Skip to main content

Good cash flow management requires a firm handle on accounts payable. With the right software, you can keep a closer eye on payment schedules and outstanding liabilities, ensuring your business stays financially healthy while you maximize your usable cash.

I’ve reviewed the top options and created a shortlist for you. Here are the best accounts payable software tools in 2025—complete with why they stand out, what they excel at, and the types of businesses they’re best suited for.

Best Accounts Payable Software Comparison Chart

Here's a quick overview of the tools I've covered, how much they cost, and links to go check them out for yourself.

If you want my take on each of them, keep on reading.

Tool Best For Trial Info Price
1
Payouts

Payouts' dashboard facilitates the management of pending invoices, allowing users to keep track of outstanding payments and manage cash flow effectively.

Best for diverse payout methods

Free demo available

Pricing upon request Website
2
Procurify

Procurify is all about helping your business reduce waste.

Best for spend management

Free demo available

Pricing upon request Website
3
Centime

Centime allows you and your suppliers to track payment progress in one place.

Best all-in-one accounts payable software

Free demo available

From $149/month Website
4
Nanonets

Nanonets lets you upload, review, and approve invoices all in one place.

Best for customizable AP workflow automation

Free trial for 500 pages

From $499/month for up to 5,000 pages (or invoices) Website
5
Xero

Xero doesn’t include every feature, but it’s enough for small businesses to get started.

Best for small businesses

30-day free trial

From $1.40/month Website
6
Melio

Melio lets you manage your invoices and payments to help organize the accounts payable process.

Best for flexible payments and approval workflows

Free trial + free plan available

From $18.50/month + $8/user/month (billed annually) Website
7
DOKKA

DOKKA's automated invoice processing feature streamlines and automates the extraction and organization of invoice data.

Best for AI-driven invoice automation

Free demo available

Pricing upon request Website
8
Zoho Books

Zoho Books has built-in vendor management software.

Best for vendor management

Free trial + free plan available

From $15/month (billed annually) Website
9
FreshBooks

FreshBooks makes invoicing easy.

Best invoice tracking

30-day free trial

From $10/month (billed annually) Website
10
MineralTree

MineralTree offers extensive automation options.

Best time-saving tool

Free demo available

From $1/invoice Website

Overviews of the 10 Best Accounts Payable Software

Below, you’ll find overviews of the 10 best accounts payable tools. Each overview contains a summary of standout features, integrations, available pricing details, and some notable pros and cons.

Best for diverse payout methods

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

Payouts is a tailored accounts payable automation software designed to optimize financial workflows for businesses operating in the digital economy. It provides robust tools for automating payouts, managing vendor relationships, and integrating with tracking systems critical for affiliate marketing and digital advertising platforms.

Why I picked Payouts: Payouts excels in AP automation by automating invoice processing and approval workflows, which helps reduce errors and shorten payment cycles. Its vendor management tools allow suppliers to submit invoices directly through a portal and track their payments, fostering transparency and improving supplier relationships. With support for multiple payout methods—including global accounts, virtual cards, and eWallets—it enables seamless transactions across various channels and currencies, making it especially useful for businesses operating in global markets.

Payouts Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include advanced invoicing tools that ensure precise and timely billing. It also includes advanced data synchronization that ensures your financial systems and the Payouts platform are always aligned and one-click payment execution that lets you pay anyone, anywhere, with minimal effort. These features enable your business to operate smoothly across different regions and manage expenses effectively.

Integrations include Everflow, CJ Affiliate, Awin, PayPal, Venmo, Payoneer, NetSuite, Priority, Workday, Skrill, and Tune.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Supports scaling operations
  • Multiple payout methods
  • Comprehensive automation of accounts payable processes

Cons:

  • May require time to fully customize
  • Potential challenges integrating with existing systems

Best for spend management

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

Spend management is about managing supplier relationships and purchases to make the most out of every dollar. Procurify is a tool that gives you real-time visibility and control over all of the spending within your business.

Why I picked Procurify: Being a profitable business isn’t just about how much money you bring in. It’s also important to budget, as well as have controls in place to eliminate rogue spending. Procurify gives you the tools you need to manage and reduce waste in your business.

Procurify Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include easy automations for every stage of the accounts payable process, including purchase orders, expense management, vendor management, and real-time dashboards.

You can quickly set up and customize your own workflow approval processes to help streamline your accounts payable process.

