If you're evaluating financial automation platforms, you're in good company. Three in ten growing small and medium businesses switch their payment solution as a direct result of company growth, typically seeking enhanced security, additional features, and faster processing speeds.1
This comprehensive comparison examines how BILL stacks up against alternatives in today's competitive market. We'll cover the features, pricing, and capabilities that matter most to finance teams, helping you make an informed decision for your organization's financial operations.
What drives growing businesses to reevaluate their financial tech stack?
According to BILL's State of B2B Payments Report 2025, 68% of small and midsize businesses reported growth over the last three years, with an average growth rate of 22% among those that expanded.
This rapid growth creates new demands on financial systems. That's why 3 in 10 growing businesses report switching their payment solution as a direct result of that growth, driven by evolving operational needs that their current platforms simply can't handle.
The top drivers for switching reveal what growing businesses need most. Security and fraud protection top the list at 65%, which makes perfect sense. As companies handle larger transactions and expand their transaction volumes, the stakes for financial security increase dramatically.
But security isn't the only concern. More than half reported needing additional features (53%) and faster processing speeds (53%), while nearly half required a solution that could manage higher payment volumes (46%).
Integration becomes critical as businesses mature. Over one-third (35%) need platforms that connect seamlessly with other systems, while 29% require centralized payment solutions to manage increasingly complex operations. Growing businesses also need to pay more vendors (25%) and require solutions built for larger teams (22%).
These aren't nice-to-have features—they're operational necessities. When 88% of SMBs say their digital payments platform is important or essential to their ability to scale, choosing the right solution becomes a strategic decision that directly impacts growth potential.
A trusted AI-powered partner for financial operations
AI is a game changer for the future of financial operations. At BILL, we're not just adding AI features—we're transforming how small and midsize businesses manage their finances. As an intelligent financial operations platform trusted by nearly 500,000 SMBs and over 9,000 accounting firms (including nearly 90% of the top 100 firms), we've built the infrastructure to deliver AI-powered solutions at scale—from growing small businesses to complex, multi-entity organizations.
Our track record speaks volumes. More than 40,000 customers already benefit from multiple AI features on our platform, with our AI solutions processing nearly 500 million documents and stopping over 8 million fraudulent attempts in fiscal 2025 alone. With approximately 1% of US GDP flowing through our platform annually, we have the scale and data advantage to deliver real value today while building for tomorrow.
Looking ahead, we're moving beyond AI-assisted workflows to eliminate unnecessary workflows entirely. This represents a fundamental shift from "doing it with you" to "doing it for you"—giving SMBs, regardless of size, access to strategic finance capabilities previously available only to enterprises. We're leveraging 20 years of experience and data from millions of SMBs and over $1 trillion in payment volume that has flowed through our platform to ensure these agents deliver safely and effectively at scale.
The future we envision is one in which growing companies can focus on what they do best while their financial operations run intelligently and autonomously in the background—accessible from anywhere, on any device, at the speed of business.
The market today: A closer look at BILL and alternatives
Understanding the capabilities and limitations of each platform helps finance teams make informed choices that support long-term growth.
BILL: Category leader
BILL automates the complete financial operations workflow.
Accounts payable automation
Feature
Custom user roles
Including view-only access for auditors, lenders, or potential investors.
Custom automated approval workflows
With unlimited approval levels and multi-location routing.
Automatic invoice capture
Via OCR technology to minimize manual invoice processing.
AI-powered fraud detection
Flags duplicate invoice numbers, address changes, and suspicious transactions.
3-way matching
Validates purchase orders, invoices, and receiving reports for complete audit trails.
Clearing account
For extremely fast monthly close, or even continuous close.
Due dates and timelines
Easy visibility into deadlines and early payment discounts for strong cash flow management.
Domestic payments
Via ACH, credit card, virtual card, and check (we print and mail them for you).
Global payments
Pay by Local Transfer at no charge, often within 24 hours, or by international wire — BILL supports payments to over 130 countries, with competitive exchange rates.
Native 1099 filing
Automatically collects vendor tax information, generates forms, and files directly with the IRS.
Multi-entity AP (with Enterprise plan)
Manage multiple entities or business locations all in one place, with the accounting separation you need and the ability to adjust access and approvals at the global or entity level.
BILL Procurement
Manage procure-to-pay workflows from a single, easy-to-use workspace—AI-powered automation minimizes errors, keeps POs and invoices instantly accessible, and streamlines everything from purchase to 2-way matching to payment and reconciliation.
Mass payments
Pay up to 2,000 bills in minutes through a streamlined, intelligent interface that’s purpose-built for mass payment workflows.
BILL API Platform
Create your own integrated workflows with a beautifully documented API, including clear guides, release notes, and recipes—also available on the Postman API Network.
