The 9 best accounts payable software solutions in 2024

Accounts payable (AP) software is a digital platform that automates the process of managing and paying vendor bills, transforming the traditionally manual task of invoice processing into a streamlined workflow. AP technology eliminates paper-based systems and manual data entry, helping businesses save time and reduce errors in their payment processes.

How AP software works

The software digitizes incoming invoices from various sources — email, mail, or electronic submissions. Once captured, these invoices enter an automated workflow where they're routed through preset approval chains, matched with purchase orders, and scheduled for payment. The entire process syncs with your accounting system, maintaining accurate financial records without manual intervention.

An accounts payable processing system automates how businesses handle their bills and vendor payments. This digital solution turns paper invoices and manual tasks into an efficient payment workflow that keeps your business running smoothly.

How AP processing systems work

When a vendor sends a bill, the AP processing system automatically captures and digitizes it. From there, it routes the invoice through approval workflows based on your business rules. Smart automation handles data entry, payment scheduling, and accounting updates — turning time-consuming manual tasks into a streamlined digital process that gives you clear visibility into company spending.

As businesses continue to digitize their financial operations, choosing the right accounts payable automation software has become crucial. The following essential features separate modern AP automation platforms from basic payment processing tools. Let's explore the key capabilities that drive efficiency and accuracy in accounts payable management.

1. Intelligent invoice capture

Advanced optical character recognition (OCR) technology automatically extracts and processes key data from invoices in any format. The system reads line items, totals, and vendor information with high accuracy, eliminating manual data entry. Smart categorization automatically assigns the correct expense categories and cost centers, and built-in validation tooling catches errors and flags discrepancies before they impact your books. Additionally, features like 2-way matching in accounts payable help prevent payment fraud and errors before they occur.

2. Automated approval workflows

Custom approval chains route invoices to the right approvers based on the amount, department, or vendor type. The system sends automatic reminders to keep payments moving through each approval stage. Mobile accessibility allows team members to review and approve invoices from anywhere. Automated routing prevents payment delays and maintains clear accountability throughout the process.

3. Real-time spend visibility

Comprehensive dashboards provide instant visibility into pending payments and cash flow projections. Real-time tracking shows exactly where money is being spent across the organization. Custom reports help identify spending patterns and opportunities for cost savings. Export capabilities allow for deeper analysis and seamless sharing with stakeholders.

4. Seamless accounting integrations

Direct integration with major accounting platforms eliminates double entry and reconciliation headaches. Every transaction syncs automatically with the correct accounts and categories. Real-time updates ensure your financial records are always current and accurate, and the automated sync maintains a clear audit trail of all financial activities.

5. Multi-payment method support

Process payments through multiple methods including ACH, wire transfers, and virtual cards with equal efficiency. Built-in security controls protect sensitive financial data across all payment types. Automated scheduling helps capture early payment discounts and optimizes cash flow. The best part — complete payment tracking provides visibility from invoice receipt through final settlement.

When selecting accounts payable software, prioritize these essential features to help streamline your financial operations and reduce manual work. By implementing a solution with robust automation capabilities, businesses can process invoices faster, maintain better financial control, and free up their teams to focus on strategic initiatives.

Choosing the right accounts payable software can significantly improve how your business handles vendor payments and financial workflows. From enterprise solutions to small business tools, we've analyzed the top platforms to help you make an informed purchasing decision.

1. Brex

Overview

Built for modern businesses, Brex revolutionizes financial operations by combining intelligent spend management with streamlined accounts payable. This unified approach helps growing companies scale their financial processes while maintaining tight control over expenses and payments.

Key features

Brex transforms invoice processing through advanced AI technology that automatically captures the data you need and automates approvals. Finance and AP teams gain immediate insights into spending patterns while automated payment scheduling keeps cash flow running smoothly. Seamless integrations with popular accounting software like QuickBooks Online and NetSuite ensure accurate financial records, eliminating traditional manual reconciliation headaches.

Pros

• Automated invoice processing and payment scheduling
• Robust mobile approval capabilities
• Flexible payment methods, including purchase cards
• Expansive global capabilities, with support for 30+ currencies
• Integrated expense management
• Real-time spending insights

Cons

• Relatively new entrant to the AP space
• More features than small businesses might need

Pricing

Custom pricing based on business size and needs. Contact sales for detailed quotes.

