Best Accounts Payable Automation Software Shortlist
There are the platforms I looked at and determined were best as accounts payable automation software:
- Pairsoft - Best for fast-growing businesses
- Tipalti - Best for global accounts payable automation
- Basware - Best for predictive analytics and benchmarking
- Nanonets - Best for streamlining invoice data capture
- Stampli - Best for collaboration
- BILL - Best for marketing agencies
- Airbase - Best for startups
- Teampay - Best for fast-moving teams
- Quadient AP Automation By Beanworks - Best for managing multiple locations or divisions
- Oracle NetSuite - Best for enterprise organizations
- Melio - Best for small budgets
- Bonsai - Best for small businesses
Overview of the 12 Best Accounts Payable Automation Software
Here’s a brief description of each AP automation tool that showcases each one’s best use case, its noteworthy features, and some pros & cons. I’ve also added screenshots to give you a glimpse of each tool’s user interface.
If you're looking for general accounts payable software with automation built in, this list will work; however, I've also created a round-up of the best accounts payable software, in general.
1. Pairsoft - Best for fast-growing businesses
Pairsoft is an accounts payable and procurement automation solution that helps capture and manage a large number of purchase invoices with ease, saving a lot of time. The platform was created when the companies Paramount and Pairsoft merged their businesses and combined their software solutions.
Why I picked Pairsoft
Pairsoft is the product of a merger between Paramount and Papersave—leaders in AP automation and procurement automation, respectively, before the merger.
The result? Automation across the entire procure-to-pay process. Not just accounts payable.
This one could offer one of the best ROIs for fast-growing businesses because it offers unlimited users and storage. There are no price increases as you grow. No need to pay more as your AP volume surges.
Pairsoft Standout Features and Integrations
Features include streamlined, automated approval pathways, integrations with several ERPs, and a vendor self-service portal that allows your vendors to update their details without you getting involved. However, Pairsoft is best known for industry-leading OCR technology to extract data from physical and digital invoices.
Integrations include several ERP solutions: Blackbaud, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Oracle Netsuite, and Sage Intacct.
Price: Custom pricing available upon request
Free Trial: Free demo available.
Pros
- End-to-end procure-to-pay automation.
- Vendor self-service.
- Unlimited users and storage.
Cons
- Unclear pricing.
- Not many integrations.
2. Tipalti - Best for global accounts payable automation
Tipalti is a cloud-based global accounts payable, payments, and procurement automation solution. It helps businesses with several functions, including invoice processing, payment reconciliation, international tax compliance, and more.
Why I picked Tipalti
Tipalti supports cross-border payments to 196 countries in 120 currencies and offers payees a lot of help in filling out the right tax forms through its self-service portal.
Tipalti, therefore, could work pretty well if you’re expanding into other countries or operating in other countries already.
Tipalti Standout Features and Integrations
Features that make Tipalti stand out, in particular, are its global payments. Tipalti built 26,000 global banking rules into its software, helping it validate payment and banking data instantly in almost 200 countries and 120 currencies. It also helps handle local tax and VAT information. Other features include self-service vendor onboarding, the Tipalti Detect AP fraud monitoring tool, extensive PO matching features, payment tracking, and payment dispute resolution.
Integrations include Acumatica, Affise, Cake, Everflow, HasOffers, HitPath, LinkTrust, Oracle NetSuite, Paladin, Quickbooks, Xero, Sage, and Intacct.
Price: Starts at $149/month.
Free Trial: Free demo available.
Pros
- Easy to juggle procure-to-pay and compliance across multiple currencies and countries.
- Clean and navigable interface.
- Extensive PO process management features.
Cons
- No mobile app.
- Extensive functionality can take a while to learn, despite good UI.
3. Basware - Best for predictive analytics and benchmarking
Basware is an AP and procurement automation solution boasting one of the world’s largest business networks. The platform uses its business network to help connect users to vendors and show you AP analytics from across your industry.
