Best Accounts Payable Software Shortlist
Here’s a look at my top account payable software options:
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Drowning in late payments and broken invoice processes? Finding the right accounts payable software can feel overwhelming—there's so many tools out there, but not enough that actually work the way finance teams need.
As a digital software and fintech expert, I’ve tested countless AP tools. The best ones are simple, reliable, and save time without adding extra steps.
This list is based on what I’ve personally tested and reviewed. If you’re ready to upgrade to software that actually makes your AP process smoother, you’re in the right spot.
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Best Accounts Payable Software Summary
Here’s a quick comparison chart with pricing info for my top picks—so you can easily see which accounts payable software fits your budget and your team’s needs.
Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Best all-in-one accounts payable software | Free demo available | From $149/month | Website | |
2 | Best for diverse payout methods | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
3 | Best for reimbursing employees | Free demo available | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
4 | Best for automated three-way matching | Free trial available | From $499/month | Website | |
5 | Best for customizable AP workflow automation | Free trial for 500 pages | From $499/month for up to 5,000 pages (or invoices) | Website | |
6 | Best for spend management | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
7 | Best for small businesses | 30-day free trial | From $2/month (for 3 months, then $20/month) | Website | |
8 | Best for flexible payments and approval workflows | Free trial + free plan available | From $18.50/month + $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
9 | Best for AI-driven invoice automation | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
10 | Best for invoice tracking | 30-day free trial | From $6.30/month (billed annually) | Website |
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LiveFlow
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.9 -
Float Financial
Visit Website -
Vena
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.5
Best Accounts Payable Software Reviews
Below, I dig deeper into the details for each of my account payable software options. For each one, you’ll get a quick breakdown of key features, what it integrates with, pricing info (when available), plus a few pros and cons to help you compare.
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: Centime a unique accounts payable software due to its advanced 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.
Standout features & integrations:
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
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 also enables seamless transactions across various channels and currencies, making it especially useful for businesses operating in global markets.
Standout features & integrations:
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.
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
Rippling Spend is a comprehensive spend management platform designed to help businesses oversee and control their financial outflows. It consolidates various financial processes—including expense management, corporate cards, and bill payments—into a single, unified system.
Why I picked Rippling Spend: One standout feature of Rippling Spend is its advanced policy engine, which allows you to create and enforce detailed spending rules across your organization. By automating approval chains and setting role-based permissions, you can ensure that all expenses align with your company's policies without manual intervention. Rippling Spend also enables you to reimburse employees in over 100 countries and handle multi-currency payments. The platform collects receipts in any language and manages cross-currency reconciliation.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automated workflows that integrate with your existing systems, allowing for data synchronization and reducing manual data entry. The platform offers real-time visibility into all company spending, providing up-to-date insights that aid in strategic decision-making. Additionally, Rippling Spend includes a receipt scanner that uses OCR technology to digitize paper receipts.
Integrations include Slack, Checkr, Google, Zoom, Asana, Salesforce, Microsoft 365, Guideline, GitHub, Jira, Datadog, and Hubspot.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive features for various operations
- Employee self-service options
- Efficient automation of HR tasks
Cons:
- Potential learning curve when maximizing the platform's features
- Initial setup can be time-consuming
Precoro is a cloud-based procurement and spend management solution designed to help businesses automate and centralize their purchasing processes. It offers tools to manage purchase orders, approvals, and budgets.
Why I picked Precoro: I like its three-way matching system. This functionality cross-verifies purchase orders, receipts, and invoices to ensure consistency before approving payments, which helps prevent errors and duplicate payments. By automating this verification process, your team can maintain accurate financial records with less manual intervention. I also like its customizable workflows that let you set up multi-level approval processes tailored to your organization's structure, ensuring that all purchases are authorized appropriately.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include budget management, which allows you to set spending limits for different departments or projects, providing real-time tracking to prevent overspending. Additionally, the supplier management module enables you to maintain a centralized database of vendors, streamlining communication and performance tracking.
