Best accounts payable automation software

Contents

Manual accounts payable (AP) processes are time-consuming, error-prone, and costly. Despite these shortcomings, many businesses still choose it. However, Pymnts.com reports that 95% of companies automating AP processes have achieved improved accuracy, efficiency, and streamlined payments.

These results are possible because AP automation replaces manual tasks, such as invoice data entry, matching purchase orders, invoice approvals, and tracking due dates, with AI-powered tools and digital workflows. Features such as OCR (optical character recognition), automated approvals, and real-time dashboards streamline the process and minimize human errors.

Businesses that embrace this shift cut processing costs while gaining better visibility into their cash flow and improving supplier relationships. To make the implementation process smoother and easier, numerous AP automation software solutions are available.

However, with numerous AP automation solutions offering various features, integration options, and pricing plans, choosing the best one becomes challenging. 

In this guide, we discuss the top 15 AP automation solutions, their features, pros and cons, and more to help you pick the best AP automation software for 2025.

What is Accounts Payable Automation Software?

Accounts Payable Automation Software replaces manual, paper-based tasks, such as data entry and invoice handling, by digitizing documents and automating workflows, including routing invoices for approval, scheduling payments, sending reminders, and managing vendor information.

Most AP automation software helps automate the core processes, such as:

  • Invoice capture: Extract data from invoices using OCR or AI to reduce manual entry tasks.
  • Approvals workflow: Route invoices automatically to the right people for approval based on set rules.
  • Processing payments: Schedule and process payments via ACH, virtual cards, credit cards or checks, ensuring timely delivery.

Using accounts payable automation software helps businesses ensure faster invoice processing with fewer errors and improved visibility into their cash flow.

Common challenges with manual AP management

Although manual accounts payable management gets the job done, it bogs down your finance operations due to a range of challenges.

Here are a few key issues of relying on manual AP management:

  1. Invoice approvals and payment processing take more time than automated systems
  2. Increases the risk of typos, missing invoices, duplicate payments, and misfiled invoices
  3. Lacks visibility into payables, which limits businesses to forecast cash needs
  4. Slow processing can lead to missed due dates, late fees, and strained vendor relationships
  5. Processing invoices manually requires more staff and resources, increasing overhead

Benefits of AP automation software

Managing accounts payable manually is slow and stressful, which is why more businesses are turning to AP automation solutions for better speed and accuracy.

Here are a few top benefits of using AP automation software:

1. Reduces the cost of invoicing

According to the Institute of Finance and Management’s research, businesses with manual accounts payable processes spend four times more to process invoices than those with automated processes.

This is significant, given that the average cost of invoice processing is US$ 9.40

AP automation reduces the cost of invoice processing by eliminating:

  1. Manual data entry and associated errors
  2. Approval delays using automated routing
  3. Frauds with the help of audit trails

For businesses, it means more resources are available for strategic tasks and improved cash flow management through timely payments and early-payment discounts.

2. Reduces errors around data entry, duplication, late payments

From data entry errors to misfiled invoices and incorrect vendor details, these concerns result in delayed payments, increased costs, and vendor dissatisfaction. Automated accounts payable helps address all these challenges by automating data capture.

Advanced AP automation software solutions, such as PathQuest, use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to extract various types of details, including invoice amounts, invoice numbers, and vendor names.

This significantly enhances the accuracy of captured data, resulting in fewer errors, faster payments, and more satisfied vendors.

3. Saves the staff’s time

According to its Anatomy of Work Index, Asana found that 60% of a worker’s time is spent on tasks related to work, rather than actual skilled work.

This is vital in the case of manual AP as it involves data entry into multiple sources. 

Accounts payable automation utilizes AI and OCR technologies to save staff time by automating manual tasks such as data entry and approval routing. Your finance team can trade their time spent on chasing down invoices and manually entering data, for more strategic tasks such as financial planning, vendor negotiations – tasks that save real money, and help improve processes.