Why I picked Basware
Basware has the world’s largest business network, harvesting AP data from all the businesses that use it. As a result, you can compare your AP KPIs to others in your industry with Basware’s analytics tools.
All this, of course, comes alongside touchless invoicing capabilities.
Basware Features and Integrations
Features that make Basware stand out include dynamic discounting, coding templates for non-PO invoices, touchless invoicing, automation powered by AI and machine learning , and a massive business network you can use to connect to suppliers. You can also use this network to compare your AP data against competitors.
Integrations include Cortex, Elemica, IBM—Sterling Commerce, Inovis, Microsoft, OpenText, Oracle, SAP, Taulia, and TrueCommerce. It also integrates with over 250 ERPs across more than 175 countries.
Price: Custom pricing available upon request
Free Trial: Product demo available
Pros
- Allows for AP benchmarking against competitors.
- Predictive AP analytics.
- Integrates with over 250 ERP systems.
Cons
- Less customization than other programs.
- Can only process one invoice at a time.
4. Nanonets - Best for streamlining invoice data capture
Nanonets is an AI-powered document processing and management platform. With AI and ML, it helps users transfer invoice data to their systems in order to cut down on manual data entry. It’s less of a full AP automation system, instead connecting with other systems to streamline invoice processing.
Why I picked Nanonets
Nanonet's OCR technology can capture unstructured data from more than just invoices. IDs, bank statements, and other important documents are viable, and it can do so from multiple channels.
Features that make Nanonets a top AP automation solution include advanced OCR for extracting unstructured data from an array of documents, expense category automation, customizable workflows, and automated exception handling. Nanonets let you either train an AI model from scratch or choose one of their prebuilt models depending on what kind of data you need to pull from documents.
Integrations include Dropbox, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Sheets, Quickbooks, Sage, SharePoint, Xero, and Yardi. It can integrate with many other ERPs and accounting solutions, and you can connect Zapier for even more integrations.
Price: Starts at $499/month for up to 5,000 pages (or invoices).
Free Trial: Free trial for 500 pages.
Pros
- Can capture data from almost any business document.
- Several prebuilt AI models available for data capture.
- Organized and navigable UI.
Cons
- Can be expensive for companies with lower AP volume.
- Process to set up invoice mapping and tagging can be tedious.
5. Stampli - Best for collaboration
Stampli is an AP automation solution that helps teams communicate with each other and work together on AP matters. Aside from the usual AP automation capabilities, Stampli has several features designed specifically to help streamline collaboration with other team members and even suppliers and vendors.
Why I picked Stampli
Experiencing some organizational siloing? Stampli’s communications hub is a neat way to knock those walls down. Anyone with Stampli access, including suppliers, can comment on invoices and respond to those comments.
Stampli’s also quite upfront about its ERP integrations. This software’s theme is about connecting teams and stakeholders within your organization.
Features that set Stampli apart include a central communications hub where all stakeholders in the system can comment on invoices and respond to comments like a social media post. The main advantage is offering transparency to vendors and suppliers and strengthening relationships through open communication. Stampli also lets you customize roles, permissions, and vendor onboarding.
Integrations include Abila MIP, Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, Dealertrack DMS, Epicor, FinancialForce, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Oracle, Quickbooks, Sage, and SAP, plus integrations with tons of other ERP systems.
Price: Custom pricing available upon request
Free Trial: Product demo available
Pros
- Streamlined and centralized vendor and invoice communications.
- Integrates with numerous popular ERP systems, and integrations are customizable.
- Flexible reporting features.
Cons
- Little to no built-in PO functionality.
- No free trial and a lack of pricing transparency.
6. BILL - Best for marketing agencies
BILL is a cloud-based business financial management tool. The platform supports accounts payable and receivable automation and helps businesses analyze their cash flows and other financial metrics.
Why I picked BILL
BILL’s biggest selling point to me was how easy it is to find most things. If you need AP and AR, BILL lets you switch between both using the main menu on the left, assuming you get the plan that offers both.
