Airbase vs AvidXchange vs Stampli: Best AP solution?

Automating accounts payable can help your business accelerate invoice processing, prevent late payments, reduce fraud and errors, and enhance supplier relationships. However, selecting the best AP automation solution can be difficult. AP solution providers all claim to offer improved efficiency, cost savings, and streamlined financial processes, but how do you choose the right one from all the options available in the market?

Leading accounts payable automation solutions share an AP-first approach. They simplify complex, time-consuming manual tasks and make them easy for AP departments and vendors. The best providers excel in four key areas:

• Ease of Use
• Collaboration and Communication
• Invoice Approval Confidence
• Product Performance

Stampli, Airbase, and AvidXchange each offer invoice processing and verification, ERP and accounting software integrations, approval routing, payment management, and more. Which is the best choice for you? We compare their capabilities and features to help you decide which one is the best fit.

The comparison: Airbase vs AvidXchange vs Stampli

All three solutions we’re exploring bring a lot to the table. Let’s look at each one.

Who is Stampli?

Founded in 2015, Stampli is the only accounts payable automation solution designed for Accounts Payable. It enables AP teams to implement AP automation with no rework to ERP workflows or AP processes in a matter of weeks, not months. Stampli leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to learn your company’s AP processes and patterns and optimize your workflows. 

Who is Airbase?

Founded in 2017, Airbase is an expense management platform offering credit cards, spend management features, and payment automation. Airbase has traditionally focused on managing employee expenses. However, it recently added accounts payable and procurement management features to its portfolio.

Who is AvidXchange?

AvidXchange is an accounting automation platform founded in 2000. It bundles automation tools and services to streamline mid-market companies’ accounts payable workflows. AvidXchange specializes in serving businesses in the real estate, financial institutions, and construction sectors.

Now, let’s look at each solution’s features.

Airbase vs AvidXchange vs Stampli: Key features

Stampli key features

Stampli offers accounting teams complete control over every step of the AP process by simplifying invoice processing, coding, and verification, approval routing, reconciliations, and payment processing. It improves visibility into cash flow and provides Accounts Payable teams room to work on other strategic projects. For greater control over expenses, Stampli offers Stampli Direct Pay. This integrated payment automation solution centralizes all payment methods (ACH, check, wire transfer, and credit card) on a single AP automation platform.

• Prebuilt integration with more than 70 ERPs and accounting systems, including Sage Intacct, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, SAP S4/HANA, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance, and Microsoft Dynamics Business Central.
• Stampli Insights gives real-time AP performance and financial data visibility through prebuilt reports and dashboards.
• Learns and manages complex invoice approval workflows (multi-approver, multi-location, multi-category, and multi-subsidiary) with the option to use custom approval flows.
• International payments in USD or local currency to suppliers in over 150+ countries with integrated FX management tools.
• Advanced Vendor Management simplifies vendor onboarding, management, and collection and maintenance of vendor information such as payment methods, bank account details, and address.
• Prevents errors and fraud with automated 3-way matching, duplicate invoice detection, and audit trail creation.
• Customized user roles with automated enforcement of internal controls and segregation of duties.
• Won’t contact your vendors to pressure them into accepting payment methods.

Airbase key features

Airbase combines modules for guided procurement, corporate card solutions, expense tracking, and accounts payable in three service tiers:

• Standard (up to 200 employees): Basic functionality with limited access to special features.
• Premium (up to 500 employees): Enhanced functionality without enterprise-level features.
• Enterprise (up to 5,000 employees): Full functionality and all features.

AvidXchange key features

AvidXchange’s cloud-based accounts payable automation platform is based on three core functions: purchase-to-pay automation, automated approval and payment processing solutions, and invoice management.

• Automatically performs OFAC (Office for Foreign Asset Control) checks on vendors during onboarding and before each payment run.
• Expedited supplier payments to US vendors in the AvidPay membership network.
• Proactively engages your suppliers to enroll them in AvidXchange’s payment network.
• Integrates with industry-specific business systems like Rent Manager, MIP Fund Accounting, Yardi, QuickBooks Online, Sage Intacct, NetSuite, and MRI Software.

