231 verified reviews
Every published review of Sage Payroll, unedited beyond length and clarity. Vendor responses are shown alongside the review they answer.
231 reviews match · page 8 of 24
DZDavid Zwane
Chief Executive Officer
South AfricaKlerksdorp51 to 200 employeesIt works. It is not enjoyable, but payroll rarely is. The Sage compliance engine without a local installation. Beyond that it is more ordinary than the marketing suggests. It sits squarely in the middle for us, useful but not something I would champion. Fine for our needs. Test it properly against your own requirements.
What works
The Sage compliance engine without a local installation. Setup was straightforward.
What does not
The reporting cannot break cost down by department. No bargaining council support.
ZPZodwa PretoriusVerified
Senior Bookkeeper
NigeriaNigeria201 to 500 employeesWe switched after our previous provider got an ETI calculation wrong. Backed by the largest accounting software vendor in the market. That is the part that genuinely changed how we work. Nothing has come up in the last year that I would call a real problem. If you are weighing it up, do the trial with your own data and you will see it.
What works
Posts straight into Sage Accounting with no export step. IRP5 files validated in e@syFile without a single rejection. Employee self service cut payslip queries almost to zero.
What does not
The interface takes a while for a new administrator.
GBGerhard Baloyi
Creditors Clerk
South AfricaRustenburg11 to 50 employeesWe had to rebuild two EMP501 submissions by hand. For context, the parts we were sold on never worked the way they were demonstrated. It has cost us more time than it has saved. I would look elsewhere unless price is the only consideration.
What works
It is cheaper than the alternatives.
What does not
The March year end process was poorly documented. Leave accruals did not follow BCEA rules. Support could not explain their own statutory outputs.
LTLizelle TitusVerified
Founder
South AfricaStellenbosch11 to 50 employeesI have run payroll on four different systems and this is the one I would choose again. The Sage compliance engine without a local installation. That is the part that genuinely changed how we work. Nothing has come up in the last year that I would call a real problem. Worth the migration effort, which is not something I say often.
What works
Backed by the largest accounting software vendor in the market. EMP201 and EMP501 submissions have been correct every period. Support answers in South African hours and understands the question.
What does not
There is no real HR functionality, so we run a second system.
LMLerato MotaungVerified
Wages Clerk
ZimbabweZimbabwe51 to 200 employeesThe tax year end is what convinced me. Nothing broke. Backed by the largest accounting software vendor in the market. That is the part that genuinely changed how we work. Nothing has come up in the last year that I would call a real problem. If you are weighing it up, do the trial with your own data and you will see it.
What works
Backed by the largest accounting software vendor in the market. The ACB file imports into our bank without a support call. IRP5 files validated in e@syFile without a single rejection.
What does not
Reporting outside the statutory pack is thin.
SRSiyabonga RobertsVerified
Wages Clerk
South AfricaBloemfontein11 to 50 employeesWe switched after our previous provider got an ETI calculation wrong. Backed by the largest accounting software vendor in the market. That is the part that genuinely changed how we work. There are irritations, and none of them are the kind that make you look elsewhere. I would recommend it to a business of our size without hesitation.
What works
Posts straight into Sage Accounting with no export step. IRP5 files validated in e@syFile without a single rejection. BCEA leave accruals are right without configuration.
What does not
There is no real HR functionality, so we run a second system.
CMCharmaine MabasoVerified
Founder
South AfricaCape Town51 to 200 employeesWe run about ninety staff on this and it has not missed a submission. The Sage compliance engine without a local installation. That is the part that genuinely changed how we work. There are irritations, and none of them are the kind that make you look elsewhere. Worth the migration effort, which is not something I say often.
What works
Backed by the largest accounting software vendor in the market. EMP201 and EMP501 submissions have been correct every period. The ACB file imports into our bank without a support call.
What does not
Reporting outside the statutory pack is thin.
SKSarisha Khumalo
General Manager
South AfricaPretoria11 to 50 employeesThe tax year end is what convinced me. Nothing broke. Posts straight into Sage Accounting with no export step. That is the part that genuinely changed how we work. Nothing has come up in the last year that I would call a real problem. Two years in and nobody has suggested we look at alternatives.
What works
Backed by the largest accounting software vendor in the market. Employee self service cut payslip queries almost to zero. EMP201 and EMP501 submissions have been correct every period.
What does not
Reporting outside the statutory pack is thin.
MSMusa SegwapaVerified
Learning and Development Manager
South AfricaKimberley201 to 500 employeesCompliance side is solid, the day to day is more of a slog than it should be. Posts straight into Sage Accounting with no export step. Beyond that it is more ordinary than the marketing suggests. It sits squarely in the middle for us, useful but not something I would champion. I would shortlist it, not necessarily pick it.
What works
Backed by the largest accounting software vendor in the market. Setup was straightforward.
What does not
Wage and shift payroll is weaker than salaried. No bargaining council support.
Response from the vendor22 Jan 2026
Thank you for the feedback and for being a customer. We have shared your comments on the mobile experience with our product team, and a redesigned application is currently in beta.
NVNokuthula VenterVerified
Creditors Clerk
South AfricaVereeniging11 to 50 employeesThe tax year end is what convinced me. Nothing broke. Posts straight into Sage Accounting with no export step. That is the part that genuinely changed how we work. Nothing has come up in the last year that I would call a real problem. If you are weighing it up, do the trial with your own data and you will see it.
What works
The Sage compliance engine without a local installation. Support answers in South African hours and understands the question. ETI is calculated on the sliding scale and shows its working.
What does not
Reporting outside the statutory pack is thin.