Features BILL offers include user roles, vendor and supplier management, and custom approval policies. It also has a mobile app where you can do most of the AP and AR things the online portal lets you do, such as reviewing and approving bills, creating and sending invoices, and getting payment notifications.
Integrations include Earth Class Mail, Hubdoc, Microsoft Office, Oracle NetSuite, Quickbooks, Safe, Tallie, Tax1099.com, and Xero. Furthermore, BILL lets you import and export data between it and any accounting system or ERP platform that can import these files.
Price: Starts at $45/month for AP.
Free Trial: 30-day free trial.
Pros
- Fast setup process.
- Easy navigation between receivables and payables.
- Long free trial for AP.
Cons
- Cannot assign approvers in bulk.
- No phone number to reach customer service; must request a phone call on the website.
7. Airbase - Best for startups
Airbase is a cloud-based spend management platform that helps businesses control employee spend and management payments. The platform supports customized spend management policies and corporate card use and monitoring.
Why I picked Airbase
Airbase is a spend management platform, which means AP automation—but it leans more toward expense management.
If you have employees with corporate cards, this software has features that help you manage their spending and make sure they aren’t running up unnecessary expenses on the company’s dime.
Features that suit Airbase to startups include mainly its corporate card management. You can create virtual cards for employees, integrate with Amex cards, monitor spend, and sync card transactions to your accounting software with detailed rule-setting. Airbase pays cashback on card use, too. Other features include contract amortization, customizable expense approval rules for different departments, spend and invoice communications, and reporting and analytics.
Integrations include several accounting systems, like Oracle NetSuite, Quickbooks, Sage Intacct, and Xero. Airbase can also integrate with HR systems, like BambooHR, HR Partner, Namely, OneLogin, PayChex, and Zenefits. It also integrates with Amex and Silicon Valley Bank credit cards.
Price: Custom pricing available upon request
Free Trial: Free plan available.
Pros
- Helps manage company spend and corporate credit cards alongside AP.
- Real-time reporting for all non-payroll spend.
- Maintains all invoice information and communications in an inbox for each invoice.
Cons
- Less AP functionality than dedicated AP automation solutions.
- Mobile app functionality is limited.
8. Teampay - Best for fast-moving teams
Why I picked Teampay
Teampay shows you spend and AP data in real-time—every time you make a transaction. That’s great for startups and other small but growth-focused companies that need to keep a close eye on cash flows and monitor financial performance against forecasts.
Features that make Teampay stand out include custom PO and AP automation approval policies and an AI chatbot purchasing assistant that guides purchasing team members through transactions. This helps avoid leaving out important information during a purchase. Teampay also has real-time reporting—transactions automatically reconcile when entered—so teams can make decisions on the fly.
Integrations include Amazon Business, BambooHR, Google Workspace, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft Teams, OneLogin, Oracle NetSuite, Quickbooks, Square Payroll, and Xero. You can also connect to a paid Zapier account to unlock additional integrations.
Price: Custom pricing available upon request
Free Trial: Seven-day free trial.
Pros
- Real-time visibility into paid and unpaid invoices.
- Tracks and manages corporate credit cards.
- Integrates with other ADP software to manage payroll and HR alongside AP.
Cons
- Can’t split charges into two different categories.
- Mobile app only offers card management features.
9. Quadient AP Automation By Beanworks - Best for managing multiple locations or divisions
Quadient is a cloud-based accounting automation platform offering AP automation across the entire AP process for businesses with multiple divisions or locations. Customers can purchase AP automations individually or get everything in one.
Why I picked Quadient AP Automation By Beanworks
I enjoy how Quadient keeps all your offices and locations in one place so you can tab between them. Some AP solutions support many entities and locations, but they aren’t as easy to manage as Quadient.
Also, Quadient splits its AP automation features into different plans. For example, you can buy purchase order automations only or get everything.
