The 6 best Quadient AP Automation by Beanworks alternatives

Top Quadient AP Automation by Beanworks alternatives

Business process automation provider Quadient acquired Beanworks AP automation in 2021 and rebranded it as Quadient Accounts Payable Automation by Beanworks (Quadient AP). The company leverages custom business rules to automate accounts payable workflows and to manage the routing of purchase orders (POs), invoices, and payment approvals for improved efficiency. 

Quadient AP is an accounts payable automation solution with comprehensive features for medium- and enterprise-sized businesses. However, numerous alternative solutions are available if you need an end-to-end AP automation solution that integrates seamlessly with ERPs and accounting systems without any rework.

Let’s look at 6 alternatives to Quadient Accounts Payable Automation that you may want to explore.

1. Stampli

Side by side comparison of Beanworks vs Stampli using a star rating (1 to 10) showing Stampli ahead in all categories: product direction, good partner, quality of support, ease of admin, ease of setup, ease of use, meets requirements according to g2

Stampli’s unique ability to learn a company’s patterns and processes allows it to automate essential accounting functions, making it the perfect solution for Accounts Payable. Stampli’s flexible solution allows customers to set custom business rules, such as fixed approval workflows. By leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, Stampli streamlines and optimizes AP workflows like invoice scanning and coding, approval routing, and payment processing.

With Stampli, accounts payable teams gain complete visibility and control over every type of business spend, allowing them to manage working capital and transform AP into a strategic driver for their business. 

Stampli’s commitment to corporate responsibility, exceptional customer service, and leadership has earned them many awards, 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

  • Seamless, pre-built integration with over 70 ERPs and accounting systems.
  • Built-in reporting offers real-time visibility into AP trends, analytics, and visual dashboards to provide visibility into cash flow.
  • Automates and streamlines invoice to payment tasks like invoice data entry, GL coding, and validation to eliminate late payments.
  • Manages multi-currency, multi-location, and multi-subsidiary accounts payable scenarios.
  • Supports custom approval routing and multiple approvers for faster approvals.
  • Handles international payments to suppliers in over 150+ countries in USD or local currency.
Quote from Anthony Fernandes, financial controller at Alden Renewals: "stampli displaces $150k to $200k in labor expenses annually, while providing more accuracy and reducing human error. Without stampli, I'd have to hire two more people to handle all our invoices." Read the case study

Advantages

Customer satisfaction

Stampli consistently receives top ratings for customer service in the G2 Grid for Accounts Payable software for Implementation, Relationship, and Usability.

More control

Stampli centralizes all AP-related communications, documents, and workflows on top of the invoice for greater control.

Smartest AI

Stampli’s AI assistant, Billy the Bot™, learns your AP processes and reduces tedious manual tasks to assist across the entire invoice lifecycle, including invoice capture, coding, matching, approvals, and fraud detection.

Time to value

Stampli completes most implementations within days, not weeks, without disrupting existing workflows or IT infrastructure. They offer live onboarding assistance and 24/7 support from a team of AP and ERP experts.

Integrated services beyond Accounts Payable Automation

Stampli’s core AP automation solution features a suite of integrated products that offer a higher level of automation for financial tasks.

Pricing

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

Bottom line

Stampli is the best choice for businesses that need a comprehensive accounts payable automation solution. With its user-friendly interface, extensive industry expertise, transparent pricing, and excellent customer service track record, Stampli stands out as the top alternative to Quadient Account Payable Automation by Beanworks.

2. BILL (formerly bill.com)

Side by side comparison of Beanworks vs bill using a star rating (1 to 10) showing Beanworks ahead in all categories according to g2

BILL offers cloud accounting software to help freelancers and small businesses simplify and automate the financial management process. With features like revenue management, accounts receivable, accounts payable, online payments, bookkeeping, and integration with business accounting software, BILL empowers small businesses to manage their cash inflows and outflows effectively.

Key features

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

Essentials

  • Choice of accounts payable automation or accounts receivable automation services.
  • AP automation: invoice scanning, capture, and coding, vendor information management, document storage, and payment processing.
  • Manual (CSV) accounting integrations with QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Premier, and Xero.
  • Standardized user roles.
  • Email-only support.

Team

Everything in the Essentials tier, plus:

  • Automated two-way sync with QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Premier, and Xero.
  • Custom user roles.

Corporate

Everything in the Team tier, plus:

  • AP and AR automation.
  • Automated two-way sync with QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Premier, and Xero.
  • Custom approval process.

Enterprise

Everything in the Corporate tier, plus:

  • Automated sync with QuickBooks Enterprise, Oracle NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics ERPs.
  • Multi-location & multi-entity accounting.
  • Priority customer support.
  • API access.

Advantages

Improved business efficiency

With BILL, businesses can reduce the hassle of manual data entry and devote more time and resources to growth opportunities. Additionally, BILL offers electronic payment options, like ACH and credit cards, to help businesses pay suppliers faster.