Integrations include QuickBooks, NetSuite, Slack, and an open API for other software.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Real-time, customizable dashboards
  • No hidden fees
  • Custom workflows and approval processes

Cons:

  • Limited integration options
  • No free trial

Best all-in-one accounts payable software

  • Free demo available
  • From $149/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

Centime is a tool that offers integrated cash management solutions for businesses, including automated accounts receivable and payable, cash flow forecasting, and seamless integration with popular accounting systems. This allows for more financial visibility in a single platform.

Why I picked Centime: It's a unique accounts payable software due to its comprehensive approach to cash management. It not only provides a centralized platform for automating accounts payable and accounts receivable but also offers a suite of banking solutions and a dashboard for efficient cash flow monitoring and decision-making.

Centime Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include accounts payable automation to manage invoices and payments, KPI tracking for monitoring financial performance, and accounts receivable automation with secure payment options and automated collections workflows. Additionally, Centime offers working capital credit with an easy application process for short-term cash needs.

Integrations include NetSuite, QuickBooks, and Sage Intacct.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Monitors cash flow forecasts and outstanding debts
  • Tracks KPIs, days sales outstanding, and days payables outstanding
  • Management of accounts payables and receivables with automated triggers

Cons:

  • Can be overwhelming for first-time users
  • Starting price may be expensive for some businesses

Best for customizable AP workflow automation

  • Free trial for 500 pages
  • From $499/month for up to 5,000 pages (or invoices)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.9/5

Nanonets is an AI-powered platform designed to help businesses automate document workflows. It leverages machine learning to automatically extract data from a wide variety of documents, making it easier for teams to handle large volumes of paperwork. 

Why I picked Nanonets: Nanonets offers specific features tailored for invoice and payment processing. Its automated data extraction from invoices removes the need for manual data entry, reducing the chance of human error. Additionally, it offers customizable approval workflows, allowing teams to set up multi-level approvals to match your company’s processes. The platform also provides real-time tracking of invoices, giving teams visibility into where each document is in the approval process.

Nanonets Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include document classification that automatically categorizes documents based on their content, saving your team the hassle of manual organization. It also supports intelligent document merging, allowing you to combine related documents into one file. It even offers detailed audit trails, ensuring that every action taken on a document is logged and accessible for compliance purposes. 

Integrations include QuickBooks, Salesforce, Xero, Sage, NetSuite, Yardi, Google Drive, SharePoint, Notion, Gmail, Airtable, Dropbox, Microsoft D365, Google Sheets, and Zapier.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Real-time tracking of invoices
  • Customizable approval workflows
  • Accurate data extraction from invoices

Cons:

  • Initial setup can take time
  • Occasional processing delays for large documents

Best for small businesses

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $1.40/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

Xero is the accounts payable software that I recommend for small businesses. It’s user-friendly, safe and secure, and relatively user-friendly. While it doesn’t have every feature, it’s enough to get most companies started.

Why I picked Xero: It’s a cloud-based accounting software. That means you don’t need to have servers to store huge amounts of files and data locally. It also gives you access to your accounts wherever you are, on any device. That makes it great for small business owners who are traveling to farmer’s markets, trade shows, craft fairs, or festivals.

Xero Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include free product updates—no more having to buy new versions of software or upgrade every few years! It also shines with real-time updates and collaboration and offers a large variety of add-ons you can download for customization.

Integrations include payment options like Stripe, Square, and Paypal, along with Various payroll HR, inventory, CRM, e-commerce, and time-tracking apps.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Inexpensive
  • Scalable for growing businesses
  • Makes bank reconciliation easy to understand

Cons:

  • Cheapest plan has a limit of 20 invoices and five bills per month
  • No annual billing option

Best for flexible payments and approval workflows

  • Free trial + free plan available
  • From $18.50/month + $8/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.6/5

Melio is a comprehensive payment and accounting solution designed for businesses to organize their financial operations. It allows businesses to pay vendors, suppliers, and any business bills, as well as manage accounts receivable by sending invoices and receiving payments online.

Why I picked Melio: Melio offers flexible payment options, like bank transfers and virtual cards, and offers fast payment options like same-day bank transfers and instant payments. Furthermore, Melio's approval workflow feature allows businesses to share responsibilities and maintain control over the payment process, adding an extra layer of security and oversight.

Melio Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include accounts payable and receivable, invoice creation, pay over time, bulk payments, role and permission assignment, international payment support, and a mobile app for payments on the go.

Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, and Amazon Business.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • ACH bank transfers are completely free to send
  • Users can schedule and automate payments
  • Offers deferred payment options

Cons:

  • Could offer more integrations
  • International payments can only be made in USD and are limited to bank transfers or Mastercard credit cards

Best for AI-driven invoice automation

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

DOKKA is an accounting automation software that utilizes artificial intelligence to assist in the processing of invoices, the management of approval workflows, and the archiving of financial documents.

Why I picked DOKKA: I selected DOKKA as the accounts payable software after evaluating its AI-powered capabilities and the efficiency it promises in invoice processing. What differentiates DOKKA is its pre-trained AI, which facilitates a quick and straightforward implementation process, coupled with rapid user adoption. I believe DOKKA is best for AI-driven invoice automation due to its ability to expedite invoice processing, streamline approvals, and integrate seamlessly with ERP systems.

DOKKA Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include the tool's intelligent document management system, which uses AI to categorize and file documents automatically, making retrieval quick and easy. DOKKA also features customizable workflows, which enable businesses to tailor the software to their specific needs, and real-time collaboration features, which allow teams to communicate and make decisions without leaving the platform.

Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, FreshBooks, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Zoho Books, MYOB, and Wave. 

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Offers enhanced collaboration features
  • Provides customizable workflows
  • Highly accurate data extraction

Cons:

  • Price may be too high for small businesses
  • Steep initial learning curve

Best for vendor management

  • Free trial + free plan available
  • From $15/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

In a growing business, it can be hard to keep track of all of your suppliers and maintain good relationships with them. Zoho Books has built-in vendor management software that helps ‌ simplify how you handle vendor relationships.

Why I picked Zoho Books: It’s the only AP software I’ve come across with this level of detail given to optimizing vendors and contracts. It allows you to keep track of vendors and their contracts at a glance.

Zoho Books Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include a vendor management system that allows you to rate vendors based on quality of service, delivery time, complaint history, and other factors. You can then use this information to assign contracts to vendors based on performance. There’s also a vendor portal where vendors can upload transactions, and view purchase orders and invoices.

Integrations include Stripe, Paypal, Zapier, Dropbox, Slack, and Office 365.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Low-cost options
  • Wide range of features
  • Free plan available

Cons:

  • Invoice customization is limited
  • Lower-priced plans are restrictive in terms of features

Best invoice tracking

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $10/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

FreshBooks has features like automated invoice reminders. You can customize when it sends a follow-up to clients for unpaid invoices. It also allows you to easily add tracked time and expenses directly to invoices.

Why I picked FreshBooks: It instantly keeps you up-to-date with when an invoice has been viewed and paid by a client. The software automatically tracks the inventory that you bill on invoices and adjusts accordingly. Plus, you can check on invoices from anywhere with the mobile app.

FreshBooks Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include automatic expense tracking. You can also set up recurring billing and client retainers and run business health reports.

Integrations include over 100 apps and tools like PayPal.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Phone support 8 am to 8 pm EST, plus email support
  • Automate recurring invoices
  • User-friendly interface on both PC and mobile

Cons:

  • Lite plan lacks basic double-entry accounting reports
  • Lower plans have restrictive limits on users and clients

Best time-saving tool

  • Free demo available
  • From $1/invoice
Visit Website
Rating: 4.6/5

MineralTree claims it can help you reduce costs by as much as 80% by automating your complete accounts payable process. This frees up time for your accounting staff to focus on more big-picture and strategic work instead of tedious data entry.

Why I picked MineralTree: This is one of the most effective and efficient AP automation tools on the market. In addition to the cost savings, the company claims that you’ll be able to process 3x your current invoice volume without increasing headcount.

MineralTree Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include full end-to-end AP automation, including invoice capture, invoice approval, payment authorization, payment optimization, and AP analytics. It also offers automated and optimized payments, and it integrates easily with other ERPs.

Integrations include hundreds of different ERP and accounting systems

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Simplified reconciliation process
  • Enhanced security and reduced fraud risk
  • Out-of-the-box integration with most ERP systems

Cons:

  • Opaque pricing
  • No international payment transfers

Other Accounts Payable Software Options

Here are some other accounts payable software choices that didn’t quite make my list, but may be worth looking into.

  1. BILL

    For international payments

  2. AvidXchange

    For integrations

  3. Tipalti

    For automation

  4. SAP Concur

    For travel and expense management

  5. QuickBooks Enterprise

    Payroll functions

  6. NetSuite

    For large companies

  7. Sage Intacct

    For nonprofits

  8. Airbase

    Corporate credit card program features

  9. Microsoft Dynamics 365

    Modular, prebuilt applications and features

  10. Lightyear

    For bookkeeping teams

If you still haven't found what you're looking for here, check out these tools closely related to accounts payable software, that we've tested and evaluated.