Pricing 

• Stampli offers simple monthly or annual pricing with unlimited users, vendors, and training.
• Airbase offers three service packages. Certain features and modules are only available at higher-priced tiers, and pricing for each tier is customized according to customers’ needs.
• AvidXchange doesn’t post pricing information on its website. Its prices are by quote only.

It’s essential to have access to complete and transparent pricing information to make the best choice for your business. However, many providers don’t publish their pricing model or only offer partial pricing information, making it challenging to make an informed purchase decision.

When deciding on an AP automation platform, ask for details about their pricing. This includes how the pricing is applied (per month/user/invoice), the contract length (monthly vs. yearly), how many users, locations, or entities are included, what services are included, and what fees the provider charges for additional services. By gathering this information, you can make an informed decision and choose the best AP automation solution for your business.

Customer satisfaction

Based on user reviews, the G2 Satisfaction Score for AP Automation measures customer satisfaction with AP automation solutions. It evaluates how well solution providers satisfy users’ needs. The score measures customer satisfaction in four categories:

• Implementation: How easily can you implement the solution?
• Usability: How easy is the solution to use?
• Relationship: How well does the solution provider build customer relationships?
• Results: How well does the solution deliver results?

By comparing each AP automation provider’s Satisfaction Scores, you can quickly identify the product that provides the best customer experience based on feedback from actual AP automation users.

Let’s dig into the scores for Airbase, AvidXchange, and Stampli.

Implementation Index

The Implementation Index consists of three scores: Ease of Setup, User Adoption, and Time to Go Live.

Out of the three competitors, Stampli received a significantly higher score in Ease of Setup, indicating that it is the easiest solution to implement. Moreover, Stampli scored higher than the AP automation industry average for User Adoption and Time to Go Live, reinforcing its industry-leading reputation for fast deployment, implementation, and user adoption.

Usability Index

Stampli is also a leader in the Usability Index, scoring higher than Airbase and AvidXchange for Ease of Admin and higher than the industry average for Ease of Use; another indication of Stampli’s popularity among AP teams.

Relationship Index

Stampli scored highest in Quality of Support and Ease of Doing Business and higher than the industry average for Likelihood to Recommend, indicating that Stampli is a leader in building strong customer relationships.

Results Index

Stampli scored higher than Airbase and AvidXchange in the Estimated Return on Investment category, and higher than the industry average in the Meets Requirements category, reflecting how well Stampli’s AP automation solution consistently delivers results for customers.

When to choose Stampli

Stampli is the ideal choice if you’re looking for a powerful and user-friendly accounts payable solution. It features exceptional customer service, AI-powered AP automation capabilities, deep accounting expertise – and seamless integration with business systems that does not require any rework of your ERP. These advantages make Stampli the best choice for AP automation and a perfect fit for any business.

You need seamless integration with your ERP

Stampli’s philosophy of ERP integration is unique in the industry. It builds its integrations in-house, with full support for native functionality and data sharing. Stampli’s flexible integrations support a wide range of businesses across all industries, including multi-entity corporate structures and those in highly regulated industries such as life sciences and biopharmaceuticals. 

It integrates with ERP in three ways:

Prebuilt integration: Fast and easy no-code integration via an application programming interface (API) that’s great for cloud applications. 

File integration: Uses customized file templates (created by Stampli) to import and export files easily with any on-premise or cloud ERP or accounting system.

Process integration: Support for existing processes requiring manual data entry or other specialized workflows.

Stampli offers fully supported ERP implementations or migrations in days, not weeks, with no need to hire developers, adjust existing processes, or reconfigure your ERP. 

You want best-in-class customer support

An industry leader in Accounts Payable automation software solutions, Stampli consistently receives top scores in the G2 Grid® for AP Automation software. Stampli has been awarded for customer service, corporate citizenship, and excellence, including: 

• No. 2 in the G2 list of Best Accounting and Finance Products for 2023.
• Recognized By Forbes As One Of America’s Best Startup Employers Of 2023.
• Best Accounts Payable Automation Solution, 2022 Fintech Awards.