2. Sage

Overview

Sage delivers powerful accounts payable automation designed for mid-sized to large enterprises with complex financial needs. The platform excels in managing multiple business entities while maintaining the strict controls and compliance features that larger organizations demand.

Key features

Sage brings sophistication to multi-entity management and document handling. The automated three-way matching speeds up invoice verification, while customizable approval workflows adapt to any organizational structure. Detailed audit trails and reporting tools give finance teams complete visibility into their AP processes.

Pros

• Strong compliance features
• Excellent multi-company support
• Detailed audit trails
• Comprehensive reporting

Cons

• Steeper learning curve
• Higher price point

Pricing

Tiered pricing starts at $199/month. Enterprise pricing requires consultation.

3. QuickBooks Online

Overview

QuickBooks Online simplifies accounts payable for small and medium-sized businesses through intuitive design and practical features. The platform naturally connects AP functions with everyday accounting tasks, creating a smooth experience that business owners can master quickly.

Key features

The platform makes bill management less complex with smart automation for recurring payments and vendor tracking. Real-time updates show exactly where money is going, while the mobile app lets busy owners approve payments from anywhere. The straightforward design helps teams stay on top of due dates and cash flow without complexity.

Pros

• Easy to learn and use
• Comprehensive accounting integration
• Strong mobile functionality
• Affordable for small businesses

Cons

• Limited customization options
• Basic AP automation features

Pricing

Plans range from $30-$200/month, with additional users at extra cost.

4. NetSuite

Overview

Oracle NetSuite delivers enterprise-grade accounts payable automation as part of its broader financial management platform. This comprehensive solution helps larger organizations handle complex financial operations while maintaining tight control over spending and compliance.

Key features

NetSuite empowers finance teams with intelligent approval workflows that adapt to business needs. Deep vendor management capabilities streamline relationships with suppliers, while powerful reporting tools uncover spending insights. The platform handles complex payment scenarios across multiple entities and currencies with precision.

Pros

• Comprehensive ERP integration
• Advanced automation capabilities
• Robust security features
• Scalable solution

Cons

• Significant implementation effort
• Higher cost point
• Complex setup process

Pricing

Custom pricing based on business requirements. Implementation costs apply.

5. Xero

Overview

Xero brings cloud-based accounts payable functionality to small businesses and startups looking for simplicity without sacrificing capability. The platform makes financial management accessible while providing the tools growing companies need to scale.

Key features

Xero streamlines bill payments through automated tracking and scheduling. Direct bank connections eliminate manual reconciliation, while smart coding reduces data entry time. Purchase order management integrates smoothly with bill payment workflows, creating a relatively comprehensive purchasing solution.

Pros

• User-friendly interface
• Strong mobile app
• Affordable pricing
• Decent international capabilities

Cons

• Limited customization
• Basic reporting features
• Restricted user roles

Pricing

Plans from $35-$65/month with additional features available as add-ons.

6. Coupa

Overview

Coupa transforms how enterprises manage spending through comprehensive accounts payable and procurement automation. The platform helps large organizations take control of their entire purchasing cycle while improving supplier relationships.

Key features

Intelligent invoice processing eliminates manual tasks while maintaining accuracy. Approval workflows adjust to match company policies, and detailed analytics reveal opportunities for cost savings. Rich supplier management tools strengthen vendor relationships and improve payment efficiency.

Pros

• Comprehensive spend management
• Strong supplier network
• Advanced analytics
• Global payment capabilities

Cons

• Complex implementation
• Premium pricing
• Requires significant setup

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing. Contact sales for detailed quotes.

7. Tipalti

Overview

Tipalti breaks down global payment barriers by automating complex accounts payable workflows across currencies and countries. The platform helps growing companies manage international payments while maintaining tax compliance and payment accuracy.

Key features

Built-in multi-currency support simplifies global transactions. Automated payment reconciliation reduces errors, while tax compliance tools handle international requirements. The platform manages diverse payment methods and currencies, making global vendor payments straightforward.

Pros

• Excellent global payment capabilities
• Strong compliance features
• Automated tax form collection
• Comprehensive payment methods

Cons

• Higher price point
• Complex setup process
• Better suited for larger organizations

Pricing

Custom pricing based on payment volume and features needed.