Spend management

Businesses can establish customized approval automation, roles, and permissions (at higher service tiers) to achieve better visibility and control over expenses.

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

For small business owners looking at cost-effective cloud-based accounting solutions, BILL is a great alternative to Quadient Accounts Payable Automation. It offers a user-friendly interface and access to basic accounting features to simplify complex business processes. Businesses can add more features to the BILL platform as their needs evolve, making it an ideal long-term solution for growing small businesses.

3. Airbase

Side by side comparison of Beanworks vs airbase using a star rating (1 to 10) showing airbase ahead in all categories except "product direct" where Beanworks scored 9.3 to Airbase's 9.0 according to g2

Airbase provides accounting teams with automation tools and resources to help them simplify and streamline financial management. Its user-friendly interface and wide range of features help customers manage their finances efficiently and reduce costs. With its spend management capabilities, flexible credit card program, and customizable service packages, Airbase is a wise choice for anyone looking to streamline manual processes and optimize their financial operations.

With Airbase, managing employee expenses, the accounts payable process, and procurement becomes an efficient process that helps companies streamline their financial operations while reducing risks.

Key features

Airbase offers three service packages that combine four core components: Corporate Cards, Accounts Payable, Guided Procurement, and Expense Management. Their AP component includes AP automation features, such as:

  • Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology that automatically extracts vendor information, invoice details, and other information from invoices.
  • Automated invoice GL coding and PO matching.
  • Centralized spend management dashboard for accounts payable, expenses, and credit cards.
  • Customized rules and multiple approval routing for expenditures.

Advantages

Corporate card spend management

Airbase’s roots are in corporate card management, and its spend management platform reflects that background with capabilities like card management, rewards and cashback on vendor spending, and detailed, real-time card expenditure reports.

Flexible customer support

Airbase has multiple support customer channels, including email, online chat, and a knowledge base.

Pricing

Airbase offers three service packages. Certain features and modules are only available at higher-priced tiers, and pricing for each tier is customized according to customers’ needs.

Standard

Basic access to modules and special features for small and medium businesses. (less than 200 employees)

Premium

Enhanced access to modules and greater functionality for medium-sized businesses (up to 500 employees).

Enterprise

Access to all modules and Airbase’s complete suite of features for enterprise businesses (up to 5,000 employees).

Bottom line

When it comes to managing the accounts payable process, Airbase could be a valuable resource for growing mid-sized businesses. It can help streamline financial processes, track expenses, and scale to meet a growing company’s changing needs, making it a noteworthy alternative to Quadient AP Automation.

4. AvidXchange

Side by side comparison of Beanworks vs avidxchange using a star rating (1 to 10) showing avidxchange ahead in all categories according to g2

AvidXchange’s cloud-based, end-to-end AP automation software is based on three functional areas: purchase-to-payment automation, invoice management, and automated invoice approval and payment processing. Their goal is to “transform the way middle market companies receive, manage, and pay their bills.”

The AvidXchange platform features modules to automate AP processing functions, such as the AvidInvoice module for invoice processing and the AvidPay module for supplier payments. AvidXchange also provides modules to help companies with tasks like utility cost management and spend analytics.

Key features

  • Automatically performs OFAC (Office for Foreign Asset Control) checks on vendors during onboarding and before each payment run.
  • Expedited supplier payments to US vendors in the AvidPay membership network.
  • Integrates with industry-specific business systems like Rent Manager, MIP Fund Accounting, and Yardi and with QuickBooks Online, Sage Intacct, NetSuite, and MRI Software.
  • Tailored industry or integration-based accounts payable solutions.
  • Research and financial reporting functionality gives real-time visibility into historical accounting records.

Advantages

Improved process efficiency

By automating manual entry, AvidXchange enables finance teams to focus on higher-value and strategic work.

User-friendly client portal

AvidXchange’s user-friendly client portal can be accessed from any device and is designed to cater to the needs of non-accounting employees.

Pricing

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

Bottom line

AvidXchange provides a range of custom-built modules and AP solutions that cater to the unique needs of diverse industries, such as real estate, construction (TimberScan), and finance (AvidAccess). This makes it a flexible and versatile alternative to Quadient AP Automation, particularly for customers who require tailored solutions.

5. Tipalti

Side by side comparison of Beanworks vs tipalti using a star rating (1 to 10) showing beanworks ahead in all categories except "product direction" where tipalti scored a 9.4 to Beanwork's 9.3 according to g2

Tipalti is an accounts payable automation platform offering various features to eliminate manual data entry and streamline financial processes for medium-sized and large businesses. With its advanced accounts payable automation processing, customizable and user-friendly interface, comprehensive financial controls, and robust tax compliance, Tipalti empowers businesses to enhance processing efficiency and optimize cash flow management.

