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Top Ramp Alternatives and Competitors

Brianna Blaney
By Brianna Blaney
Brianna Blaney

Brianna Blaney

Brianna Blaney began her career as a fintech writer in Boston for a major media corporation, later progressing to digital media marketing with platforms in San Francisco. She has worked as a financial writer for Tipalti for 7+years, keeping a close eye on shifting trends and reporting on the ever-evolving landscape of financial automation. She prides herself on reverse-engineering the logistics of successful content and implementing techniques centered around people (not campaigns). In her spare time, she loves to cook and take care of her pet squirrel, Marshmallow.

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Updated October 23, 2024
Accounts Payable
Alternatives
Software Comparison

Although the pain points for finance shift each year, automation remains a constant challenge. Process complexity persists, and reports show that nearly 40% of finance teams spend the most time collecting receipts and manually filling out expense reports. This is closely followed by time spent on trends and data (31%) and credit card reconciliation (27%). However, according to IOFM, accounts payable is the most time-consuming finance function. Addressing manual finance processes requires optimal tools.

In this article, we look closely at Ramp and the top AP automation and expense management platforms. This includes key features, serviceable markets, strengths, and pricing, enabling your business to make a more informed decision, leading to a higher degree of success.

Tipalti

Tipalti is an award-winning finance automation solution that offers a holistic, end-to-end payment experience with corporate cards and expense management. The brand provides tools for insight across your entire enterprise with granular financial controls.

The employee-friendly solution offers both a physical and virtual credit card (as well as debit card) with tools that simplify the issuance, visibility, and reconciliation of card expenditures. Finance teams can manage card spend, expenses, and more from a single, centralized workspace.

Businesses can also earn cashback on every transaction. The system also comes with complementary tools for taxes, procurement, custom approvals, and AP automation.

  • Consolidate transactions and enhance payment processing visibility
  • GL codes are applied to each card with automated reconciliation
  • Tipalti requires a simple setup, with implementation in weeks

Tipalti is for any business looking to automate AP processes, reel in expenses, and stimulate business growth. Whether you are a startup or a large enterprise, Tipalti works with high-velocity companies of all shapes, sizes, and industries.

  • International payment capabilities with six payment methods to over 196 countries in +120currencies.
  • Advanced international payments and FX features like hedging. 
  • Quickly integrates with ERPs and accounting systems, like Oracle NetSuite, QuickBooks, Xero, Microsoft Dynamics, and Sage Intacct.

Tipalti offers different plans for businesses, including Starter, Premium, and Elite packages. Tipalti uses a SaaS provider subscription pricing model. To upgrade from the Starter plan, you can add advanced functionality as you go.

Expensify

Expensify is a popular finance automation platform that helps businesses streamline accounting tasks like invoice management, receipt capture, and billing. The system uses OCR (optical character recognition) technology to extract the relevant data automatically and offers a variety of integrations with brands like NetSuite, QuickBooks, and Sage.

The Expensify system also supports multiple currencies, making it a suitable solution for international business.

  • Expensify’s bill-paying app allows you to track, approve, and pay bills 
  • Invoice automation is included with every subscription (with a per transaction fee)
  • Create expense reports in a few clicks with customizable templates and categories
  • Policy and rules enforcement to ensure compliance and prevent fraud or misuse
  • Mobile apps for both iOS and Android

Expensify targets companies of any size, from small startups to large enterprises. The serviceable market includes finance teams, professionals, accountants, and anyone responsible for expense management.

  • Known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for employees and finance teams to adopt and use it effectively.
  • Automation features, including invoicing, billing, policy enforcement, receipt scanning, and reduction of manual labor.
  • Top integrations with brands like Oracle NetSuite, QuickBooks, and Sage.

Expensify offers different pricing tiers, including a free plan for small teams and a paid one for larger businesses. The pricing model is based on the number of active users and additional features required. Custom pricing is also available.

SAP Concur

SAP Concur simplifies accounting, invoice management, and expenses. It’s designed to help businesses balance the books and streamline cash flow. The platform provides simple tools that enable an organization to automate manual AP tasks. 

Concur Invoice automates AP management for better efficiency, increased profitability, and more visibility into spending. 

Users can book flights, hotels, and rental cars within the Concur platform, facilitating a seamless travel booking experience. The solution also helps to enforce company travel and expense policies, ensuring all expenditures align with corporate guidelines.

  • Analytics to generate detailed reports and gain insight into accounting
  • Integrations with financial services like SAP ERP, NetSuite, and QuickBooks
  • Mobile app for iOS and Android for remote access 
  • Concur Invoice to automate AP management like invoicing and reporting
  • Customizable approval workflows with three-way matching

SAP Concur primarily serves mid-sized to large enterprises with complex accounting needs. Their primary market includes businesses in various industries, like healthcare, finance, manufacturing, technology, and more.