Spend and expense management
Feature
Free-to-use software
All software features completely free,* including enterprise integrations.
Scalable business credit
Credit lines from $500 to $5M.4
Real-time budget controls
With custom spending limits by team member, vendor, or category.
Instant funding controls
Raise, lower, or remove funding from cards at any time, right from your dashboard.5
Unlimited physical and virtual cards at no cost
Apply for as many as you need, with physical cards for easy team spending and travel, and virtual cards for secure online purchases and subscription management.
Snap-and-save receipt capture
Automatic receipt capture in the mobile app eliminates manual expense reports.
Reimbursements when needed
Out-of-pocket expense tracking and reimbursement management.
Real-time visibility
See spend as it happens, for reports that are always up to date.
Competitive corporate card rewards
Up to 7x points on restaurants, 5x points on hotels, 2x points on recurring software subscriptions, and 1.5x points on everything else.
Flexible redemption
Cash back, statement credit, gift cards, or travel.
TravelPerk
Partnership with TravelPerk for enhanced travel booking rates.
*Transaction fees may apply.
Accounts receivable automation
Feature
Complete AR management
Manage the entire invoice-to-cash cycle in one place.
Customized invoices
Create your own branded templates.
Add payment terms
With customizable payment terms and early payment discount options.
Recurring billing
Schedule recurring billing for regular customers or subscriptions.
Auto-pay
Customers can sign up for regular payments as well, fully automating your AR.
Invoice status tracking
Track invoice status in real-time with detailed payment analytics.
Automated reminders
Automate payment reminders for unpaid invoices with customizable timing.
Customer portal
Let customers manage their own payment preferences.
Secure payment links
Accept payments via ACH or credit card through secure payment links.
Guest payments
No log-in required for one-time payments.
Include processing fees
Option to pass credit card fees to customers via convenience fees (flat fee or percentage.
Direct deposit
Funds are deposited directly into your bank account.
Security and compliance
Feature
SOC
Annual SOC1 and SOC2 Type II audits
Compliance programs
AML and OFAC
256-bit encryption
For all data transfers
2-step verification
To verify identity and account access
Positive Pay
For check fraud prevention
Fraud monitoring
Comprehensive monitoring systems that flag suspicious transactions in real-time
Secure data center facilities
With redundant backups
Digital payment network processing
For enhanced security
HIPAA-compliant solutions
Enabling BILL to sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for healthcare clients who handle protected health information (PHI)
Support and implementation
Feature
White-glove implementation
With dedicated customer success managers.
Get started fast
Start making payments in hours or days, not weeks or months.
Live phone and chat support
From real humans, seven days a week, at no additional cost.
Extensive knowledge base
With plenty of training resources to turn your team into experts, fast.
AI-powered Sync Assist
Provides personalized troubleshooting based on your specific issue.
Integrations and mobile apps
Feature
Automatic 2-way sync
With top accounting software and ERPs, to eliminate duplicate data entry
Enterprise-grade integrations
With QuickBooks Online and Desktop, NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and Xero — all at no extra charge
API access
For custom integrations and developer solutions
4.9-star app for AP & AR
Over 49,000 ratings on the App Store
4.8-star app for Spend & Expense
Over 22,000 ratings on the App Store
Approve and pay
Manage bills and budgets, approvals, and payments any time, anywhere
Real-time tracking
Automatic, real-time connections keep your cash flow and reporting data up to date, 24/7
AvidXchange
AvidXchange is a niche AP automation provider. Designed as a point solution for accounts payable, it offers limited functionality compared to BILL and lacks the integrated suite of tools necessary to manage a company's complete financial operations.
Accounts payable automation
Feature
AvidXchange
International payment options
❌ Lacks the ability to send no-fee local transfers to over 130 countries.
Clearing account
❌
1099 processing
❌
Custom user roles
While AvidXchange allows for custom roles, BILL's platform is designed for more granular, self-service control that's easy for non-technical finance leads to manage.
Vendor experience
AvidXchange’s payment model often involves its team contacting your suppliers to encourage them to accept electronic payments like virtual cards, which can come with fees for the supplier and cause friction. BILL’s approach is highly supportive of your vendor network, allowing your vendors to choose their preferred payment method, including a free standard ACH option.
Spend and expense management
Feature
AvidXchange
Spend and expense management
❌
Accounts receivable automation
Feature
AvidXchange
AR services
❌
Support and implementation
Feature
AvidXchange
Implementation
Implementation is often lengthy and complex, taking months and requires additional professional service fees.
Pricing
Pricing is not transparent — hidden, quote-based pricing makes it difficult to predict the total cost of ownership.