8. Stampli

Overview

Stampli modernizes accounts payable through artificial intelligence that learns and adapts to your business practices. The platform focuses on making invoice management and approvals simple while maintaining detailed tracking and control.

Key features

Smart technology learns payment patterns to speed up processing. Built-in communication tools keep everyone aligned on invoice status and questions. The platform simplifies complex coding tasks and provides clear audit trails for every transaction.

Pros

• Strong AI capabilities
• User-friendly interface
• Excellent collaboration tools
• Fast implementation

Cons

• Limited integration options
• Basic reporting features
• Newer to market

Pricing

Flexible pricing based on invoice volume and user count. Contact sales for quotes.

9. FreshBooks

Overview

FreshBooks combines accounts payable features with intuitive accounting tools, making it particularly appealing to small businesses and freelancers. The platform emphasizes ease of use and automation for basic AP workflows.

Key features

Automated bill payments remove the stress of managing due dates. Receipt scanning turns paper documents into organized digital records, while vendor tracking keeps supplier information organized. The platform handles recurring payments automatically, saving time on routine tasks.

Pros

• Simple, intuitive interface
• Great for small businesses
• Strong mobile app
• Excellent customer support

Cons

• Limited AP automation features
• Basic vendor management
• Not ideal for larger organizations
• Restricted user permissions

Pricing

Plans range from $17-$55/month with additional users at $10/month. Custom pricing is available for larger teams.

Large organizations face unique challenges when managing vendor payments and financial workflows. From processing thousands of monthly invoices to maintaining compliance across multiple entities, enterprises need robust accounts payable software that can handle complexity at scale. The right solution turns tedious payment processes into vendor payment automation while providing the control and visibility large businesses demand.

When evaluating AP software for your enterprise, several critical features determine long-term success. Multi-entity management capabilities ensure you can process payments across locations while maintaining separate books. Advanced automation handles high invoice volumes efficiently, while custom approval workflows adapt to complex organizational structures. The software must also integrate seamlessly with existing systems, provide comprehensive security features, and deliver detailed analytics for data-driven decisions. For global operations, support for multiple currencies and international payment methods are essential.

“We find Brex bill pay extremely helpful. We love having a place to save all of our invoices, vendors, and their payment instructions. It allows us to easily compare new charges to historical ones and make sure we have already budgeted for the expense – without having to search or re-enter information.” — Mark Salvioli, Senior Manager of US Finance, Northern Data

Small businesses need accounts payable software that simplifies bill payments without unnecessary complexity or high costs. While large enterprises require extensive features, small companies benefit most from user-friendly solutions that automate basic AP tasks and grow with their business. Finding the right balance between functionality and simplicity helps ensure successful adoption and long-term value.

When evaluating AP software for your small business, focus on essential features that solve everyday challenges. Look for automated invoice processing that reduces manual data entry and basic approval workflows that keep payments moving. The software should integrate easily with your accounting system and provide clear visibility into bills and payments. Most importantly, choose a solution that's easy to learn, fits your budget, and offers reliable customer support when you need help.

“Any invoice that needs approval is automatically routed to me. Now I just have a once-a-week approval system where I click on the bills, verify that they're legitimate, and pay them in the specified time window. Brex bill pay helps ensure that Iʼm not the bottleneck on our procurement.” — Nishant Karandikar, Strategy and Operations Lead, Limelight Steel

Paying vendors on time every time is vendor management 101, and while finance teams want to process these payments more efficiently, many struggle with manual workflows and fragmented systems. Paper invoices pile up, approvals get stuck in email chains, and month-end closing becomes a scramble to match transactions. The good news? There's a better way to manage your accounts payable process flow.

Start by centralizing all your payments in one system to gain clear visibility into spending. Set up documented approval workflows so everyone knows their role in the payment process, and leverage automation to capture invoice data and route bills for approval automatically. Consider early payment discounts to reduce costs, and maintain organized vendor records to prevent payment errors. Most importantly, choose tools that grow with your business — because the right AP solution should make your financial operations more efficient, not more complex.

Still handling vendor payments manually? Brex bill pay leverages AP automation to transform how businesses manage their critical business payments. Let's explore why growing companies are making the switch.

Save valuable time

Manually processing invoices consumes endless hours of your finance team's time. From data entry to approval routing to payment processing, these tedious tasks eat into time better spent on strategic work. Brex eliminates these manual steps through intelligent automation, giving your team the freedom to focus on initiatives that drive business growth.

