Tipalti vs. Airbase: Which AP automation tool is best?

Tipalti and Airbase are powerful AP automation platforms that can seriously streamline financial processes. But which one is the best fit for your business? It all comes down to your specific needs.

We've done the heavy lifting and compared these two platforms inside and out. From their strengths and weaknesses to their ideal use cases, we've got you covered. Whether you're a finance pro, a decision-maker, or a business owner, this in-depth Tipalti vs. Airbase comparison will give you the insights you need to choose the right AP automation solution for you.

Tipalti vs. Airbase at a glance

Tipalti offers a more comprehensive, end-to-end AP automation solution for mid-market and enterprise-level businesses with complex financial operations, global payment processing needs, and advanced tax compliance requirements.

Airbase is primarily a spend management platform with a user-friendly interface for corporate card control, expense tracking, and basic AP automation capabilities. This makes it an attractive choice for businesses looking to streamline their spend management processes.

Tipalti vs. Airbase quick comparison

What is Tipalti?

Tipalti offers a comprehensive, end-to-end AP automation solution that caters to mid-market and enterprise-level businesses with complex financial operations. Its key features include multi-entity and multi-subsidiary support, global payment processing, and advanced tax compliance capabilities.

Tipalti's platform is designed to streamline the entire AP process, from invoice capture and approval to payment execution and reconciliation.

What is Airbase?

Airbase started as a spend management platform with a strong emphasis on corporate card management and expense tracking. While it has expanded its offerings to include AP automation and bill payments, its core strength lies in providing a user-friendly interface for employees to request and manage company spend.

Airbase's spend management features, such as real-time transaction monitoring, automatic receipt matching, and customizable approval workflows, make it attractive for businesses seeking better control over their expenses.

Nanonets: A powerful alternative to Tipalti and Airbase

While Tipalti and Airbase offer robust AP automation solutions, Nanonets stands out by providing an end-to-end AI-powered AP automation platform. It can handle everything from invoice capture and 3-way matching to vendor management and payment processing. It offers advanced features like intelligent data extraction, multi-language support, and seamless integrations with popular accounting systems that cater to small and mid-market businesses' unique needs.

Nanonets stands out from its competitors in several key areas.

1. No code needed 

Businesses can customize their AP workflows without requiring any technical expertise or coding experience. This empowers your AP team to adapt the platform to your unique needs, ensuring a seamless fit with your existing processes. With our out-of-the-box data templates and pre-built models, you can hit the ground running.

2. Advanced Optical Character Recognition

Accurately extract critical information from invoices, regardless of format. This makes it easier to onboard new vendors and ensures that your team can process invoices efficiently, no matter how they're structured.

3. Easy customization

Streamline your financial close process with Nanonets' built-in reconciliation and verification tools. From custom reports to unique payment structures, Nanonets offers the flexibility to accommodate your organization's requirements.

Tipalti's advantages for AP teams

Tipalti and Airbase are both solid choices, but Tipalti has some unique perks. It's perfect for businesses with complex financials and global payment needs. Let's look at some of Tipalti's key advantages:

• It allows you to make payments to 196 countries in 120 currencies, enabling businesses to streamline cross-border transactions and reduce the hassle of managing multiple payment methods.
• Features like multi-factor authentication, payment controls, and audit trails help companies mitigate the risk of fraud and ensure secure financial transactions.
• Streamline supplier management with a self-service portal that allows suppliers to onboard themselves, manage payment preferences, and update profiles.
• Advanced tax compliance capabilities, including W-9 collection, 1099 reporting, and multi-entity support, help businesses navigate the complexities of global tax regulations, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
• Control costs and improve financial accountability with Tipalti cards, allowing businesses to track their spending individually.