  • Highly scalable solution suitable for companies of all sizes, with extensive integration capabilities options with other SAP products and third-party systems, making it adaptable to various IT environments.
  • It supports multiple languages, tax regulations, and currencies, making it suitable for operating globally.
  • Complex AP automation to increase spending visibility, reduce tedious tasks, and improve your bottom line.

SAP Concur offers different pricing plans, with varying costs depending on specific business needs and size. Pricing usually involves a combination of factors like the features required, the number of users, and the level of customization. Contact sales for a quote.

PayEm

PayEm is an intuitive and user-friendly AP automation, procurement, and spend management platform for global business. It’s a complete invoice-to-reconciliation solution that seamlessly syncs with your ERP.

The system offers automated payroll management, simplifying the process of paying employees across borders in multiple countries, with varying currencies and regulations.

The platform assists in ensuring tax compliance with local laws, labor regulations, and reporting requirements. Companies can book a free consultation with a PayEM product consultant and reach out to 24/7 support.

  • Specializes in global payroll, navigating complexities of payroll in various countries.
  • Employee self-service portal to access tax documents, pay stubs, and personal data.
  • Multi-currency support to manage payments in multiple currencies.
  • Integrates with HR systems to streamline the flow of data between payroll and HR.
  •  Reporting tools to provide insights into payroll costs and compliance.

PayEm typically targets companies that operate on a global scale and have international staff. The serviceable market includes mid-sized enterprises, multinational corporations, and startups that must manage payroll across borders. It caters to industries like finance, tech, healthcare, and manufacturing.

  • Streamlined payroll process to reduce administrative burdens on finance teams and HR, with a strong emphasis on compliance with local tax and labor laws.
  •  Designed to scale with the growth of a business and accommodate all changing payroll needs, as they happen.
  • Adheres to stringent data security and privacy standards to protect sensitive employee information.

PayEm’s pricing structure varies depending on the number of employees, the complexity of payroll requirements, and the specific services needed. Pricing may also depend on whether a company requires additional services like compliance management or tax consulting.

For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing data, you should reach out directly to PayEm.

Spendesk

Spendesk is a finance automation and spend management platform designed to streamline accounting and provide payment methods for modern businesses. The platform automatically categorizes payments to the correct general ledger codes and captures over 95% of receipts on time.

The Spendesk system automates VAT extraction, expense account allocation, and receipt reconciliation. It allows users to track and manage expenses, including capturing receipts, categorizing spend, and running expense reports.

Spendesk offers physical or virtual cards that can be issued to employees, allowing for more controlled spend and real-time tracking of expenses. Companies can set budgets and spending limits for individuals or departments, ensuring total compliance and curbing misuse.

  •  Offers mobile apps for both iOS and Android devices.
  •  Integrates with various accounting platforms, streamlining reconciliation of records.
  •  Facilitates vendor payments, helping a company better manage invoices and payments.
  • Approval workflows ensure expenses are reviewed and approved before reimbursement.
  •  Establish and enforce expense policies to prevent non-compliant spend.

Spendesk usually targets small to medium-sized businesses and startups looking to grow. The serviceable market includes industries like e-commerce, technology, consulting, and professional services.

It’s designed to meet the needs of a business that wants to modernize and automate expense management without the complexity of larger enterprise solutions.

  • User-friendly interface with intuitive controls, making it easier for employees to adopt the tools and use them effectively.
  • Users manage tasks in real-time, providing complete visibility into financial activities from anywhere.
  • Spendesk integrates with popular financial and accounting software that enables seamless data transfer and reconciliation.

Spendesk offers a subscription-based pricing model that changes based on factors like features required, multi-entity needs, number of users, and the volume of transactions. It also offers different pricing tiers, including basic and premium plans, with varying levels of functionality. Call them for the most up-to-date, custom quote.

Honorable Mentions

  • Divvy
  • Emburse
  • Certify
  • Stripe
  • Pleo

Is it time to get your expenses organized?

Don’t select a solution that only automates part of your journey. Tipalti takes a 360-degree approach to solving all of your AP problems.

Ramp vs Tipalti

What Does Tipalti Do?

Tipalti is an award-winning solution that provides tools for AP automation, procurement, corporate cards, and expense management across your organization. Finance teams can manage purchasing, payments, and spend from a single, centralized workspace, gaining real-time control and greater insight.