4. Helps control cash flow

AP automation systems centralize and digitize all invoice-related data. As invoices are received, they are automatically logged, categorized, and tracked in a comprehensive digital dashboard with detailed insights.

Finance teams can instantly see:

  • Total outstanding liabilities
  • What invoices are pending for approval
  • Which vendors have been paid and when
  • Which payments are due soon

All these insights help the team forecast and manage their cash flow effectively to get discounts for paying vendors on time.

For example, if you can earn 10% credits from your vendor for paying off the invoice for purchasing goods in 5 working days, doing so helps free up working capital, and you will have more money for other expenses.

Key Features to Look for in Accounts Payable Automation Software

Choosing the right AP automation software starts with knowing which features truly matter for your business to streamline your AP operations.

Here are nine essential features to look for:

1. Invoice capture and OCR:

It helps automatically extract data from scanned or digital invoices. This feature enables you to extract data from invoices with varying layouts and diverse foreign currencies, leveraging machine learning, intelligent document recognition, and centralized invoice receipt. This feature is crucial in reducing manual data entry, resulting in fewer errors, higher accuracy, and faster data entry.

2. Automated approval workflows:

These workflows are highly customizable based on the diverse and specific needs of a business and help route invoices to the right people for review as per custom rules. You can also set up these workflows to obtain approvals from various levels, such as managers or department heads, based on invoice amount, department, or spend category. You even use split-coding or line-item allocations to obtain approvals from multiple departments for different portions of the same invoice. This feature is vital to speed up approvals and prevent payment delays or bottlenecks.

3. Two or three-way matching:

This feature automatically compares invoices with purchase orders and receipts to ensure accuracy. For example, in two-way matching, when an invoice is issued for a payment of a service, like consultation, the invoice is verified against the work order for consultation to ensure accuracy of the amount, vendor’s name, etc. In case of three-way matching, the invoice is matched against the purchase order and the receipt order before payment is processed. This feature plays a significant role in preventing overpayments or fraud.

4. Real-time reporting and dashboards:

Instant reporting and dashboards, such as payment status dashboards, processing metrics, like payment time, payment cycles, and cash flow reports, offer accounting teams deeper insights and visibility into invoice statuses, pending payments, and cash flow. It supports smarter financial planning and faster decision-making.

5. Integration with ERP or accounting systems:

Extensive integration options let you sync the automation software with other systems, like QuickBooks, NetSuite, or SAP. It reduces data silos and keeps your financial systems up to date.

6. Vendor portals or self-service access:

Vendor portals allow vendors to upload invoices and track payments independently. This improves communication, reduces support queries and helps manage vendors better while keeping vendors informed about their payment status.

7. Audit trails and compliance tracking:

This feature helps keep a record of every action taken on an invoice. It attributes every action taken on an invoice to a system or a user, including modification history and exception handling due to errors or mismatches. Audit trails also help users track real-time tracking of invoice statuses, enabling them to see if an invoice has been approved, rejected, or is still pending. 

8. Mobile access and cloud-based platform:

Mobile and cloud accessibility enable businesses to use the software on the go, anywhere. This is also important for businesses that rely on remote and global teams for real-time collaboration.

Top 15 Accounts Payable Automation Software:  Comparison Table

Before we dive into the details of the top 15 accounts payable automation software in 2025, here is a quick comparison table.