Airbase's advantages for AP teams

Airbase offers a user-friendly platform that simplifies spend management and expense tracking. It is an attractive choice for businesses prioritizing spend control and efficiency. Some of Airbase's key advantages include:

• The intuitive and user-friendly interface makes it easy for AP teams to learn and use Airbase with minimal training. The mobile app also enables convenient receipt capture and expense approvals on the go.
• Having corporate cards, bill payments, expense reimbursements, and other non-payroll spend in a single platform provide greater visibility and control.
• Managers can quickly approve or deny expenses, and the platform automatically enforces spending limits and expense policies.
• Amortization schedules and GL coding happen as soon as a spend is requested, streamlining month-end close.
• Saves time by automating expense categorization, approval routing, receipt compliance, and reconciliation.

Tipalti's drawbacks

While Tipalti offers a comprehensive AP automation solution, it may not be the best fit for every business. Its complex features and setup process can overwhelm smaller organizations with simpler AP needs. Let's look at some of the potential drawbacks of using Tipalti:

• Setting up and implementing the system can be challenging and time-intensive, especially for smaller businesses with simpler AP needs. The wide range of customization options and configuration requirements may be overwhelming.
• Forms freezing, glitches, integration sync problems, and data loss can occur, causing frustration and delays in the AP process. 
• Limited customization options may hinder businesses with unique workflows and use cases.
• Unintuitive navigation and processes can lead to user frustration and reduced efficiency.
• Certain businesses may find the software's reporting capabilities, post-approval editing restrictions, and lack of support for specific scenarios like prepayments challenging.

Airbase's drawbacks

Airbase excels in spend management, but it may not fit businesses with complex AP needs best. You may face limitations in certain areas, such as:

• Businesses with unique reporting structures or those needing customized approval workflows may struggle, as it offers limited configuration options.
• Inconsistent receipt scanning and OCR matching can hinder automation efficiency as it may require you to correct inaccuracies in data capture and transaction matching.
• Limitations in customization, filtering, and exporting options can disrupt financial analysis and decision-making.
• Recurring payments functionality could be more intuitive–expenses or invoices that occur regularly may need to be manually submitted each time.
• Sync errors in integrations may cause invoices or payments to be missed.

What do users say about Tipalti?

On G2, the popular software review platform, Tipalti has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on over 200 reviews. The software is in the top 10 for accounts payable automation software on G2. Users love its streamlined global payments, multi-method support, and simplified tax compliance. The self-service vendor portal and automated approval workflows are huge time-savers.

However, implementation can be tricky, and reporting has some limitations. Occasional glitches happen, and support quality varies. Navigation could be more intuitive for some users.

Despite these drawbacks, Tipalti's robust feature set and proven track record of helping businesses automate their AP processes have solidified its position as a leading solution in the market.

What do users say about Airbase?

Airbase has a 4.8 out of 5 rating on G2 from 1,500+ reviews. It also ranks #1 in the Easiest To Use for AP Automation category. Customers love its user-friendly interface and comprehensive spend management features.

They love how Airbase streamlines expense management with virtual cards, automated receipt matching, and a handy mobile app. Its real-time spend visibility has also been highlighted as a valuable asset for finance teams looking to maintain control over company spending. However, some users report limitations in reporting customization, data filtering, and exporting. The mobile app occasionally crashes or lacks web version features.

Despite these drawbacks, Airbase's ease of use and robust features make it a top choice for AP teams. It simplifies spend management and gives greater control over it. Airbase is a fan favorite for a reason — it just works.

Pricing comparison

Now, let's talk pricing—the make-or-break factor in the Tipalti vs. Airbase showdown. These two AP automation providers have unique pricing strategies, and it's crucial to understand how they'll impact your bottom line.

Tipalti pricing overview

Tipalti's pricing starts at $149 per month for the basic platform fee. This includes essential AP automation features to get you started. Need a quote tailored to your business? Contact Tipalti's sales team.

Want advanced capabilities like multi-entity payables or global payments? You'll need to upgrade your plan. Tax compliance and international transactions also require upgrading.