Accounts Payable Software Selection Criteria

First and foremost, I looked at the tools that can make your life easy, answering the question: How well does it actually complete the jobs it claims to perform?

Buuut I couldn't stop there — because there are a lot of good options out there. I also considered specific needs and pain points, like managing invoice approval workflows and automating processes. Then, I used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:

Core Functionality (25% of total score)

To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:

Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)

To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:

  • Real-time analytics and reporting
  • AI-driven fraud detection
  • Multi-currency support
  • Customizable approval workflows
  • Mobile app accessibility

Usability (10% of total score)

To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:

  • Intuitive user interface
  • Simple navigation
  • Fast performance
  • Accessibility options
  • Clear layout design

Onboarding (10% of total score)

To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:

  • Availability of training videos
  • Interactive product tours
  • Access to templates
  • Supportive chatbots
  • Regular webinars

Customer Support (10% of total score)

To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:

  • 24/7 availability
  • Multiple contact channels
  • Access to a knowledge base
  • Response time efficiency
  • Personalized assistance

Value For Money (10% of total score)

To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:

  • Competitive pricing
  • Flexible subscription plans
  • Transparent cost structure
  • Inclusions of updates and maintenance
  • Trial or demo options

Customer Reviews (10% of total score)

To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:

  • User satisfaction ratings
  • Frequency of positive feedback
  • Commonly reported issues
  • Testimonials from similar industries
  • Feedback on software reliability

In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different accounts payable software vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:

  • AI-driven Insights: AI is being used to provide deeper insights into spending patterns and predict cash flow needs. It helps businesses make informed decisions by analyzing large volumes of data quickly. Vendors are implementing AI to enhance financial forecasting and budgeting.
  • Dynamic Discounting: This trend is allowing businesses to negotiate better terms with suppliers by offering early payment discounts. It benefits both buyers and suppliers by improving cash management. Some platforms are offering dynamic discounting features to optimize supplier relationships.
  • Blockchain-based Smart Contracts: Smart contracts are automating agreement executions, ensuring all contract conditions are met without manual intervention. This reduces delays and enhances contract accuracy. A few vendors are exploring smart contracts to improve contract management processes.
  • Sustainability Tracking: Environmental impact tracking is gaining importance as companies aim for greener operations. Some accounts payable solutions are offering sustainability metrics to help companies monitor and reduce their carbon footprint. While I wouldn't say this is that important (yet) from a compliance perspective, it does feel good to work on this area of your business.

What Is Accounts Payable Software?

Accounts payable software is a tool that automates and manages a company's payment processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial transactions. These tools are generally used by finance professionals, accountants, and accounts payable teams to increase efficiency and reduce human error in financial operations.

How to Choose Accounts Payable Software

Even with the help of an amazing software analyst (ahem, me), it’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures.

To help you stay focused as you work through your own software selection process, here’s a shortlist of factors to keep in mind:

FactorWhat to Consider
ScalabilityWill the software grow with your team’s needs?
IntegrationsDoes it integrate with your current systems?
CustomizabilityCan you tailor the software to your workflow?
Ease of UseIs the software user-friendly for your team?
BudgetDoes it fit within your financial constraints?
Security SafeguardsDoes it meet your security requirements?
Customer SupportIs there reliable support when you need help?
Reporting FeaturesDoes it offer the analytics you require?
I know these things seem obvious, but use them to ground you. When the sales team is pitching you endless (unnecessary) features, come back to the checklist to keep yourself on track.

Features of Accounts Payable Software

When selecting accounts payable software, keep an eye out for the following key features:

  • Automated invoice processing: Streamlines the handling of invoices, reducing manual entry and errors.
  • AI-driven insights: Provides analytical data to help predict cash flow needs and optimize financial decisions.
  • Blockchain security: Enhances transaction security and transparency with a decentralized ledger.
  • Dynamic discounting: Allows businesses to negotiate early payment discounts with suppliers, improving cash management.
  • Smart contracts: Automates contract executions, ensuring all conditions are met without manual checks.
  • Sustainability tracking: Offers metrics to monitor and reduce the company's carbon footprint, supporting eco-friendly practices.
  • Vendor management: Simplifies the management of supplier information and payment terms, enhancing supplier relationships.
  • Reporting and analytics: Delivers comprehensive financial reports to aid in strategic planning and oversight.
  • Multi-currency support: Facilitates transactions in different currencies, essential for global operations.
  • Mobile app accessibility: Provides on-the-go access to accounts payable functions, improving flexibility for users.