Software Name Best For Key Features Pricing Free Trial
PathQuest Small and medium businesses Custom bill approval workflows, PathQuest AP portal, purchase order system, real-time invoice tracking Custom N/A
Tipalti Medium to large businesses End-to-end AP automation, multi-entity management, advanced compliance Starter: US$ 99/month N/A
Centime Small and medium businesses Unified finance platform, real-time cash flow visibility, AI-enabled AP automation Custom N/A
Stampli Small and medium-sized businesses Centralized collaboration, two and three-way matching, extensive analytics Custom N/A
Payouts Small, medium, and large businesses Smart invoice data capture, automated approval workflows, centralized invoice storage Custom N/A
Procurify Small and mid-sized businesses AI-enabled invoice processing, unified procure-to-pay workflows, real-time spend visibility Custom N/A
Xero Small and medium-sized businesses Automated payment scheduling, advanced fraud detection, detailed audit trail Starter: US$ 29/month 30 days
Airbase Medium and large businesses Touchless invoice processing, global payments, deep ERP integrations Custom N/A
Yooz Small and medium-sized businesses AI-powered end-to-end invoice automation, integration with 250+ ERP systems, compliance and audit readiness Custom 15 days
Nanonets Enterprise and large-scale businesses AI-driven data extraction, multi-way invoice matching, global vendor payment Custom US$ 200 worth credits
Coupa Medium-sized to large businesses Built-in approval workflows, e-invoicing, integrated payments and virtual cards Free N/A
Settle Small and medium consumer-packaged goods companies Centralized AP management, real-time cash flow tracking, flexible payment options Free N/A
Ramp Small and medium-sized businesses OCR-led invoice data capture, automated approval workflows, seamless ERP integrations Free N/A
Melio Small businesses Flexible and global payment options, compliance tools, batch and combined payments Free N/A
Xledger Medium-sized to large businesses Custom AP workflows, flexible payment options, AI-driven SafePay validation Custom N/A

Top 15 Accounts Payable Automation Software in 2025

With dozens of AP tools available, selecting the right one that meets your unique needs can be challenging. From features to pros and cons and reviews, there are many factors to consider.

Here are the 15 best accounts payable automation software options to consider in 2025:

1. PathQuest

PathQuest AP Automation Landing Page

PathQuest AP is an intelligent accounts payable automation platform that  streamlines and automates all your AP operations. It eliminates manual tasks, reduces errors, and speeds up payment cycles through powerful, customizable workflows.

With PathQuest AP, you can automate critical tasks like invoice capture, vendor payments, and approval processes—all in one place. The platform helps you avoid late, incorrect, or fraudulent payments while giving you real-time visibility into every transaction.

Its unified dashboard serves as a single source of truth for all AP activities, providing deeper insights into AP that you may miss otherwise. PathQuest AP also empowers finance teams to stay in control, gain actionable insights, and make faster, smarter decisions.

Key features of PathQuest

Check out some of the key features of PathQuest that allow you to automate your AP operations for streamlined AP management:

  • Smart OCR: Import, scan, field maps, and sync bills automatically from Google Drive, Dropbox, FTP, and email in no time
  • Custom bill approval workflows: Build tailored workflows as your business needs to approve bills faster. PathQuest AP also ensures internal control and notifies all concerned stakeholders of the status
  • PathQuest AP portal: Generate escalation tickets right within the PathQuest AP portal and avoid lengthy email back and forth for each query, and solve issues faster
  • Purchase order system: Get all your invoice processing history and related comments under a single platform and minimize staff interventions per transaction for better vendor management and stronger supplier relationships
  • Comprehensive audit history: Ensure protection against fraudulent payments and avoid invoice duplicates and errors with the help of a full audit history and streamlined invoice matching
  • Real-time invoice tracking: Track and get insights into all your invoices, approvals, payment status, audit trails, and audit trails from a detailed dashboard tailored for your business
  • Multiple entities: Use a single PathQuest AP account to process bills and payments to different entities. It also offers flexible controls tailored to your business needs.

PathQuest pros

  1. A comprehensive accounts payable automation system that offers you full control over AP processes
  2. Integrates into industry-leading accounting software like Xero, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks, and more.
  3. Captures invoices from email attachments and email body for faster invoice processing
  4. Extensive training and support with five fundamental and four advanced training sessions for PathQuest clients 
  5. Proactive customer service available via email and phone to deliver timely resolutions

PathQuest cons

  1. Pricing is not publicly available
  2. Long learning curve to master the system

Target audience

PathQuest is ideal for small and medium businesses that need a robust AP automation solution offering extensive workflow customizations and control.

