Act by Sage. Sage Act. Act Premium. Act Pro. Act for Web. Act Growth Suite. Act Saas. Act CRM. Act Companion. Act Essentials. What’s in a name? In this case, a whole lot of confusion! Although the Act product has been owned by Swiftpage (who purchased it from Sage Software) since 2015 the upper management has changed (and changed and changed) numerous times since then. Those changes have brought changes to everything from the product naming to changes in fonts, colors, and even capitalization. Those changes have brought a lot of confusion to Act users. Here’s a brief rundown of some of the various Act names.- Sage Act (or Act by Sage): Now you are showing your age. During the 10 plus years that Sage owned the product they embedded their name into the title. This time period probably represented the highest period of growth for Act as many Act users still try to reach out to “Sage” for support.
- Act Premium Perpetual License: Once upon a time you could purchase Act Premium and use it forever and ever – or until either you or your computer crossed the rainbow bridge. In 2016 Act Premium transitioned to an “annual subscription” platform. Shortly afterwards the licensing scheme mysteriously changed meaning that although you could use your Premium product for a long time you wouldn’t be able to use it on another machine.
- Act Premium Subscription is the traditional “non web” version that many of you are familiar with. Just remember this about Act Premium. It is not “on the web” but does require a yearly renewal. It includes Technical Support. It now includes the “entry-level” version of Act Marketing Automation which includes 2,500 emails/month.
- Act Pro: This is the little brother to Act Premium. It was designed for single users or very small business all working together in the same location. It was a perpetual product meaning it was a “one-time” purchase. This product was discontinued in June, 2021 although there are still a few copies to be found. Just remember, if you do purchase Act Pro it is “no longer supported” which means if you have Outlook 365 or purchase the new version of Windows when it’s released it will probably stop working and can’t be “fixed.”
- Act for Web: This product was literally Act Premium designed to work on a web server. Unfortunately it was based on older technology and users complained about spotty performance. Swiftpage used to offer hosting for this, and still hosts thousands of users on this platform. Although Swiftpage will no longer host new subscribers you can self-host his product or work with an Act Hosting Partner. One of the cool things about this product is that you can work in a mixed environment of both web and desktop users.
- Act Marketing Automation (AMA): This product allows you to reach out to your customers or prospects via email along the lines of Constant Contact or Mail Chimp directly from your Act database. More importantly your campaign results will be written back into the database so you’ll know who bounced, who opted-out and who actually wants to buy something from you. All current Act products include some form of AMA.
- Act Growth Suite: Gone and forgotten. When AMA first arrived on the scene you had to purchase it separately. Act Growth Suite gave you a discount to purchase Act for Web, Act Premium and AMA in one bundle.
- Act CRM: This is the latest and greatest offering. It is 100% “cloud based.” It can be purchased as either a monthly or yearly subscription. You can upload your current Act Database to the Standard and Expert versions; your layouts and all your data will remain in tact. There are three flavors; although all three include some form of Act Marketing Automation there are a few “gotchas” you need to know before purchasing.
- Act Essentials: Are you a brand new user who just needs the barebones of CRM to carry around on your phone? This product would work for you. Need multiple users, have an existing database or need custom fields? This is not your product!
- Act Standard: This is the most popular choice for users seeking a cloud solution. It will import your existing Act database (unless you have a really old database circa Act 6 or older) preserving all your data and even your layout. However, although you can edit or delete your existing fields, you cannot create new ones.
- Act Expert: Have a really large database that requires new fields and advanced queries? This is your product although it carries a very hefty price tag.
I know it’s hard to name a product – or your kids! I struggled naming my daughters and hoped that they wouldn’t demand a name change when they reached their teens. I am trying to name my new puppy and it’s not easy! But most of us don’t have “do-overs” which, as in the case of Act!, lead to a whole lot of confusion.
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Still confused? I’m here to help! Please reach out to the Act Consultants at Tech Benders!
Karen – I‘ve been using Act! for 20+ years and currently have Sage ACT! Pro 2013 Version 15.1.108.0. Over the last year or so it seems to be more and more unstable and prone to freezing up and crashing altogether.
I’m ready to move to the cloud based version and don’t know if I need the Essentials or Standard version. My questions are:
1) Should I have any concerns about data conversion? Would I just be exporting to a csv file?
2) I noticed on your site that you sell some versions – is that only the stand alone, non-cloud based version or can I buy the annual subscription version from you? And will I save any money buying future support/training by buying from you?
3) Is the cloud based version only accessible by Windows devices (I’ll be using a PC and a Surface 7)or can I access data through iOS devices (iPad and iPhone)?
4) Will the Free Trial allow me to convert my actual Version 15 database?
Thanks for reaching out to Tech Benders!
First of all, I am shocked that you are able to use Act! 2013 at all. The licensing format changed and should you most to another operating system or computer you will not be able to register it. You’ve been walking a tightrope for 5 years!
In answer to your other questions:
1) Should I have any concerns about data conversion? Would I just be exporting to a csv file? No, you won’t be using a .csv file unless you no longer want your histories, activities, notes and a ton of other data. Your data will convert over successfully from a backup.
2) I noticed on your site that you sell some versions – is that only the stand alone, non-cloud based version or can I buy the annual subscription version from you? And will I save any money buying future support/training by buying from you? I sell all versions of Act! including the new web version. Most importantly, I answer all your pre-sales questions (like these) and make sure you purchase the correct product. However, I can’t discount the new version. What I do offer to all my subscription customers is free email support. No, I won’t hop on your machine to support you or give you training for free. But I will answer basic questions and point you in the correct direction for Swiftpage support if needed. I can also escalate support calls if one of the support people was “not up to the challenge.”
3) Is the cloud based version only accessible by Windows devices (I’ll be using a PC and a Surface 7)or can I access data through iOS devices (iPad and iPhone)? OK, when you say iPad and iPhone those are not computers and have tiny little screens. Theoretically you could access your data via a browser but it would probably be fairly hard to see. You do get a mobile app with your purchase which is what you should use.
4) Will the Free Trial allow me to convert my actual Version 15 database? Honestly, they should but I can’t guarantee that they would do it for a trial. Because your database is so old there’s a longer conversion process as it has to convert to v16 first and then on to the newer version.
Here’s the link to the free trial: https://buy.act.com/en-US/trial/product/ActPremium/plan/Month?ror=A00002312 Let me know if you have other questions.
I’m on an ancient version of ACT and I’m moving to Windows 10 so it’s time to upgrade. I need a local install and I’m too small for a subscription. I’m good with v18-v20 or whatever is comparable with Win 10, 64 bit and with Office (Word). What do you recommend for a local install onetime fee solution?
Thanks for reaching out to Tech Benders!
First of all, I would stay away from older versions of Act! v18-20 that you might find on the Internet. Act! has both a license and an activation tolerance. That means that although the software might have a valid license if it’s been registered before you might not be able to get it activated.
It’s also important that you know what version of Office you will be using prior to your Act! purchase. Although I do have copies of the “one time” Act! Pro v22 available it won’t work with versions of Office older than 2013. I would also not recommend using Act! Pro with Office 365 and Act! Pro v22 is a discontinued product and won’t receive further updates.