The system is an end-to-end global payables solution designed to help a business grow. The depth and maturity of Tipalti’s features place it well above other brands offering similar functions. Optimize everything from purchase requests to supplier management, invoice processing, expense management, and more.

Tipalti also offers physical and virtual credit cards (and debit cards) that simplify the control, issuance, visibility, and reconciliation of card expenditures. Plus, you can earn cashback on every transaction with robust security and granular financial controls.

Tipalti offers features like:

Tipalti Product Capabilities Overview

Tipalti improves visibility, efficiency, and scalability, minimizing headcount and manual data entry. The platform offers complete control over expenses, with the ability to consolidate transactions, enhance payment processing visibility, and leverage supplier management.

Tipalti Card is easy to set up, use, and manage, with automatic reconciliation of epayables and a total ERP sync.

Key features of Tipalti Card:

  • Custom workflows based on process requirements
  • Cashback on every transaction
  • General Ledger codes applied to each transaction
  • Spend limits, vendor limits, and pre-approved categories
  •  Fraud management with total control over spend

Tipalti saves a business time and money, processing transactions in six different payment methods across 196 countries in 120 currencies. The system also offers advanced FX solutions and quickly integrates with ERPs like Oracle NetSuite, QuickBooks Online, SAP ERPs, and Sage Intacct.

Tipalti Pricing

Tipalti uses a SaaS provider subscription-based pricing model. To upgrade from the Starter plan, you can add advanced functionality as your business grows. 

What Does Ramp Do?

Ramp offers financial tools with a user-friendly interface that’s designed to grow with your business. The system provides accounting automation, procurement, spend management, and corporate cards.

Issue cards in seconds and gain total control in just a few clicks. The spend management platform offers unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases and provides features for a business of any size.

Ramp claims its customers save an average of 5%. The Ramp platform offers live support with a simple application process. Customers can access the full Ramp experience for free, with no personal credit checks or personal guarantees required.

Key features of Ramp include:

  • Payment methods include physical and virtual cards, ACH, wire, and checks
  • Slack integration to manage card requests, issues, and expense approvals
  • Pays to 70 countries in 40 currencies using Wise (reimbursements)
  • Multi-entity capabilities with custom fields in the GL
  • Integrations with NetSuite, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks Online, Xero, and other ERPs

Ramp Product Capabilities Overview

Ramp offers instant card issuance and spend controls by time, amount, category, and other real-time data sets.

There is a 1.5% cashback rebate with every purchase, with the ability to earn special partner rewards. A company can find and collect all contract owners in one spot, and sync transitions to brands like Xero with a one-click process.

Top product capabilities of Ramp include:

  • Spend Control: Easily enforce expense policies, spend limits, approval workflows, and spend analytics.
  • Expense Management: Mobile transmission, receipt auto-matching, AI-generated fields, and categories.
  • Procurement: Capture spend requests in a single spot and loop teams in for approvals.
  • Invoice Processing: OCR for both header and line-level with simple approvals routing.
  • Seamless Workflows: Plug Ramp into critical forecasting tools and orchestrate ideal workflows.

Ramp Pricing

Ramp has three plans:

  • Ramp – FREE – Control spend, automate payments, and close faster.
  • Ramp PLUS –$12 per user/mo, billed annually – Scale internationally and manage end-to-end operations.
  • Ramp Enterprise – (call) Manage compliance and security on a global scale.

Features of Tipalti vs. Ramp

Although both Tipalti and Ramp offer corporate cards, each system has unique solutions and different features for finance teams.Here is a glance at some of the critical differences between Tipalti and Ramp:

