AvidXchange vs BILL (bill.com) vs Stampli

Automating accounts payable makes processing invoices faster and more efficient by eliminating time-consuming manual tasks. It saves you money and time and provides actionable AP data and insights to help you make informed cash management decisions.

However, choosing the best AP software solution from the various providers in the marketplace can be difficult. We’re here to make your decision easier. In this article, we compare solutions from AvidXchange, BILL, and Stampli – three leading accounting automation providers. We’ll compare their capabilities, performance, and customer reviews so you can choose the one that meets your needs. 

The comparison: AvidXchange vs BILL vs Stampli

The best AP automation solutions streamline complex and inefficient AP processes by intuitively replacing error-prone manual data entry, invoice matching, and other tasks. Five strengths make these solutions stand above the rest:

• Ease of use: How easy it is for employees to learn and use the solution.
• Collaboration and communications: The solution makes working together easier for employees and vendors.
• Invoice approval confidence: The solution validates invoices to ensure they are accurate and error-free before sending them for approval.
• Product performance: the solution delivers consistent, measurable results. 
• ERP integration: The solution supports native ERP functionality with no need to reconfigure your ERP.

Stampli, AvidXchange, and BILL are popular AP automation solutions with advanced invoice processing capabilities, ERP and accounting software integrations, approval routing, payment management, and more. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Who is Stampli?

Stampli was founded in 2015. It’s the leading AP automation solution – and the only one designed specifically for AP departments. Stampli is for accounts payable teams who want to leverage AP automation without changing their existing business processes or reworking their ERP. It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to learn and adapt to your company’s existing processes and streamline AP workflows. 

Who is AvidXchange?

AvidXchange was launched in 2000. Its platform provides cloud-based accounts payable automation tools to streamline AP workflows for mid-market companies and enterprises. AvidXchange offers tailored AP solutions to real estate, financial institutions, and construction businesses.

Who is BILL?

BILL was founded in 2006. Formerly known as bill.com, its mission is to simplify financial processes for business owners. BILL automates tasks like accounts receivable, accounts payable, B2B payments, and cash management to help businesses manage their cash inflows and outflows. 

Continue reading to discover the features of each of these solutions.

AvidXchange vs BILL vs Stampli: Key features

Stampli key features

Stampli enables accounting teams to control every stage of the invoice lifecycle, enhance cash flow management, and transform Accounts Payable into a strategic driver. It streamlines touchless invoice scanning and data entry, invoice verification, approval routing, and payment processing. 

For complete control over spending, Stampli provides Stampli Direct Pay. This payment automation solution integrates with Stampli’s core AP solution to consolidate multiple payment methods (ACH, check, wire transfer, and virtual card) onto a single platform.

• No-code integration with more than 70 ERPs and accounting software platforms like Sage Intacct, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, SAP S4/HANA, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance, and Microsoft Dynamics Business Central.
• Self-serve vendor onboarding with automated collection and maintenance of vendor information such as payment methods, bank account details, and addresses.
• Learns and manages complex invoice approval workflows (multi-approver, multi-location, multi-category, and multi-subsidiary) and supports customized approval routing and partial payments.
• Stampli Insights improves visibility and control by providing real-time AP data and analytics.
• Prevents human error and fraud with custom user roles and automated enforcement of internal controls, three-way matching, duplicate invoice detection, and audit trail creation.
• International payments in USD or local currency to suppliers in over 150+ countries with integrated FX management tools.
• Doesn’t contact your suppliers to pressure them into accepting payment methods.

AvidXchange key features

AvidXchange’s cloud-based, end-to-end AP automation software is based on three core functions: purchase-to-pay automation, automated approval and payment processing solutions, and invoice management.

• Proactively contacts suppliers to enroll them in AvidXchange’s payment network.
• Expedited supplier payments to US vendors in the AvidPay membership network.
• Integrates with business systems like Rent Manager, MIP Fund Accounting, Yardi, QuickBooks Online, Sage Intacct, Oracle NetSuite, and MRI Software.
• Automated OFAC (Office for Foreign Asset Control) checks on vendors during onboarding and before each payment run.

BILL key features

BILL offers Essentials, Team, Corporate, and Enterprise service tiers with different feature sets. 