Airbase pricing overview

Airbase offers three pricing packages: Standard, Premium, and Enterprise. The Standard package is for businesses with up to 200 employees, Premium is for companies with up to 500 employees, and Enterprise is for organizations with up to 5,000 employees.

Each package comes with core features and usage limits. Advanced functionalities are available in higher tiers. Customers pay a flat annual fee for platform access.

Need more products or higher usage limits? That may cost extra. Some features, like purchase orders and customizable approval workflows, are only in premium packages.

Pricing insights

With Tipalti, businesses can pay for the needed features and upgrade as their AP automation requirements evolve. Airbase, however, requires potential customers to request a quote based on their specific needs, making it harder for businesses to budget accurately. Their package-based model may also lead to paying for unnecessary features. 

When considering long-term costs and ROI, consider each solution's value. Tipalti's scalable pricing and global payment processing might be more cost-effective for complex operations. Airbase may be better for businesses focused on spend management and expense control.

When to choose Tipalti over Airbase

Tipalti is great for businesses with complex financial operations, global payment needs, and advanced tax compliance requirements. Here are three key reasons to choose Tipalti over Airbase:

1. Global transactions 

If your business deals with international suppliers and vendors, Tipalti's robust global payment capabilities, supporting 196 countries and 120 currencies, make it the clear choice. Plus, its multi-language self-service portal simplifies communication with international vendors. Airbase's international payment features are less extensive, which may limit your ability to expand.

2. Advanced tax compliance 

With W-9 form collection, 1099 reporting, and multi-entity support, Tipalti helps businesses easily navigate complex tax regulations. Aribase's compliance features may not be as comprehensive as Tipalti's offerings, especially for companies with intricate tax requirements.

3. Scalable pricing 

Tipalti's scalable pricing model allows greater flexibility for organizations with growing or fluctuating AP automation requirements. The modular approach will enable companies to add features and functionalities as required, ensuring support for long-term growth and changing requirements. In contrast, Airbase's less transparent pricing structure may make budgeting challenging as your business grows accurately.

When to choose Airbase over Tipalti

Airbase is the go-to solution for businesses prioritizing spend management, expense control, and a user-friendly interface. Here are three key reasons to choose Airbase over Tipalti:

1. User-friendly platform 

Airbase's intuitive interface and user-friendly features make it easy for everyone to onboard and use — even non-finance employees. Tipalti's interface can be clunky, glitchy, and complicated, leading to a steeper learning curve. Airbase may be the preferred option for businesses looking to get up and running quickly.

2. Comprehensive spend management

Airbase focuses on spend management, including corporate card control and expense tracking. It's ideal for businesses looking to optimize their spending processes. Airbase provides real-time transaction monitoring for better visibility and control. Tipalti's spend management features may not be as comprehensive or user-friendly as Airbase's offerings.

3. Suitable for smaller budgets 

Airbase's package-based pricing and more straightforward feature set may appeal to smaller businesses or those with less complex AP processes. These organizations may not require the advanced features and customization options Tipalti offers, making Airbase a more cost-effective and streamlined solution.

Nanonets: A third alternative to Tipalti and Airbase

Not sure if Tipalti's complex setup or Airbase's limited customization features would fit your AP team? Nanonets is the answer you've been looking for. With our AI-powered OCR technology, you can capture invoice data from any format faster. Forget about manual data entry and high error rates — Nanonets automates the entire process, saving you time and money. And our user-friendly interface and no-code workflows make it easy for your team to get started.

That's not all. Nanonets seamlessly integrates with your existing ERP and accounting systems, ensuring seamless data flow and streamlined workflows. And if you're looking for customization, we've got you covered — our approval workflows can be tailored to your unique needs, ensuring invoices are routed to the right people at the right time.

Nanonets is a better AP solution for your company IF

Nanonets has a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on G2 and a 4.9 out of 5-star rating on Capterra, making it a top-rated solution among users. But does that mean it's the right fit for your business? 