TipaltiRamp
*Limited functionality 
Supplier Management
Client-branded portal with supplier choice of preferred payment method, currency, etc., 26K+ rules validate payments, payment status updates, fee splitting.
Generic vendor portal for payment status, payer chooses payment method (not payee). Vendors can update contact info, SSN/EIN, bank account details. Payment sent, delivered, failed, returned, changed notifications.
Tax Compliance
KPMG approved tax engine collect and validate IRS, VAT tax IDs, W-9, W-8BEN against +3,000 rules, 1099 and 1042-S prep reports, auto-calculated withholdings, and eFiling services.
Admins can add and store W9 information directly in Ramp and export that data for 1099 processing.
Procurement
Integrated procurement to improve spend controls and reduce AP processing time. PO creation and real-time budget visibility.
New and developing feature with current limitations. Does not block matching bills to fully filled POs. POs created on Ramp not synced to your accounting system.
Invoice Management
AI Smart Scan eliminates data entry with advanced data extraction on header and line level detail, AI-powered auto-coding of custom fields and expense accounts, plus managed services backup for accuracy. 2- and 3-way PO matching at header- and line-levels. Pre-defined approval rules or custom approval flows.
Supports PDF invoices only. Payers can upload directly or via email. Assign GL categories to vendors. Email and Slack DM notifications. Unlimited approvers. 2-way PO matching only – no tolerance thresholds or prepayments.
Cards
Manage and reconcile card spend, gain visibility, and receive cash-back. Integrates with global payables automation, Tipalti Expenses feature, with automatic reconciliation.
Corporate cards and expense management/reimbursements are the core competency. International reimbursements in foreign currency. Cards can be used internationally.
Expense Management
Automated expense policies minimize fraud and ensure compliance with a mobile and desktop experience for easy expense filing. Expense transactions and global reimbursements are automatically captured, categorized, and processed.
AI-powered receipt collection/matching, flags non-compliant expenses, and notifies employees of out-of-policy spend. Automate expense categorization with smart rules for any field.
Global Remittance
Regulated MSB with MTLs across US. E-Money license in UK with FCA. Pay to 196 countries in 120 currencies, 50+ payment methods (ACH, global ACH / eCheck, check, wire transfer, PayPal, prepaid debit).
Card, check, ACH & USD wire for international bill payment to 195 countries. FX local currency rails to 59 countries in 30 currencies. Partnering with Wise on foreign currency payments. Limited payment visibility. No payment approval workflows. No OFAC screening.
FX Solutions
Save time and money on currency conversions. Advanced FX solutions include intercompany bank transfers, FX hedging, payer FX, and payee FX.
None
Reconciliation and Reporting
API integrations with major ERPs NetSuite, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Microsoft Dynamics BC. PO and GRN reconciliation.Integration with other ERPs via pre-built connectors using no-code, drag-and-drop Interface.
API integrations with Netsuite, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks Online, Xero. NO PO, GRN, or instant payables reconciliation. File-based integrations with QuickBooks Desktop and other ERPs.
Multi-Entity
Manage multiple entities with different AP processes and workflows, gain a consolidated view. Instant reconciliation across methods, entities, geos, currencies, and payable workflows
Generate payments for each entity, track card transactions, payout reimbursements, and bill payments for each entity from different bank accounts. Sync to multiple entities within one batch.
Corporate Metrics
Over 3.5k customers, $60B annual remittance, +$700M funding, $8.3B valuation. Deloitte 500 & Inc 5000 Winners 5-years Running (1 of 15 companies to be named to Deloitte’s Fast 500 five years in a row). World-renowned customer brands like Amazon, Twitch, Twitter, Roblox, GoDaddy, and Applovin. 99% customer retention (10 years), 98% customer satisfaction.
Over 10k customers, $1.4B funding, $8.1B valuation. G2 Small Business Leader Winter 2022, G2 Best Results 2022, and G2 Best ROI Winter 2022. World-renowned customer brands like Quora, Barry’s, Webflow, ClickUp, and Betterment.

Which Solution Works Best for Your Business (and Why)

Selecting an automation solution is an essential choice for finance managers and teams needing to scale quickly. Consider some of these common scenarios when choosing between Tipalti and Ramp:

When to Choose Tipalti?

Tipalti helps make the supplier management experience personal. They offer a white-label, self-service portal that empowers suppliers to manage their own data. The system automatically collects vendor data via the portal and proactively reduces errors with 26,000+ validation rules. It has KPMG-approved guided digital capture, TIN matching, and global tax compliance.

Tipalti supplier management offers centralized features like:


  • Collect all vendor contact details
  • Easily onboard with a brandable portal
  • Verify bank account data
  • Collect and validate IRS and VAT tax IDs
  • Promote supplier self-service

In comparison, the Ramp supplier process is more disconnected. Vendor creation happens during the bill creation. Vendors are then invited to register along with the first incoming payment.

The payer chooses the payment method (not the payee), and there are limited features for tax services. Tipalti offers tax compliance every step of the way with functionality for e-filing, tax prep reports, W-8 collection, 1099 processing, and more.

In addition to expense management, Tipalti also functions as advanced accounting software. Ramp, however, lacks the depth of AP automation that Tipalti offers, with disjointed supplier management, zero tax compliance, and no FX solutions.

Tipalti has these features for AP automation:


  • OCR, ML, and AI-related invoice management
  • 2-way and 3-way purchase order and receipts matching
  • Self-service supplier portal with tax form collection
  • 6 different payment methods to 196 countries in 120 currencies
  • Accelerated approval workflows

While Ramp does offer header and line-level data capture, there is no machine learning (ML) to improve OCR models. Their OCR claims of 99% accuracy tend to just fall apart with any invoice complexity.