Integrations and mobile app
Feature
AvidXchange
AvidXchange mobile app
❌
Integration with Xero
❌
Brex
Brex is a corporate card and cash management solution that's missing several key features in accounts payable, does not include accounts receivable, and offers only limited support options, making it far less scalable than BILL's comprehensive financial automation platform.
Accounts payable automation
Feature
Brex
1099 processing
❌
Local transfers for global vendor payments
International payments are limited to traditional wires. Must fund payment via Brex business account to send payments to many countries. While reimbursements are possible with no-fee local transfers in local currencies, these do not extend to vendor payments.
Spend and expense management
Feature
Brex
Credit limit tied to cash balances
Credit limits change as your cash balances fluctuate.
Software not free to use
Must upgrade all users to Brex Premium or Brex Enterprise to unlock all features — with BILL, all Spend & Expense features are free to use.
No free budget management
Budget management is available to Brex Premium or Enterprise customers only.
Limited cashback rewards
Highest reward value is often tied to redeeming points within Brex’s own travel portal. Cashback options are significantly devalued by comparison.
Security and compliance
Feature
Brex
Positive Pay
❌
Support and implementation
Feature
Brex
Implementation timeline
Can range from days to a few weeks. Implementation for complex businesses can take weeks, even with the help of professional services.
Integrations and mobile apps
Feature
Brex
QuickBooks Online integration
❌ Only one-way export—does not offer a deep, two-way sync with QuickBooks.
Integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365
❌ None.
Mobile app for AP & AR
❌ None.
Expensify
Expensify is an employee-centric expense management tool designed primarily for receipt tracking and expense reports. While it has expanded to include adjacent financial tasks, its core functionality remains focused on reimbursing employees, not on comprehensive financial operations for the business itself.
Accounts payable automation
Feature
Expensify
3-way matching
❌
Multi-entity AP
The platform can import entities and data from accounting software that supports multi-entity accounting, but it does not offer tools for managing or reporting on multi-entity AP.
Spend and expense management
Feature
Expensify
Paid subscriptions
❌ Most software features require a paid monthly subscription per user, whereas BILL’s spend and expense software is completely free.
Budget enforcement
Expensify lacks tools to enforce budgets and policies, such as auto-freezing cards with incomplete transactions.
Credit limit tied to cash balances
Credit limits change as your cash balances fluctuate.
Accounts receivable automation
Feature
Expensify
Customer portal
❌ No self-service portal for your customers to manage their payments.
Pass credit card processing fees to customers
❌ No such option.
Recurring billing
❌ Cannot manage recurring billing or auto-pay for subscription-based customers.
Security and compliance
Feature
Expensify
Positive Pay
❌
Support and implementation
Feature
Expensify
Limited live support
❌ Support primarily through chat and email, with limited live phone support.
Integration and mobile apps
Feature
Expensify
Integrations
Key integrations with accounting software and ERPs require upgrading to higher-priced plans.
Melio
Melio is a simple payment tool designed for freelancers and micro-businesses that have outgrown writing paper checks but do not require sophisticated financial controls. It lacks the advanced automation, security, and integrated product suite needed to support growing small businesses or midsize businesses.
Accounts payable automation
Feature
Melio
1099 e-filing
❌ Lacks native 1099 e-filing.
Advanced approval workflows
❌
Custom user roles
❌
Accounts receivable automation
Feature
Melio
Advanced, customizable invoice creation
❌
Automated payment reminders
❌
Ability to send recurring invoices
❌
Auto-charge or auto-pay
❌
Pass credit card processing fees to customers
❌
Spend and expense management
Feature
Melio
Spend and expense management
❌ None.
Security and compliance
Feature
Melio
Positive Pay
❌
User roles and permissions
❌ Does not offer granular user roles and permissions, making it difficult to enforce separation of duties and protect against internal fraud.
Integration and mobile apps
Feature
Melio
AR app
❌
Spend and expense app
❌
Integration with Oracle NetSuite
❌
Integration with Sage Intacct
❌
Integration with Microsoft Dynamics
❌
Ramp
Ramp is a corporate card and spend management platform focused on helping companies control employee expenses. While it has added bill payments, it is not a comprehensive financial operations platform and is missing critical functionality, most notably any tools to help a business get paid.
Accounts payable automation
Feature
Ramp
1099 processing
❌
Advanced, custom user roles available with all user permissions
❌
Ability to pay vendors using your existing credit card
❌
Bulk pay multiple vendors at one time
❌
Accounts receivable automation
Feature
Ramp
AR services
❌
Spend and expense management
Feature
Ramp
Budget management
❌
Credit limit tied to cash balances
Credit limits change as your cash balances fluctuate.