Features that make Quadient stand out include multi-entity and multi-location management, which lets you swap between your organization’s various entities and locations in a few clicks. Quadient also has a document search, a mobile app where employees can upload invoices and submit expenses, and automatic fetching of invoices from email.
Integrations include Club Essential, Jonas Club, Microsoft Dynamics, Northstar, Oracle NetSuite, Quickbooks, Rent Manager, Safe, and Xero. Quadient also claims to offer custom integrations for any accounting software.
Price: Custom pricing available upon request
Free Trial: Free plan available.
Pros
- Streamlined multi-entity and multi-location management.
- Custom AP automation plan—choose which modules you want.
Cons
- No vendor portal.
- Rejected invoices are routed back to the start of the approval process.
10. Oracle NetSuite - Best for enterprise organizations
Oracle NetSuite offers larger organizations a one-stop shop for many software and automation needs.
Oracle NetSuite is a cloud-based ERP offering a suite of tools for B2B enterprises. The platform has modules that support nearly all functions larger organizations may need, and they all integrate with each other.
Why I picked Oracle NetSuite
Oracle has software for basically every business function. It also comes with a higher price tag than many other solutions, generally speaking, although you’ll have to reach out for custom prices.
As a result, Oracle NetSuite appeals to large international companies that need far more than just AP automation.
Features suiting Oracle Netsuite to large enterprises include configurable dashboards with various KPIs and notifications, saved reporting searches, automated journal entries, cash management, tax management, and HR tools. You can capture invoice data with OCR by simply dragging and dropping files into NetSuite. You can also capture invoices via mobile, and invoices automatically match to POs and receipts.
Integrations include various eCommerce storefronts, PoS systems, online marketplaces, and third-party logistics solutions, including its NetSuite connector. NetSuite SuiteCloud helps it integrate with many other solutions. Oh, and all NetSuite solutions integrate with each other.
Price: Custom pricing available upon request
Free Trial: Free demo available.
Pros
- Can manage multiple entities domestically and internationally.
- Has software solutions for almost every business function that can integrate with its AP automation module.
- Extensive and customizable financial reporting.
Cons
- The interface can take time to learn to navigate.
- Pricing is custom but tends to be high compared to other solutions.
11. Melio - Best for small budgets
Melio is a free cloud-based payment management solution that aims to streamline payments and invoices. It only charges for processing various transactions and integrates with common small business accounting software, making it a good option for businesses on a budget.
Why I picked Melio
Melio is the most basic option on this list. There isn’t a lot of automation beyond OCR, basic approval workflows, and recurring payments.
However, there is no monthly fee, and it's pretty lightweight. You only pay for certain payment methods. If you only ever pay with bank transfers and checks, you might never pay at all.
In my opinion, it’s a good option for small businesses or even sole proprietorships that need to keep their costs low and don’t need much more than the basics.
Features that make Melio a great free program include 1099 report generation, the ability to create approval workflows in a few clicks, and OCR for invoice data capture. It notably lets businesses pay vendors with credit cards, even if the vendors don’t accept cards. Plus, Melio can grab relevant data from synced accounting software if needed.
Integrations include a few small-business accounting programs like Freshbooks, Quickbooks, and Xero. It also integrates with Microsoft Dynamics Business Central.
Price: No monthly fees. 2.9% fee for credit and debit card transactions, 1% fee for same-day bank transfers, $20 fee for expedited check delivery and international US dollar transfers.
Free Trial: Product demo available
Pros
- No monthly fees, only fees for certain payment methods.
- Can pay vendors with credit cards even if they don’t accept them.
- Simple and intuitive interface.
Cons
- No automation features beyond the basics.
- No vendor portal.
12. Bonsai - Best for small businesses
Bonsai is a small-business accounting platform designed mainly for freelancers and service businesses that need help with accounting, financial management, and taxes. It also helps these types of businesses manage clients, projects, and their own billable time.
Why I picked Bonsai
Bonsai looks like it was designed with freelancers and other small service businesses in mind. It has a lot of features that these firms care about, from freelance-friendly quarterly tax tracking to CRM features to templates for various documents that service businesses rely on. That’s in addition to basic AP features, of course.
