDF, Excel or CSV.
Give your business the back office it deserves.
Try every feature free for 30 days. No card, no contract, and your data is always yours to export.
30 days free · Then from $5 a month · Cancel any time · Works on phone, tablet and computer