Numerous case studies from happy customers and independent user reviews recognize Stampli for excellence in areas such as:

• Live setup assistance and 24/7 customer support from AP and ERP experts
• Cash management 
• Easy to use, intuitive interface
• Fast implementation and onboarding
• Good AI/OCR for extracting invoice data
• Integration with accounting software like NetSuite and QuickBooks
• Streamlined workflows and approval process
• Audit trail providing transparency
• Reporting capabilities

You want simplified, centralized invoice management

Stampli features Billy the Bot™, its innovative AI assistant. Billy learns AP processes and patterns and optimizes the invoice lifecycle by automating tasks like invoice capture, data entry, GL coding, 3-way matching, approval routing, and error and fraud detection. 

For more control over the AP process, Stampli centralizes tasks, documents, and communications on top of the invoice – no more hunting for documents or lost emails. Stampli also adds advanced functionality to its core AP automation solution with integrated services. These include virtual cards (Stampli Card), domestic and international payment solutions (Stampli Direct Pay), and employee expense management (Stampli Expenses).

When to choose Airbase

Airbase provides businesses with spend management capabilities, a comprehensive corporate card program, and flexible AP service packages. Its automated expense management and accounts payable automation platform is designed to help businesses control spending, manage risks, and simplify business processes.

Note that certain spend management features, such as purchase order management, multi-subsidiary support, and customizable approval workflows, are only available at higher service tiers.

You need employee expense management capabilities

Airbase offers comprehensive spend management capabilities. These include expense report submission via desktop and mobile apps, automated approval workflows, enforcement of expense policies to prevent out-of-policy spend, and robust expense reporting and analytics. 

If you want to streamline employee expenses and accounts payable spending on a single platform, consider a solution that provides advanced AP processing and analytics features to enhance control over AP spending.

You need integrations with Human Resources systems

Airbase integrates with various Human Resource Information System (HRIS) platforms such as Okta, Workday, and Rippling to provide comprehensive spend management services. In addition, Airbase offers integration with popular communication platforms like Slack, as well as procurement and travel management solutions. It provides credit card integration with American Express and Silicon Valley Bank. 

Airbase also offers accounting integrations with ERPs and accounting software, including QuickBooks Online, Xero, NetSuite, and Sage Intacct. However, if you need more flexibility, consider platforms that offer a greater variety of integrations. For example, Stampli offers pre-built API integrations with over 70 ERPs.

When to Choose AvidXchange

AvidXchange is dedicated to enhancing efficiency, transparency, and visibility in accounting and financial workflows. They offer a diverse selection of tailor-made accounts payable (AP) solutions designed for various industries. As one of the pioneering AP automation companies, AvidXchange provides businesses with the experience and expertise to manage AP expenses effectively.

You want an industry-specific solution for your business

AvidXchange provides a range of customized solutions for real estate (AvidSuite for Real Estate), financial services (AvidAccess), construction, and other sectors. It also provides add-on modules to help businesses manage common expenses like utilities and office supplies. These tailored solutions may be an option if you’re in one of the target industries. However, you may want a more comprehensive solution to provide end-to-end efficiency gains for your business.

You want access to an existing supplier payment network

AvidXchange provides access to the AvidPay payment network, which consists of over 900,000 suppliers within the United States. AvidPay claims to simplify and streamline supplier payments for businesses that have suppliers enrolled in the network. However, it’s important to note that AvidPay is limited to US suppliers. If you work with overseas vendors, you will need to find a separate international payment solution. Additionally, as per their terms of service, AvidXchange can reach out to your suppliers to enroll them in their payment network.

Stampli: The #1 choice for AP automation

Tired of dealing with workarounds, spreadsheets, or manual ERP work for your accounts payable process? If so, Stampli is the comprehensive solution you need. Stampli provides an efficient, AI-powered solution that automates complex workflows and enhances your existing processes. 

With Stampli, you don’t have to change your AP workflows, as all the AP-related tasks are centralized in a unified platform, simplifying communication, documentation, and workflows and making them easy to manage.

Artificial intelligence automation features like Billy the Bot™, Stampli’s AI assistant, streamline manual processes and provide real-time visibility and control over the invoice lifecycle. This way, you can stay on top of your finances and effortlessly manage your AP tasks.

Stampli’s versatile suite of integrated products and compatibility with over 70 ERPs make for swift deployment, helping companies turn AP into a powerful engine for growth.

Want to learn more about how Stampli can help your invoice and payment management workflow? Contact us today for a free demo and see why Stampli is the best choice for AP automation.