Guide
Embedded payments in accounts payable: Tipalti named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape
We’re excited to announce that Tipalti was named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Embedded Payment Applications in Accounts Payable Workflows 2026 Vendor Assessment (doc #US54917726, September 2026).
Exploring AP software? Look beyond faster invoice processing to connected global payments and reconciliation, with agentic AI supporting the process. This IDC MarketScape excerpt explains what to look for—and how to assess vendors about embedded payments capabilities, controls, and oversight.
Tipalti’s embedded AP payments and reconciliation, payment controls and fraud prevention, and support for alternative payment methods reflect the company’s origin as a platform built specifically to automate global mass payouts to suppliers, freelancers, and partners at scale.
IDC MarketScape
Read the IDC MarketScape excerpt
See how IDC MarketScape evaluates embedded AP payment platforms, why Tipalti is named as a Leader, and what to consider when assessing solutions.
Key Takeaways
- Tipalti is named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Embedded Payment Applications in Accounts Payable Workflows 2026 Vendor Assessment
- Tipalti’s key strengths by IDC MarketScape
- Advice for buyers assessing vendors
The challenges facing AP teams, in numbers:
76%
of surveyed US organizations faced attempted or actual payments fraud in 2025.¹
$3.05B
in business email compromise losses reported in 2025.²
$9.84
average invoice processing cost.³
What are embedded payments in accounts payable?
Embedded payments in accounts payable empower finance teams to initiate, manage, and track supplier payments within their AP software. By connecting supplier information, approval controls, global payments, and reconciliation in one workflow, they reduce manual handoffs and give teams clearer visibility from approval through payment.
When evaluating an embedded AP payments platform, look for:
| Payment options | Support for methods your suppliers need, such as ACH, wire, local bank transfer, cards, and checks |
| Global capabilities | Coverage for the countries and currencies you pay in, including local bank transfer options |
| Agentic AI | AI support for invoice processing, review, and approval, with clear explanations, audit trails, and human oversight |
| Supplier onboarding | Collection and validation of bank details, tax forms, and compliance data before the first payment |
| Payment controls | Approval rules, supplier bank detail verification, and fraud screening |
| Reconciliation | Payment information that automatically syncs with your ERP |
Why payment capabilities are essential when choosing AP software
Faster invoice processing is only part of the equation. Finance teams also need to pay suppliers accurately, maintain controls, and reconcile payments as their business grows across borders and entities. In the current business and economic landscape, 3 main challenges make payment capabilities an essential part of evaluating AP software.
Global suppliers add payment complexity
Growing businesses can now pay contractors, creators, agencies, and suppliers in dozens of countries—B2B cross-border flows reached $34.8 trillion in 2025.⁴ When an AP platform cannot support those needs effectively, finance teams may turn to time-consuming workarounds.
The rise in payments fraud demands stronger controls
Fraudsters can exploit gaps between AP and payment processes. There were approximately $3.05 billion in reported US losses in 2025.² Connecting supplier information, verification, and approvals helps teams apply controls consistently and protect the business.
Finance teams are asked to scale without headcount
AP staff spend 21.9% of their time answering supplier inquiries.³ Self-service onboarding and access to payment status can reduce back-and-forth, while connected payment and reconciliation workflows help finance teams manage growing payment volumes with less manual work.
2026 Vendor Assessment
Tipalti’s recognition in the IDC MarketScape
IDC assessed 21 vendors that deliver embedded payments within accounts payable and procure-to-pay applications and named Tipalti a Leader.
According to the IDC MarketScape, “Tipalti’s embedded AP payments and reconciliation, payment controls and fraud prevention, and support for alternative payment methods reflect the company’s origin as a platform built specifically to automate global mass payouts to suppliers, freelancers, and partners at scale.”
For finance teams evaluating AP software, the practical question is how well a platform connects supplier information, invoice approvals, payments, and reconciliation—and whether those capabilities meet their business needs.
IDC MarketScape: Worldwide embedded payment applications in accounts payable workflows, 2026
IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of technology and suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each supplier’s position within a given market. The Capabilities score measures supplier product, go-to-market and business execution in the short-term. The Strategy score measures alignment of supplier strategies with customer requirements in a 3-5 year timeframe. Supplier market share is represented by the size of the icons.
SOURCE: “Worldwide Embedded Payment Applications in Accounts Payable Workflows 2026 Vendor Assessment,” September 2026, IDC #US54917726.