Features that make Bonsai great for small businesses include a template library for documents like proposals and contracts and a bank account connection for easy income and expense tracking. Bonsai also has client and project management functions built in. It can even help with some tax basics, like quarterly due dates and Schedule C creation, and offers some tax templates.
Integrations include Calendly, Clickup, Gmail, Hubspot CRM, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Sheets, Quickbooks, Trello, and Xero. Bonsai also offers a Zapier integration to connect with up to 1,500 other web services.
Price: From $17/month (billed annually).
Free Trial: Seven-day free trial.
Pros
- Lots of document templates service businesses need.
- Automatic income and expense tracking through bank transactions.
- Clear and affordable pricing.
Cons
- AP features are there, but sparse.
- Tax tracking features cost extra.
Other AP Automation Software Options
Here are a few more worthwhile options that didn’t make the best AP automation software list:
- Quickbooks: Best for sole proprietors
- Docuware: Best for remote teams
- MineralTree: Best for financial services firms
- Paymode-X: Best for earning rebates on AP spend
- Sage Intacct: Best for large organizations
How I Selected the Best Accounts Payable Automation Software
I evaluated and compared a wide range of AP automation tools by looking for critical AP automation features, looking at screenshots of their interfaces, and going through some product demos.
After gathering a long list of top choices, I trimmed it down to only the very best by evaluating each choice against the selection criteria below. I also drew on years of experience in finance and accounting to pinpoint features that add the most value.
Selection criteria
Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best accounts payable automation software for this article:
Core Functionality
The core function of accounts payable automation software is obviously automation of common AP tasks. I made sure the software I selected could automate invoice data extraction, data entry, recurring invoices, and approval workflows.
Some tools go above and beyond here, either with more advanced automations or AI. I’ve noted where that’s true.
Key Features
- Automation: These tools must be able to automate as many AP tasks as possible. Some automate the entire procurement process.
- Communication and collaboration: Teams can discuss and leave comments on invoices so everyone’s up to date on the who, what, and when for each invoice.
- OCR: OCR pulls data from paper and PDF invoices scanned in or sent via email to do the data entry for you.
- Reporting: Most of the solutions have tools to analyze payment-related analytics, such as invoice aging. The ones that don’t tend to be tailored to smaller businesses or can integrate with common tools that do have analytics.
Usability
I looked for tools that made it easy to set up and build the automations you need to make the most out of your platform.
Similarly, I made sure the OCR that these platforms have actually works most of the time. If the OCR isn’t good, it can actually slow you down.
Oh, and I made sure they have good customer service in case you run into issues.
Pricing
Some companies that automate more than just AP seem to hide their pricing. They instead ask that you request a quote since they have to customize their offer to your business.
Most software providers offer several plans or service tiers. Some charge per user or per invoice, and others charge a monthly fee. In general, based on the few tools that do publish prices, a small business can expect to spend anywhere from $25 to $150 a month for a basic starter plan. While enterprise packages for larger organizations can cost $500 a month, or more.
Plenty of these accounts payable automation software options offer at least a demo, if not a free trial.
Integrations
AP automation software works best if it integrates with your tech stack—especially your bookkeeping platform and email software.
I looked for AP solutions that can connect with common accounting solutions like Quickbooks, Xero, and Sage. Some of the companies represented make their own accounting software as well.
People Also Ask
Got more questions about AP automation or what to keep in mind when looking for a solution? Here are a few FAQs and answers:
What is accounts payable automation software?
What are the main benefits of automating AP?
What tasks can AP automation solutions handle?
Picking the Best Accounts Payable Automation Software
None of the options I discussed in this list are intrinsically better than the others; the best for you will depend on your industry, business size, vendor and supplier relationships, and the features you prefer.
Whatever your preference, the list above surely has one that’s a great fit for your business. Many offer free trials and demos, so don’t be afraid to try a few of them before you buy.
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