Security and compliance
Feature
Ramp
No Positive Pay
❌ None.
Integration and mobile apps
Feature
Ramp
AP app
❌
AR app
❌
SAP Concur
Concur is a specialized Travel and Expense (T&E) management platform. Its core purpose is to manage employee expenses, travel booking, and reimbursement according to complex corporate policies. The platform requires extensive customization and professional services for implementation.
Accounts payable automation
Feature
SAP Concur
1099 processing
❌
Spend and expense management
Feature
SAP Concur
Spend and expense management
❌ SAP Concur does not offer card management solutions such as setting spend limits and virtual cards.
Free-to-use spend and expense management software
❌ SAP Concur charges a subscription fee.
Accounts receivable automation
Feature
SAP Concur
AR services
❌ Only offers payment status tracking.
Support and implementation
Feature
SAP Concur
Implementation
Implementation is complex and requires extensive customization and professional services.
User support
Concur's live support is only available for customers that have purchased this service.
Integration and mobile apps
Feature
SAP Concur
AP app
❌
AR app
❌
Integrations
❌ No integration with Sage Intacct or Microsoft Dynamics.
Tipalti
Tipalti is a complex, expensive AP solution designed for mass global payout needs—needs that BILL handles easily, with far less complexity. Its platform is often overkill, overly rigid, and cost-prohibitive for businesses that want to increase agility in their financial operations through automation.
Accounts payable automation
Feature
Tipalti
1099 processing
❌ No native 1099 processing.
Customer user roles
❌
Spend and expense management
Feature
Tipalti
Budget management
❌
Payment services
❌
Auto-categorization
❌
Real-time insights
❌
Accounts receivable automation
Feature
Tipalti
AR services
❌
Support and implementation
Feature
Tipalti
Implementation
The overall process of diligence, account setup, integration, and workflow customization involved in Tipalti's implementation may take weeks or even months.
Integration and mobile apps
Feature
Tipalti
AP app
❌
AR app
❌
Why there's no alternative to BILL when you want long-term growth
The comparison reveals a fundamental truth: there are no true alternatives to BILL's comprehensive intelligent financial operations platform, especially not for financial teams that need to support rapidly scaling business operations.
When 88% of businesses say their digital payments platform is essential to their ability to scale, the choice becomes clear. Only BILL provides the complete intelligent workflow automation that growing businesses need.
See how BILL can help your finance team keep pace with your success.
"A close confidant told us that BILL is the gold standard for financial operations automation. We decided to try it — the savings in both time and money were immediate. The first thing I did after adopting BILL was head to Waxahachie, open up a burn barrel, and fill it with two filing cabinets worth of pre-printed check stock." — Mark Cuban Companies
"If I would have selected any of [BILL Spend & Expense’s ] competitors, it would have taken months of negotiation for the contract. We would have an implementation team and we might spend a year or more to implement it worldwide." — Noom
"The number of our vendors has grown from 112 in 2021 to almost 300 now. And our monthly transactions have grown from 600 two years ago to almost 3,000 today. Trying to handle all of those as a small team, would've been catastrophic. But just being able to scale with all the tools, solutions, and services that BILL provides has been phenomenal." — Tower 28 Beauty
"To make international payments at my previous company, which didn’t use BILL Accounts Payable, we had to create an export file from our ERP system, then import it into another system. If there were errors, we had to correct the errors before the file could successfully transmit. Then we’d get a printout of the total due, which we would load on the bank as a wire transfer. BILL Accounts Payable does it all in one shot, using the same process for both domestic and international payments. It’s been a much more seamless process with BILL than it has been with other AP systems I’ve used." — Bombas
"We instantly fell in love with BILL and we are still in love today. The amount we paid for the platform and the per-service cost was a fraction of what clients were spending before on AP. Thanks to the clearing account, our reconciliations alone far outweigh the cost. The difference between traditional AP and BILL's automation platform was night and day." — Ledgerly Consulting
3 Based on a survey of 127 BILL Spend and Expense users conducted by UserEvidence in March 2022
4 Credit lines and the advertised range are not guaranteed and will be determined upon application approval.
5 The BILL Divvy Card may be issued by one of Divvy Pay, LLC’s bank partners (bill.com/bank-partners). The BILL Divvy Card is not a deposit product. For your specific lender, see your Card Agreement.
Author
Emily Taylor
Contributing writer, BILL
With a background in finance and over a decade of experience in business writing, Emily simplifies complex finance topics to help businesses streamline operations, manage cash flow, and make smarter financial decisions.
Author
Emily Taylor
Contributing writer, BILL
With a background in finance and over a decade of experience in business writing, Emily simplifies complex finance topics to help businesses streamline operations, manage cash flow, and make smarter financial decisions.
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