Tipalti is designed to help you scale at every step of the journey. The business is a regulated MSB with MTLs across the US, possesses an e-money license in the UK with FCA, and is a blue-chip bank partner with JP Morgan, Citi, Chase, and Wells Fargo.

An organization can proactively prevent fraud with payee monitoring and screening against OFAC/SDN lists, and pay to 196+ countries in 120 different currencies (using six payment methods). Thus, there is a lot of flexibility for global growth.

Tipalti has multi-entity features that will future-proof global AP operations. A business can confidently send fast and secure mass global partner payments using the Tipalti platform and API. Additionally, the system simplifies multi-FX and currency management for global payables.

In comparison, Ramp has no MTLs and partners with Wise on foreign currency payments. This can create a slower payment experience with less accurate reconciliation and delayed visibility. Ramp has no payment approval workflows, no OFAC and sanction list screening, and limited FX capabilities.

When to Choose Ramp

Ramp’s primary focus and core competency is managing corporate cards for business spending. The Ramp corporate card allows a business to save more while managing expenses and spending within limits. 

The card is designed for teams of any size, with unlimited cards, and 10-20x higher credit limits than typical market rates. You can control every dollar spent with the ability to lock cards and restrict spend.

Tipalti also has a card solution called Tipalti Card with up to 1.25% cash back for every dollar, offered as a free customer add-on. The Tipalti Card, paired with the expense management and AP automation features, makes for a 360-degree approach you may not be able to find with Ramp.

The first-tier plan of Ramp is free, which is good news for startups and smaller businesses that need to grow fast. The Ramp system will save a business time and money; however, if you are looking to scale, it may limit opportunities. This is similar to Ramp competitors like Airbase, Brex, or ZoHo.

Ramp’s primary revenue source is interchange fees from card transactions. This means the more a customer spends, the more revenue Ramp will make, which can be in direct conflict with customer needs (like spending less). 

Additionally, there can be “hidden costs” when using Ramp. This includes process inefficiencies, limited financial controls, and a lack of compliance tools, exposing your business to errors and risks.

Tipalti customers rarely pay variable fees (FX is mostly paid by the payee). They pay fixed fees per transaction, so there are no competing interests.

Ramp helps businesses tackle expense management and save hours with effortless, error-free expense automation. Employees can easily submit expenses via SMS and in one app (available on iOS or Android). Quickly eliminate submission errors and grab details for every swipe with AI-generated categories and memos. 

The Ramp system enables a zero-touch expenses process, auto-matching receipts, and reconciling expenses. Reimburse employees in 40+ currencies and repay them in less than two days. Ramp integrates with Gmail, Amazon Business, Uber, and more platforms.

Tipalti also offers expense management functionality. Set up automated expense policies to ensure compliance and minimize fraud. Tipalti also has a mobile app for quick and easy expense filing, as well as streamlined approvals. 

Tipalti’s payment infrastructure helps to leverage global reimbursements using automatic reconciliation. All expense transactions and reimbursements are captured, categorized, and processed with the click of a button.

What Our Customers Say

“I don’t think about FX or currencies anymore—we pay bills out of  Tipalti and exchange them into any currency. That’s essential for a growing, international business.”  

– Andrew Jenks, Senior Accounting Manager Lucidworks

“It took us eight weeks a year to process hundreds of royalty payments manually, and with Tipalti, it is now down to less than an hour. AP invoice processing is also automated, eliminating another 36 days a year of workload.” 

– Nas Yaqoobi, Accountant Splice

“Our vendors like Tipalti because they get paid on time, and they can track when their payments are coming in.”  

– Shawna Stewart, Staff Accountant Brooklinen

Save Time and Money with Accounts Payable Automation

Tipalti’s global AP teams survey discovered that nearly 50% of participants spend over five days each month manually processing invoices. Alarmingly, reports also show that around 35% of companies still don’t know how much it costs to process an expense report. 

Many businesses continue to rely on manual methods to manage and approve expenses and invoices. This creates opportunities for a high rate of out-of-policy submissions, misuse, and even fraud.

Although Tipalti and Ramp both offer user-friendly expense management and credit card functions, AP automation and global payments are Tipalti’s core competencies. 

Using an expense management platform that integrates with accounts payable automation allows a business to shift a significant amount of time from data entry to strategic finance, contributing value and reducing costs. It also helps a company generate a more precise audit trail.

An in-depth evaluation of AP automation and expense management software is required to decide which solution works best for your business. 

Consider your budget, spending limits, regulations, and anything else that will factor into the types of tools your business will use. Due diligence and proper research will ensure your choice leads to continued success and healthy growth.

Ready to get your expenses organized? Get started with a customized demo today!

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