Essentials

Choice of accounts payable or accounts receivable services.

• Basic AP automation — invoice data capture and coding, vendor details, document management, and payment processing.
• Manual CSV integration with QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Premier, and Xero.
• Standard user roles.

Team

Everything in the Essentials tier, plus:

• Two-way sync with QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Premier, and Xero.
• Custom user roles.

Corporate

Everything in the Team tier, plus:

• AP and AR automation.
• Two-way sync with QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Premier, and Xero.
• Custom approval policies.

Enterprise

Everything in the Corporate tier, plus:

• Sync with QuickBooks Enterprise, Oracle NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics.
• Multi-location & multi-entity accounting.

Pricing 

Pricing is critical in deciding on the right AP automation solution for your business. However, many AP solution providers don’t disclose their pricing model or only provide partial details about their pricing. 

• Stampli offers simple monthly or annual pricing with unlimited users, vendors, and training.
• AvidXchange doesn’t post pricing information on its website. Its prices are by quote only.
• BILL offers four service tiers. Pricing is per month, based on what tier you purchase. BILL also charges per-transaction fees for payments made on its platform.

It’s essential to have access to complete and transparent pricing information to ensure you make the best choice for your business.

When you’re deciding on an AP automation platform for business, 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. 

Customer satisfaction

The G2 Satisfaction Score for AP Automation is an independent rating based on user reviews. It measures customer satisfaction with AP automation solutions. The score evaluates how well each solution provider satisfies users’ needs by measuring customer satisfaction in four categories:

• Implementation: How easily can you implement the solution?
• Usability: How easy is the solution to use?
• Relationship: How well does the solution provider build customer relationships?
• Results: How well does the solution deliver results?

You can quickly identify the product that provides the best customer experience by comparing each AP automation provider’s Satisfaction Scores. Let’s dig into the scores for AvidXchange, BILL, and Stampli.

Implementation Index

The Implementation Index comprises three scores: Ease of Setup, User Adoption, and Time to Go Live.

Of the three competitors, Stampli scored significantly higher in Ease of Setup, indicating it is the easiest solution to implement. Stampli also scored higher than the AP automation industry average for User Adoption and Time to Go Live – reinforcing its industry-leading reputation for fast deployment, implementation, and user adoption.

Usability Index

Stampli is also a leader in the Usability Index, scoring higher than AvidXchange and BILL for Ease of Use and Ease of Admin; another indication of Stampli’s popularity among AP teams.

Relationship Index 

Stampli scored highest in Likelihood to Recommend, Ease of Doing Business, and Quality of Support, demonstrating that Stampli is a leader in building strong customer relationships.

Results Index 

Stampli scored above the industry average for estimated return on investment and higher than AvidXchange and BILL in the Meets Requirements category, reflecting how well Stampli’s AP automation consistently delivers positive results for customers.

When to choose Stampli

If you’re searching for a reliable and user-friendly accounts payable solution that doesn’t require any changes to your ERP, then Stampli could be an excellent choice for you. It offers outstanding customer service, automation capabilities, industry expertise, seamless integration with business systems, and proven results. These features make Stampli a leading option for AP automation and a perfect fit for small, mid-sized, and enterprise businesses. With Stampli, you can rest assured that your vendor relationships won’t be compromised, as nobody will contact your suppliers to accept specific payment methods.

You need seamless integration with your ERP

Stampli takes a unique approach to ERP integration compared to its competitors. They build ERP integrations in-house with support for full native functionality. This allows Stampli to be flexible and support a wide range of businesses across all industries, including those in highly complex industries such as manufacturing. The result is a configurable solution that can be deployed in just a few days without hiring developers, adjusting existing processes, or reconfiguring your ERP. 

Stampli provides quick implementation with live setup assistance and 24/7 customer support from AP and ERP experts. It integrates with ERP in three ways:

Pre-built integration: Fast and easy no-code integration via an application programming interface (API) that’s great for cloud applications. 

File integration: Uses customized file templates (created by Stampli) to import and export files easily with any on-premise or cloud ERP or accounting system.

Process integration: Support for existing processes requiring manual data entry or other specialized workflows.

You want best-in-class customer support

Stampli receives top customer satisfaction scores in industry reports like the G2 Grid® for AP Automation software. They have been recognized for customer service, corporate citizenship, and excellence, receiving accolades such as: 

• 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.