Benefits of Accounts Payable Software

Accounts payable software might not revolutionize your business, but it sure will make your headaches decrease. Here are a few you can look forward to:

  • Improved accuracy: Automated invoice processing reduces manual errors and ensures more accurate financial records.
  • Enhanced security: Blockchain technology offers a secure and transparent way to handle transactions, safeguarding sensitive data.
  • Better cash management: Dynamic discounting features help negotiate favorable payment terms, optimizing cash flow.
  • Time savings: AI-driven insights and smart contracts automate routine tasks, saving time for more strategic activities.
  • Eco-friendly operations: Sustainability tracking supports environmental goals by monitoring and reducing the company's carbon footprint.
  • Global reach: Multi-currency support enables smooth international transactions, expanding business opportunities.
  • Informed decision-making: Comprehensive reporting and analytics provide valuable insights for strategic planning and financial oversight.

Costs and Pricing of Accounts Payable Software

The table below contains generalized ranges to give you a bit of an idea about what you'll be paying for, and getting, with each type of accounts payable software.

Plan Comparison Table for Accounts Payable Software

Plan TypeAverage PriceCommon Features
Free Plan$0Basic invoice processing, vendor management, and email support.
Personal Plan$10-$30/user/monthAdvanced invoice processing, basic reporting, and limited integrations.
Business Plan$50-$100/user/monthAutomated workflows, enhanced reporting, multi-currency support, and customer support.
Enterprise Plan$150-$300/user/monthCustomizable features, AI-driven analytics, premium support, and compliance management.
Keep in mind that these are just the average costs — refer to the specific vendors you're interested in for more detailed pricing.

Accounts Payable Software FAQs

Here are some answers to common questions about accounts payable software:

What do accounts payable software use to capture data?

Most accounts payable software uses optical character recognition (OCR) and machine learning. These technologies accurately capture invoice data, eliminating the need for manual entry. This saves time and reduces errors, making your processes more efficient.

How can accounts payable software help prevent fraud?

Accounts payable software includes features like vendor authentication and transaction monitoring to detect and prevent fraud. It ensures that only authorized payments are processed. By using secure technologies, the software helps protect your financial data from unauthorized access.

Can accounts payable software integrate with my existing accounting system?

Yes, most accounts payable software can integrate with popular accounting systems. This integration allows for seamless data transfer, reducing duplication and ensuring all financial information is up-to-date. Check with the vendor for specific integration capabilities.

What are the benefits of using cloud-based accounts payable software?

Cloud-based accounts payable software offers accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection. It provides real-time updates, ensuring your team is always working with the latest data. Additionally, it reduces IT overhead since maintenance and updates are managed by the provider.

How do I start automating my accounts payable process?

Before your AP software can start automating your AP process, first you have to set up approval workflows and some other rules that you want the system to follow.

For example, do you want to always pay invoices as soon as you receive them, or a week before the payment due date? What about early payment discounts, do you want your AP system to take advantage of discount terms when they appear on an invoice?

Once you know this, you can typically create automated rules in your system — if your system can’t do this on its own, you’ll have to look into AP automation software.

Why Trust Our Software Reviews

You shouldn't trust everything you read online—after all, I remember reading that Beyoncé died from an earring injury a number of years back.

Which is why I came with receipts.

My team and I have been testing and reviewing financial software since 2023, on a mission to make it easier to manage business finances. As financial operators ourselves — both past and present — we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software. We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions.

We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different corporate finance use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & check out our software review methodology.

The Next Step

Implementing the right accounts payable software can improve an organization’s overall financial health by improving vendor relationships, automating error-prone manual tasks, and improving cash flow.

Once you’ve identified a specific area you want to improve — like travel expenses or workflow approvals — you can select an accounts payable software to help with that specific purpose.

Ready to compound your abilities as a finance professional? Subscribe to our free newsletter for expert advice, guides, and insights from finance leaders shaping the tech industry. 

Simon Litt
By Simon Litt

Simon Litt is the editor of The CFO Club, specializing in covering a range of financial topics. His career has seen him focus on both personal and corporate finance for digital publications, public companies, and digital media brands across the globe.