2. Tipalti

Tripalti Accounts Payable Automation Landing Page
Source: Tipalti

Tipalti is an AP automation solution that helps businesses automate their  AP workflows from start to finish and reduce manual efforts. The platform also offers greater control of payment processing, vendor management, and tax compliance.

Tipalti features

  • AI-driven invoice capture: Use AI to capture invoice details, match them with POs, streamline approvals, and prevent duplicate bills
  • Secured payments: Ensure better payment security with signatory rights management, supplier validation, and data-access permission customization
  • Extensive integrations: Expand automated workflows through in-built integrations with ERP and accounting systems, HRIS, SSO, Slack, and more.

Tipalti pros

  1. Multi-language and self-service vendor onboarding
  2. Automated payment reconciliation to avoid errors
  3. Process payments across 200 countries and in 120 currencies

Tipalti cons

  1. Limited options for customization
  2. Lack of GST and VAT support with Intacct

Target audience

Tipalti is suitable for medium to large international businesses that manage global supplier and vendor payments.

3. Centime

Centime AP Automation Solution Landing Page
Source: Centime

Centime is an AI-powered AP automation solution that helps streamline the entire invoice-to-payment process within NetSuite ERP, Sage Intacct, and QuickBooks. The platform uses advanced OCR technologies and workflow automation to reduce manual work, errors, and processing time.

Centime features

  • Auto-extract and validate invoice data: Use AI-powered OCR to capture invoice data and eliminate manual entry and errors
  • Automated approval workflows: Streamline invoice routing and approvals to increase AP efficiency and reduce bottlenecks with automated approval workflows
  • 3-way PO matching: Prevent AP errors and unauthorized payments with Centime’s 3-way PO matching

Centime pros

  1. Quick integration with leading ERPs, like NetSuite, Intacct
  2. Responsive customer support with Success Managers
  3. Earn interest on AP balances 

Centime cons

  1. Integrates only with NetSuite, QuickBooks, and Sage Intacct
  2. Does not support international vendor payments

Target audience

Centime is designed for small and medium businesses that manage their accounting operations on Sage Intacct, QuickBooks, or NetSuite ERP.

4. Stampli

Stampli AP Automation Landing Page
Source: Stampli

Stampli is an AI-powered AP automation solution that centralizes invoice processing, communication, and documentation. It offers your accounting team better control and complete visibility of all accounts payable (AP) processes. Stampli also enables multi-entity operations and helps improve vendor management.

Stampli features

  • Automatic invoice capture: Capture invoices automatically using OCR technology and coding
  • Stampli Card: Integrate the Stampli Card with the platform for faster payments
  • Dynamic dashboards: Use interactive dashboards with over 12 pre-built reports to improve decision making

Stampli pros

  1. Process AP payments when the foreign exchange target rate is met
  2. International payments in 100+ countries and local currencies
  3. Integrates with 70+ ERP systems

Stampli cons

  1. Steep learning curve for beginners
  2. Limited expense management features

Target audience

Stampli is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses that manage high-payment volume from industries like healthcare, hospitality, construction, and retail.

5. Payouts

AP Automation Landing Page of Payouts
Source: Payouts

Payouts is a comprehensive AP automation system for businesses of all sizes to streamline vendor payments and accounts payable processes. Using advanced technologies and intelligent invoice management features, the platform brings efficiency, visibility, and control to all your AP processes. 

Payouts features

  • Automated invoice matching: Avoid manual reconciliation, errors, and late payments for streamlined AP tasks
  • Collaborative vendor portal: Ensure better transparency and communication with all your vendors in a single place
  • Advanced OCR technology: Capture invoice details from PDFs, EDI, and scanned images quickly and accurately

Payouts pros

  1. Helps reduce invoice processing cost by 80%
  2. Supports multiple countries and currencies
  3. Built-in fraud and suspicious activity detection

Payouts cons

  1. Limited availability of mobiles
  2. Shorter payment link validity

Target audience

Payouts AP automation solution is suitable for small, medium, and large businesses operating globally with affiliate marketing, digital advertising networks, and influencer platforms.