Maintain better control

Tracking payment statuses and monitoring spending becomes challenging with paper-based processes. Brex changes this by providing real-time visibility into your payables along with detailed spending insights. You'll know exactly where every payment stands — improving your cash flow management processes — while custom approval workflows ensure proper oversight without creating bottlenecks.

Reduce payment errors

Manual data entry inevitably leads to mistakes — from duplicate payments to mistyped amounts that cost your business money. Brex's intelligent validation spots these issues before they impact your bottom line. By catching duplicate invoices and validating payment details automatically, the software helps prevent duplicate payments in accounts payable and maintain accuracy.

Simplify accounting

Month-end reconciliation shouldn't require long hours of matching transactions. Brex eliminates accounts payable reconciliation headaches by syncing directly with your accounting software. Every payment automatically flows into the right accounts with proper coding, making your monthly close faster and more accurate.

Strengthen vendor relationships

Nothing strains vendor relationships like late or incorrect payments. Brex helps you maintain strong partnerships through reliable, on-time payments and clear communication. Automated payment scheduling ensures vendors get paid when promised, while easy access to payment histories makes answering vendor questions simple.

Scale with confidence

Your AP needs will grow alongside your business. Brex provides the flexibility to handle increasing invoice volumes without adding complexity. The software combines powerful features with intuitive design, creating an AP solution that grows with you while remaining easy to use.

As businesses continue to improve their financial operations, automated AP processing is essential for maintaining a competitive advantage. Brex's comprehensive solution helps companies of all sizes work smarter while maintaining the controls they need to grow confidently.

Before switching to Brex, Alchemy struggled with fragmented financial systems that slowed down their month-end close. The web3 developer platform used separate solutions for corporate cards, invoicing, and reimbursements — none of which worked together seamlessly.

The challenge of disconnected systems

Alchemy's finance team juggled multiple platforms: Bill.com for invoices, Bank of America for corporate cards, and a payroll provider for expense reimbursements. This fragmented approach created significant manual work and made it difficult to track spending accurately. Without integration between systems, the team lacked visibility into real-time financial data.

Finding a unified solution

"Having a unified approach to all of our spend has helped bring everything together," explains Sean Soper, Alchemy's Head of Accounting and Financial Operations. By consolidating its entire financial workflow onto Brex's platform, Alchemy gained control over everything from virtual cards to wire transfers in one place.

The impact: Beyond time savings

The results speak for themselves. Alchemy now saves up to 3 days on its monthly close process. But the benefits extend far beyond faster closing:

• Employees save two hours monthly on expense reimbursements
• Real-time spending insights enable better financial decisions
• Automated receipt matching and coding reduce manual work
• Direct ERP integration maintains accurate financial records

Building for the future

For Alchemy, scalability was key in choosing their new financial platform. “We wanted a solution that would grow alongside us,” Soper notes. With features like programmatic controls and unlimited virtual cards, they found a platform that could support their expansion while maintaining financial efficiency.

The competitive edge

Alchemy’s story shows how the right financial tools can transform business operations. "By consolidating expenses, we can optimize our spending, make more informed decisions on the fly, and improve our bottom line,” Soper explains. In today's fast-moving business environment, that kind of financial agility isn't just convenient — it's essential for growth.

The lesson is clear: When companies break free from fragmented financial systems, they gain more than just efficiency. They position themselves for smarter growth and better financial decisions.

Choosing the right accounts payable software is key for businesses looking to streamline their financial operations. From small business solutions like FreshBooks to enterprise platforms like NetSuite, each option offers unique features to track accounts payable metrics and match different business needs. The key is finding software that aligns with your current requirements while providing room for growth.

Brex stands out by offering more than just AP automation. Its unified platform combines powerful accounts payable features with comprehensive spend management and a flexible corporate card. This integrated approach eliminates the fragmentation that plagues many businesses, providing real-time visibility into company spending while simplifying workflows for finance teams.

Ready to transform your financial operations? Join forward-thinking companies like Alchemy who have revolutionized their payment processes with Brex. Whether you're looking to save time on monthly closes, gain better spending insights, or improve how you keep track of invoices and payments efficiently, Brex provides the tools you need to succeed.

Sign up for Brex today to streamline your accounts payable process, automate manual tasks, and take control of your company's spending — all in one powerful platform.