The 4 best Airbase competitors

medium-sized businesses in the technology sector. The platform offers corporate card management services, business travel management, and expense report processing. These features help control spending, manage finances, and mitigate risks by simplifying business and accounting processes.

Airbase can be a good solution for businesses looking for an all-in-one expense management solution to automate their spend management and accounts payable processes. While it has traditionally focused on its business spend management platform, Airbase has expanded its capabilities to include accounts payable and procurement platforms. 

Airbase positions itself to have a user-friendly interface, proactive spend management capabilities, a comprehensive company card program, and flexible service packages. However, as a card-centric platform, it may not be the best fit for companies that require maximum flexibility, integration, and scalability in managing their finances. If you’re looking for alternatives to Airbase, here are four options that don’t require any rework to your ERP, financial system, or accounting software.

1. Stampli

Stampli is ideal for accounting teams looking for automation efficiency without changing their existing accounts payable process or reworking their ERP. As the only solution specifically designed for Accounts Payable, Stampli optimizes AP workflows by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning. It learns each company’s unique patterns and workflows to streamline key AP functions such as GL coding, approval workflows, and invoice verification. 

Companies can gain total control over AP expenditures by adding Stampli Card to their solution. Stampli Card is optimized for AP spending and employee expenses, with real-time visibility and control over transactions and unlimited pre-coded cards restricted by spend limit, expense type, department, or category. Stampli Card can be combined with Stampli Direct Pay, Stampli’s integrated payment automation solution to centralize all payment methods (ACH, check, wire transfer, credit card) in one AP automation solution.

You can deploy Stampli in a matter of days without disrupting your business operations. The accounts payable workflows within Stampli are powerful and adaptable, offering AP teams complete control and visibility while making financial management tasks more effective and efficient. 

A recognized leader in accounts payable automation, Stampli has received many awards for performance and corporate citizenship, including: 

• No. 2 in the G2 list of Best Accounting and Finance Products for 2023.
• Recognized By Forbes As One Of America’s Best Startup Employers Of 2023
• Best Accounts Payable Automation Solution, 2022 Fintech Awards.

Key features

• AI-driven approval routing that learns your accounts payable workflows and expedites approvals.
• Stampli Insights provides real-time visibility and analytics via financial dashboards, reporting, and automatic data sync with ERPs.
• Integrated international payments processing allows payments in USD or local currency to over 150+ countries and mitigates FX risk with foreign exchange management tools.
• Supports multiple approval levels and multi-location, currency, and subsidiary accounts payable scenarios.
• Seamless integration with more than 70 ERPs and accounting software platforms and payment systems.

Advantages

Smartest AI

Billy the Bot™, Stampli’s AI, automates and optimizes manual processes like invoice data capture, GL coding, and validation.

Customer satisfaction

Stampli is the 15x leader in the G2 Grid for Accounts Payable for customer service, consistently scoring #1 for Implementation, Relationship, and Usability.

Time to value

Stampli provides a rapid, fully-supported implementation that retains your existing processes and systems. Setup assistance and 24/7 support from Stampli’s AP and ERP experts are also available.

Integrated services beyond Accounts Payable

Stampli provides a suite of integrated products that include self-serve supplier management (Advanced Vendor Management), direct domestic and international supplier payments (Stampli Direct Pay), corporate card management services (Stampli Card), and processing employee expense reports (Stampli Expenses).

Greater Control

Stampli’s centralized cloud-based AP solution unifies communications, documents, and tasks for better control and visibility.

Pricing

Stampli offers simple monthly or annual pricing with unlimited users, vendors, and training.

Bottom line

Stampli provides an excellent solution for small, medium, and enterprise-level companies seeking to streamline and optimize their procure-to-payment process through an AP-first approach. The solution offers a user-friendly design, industry expertise, and a proven track record, making it the best alternative to Airbase for AP automation.

2. BILL (formerly bill.com)

BILL provides solutions to simplify, digitize, and automate back-office accounts payable and accounts receivable workflows for small and medium-sized businesses. It provides a suite of automated expense management tools for payment management, invoice generation, accounting software integration, cash management, and approval workflows.

Key features

BILL offers four service tiers: Essentials, Team, Corporate, and Enterprise, each with different accounting features.

Essentials

• Customers must choose accounts receivable or accounts payable services.
• Entry-level AP automation — invoice capture, vendor info management, digital document storage, supplier payments.
• Manual CSV accounting integrations (QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Premier, and Xero).
• Standard, non-customizable user roles.
• Standard approval procedures.
• Email customer support.

Team

Everything in the Essentials tier, plus:

• Automatic 2-way data sync with QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Premier, and Xero for AP or AR.
• Customizable user roles.

Corporate

Everything in the Team tier, plus:

• Both AP and AR automation services.
• Automated 2-way sync with QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Premier, and Xero for both AP and AR.
• Customizable approval processes.

Enterprise

Everything in the Corporate tier, plus:

• Automated AR and AP sync with QuickBooks Enterprise, Oracle NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics.
• Multi-location & multi-entity accounting functions.
• High-priority customer support.
• API access.

Advantages

Control over expenditures

At higher service tiers, businesses can establish custom approval workflows, roles, and permissions to enhance expense control and visibility.

Improved business efficiency

BILL is a user-friendly and streamlined solution that helps businesses automate their core accounting tasks, allowing them to concentrate on growth and cash management. It facilitates quicker vendor payments by offering electronic payment options like ACH or credit cards.