Numerous case studies from happy customers and independent user reviews recognize Stampli for excellence in areas such as:

• Easy to use, intuitive interface,
• Fast implementation and onboarding,
• Good AI/OCR for extracting invoice data,
• Integration with accounting software like Oracle NetSuite and QuickBooks,
• Streamlined workflows and approval process,
• Audit trail providing transparency,
• Reporting capabilities,
• Excellent customer support,

You want simple, centralized AP management

Stampli’s innovative AI assistant, Billy the Bot™, is designed to simplify and streamline accounts payable workflows. Billy can help with time-consuming manual tasks such as invoice capture, GL coding, three-way matching, approvals, and fraud detection, leaving employees free to focus on higher-value tasks.

To deliver even greater value, Stampli offers a comprehensive suite of integrated services that complement its AP automation solution. These services include virtual and physical card programs (Stampli Card), domestic and international payment solutions (Stampli Direct Pay), and employee expense tracking and management (Stampli Expenses). 

When to choose AvidXchange

AvidXchange’s mission is to increase efficiency, visibility, and control in accounting and financial workflows. They provide a wide range of customized accounts payable (AP) solutions tailored to different industries. 

You want an industry-specific AP solution 

AvidXchange features tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of various industries, with a strong focus on real estate (AvidSuite for Real Estate), financial services (AvidAccess), and construction. The company also provides add-on modules to manage specific spending areas like utilities and office supplies. While these end-to-end solutions may work well for these sectors, you may prefer a more comprehensive, broadly-focused solution to grow your business.

You want access to an existing vendor payment network

AvidXchange offers access to the AvidPay payment network, which includes over 900,000 suppliers in the US. AvidPay allows businesses to make expedited payments to suppliers who are already enrolled in the network. It’s important to bear in mind, however, that AvidPay only supports payments to US-based suppliers. If you have vendors located overseas, you may need to explore alternative international payment solutions. Also, AvidXchange reserves the right to approach your suppliers to enroll them in their payment network per their terms of service.

When to Choose BILL

BILL aims to eliminate paper-based manual processes, streamline the entire payment process, and change how small business owners handle cash inflows and outflows. It’s a user-friendly way for entrepreneurs and businesses to automate fundamental accounting functions, allowing them to channel their resources to operations, sales, and marketing.

Your small business is growing

BILL provides the option to add automated financial services like accounts receivable automation, accounting system integration, and custom user roles to help small businesses manage their accounting needs as they grow. 

The flexibility to automate accounting tasks can be helpful when your business is growing because it lets you focus on growing your business. However, growth can also bring big changes. The volume of paper invoices and expense reports you need to process may grow substantially, or you may decide to implement an ERP to automate core business processes. You may prefer a more flexible and scalable solution designed to streamline and optimize complex accounts payable and expense management processes.

You need basic payment processing capabilities

BILL offers businesses a centralized way to make electronic payments such as wire transfers, ACH, online payments, and credit cards. However, it charges a per-transaction fee for these transactions, which might be an expensive payment solution as the number of invoices grows. Also, many of BILL’s advanced payment features, like custom workflows and multi-location accounting, are only available in their higher-priced service tiers. You may want to consider a more cost-effective solution as your business grows.

Stampli: The #1 choice for AP automation

Stampli’s leading accounts payable automation solution leverages machine learning and AI to optimize and streamline critical AP processes. By automating these workflows, organizations can eradicate time-consuming and error-prone manual procedures and gain complete control over invoice processing and cash flow management.

Stampli centers all communications, documentation, and workflows on top of each invoice, eliminating the need for workarounds, external communications channels, 3rd-party solutions, or manual AP work inside the ERP.

Billy the Bot™, Stampli’s smart AI-powered assistant, learns how your accounts payable process works to automate, including invoice capture, coding, approvals, and fraud detection. Stampli’s versatile suite of integrated products and compatibility with over 70 ERPs make for swift deployment, helping companies like the New England Security Protective Services Agency (NESPSA) process invoices 5x faster and eliminate late payments.

Want to learn more about how Stampli can help your invoice and payment management workflow? Contact us today for a free demo and see why Stampli is the best choice for AP automation.