Honest comparison
Ovaro vs Sage.
Sage is the long-standing name in UK accounting software. Ovaro is the mobile-first, voice-driven alternative built specifically for one-person trades. Here's where they part ways.
In one line: Sage is built for accountants and businesses with bookkeeping needs. Ovaro is built for tradespeople who'd rather be on the next job than reconciling a ledger.
Feature-by-feature
Side-by-side.
| Feature | Ovaro | Sage |
|---|---|---|
| Send an invoice by voice | Yes | No |
| Built for one-person trades | Yes | General-purpose, accountant-led |
| Mobile-first capture | Yes — voice + receipts in seconds | Mobile app, but desktop-first workflow |
| MTD for Income Tax 2026 | Built to HMRC spec | Recognised |
| MTD for VAT | Yes | Yes |
| Pay-by-card link on invoices | One click, built in | Add-on (Stripe / GoCardless) |
| Time to first invoice | Minutes | Hours / accountant onboarding |
| Starting UK price | From £8/mo | From ~£15/mo (Accounting Start) |
Pricing and features compared in good faith from each provider's public UK pages. Always check the current plan before deciding.
The honest take
Which one is right for you.
Choose Ovaro if
You want the fastest path from finishing a job to a paid invoice, with HMRC compliance handled in the background.
Choose Sage if
Your accountant uses Sage, you have employees, or you need traditional double-entry bookkeeping and detailed financial reporting.
See it for yourself in 60 seconds.
Your first invoice is included — create it, send it, get paid via Stripe. Then £3.99/mo Basic or £6.99/mo Premium.
Other comparisons
Browse Ovaro
For your trade
Free tools
Resources
- Making Tax Digital guide
- HMRC-recognised software
- Pricing
- FAQ
- Blog
- Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: what April 2026 actually means for UK sole traders
- Voice invoicing: how UK tradespeople send a legal invoice from the van in under 30 seconds
- Allowable expenses for UK sole traders: the HMRC categories explained