6. Procurify

Procurify AP Automation Landing Page
Source: Procurify

Procurify’s AP automation solution unifies accounts payable and purchasing to streamline reconciliation and ensure on-time, accurate payments. It also centralizes AP data and invoice document management to reduce manual and error-prone processes while helping teams get better insights into AP trends to improve cash flow management.

Procurify features

  • Bill pre-population: AI-driven invoice processing to pre-populate bills and avoid redundant data entry
  • Faster reconciliation: Automated three-way matching to fast-track reconciliation, minimize errors, and avoid overspending
  • Pre-built approval workflows: Assign invoices for approval to the right team using pre-configured workflows

Procurify pros

  1. Unified platform for procurement, purchasing, and AP automation
  2. On-the-go invoice approvals and management using a mobile app
  3. Affordable and transparent pricing, ideal for small and medium businesses

Procurify cons

  1. Limited analytical features
  2. Limited integrations

Target audience

Procurify is ideal for small and mid-sized businesses that do not need complex, highly customized workflows.

7. Xero

Xero AP Automation Software Landing Page
Source: Xero

Xero is a cloud-based accounting software solution designed to help small and medium-sized businesses simplify finance tasks. It offers a robust AP automation system that streamlines invoice capture, approval, and payment scheduling for faster invoice payments and AP management. Xero also helps reduce manual input, flags duplicates, and supports approval workflows for efficient accounts payable automation processes.

Xero features

  • Accounting dashboard: Detailed accounting dashboard with invoice balances, bank balance, and more., using daily bank feeds
  • Foreign exchange support: Automatic forex conversions and streamlined management of international payments and bills
  • Customizable invoicing: Create branded invoices and convert quotes to invoices

Xero pros

  1. Manage invoices and approval workflows on the Xero mobile app
  2. Access the platform anywhere with cloud-based accessibility
  3. Comprehensive accounting and payment reporting features

Xero cons

  1. Slow and unoptimized mobile app
  2. Limited features on lower-tier plans

Target audience

Xero is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses looking for an efficient, user-friendly, and cost-effective AP automation solution.

8. Airbase

Airbase Accounts Payable Automation Landing Page
Source: Airbase

Airbase is an AI-powered AP automation platform that streamlines the entire accounts payable lifecycle. It helps automate invoice capture, invoice coding, approvals, global payments, and more. The solution also helps finance teams get more insights, visibility into diverse finance transactions, and payment processes for better AP management.

Airbase features

  • Touchless invoice processing: Use AI-powered OCR and machine learning for automated invoice coding and data entry
  • Self-service vendor portal: Accelerate vendor onboarding and get real-time payment tracking for vendors
  • Three-way PO matching: Automated three-way PO matching to ensure accurate and faster invoice payments

Airbase pros

  1. Pay suppliers securely in 145+ currencies across 200+ countries
  2. Cloud-based AP management and approvals from anywhere
  3. Record every transaction digitally for accurate audit trails

Airbase cons

  1. Limited customizations in reporting
  2. UI lags while processing transactions

Target audience

Airbase AP automation software is ideal for medium and large businesses that want to streamline accounts payable processes and improve spending management.

9. Yooz

Yooz AP Automation Landing Page
Source: Yooz

Yooz is a cloud-based AP automation platform that helps automate end-to-end accounts payable processes from purchase to pay and reconciliation. It uses AI, deep learning, and big data for smart data extraction, workflow automations, real-time analytics, and fraud detection. Yooz also enables touchless invoice processing and mobile approvals, making payments management efficient.

Yooz key features

  • Automatic data capture: Capture data automatically from invoices and vendor statements in multiple formats
  • Access on the go: Web and mobile apps to access and monitor AP activities even on the move
  • Faster and accurate reconciliation: Automated reconciliation of vendor statements using proprietary technology

Yooz pros

  1. Native integration with 250+ ERPs worldwide
  2. Multi-channel user support via email, phone, chat
  3. Same-day invoice approval

Yooz cons

  1. Steep learning curve
  2. Addition API development for certain integrations

Yooz target audience

Yooz AP automation solution is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses that need compliance and scalability without complex workflows and extensive IT infrastructure.