Pricing

BILL charges a per-month price based on service tier. It also charges per-transaction fees for payments made on the BILL platform.

Bottom line

BILL may be a good alternative to Airbase for a growing small business looking for a budget management and accounting solution. It offers a simple and user-friendly interface, a wide variety of electronic payment methods, and flexible and scalable service options that can be easily adapted to meet the evolving needs of small and medium businesses.

3. Tipalti

Tipalti is an end-to-end AP automation software platform for companies. It streamlines accounts payable processes, including invoice management and global payment automation. Tipalti prioritizes efficiency, helps manage working capital, and delivers a financial management service to medium and large businesses.

Key features

• Automated invoice data capture and coding, PO and receipts matching, payment automation, and account reconciliation.
• Purchase order requisition management to gain control over company spending.
• Predictive customized approval process.
• Integration with ERPs and accounting software like NetSuite, QuickBooks, Microsoft Dynamics, and Xero.
• Control fraud with role-based security, enforcement of company policies, financial controls, and audit records.
• Regulatory and tax compliance powered by a KPMG-approved tax engine.
• Self-serve vendor portal.

Advantages

Multi-entity processing and reporting

Tipalti can manage different AP workflows per entity and present an overview of performance across all subsidiaries.

Intuitive user interface

Tipalti’s user interface provides easy access to transaction data, documentation, and historical accounting information.

Pricing

Tipalti charges a monthly fee for access to its basic platform. There are additional fees for added modules, features, and advanced functionality.

Bottom line

Tipalti provides an excellent alternative to Airbase for mid-market businesses aiming to enhance their accounts payable and payment processing with a customizable, end-to-end automation platform. It features an easy-to-use interface, robust internal controls, and streamlined payment processing that increase efficiency and generate cost savings.

4. Spendesk

Although Spendesk is not a traditional Accounts Payable automation provider, it added basic accounts payable automation to its business spend management portfolio in November 2022. 

A multi-faceted expense management platform, Spendesk provides its clients visibility and control over expenditures, helping them track expenses and build a more responsible spending culture.  

Spendesk’s integrated expense management software offers several functions, including corporate credit cards, travel expense management, expense reimbursements, budgets, invoice approvals, reporting, compliance, and pre-accounting. 

Key features

Spendesk’s AP automation solution provides basic AP functionality combined with innovative features to help companies manage supplier payments.

• Authorized persons can upload invoices to Spendesk’s centralized invoice processing system from anywhere in the world. 
• Automatic approval and transaction tracking that logs vendor payments and approvers
• Add-on tools to track and manage recurring expenditures and office and administrative purchasing.
• Real-time visibility into payments and committed spend, regardless of invoice status.
• Integration with NetSuite, FreshBooks, QuickBooks Online, Xero and DATEV.
• Single dashboard with visibility into corporate card usage, employee spending, and accounts payable transactions.

Advantages

Scalable and flexible to support business growth

Spendesk is scalable and provides various advanced spend management features and capabilities to help businesses manage their evolving needs as they grow.

Versatile spend management

Customers can simplify expense management with a single, all-in-one solution that provides visibility and control over expenditures across the business.

Pricing

Spendesk doesn’t post pricing information on its website. All prices are by quote.

Bottom line

Spendesk is a great option for small and medium-sized businesses looking for an alternative to Airbase to manage their invoice and payment processes effectively. It leverages its advanced expense management solution and innovative tools to provide a scalable solution that provides control and visibility over complex accounts payable and spending needs. 

Based on all the information above, do you need an Airbase alternative?

While Airbase provides a great solution for streamlining financial processes, there are several other alternatives that cater to specific business needs and challenges:

• Stampli is the best-in-class spend management solution with a strong track record of customer satisfaction.
• BILL provides an affordable accounting automation solution for growing businesses.
• Tipalti excels at global payables automation, which is ideal for streamlining workloads and scaling companies internationally.
• Spendesk offers a comprehensive spend management platform with advanced AP management features for businesses that want an all-in-one spend management solution.

These alternatives offer compelling accounts payable automation solutions for businesses seeking alternatives to Airbase software.

Competitor Pricing

Pricing is a major part of deciding which AP automation solution fits your business best. Most providers don’t publish their pricing or only publish prices for certain products or components without disclosing the full cost of their solution.

When you’re considering an AP automation solution, ask for details about their pricing, including how the pricing is applied (per month/user/invoice), the length of the contract (monthly vs yearly), how many users, locations, or entities are included, what services are included, and what fees they charge for additional services. 

Stampli: Automate AP without disrupting your ERP

Stampli eliminates the need for workarounds, spreadsheets, and manual entry in the accounts payable process. Our efficient AI-powered solution for AP automation streamlines your existing processes without requiring any changes to your ERPs or workflows. 

Stampli ensures complete visibility and control over your AP process by centralizing communication, documentation, and processes. Its user-friendly interface is complemented by automation features, like Billy the Bot™, that simplify tasks and make the process easier for your team.

Stampli`s versatile suite of integrated products and compatibility with over 70 ERPs makes for swift deployment, helping companies like Avid Acceptance gain control over cash flow, clear visibility into vendor performance, and agility in workforce management.

Let’s talk about all the ways Stampli can help your invoice and payment processes. Contact us today for a free demo.