Here are some key indicators that Nanonets might be the perfect AP automation solution for you:

1. You're drowning in a sea of invoices from multiple sources and formats. 

Nanonets' best-in-class AI-powered OCR enables you to accurately extract and validate data from any invoice format, including scanned PDFs, images, and emails. Language, currency, and layout variations can be handled effortlessly. It ensures a seamless AP process regardless of invoice complexity. 

With an OCR accuracy of 95%+, it can significantly reduce time spent on manual data entry. Your AP team will have more time to focus on strategic tasks and less time to extract or enter invoice data into different business systems.

2. You're ready to embrace end-to-end AP automation but don't want to sacrifice customization.

Nanonets is designed to suit your AP processes—tailored to your unique needs and policies. With customizable approval workflows and seamless integration with your favorite ERPs and accounting systems, you can automate your entire AP process without breaking a sweat.

Nanonets also makes it easy to digitize your invoices, automate workflows, and store documents securely in the cloud. Our platform lets you access your AP data from anywhere, anytime, and say goodbye to the hassles of manual filing and storage.

3. You need a platform that can keep up with your growing business. 

Nanonets can scale with you as your AP needs evolve. With flexible pricing and easy onboarding, you can start small and grow big without worrying about outgrowing your AP automation solution.

Moreover, the AI learns from your data and improves over time, ensuring that your AP process becomes more efficient and accurate as your business grows.

4. You want to take your financial close process to the next level. 

Nanonets uses AI-powered GL coding and automated reconciliation to help you match your books and identify discrepancies. With automated 3-way matching, you can ensure that your invoices, purchase orders, and receipts are in sync, reducing the risk of errors and fraud.

With real-time visibility into your AP process, you can quickly track invoices from receipt to payment, identify bottlenecks, and take corrective action. This speeds up your financial close process and helps you make more informed decisions about your cash flow and working capital.

5. You want a pricing model that's transparent, flexible, and scalable. 

With Nanonets, you'll benefit from volume-based pricing that adjusts to your business needs. Our pricing is clear and straightforward, with no hidden fees.

This means you can start small and scale up as your business grows, ensuring you only pay for what you need and can quickly adapt to changes in your invoice volume.

6. You need robust reporting capabilities to gain visibility into your AP performance. 

Nanonets offers a range of pre-built reports that cover vital AP metrics, such as invoice processing time, payment status, and vendor performance. You can also create custom reports tailored to your needs, giving you the insights to optimize your processes and make data-driven decisions.

7. You want to adopt AI-driven automation but don't have developers.

With our no-code platform, you can easily create and customize your AP workflows, letting you focus on what you do best – managing your finances. From ingesting invoices to automating approvals and payments, Nanonets simplifies your entire AP process without writing a single line of code.

Our intuitive interface and pre-built templates make creating custom workflows that fit your unique business needs easy. Our extensive library of integrations and connectors lets you easily connect Nanonets with your existing systems and tools, ensuring seamless data flow and minimal workflow disruption.

Tipalti vs. Airbase: Which one is the best for your business?

Still can't decide between Tipalti and Airbase? Let's break it down for you. Tipalti is excellent for businesses with complex financials and global payment needs. Its robust features, scalable pricing, and multi-entity support make it a powerhouse for streamlining AP processes.

Airbase, on the other hand, is all about spend management. Its user-friendly interface, corporate card control, and real-time expense tracking suit businesses prioritizing spend visibility and employee adoption.

But if you're looking for a more flexible, customizable, and scalable AP automation solution, Nanonets might be the perfect fit. Nanonets offers a comprehensive yet user-friendly solution for businesses of all sizes with AI-powered OCR, no-code workflow automation, and seamless integrations. Its transparent pricing model and robust reporting capabilities make it easy to optimize your AP processes and gain valuable insights. 

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