Integrations include QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, Xero, Amazon Business, Home Depot, Staples Advantage, Grainger, Slack, and Power BI.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable workflows adapt to various business needs
- Centralized supplier information improves vendor management
- Efficient purchase order creation and tracking
Cons:
- Could offer more native integrations
- Mobile app could be improved
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. Plus, 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.
Standout features & integrations:
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. Additionally, the software 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
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.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include easy automations for every stage of the accounts payable process, such as purchase orders, expense management, vendor management, and real-time dashboards. You can also 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
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: Xero's cloud-based abilities 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. This makes it great for small business owners who are traveling to farmer’s markets, trade shows, craft fairs, or festivals.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include free product updates for ease of scalability. It also shines with real-time updates and collaboration and offers a large variety of add-ons you can download for customization.
Integrations include Stripe, Square, and PayPal.
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
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, the software's approval workflow feature allows businesses to share responsibilities and maintain control over the payment process, adding an extra layer of security and oversight.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include accounts payable and receivable, invoice creation, pay over time, bulk payments, and role and permission assignment. The software also offers 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
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.
Standout features & integrations:
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
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.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automatic expense tracking that categorizes your spending and helps you stay on top of costs. The software's time tracking lets you log billable hours directly onto invoices, so you never miss a charge. Plus, it's customizable reports give you clear insights into your business’s financial health without extra effort.
Integrations include Gusto, Stripe, PayPal, Shopify, Trello, HubSpot, Slack, Mailchimp, Dropbox, and Google Drive.
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
Other Accounts Payable Software
Here are some other accounts payable software choices that didn’t quite make my list, but may be worth looking into.
- Zoho Books
For vendor management
- BILL
For international payments
- MineralTree
For time-saving
- AvidXchange
For integrations
- Tipalti
For automation
- SAP Concur
For travel and expense management
- QuickBooks Enterprise
For payroll functions
- Sage Intacct
For nonprofits
- Microsoft Dynamics 365
For modular, prebuilt applications and features
- Airbase
Corporate credit card program features
Related Financial Software
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.
- Accounting Software
- Billing Software
- ERP Software
- POS Systems
- Financial Reporting Software
- Forecasting Software
- Merchant Account Services
- Expense Report Software
Accounts Payable Software Selection Criteria
When picking the best accounts payable software for this list, I focused on the things that really matter—like automating the workflow and making sure the tool plays nicely with your existing accounting setup. I also followed a simple framework to keep things fair and organized:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Automated invoice processing
- Managing vendor payments
- Tracking payment statuses
- Handling purchase orders
- 3-way matching from invoices to vendors
- Ensuring compliance with financial regulations
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
How to Choose Accounts Payable Software
To help you stay on track while picking the right software, here’s a quick list of things worth keeping in mind:
Factor | What to Consider |
---|---|
Scalability | Will the software grow with your team’s needs? |
Integrations | Does it integrate with your current systems? |
Customizability | Can you tailor the software to your workflow? |
Ease of Use | Is the software user-friendly for your team? |
Budget | Does it fit within your financial constraints? |
Security Safeguards | Does it meet your security requirements? |
Customer Support | Is there reliable support when you need help? |
Reporting Features | Does it offer the analytics you require? |
Trends in Accounts Payable Software
While digging into different accounts payable tools, I went through tons of product updates, press releases, and feature logs from all kinds of vendors. Here are a few trends that really stood out and are worth 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.
Features of Accounts Payable Software
When you're picking out accounts payable software, here are a few key features you’ll want to look for:
- Automated Invoice Processing: Streamlines the handling of invoices, reducing manual entry and errors with payroll.
- 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 gives you a rough idea of what you can expect to pay—and what you’ll get in return—for each type of accounts payable software. Think of it as a quick guide to help you compare your options.
Plan Comparison Table for Accounts Payable Software
Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
---|---|---|
Free Plan | $0 | Basic invoice processing, vendor management, and email support. |
Personal Plan | $10-$30/user/month | Advanced invoice processing, basic reporting, and limited integrations. |
Business Plan | $50-$100/user/month | Automated workflows, enhanced reporting, multi-currency support, and customer support. |
Enterprise Plan | $150-$300/user/month | Customizable features, AI-driven analytics, premium support, and compliance management. |
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.
What's Next?
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