All comparisons

Comparison

Forge ERP vs. Sage 100 Contractor

Sage 100 Contractor (formerly Master Builder) has been the step up from QuickBooks for small and mid-size contractors for a long time, with job costing, AIA billing and construction payroll in one Windows application. The question for a contractor evaluating it today is how long that architecture fits, and what the next step after it costs.

Updated October 2026

At a glance

Vendor descriptions below reflect publicly available positioning as of the date on this page and may change. Confirm current features, editions and pricing with the vendor before deciding.

Sage 100 ContractorForge ERP
CategoryConstruction accounting and management for small to mid-size contractorsERP for project-based businesses, construction first
ArchitectureWindows desktop application; hosting available through partnersCloud, multi-tenant, browser-based
PayrollNative, including certified payrollThrough your payroll provider; job-costed labor with burden lands in Forge
Job cost and billingJob cost, AIA billing, change orders, equipment, service managementJob cost with committed cost, AIA-style billing, retainage, subcontract pay applications, WIP
ControlsUser security; approval workflow limited compared with cloud financial systemsPrepare/approve/post separation on every posting, governed ledger, audit history
Multi-entitySeparate company filesMulti-entity by design
ProcoreConnector availablePlanned
Vendor directionSage’s cloud investment is in Sage IntacctCloud-native from the start
MaturityEstablished, large installed baseBeta; no published customer results yet

Where Sage 100 Contractor is stronger

  • Native construction payroll and certified payroll in the same system
  • Service management and equipment modules for contractors who need them today
  • A long history, many reference customers and bookkeepers who know it

Where Forge is different

  • No server or hosted desktop; the whole team works in a browser, including from the field
  • Approvals and posting controls that satisfy an audit without a workaround
  • Multi-entity without separate company files
  • A direct cutover with import duplicate matching and revert, instead of a partner-run migration
  • An AI assistant that prepares drafts inside your permissions

Who should choose which

Choose Sage 100 Contractor if you need in-house payroll, service management or equipment accounting now and are comfortable with a desktop system. Choose Forge if you are moving to the cloud, run payroll in a provider, and want the controls and multi-entity structure you would otherwise get by stepping up to a larger system later. If you are already on Sage 100 Contractor and being steered toward Intacct, compare Forge alongside it; the cutover work is similar.

Forge ERP covers projects, purchasing, accounts payable, billing and receivables, job cost and WIP, reporting and close. Payroll runs in your payroll provider and lands in Forge as job-costed labor with burden. Forge is in beta with a 14-day free trial.

Frequently asked

Is Sage 100 Contractor being discontinued?
Sage continues to sell and support Sage 100 Contractor; its cloud investment is centered on Sage Intacct. Check Sage’s current roadmap statements before deciding.

Construction accounting guides

See it on your own cost codes.

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