Key Features

  • Tipalti automates the entire process of capturing and entering invoice data, three-way matching invoices to purchase orders, processing vendor payments, and performing reconciliations.
  • Automatically enforces financial policies and internal controls, keeps a complete audit trail, and detects accounting errors.
  • Tipalti’s supplier portal facilitates communications and enables self-serve vendor onboarding.
  • PO requisition features help companies control and manage procurement and spending.
  • Tax and regulatory compliance functionality powered by a KPMG-approved tax engine.

Advantages

Multi-entity support

Tipalti’s single platform lets multi-entity organizations streamline their accounts payable processing with entity-specific workflows and allows them to track performance and AP data at a company-wide level.

Simplified user interface

Tipalti’s interface is user-friendly and enables easy navigation of financial operations, including access to documentation, workflows, transaction data, and accounting records.

Pricing

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

Bottom line

When it comes to finding the right AP automation and payment processing platform, Tipalti is a worthwhile alternative to Quadient AP Automation. Its customizable end-to-end solution, comprehensive internal controls, and flexible processing functionality help businesses automate AP processes.

6. Spendesk

Side by side comparison of Beanworks vs spendesk using a star rating (1 to 10) showing spendesk ahead in all categories except "product direction" where Beanworks scored 9.3 to spendesk's 8.7 according to g2

With its extensive range of features and 7-in-1 spend management application, Spendesk empowers organizations to manage their business expenses and streamline their financial processes.

In November 2022, Spendesk added basic accounts payable process automation to its existing portfolio of spend management services, which includes corporate cards, employee expense management, budgeting, invoice approval, regulatory compliance, and reporting. This enhancement aims to make Spendesk a comprehensive solution for businesses that want an all-in-one solution to optimize their financial operations.

Key features

Spendesk’s AP automation solution includes several innovative features to give customers more control over their AP spending.

  • Tools for tracking and monitoring spending on specific expense categories like office supplies and subscriptions.
  • Spendesk’s centralized expense tracking system lets vendors and employees upload receipts, invoices, expense reports, and other documents from anywhere on any device.
  • Integrates with QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, Sage Intacct, FreshBooks, Xero, and DATEV.

Advantages

Supports business growth

Spendesk offers innovative features and tools to simplify expense management, credit card monitoring, and accounting functions and help businesses make informed spend decisions.

Flexible and versatile expense management

With Spendesk’s spend management dashboard, businesses can access real-time reports on employee expenses, AP payments, and corporate cards and forecast committed spending in one place.

Pricing

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

Bottom line

Spendesk is a good option for small and medium-sized businesses looking for a flexible and scalable solution to manage spending and provide core accounts payable functions. While it’s not a traditional AP automation solution provider, Spendesk offers innovative tools and a user-friendly approach to streamlining invoice management and payment processes, making it an interesting alternative to Quadient AP Automation.

Do you need an alternative to Quadient Accounts Payable Automation? 

While Quadient Accounts Payable Automation offers a great solution for streamlining accounts payable processes, several compelling alternatives cater to specific user needs and challenges: 

  • Stampli is the leading solution specifically designed for accounts payable, with AI-powered data entry and a proven history of exceeding customer expectations.
  • BILL provides affordable accounting, AR, and AP automation solutions for small and growing businesses.
  • Airbase is a good option for companies that want to adopt corporate credit cards and enhance their spending management.
  • AvidXchange offers tailored AP automation solutions and a user-friendly online dashboard.
  • Tipalti is a good choice for companies needing a comprehensive AP and global payables automation solution.
  • Spendesk provides a versatile all-in-one spend management platform with innovative AP spend management features.
All platforms compared on 10-star rating system showing Stampli in the lead in all categories except "ease of use" (airbase and spendesk 9.5, stampli 9.4) and meets requirements (airbase 9.4, stampli 9.2)

These solutions all offer compelling alternatives to Quadient Accounts Payable Automation for financial management.

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.

Feature comparison chart of Stampli versus other provides showcasing things like Stampli's unlimited vendors, locations, and a dedicated customer success manager

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.

Simplify Accounts Payable processing with Stampli

Stampli is a comprehensive solution for all your accounts payable (AP) needs. No more dealing with workarounds, spreadsheets, or manual ERP work – Stampli offers an efficient, AI-powered solution for AP automation.

Stampli enhances your existing AP workflows without changing them, making AP management simpler than ever. With all AP-related tasks centralized in one user-friendly interface, your communication, documentation, and workflows are simplified and easy to manage.

Using artificial intelligence automation features like Billy the Bot™, Stampli provides real-time visibility and control over your AP processes while streamlining manual tasks. With Stampli, you can stay on top of your finances and effortlessly manage your AP tasks.

Stampli`s versatile suite of integrated products and compatibility with over 70 ERPs make for swift deployment, helping companies like Alden Renewables save money on AP labor costs.

Let’s talk about all the ways Stampli can help your invoice and payment management workflow. Contact us today for a free demo and see why Stampli is the best alternative to Quadient AP.

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