6 questions to evaluate an embedded AP payments platform
Use these in demos and RFPs to compare platforms against your payment requirements, existing systems, and growth plans.
- How are payments managed within the AP workflow?
Ask vendors to demonstrate invoice review, approvals, payment initiation, status tracking, and reconciliation. Where AI is involved, clarify which steps it performs, when your team needs to intervene, and how its actions are recorded. Identify any steps that require a separate tool or manual data transfer. - Does coverage match your suppliers’ needs?
Confirm available countries, currencies, and payment methods for your specific markets. Compare local bank transfer options, fees, foreign exchange costs, and expected delivery times. - How is supplier information collected and verified?
W-9, W-8, and VAT details should be collected and validated at onboarding, before the first payment. - Which controls help reduce the risk of payments fraud?
Review payment approval rules, separation of duties, verification of bank detail changes, payee screening, and audit trails. Clarify which controls are included and which require additional configuration or services. - How does payment information reconcile with your ERP?
Ask what data syncs, how frequently it updates, and how payments and fees are recorded. Have vendors demonstrate how exceptions and failed payments are resolved. - What happens when you add an entity or a new country?
Explore the setup, costs, and administrative work involved in adding entities, countries, currencies, or payment volume. Confirm how permissions, reporting, and ERP integrations work across entities.
Where Tipalti fits
Tipalti brings supplier onboarding, invoice processing, approvals, global payments, and reconciliation into one platform for growing mid-market finance teams. Embedded AI task agents support specific AP activities, while Tipalti’s AP Agent coordinates review and approval—helping teams move work forward with visibility and control.
Key capabilities include:
Connected workflows
Initiate, approve, and track supplier payments within Tipalti, then easily sync with your ERP to reduce manual data entry.
Agentic AI for AP
AI task agents support invoice processing, while Tipalti’s AP Agent coordinates invoice review and approval—with finance in control.
Global coverage
Payments to payees across 200 countries and territories in 120 currencies through more than 50 payment methods.
Supplier onboarding
Collect supplier bank details and applicable tax forms via a self-service portal, with built-in validation and compliance checks.
Payment controls
Apply approval rules, role-based permissions, and payee screening to help reduce payment risk and maintain oversight.
Multi-entity management
Manage AP and payments across subsidiaries, with centralized visibility and controls that support entity-specific requirements.
According to the IDC MarketScape:
Consider Tipalti for AP if your organization needs to make high-volume global payouts to suppliers, freelancers, or partners across many countries and currencies with robust compliance automation built in.
Read the IDC MarketScape excerpt: https://idcdocserv.com/US54917726e_Tipalti
See Tipalti in action
If you pay suppliers or partners across countries and currencies, see how Tipalti runs AP
and global payments in one place.
Embedded AP Payments
Frequently asked questions
What are embedded payments in accounts payable?
Embedded payments in accounts payable let finance teams initiate, manage, and track supplier payments within their AP software. They connect approved invoices with payment execution, payment status, and reconciliation, reducing manual handoffs between systems.
What is the IDC MarketScape for embedded payment applications in AP workflows?
The IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Embedded Payment Applications in Accounts Payable Workflows 2026 Vendor Assessment (doc #US54917726, September 2026) assessed 21 vendors that deliver embedded payments within accounts payable and procure-to-pay applications.
Is Tipalti a Leader in the IDC MarketScape for embedded payments in AP?
Yes. Tipalti is named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Embedded Payment Applications in Accounts Payable Workflows 2026 Vendor Assessment.
What should I look for in an embedded AP payments platform?
Evaluate global payment coverage, supplier onboarding and verification, payment controls, ERP reconciliation, and multi-entity support. For agentic AI, ask vendors to demonstrate which tasks it performs, when people review its work, and how actions are explained and recorded.
How are embedded AP payments different from AP automation?
Embedded AP payments are a capability within broader AP automation. AP automation can cover supplier onboarding, invoice capture, approvals, payments, and reconciliation. Embedded payments specifically bring payment execution and tracking into that workflow.
Where can I read IDC MarketScape's assessment of Tipalti?
Sources:
¹AFP, 2026 Payments Fraud and Control Survey findings.
²FBI,2025 IC3 Annual Report, p. 8.
³Ardent Partners,The State of ePayables 2025: AP benchmarks and best-in-class performance.
⁴FXC Intelligence,Cross-border payments market sizing, March 2026.