10. Nanonets

Nanonets AP Automation Software
Source: Nanonets

Nanonets AP automation solution uses advanced AI and machine learning to automate the entire accounts payable activities for faster AP processes. It also helps you create custom workflows tailored to meet your business needs, enabling faster and more efficient invoice processes. As the platform integrates with leading ERP and CRM systems, you can gain better insights into financial operations and cash flow management.

Nanonets features

  • Automated matching workflows: Match invoices automatically with two-way, three-way, and four-way matching options
  • Approval routing workflows: Rule-based and multi-level approval routing workflows that are customizable as per individual business needs
  • Global payment support: Pay invoices globally in 50+ currencies via ACH, wire transfer, credit cards, wallet payments, and more

Nanonets pros

  1. AI-powered data capture ensures 99% accurate data extraction
  2. Integrates with top ERP systems and 5000+ apps
  3. Supports a wide variety of invoice formats

Nanonets cons

  1. Complex and time-intensive initial set-up
  2. Limited options for vendor management

Target audience

Nanonets is suitable for enterprise and large-scale businesses with document-heavy processes.

11. Coupa

Coupa AP Automation Landing Page
Source: Coupa

Coupa is another AP automation solution that uses AI-enabled document capture, custom approval workflows, and automated two and three-way matching for better accounts payable management. The platform relies on its touchless process to reduce manual processing and invoice errors. Coupa also enables better accounting decision-making by offering more profound insights into AP activities with real-time spend and cash flow analytics.

Coupa features

  • Two and three-way invoice matching: Automated two and three-way invoice matching with purchase orders and receipts for better accuracy and fraud detection
  • Spend analytics dashboard: Real-time spend analytics with dashboards for strategic decision-making
  • Global tax compliance: Compliance-as-a-service to ensure global tax and e-invoicing regulations

Coupa pros

  1. Clean and user-friendly interface for faster platform adoption
  2. Easy integration with leading ERP and accounting software solutions
  3. Meet the regulatory requirements in over 50 countries

Coupa cons

  1. Expensive compared to similar tools
  2. Occasional workflow bottlenecks

Target audience

Coupa is suitable for medium-sized to large businesses working with global suppliers and vendors.

12. Settle

Settle AP Automation Landing Page
Source: Settle

Settle’s AP Automation solution is a cloud-based platform designed to streamline accounts payable for growing businesses. It enables businesses to manage vendors, bills, and purchase orders (POs) in one place. You can also customize approval workflows, track real-time cash outflows, and reduce manual AP processes using the platform while ensuring advanced payment security and accuracy. 

Settle features

  • One-click invoice capture: Extract invoice details with one click and automate the data entry for higher accuracy
  • Split or consolidated payments: Flexible payment options to split or consolidate payments, schedule them in advance, apply supplier credits
  • Centralized dashboard: Get all required details to manage purchase orders, invoices, and suppliers on a centralized dashboard

Settle pros

  1. No set-up fee or long-term contract with the platform
  2. Advanced inventory forecasting and management
  3. Pay vendors using over 25 currencies worldwide

Settle cons

  1. Limited integration options
  2. Basic vendor management features 

Target audience

Settle is designed to help fast-growing small and medium-sized consumer-packaged goods companies with global vendor relationships.

13. Ramp

Ramp AP Automation Solution Landing Page
Source: Ramp

Ramp AP automation solution leverages AI and OCR to automate AP processes, like invoice capture, coding, approvals, and payments. It helps reduce manual workload and errors while improving the efficiency of AP tasks. It also allows businesses to set up multi-level approval workflows, pay vendors globally, and process multiple bills at the same time with accuracy.  Ramp also lets you integrate with various ERP and accounting software systems and make payments using checks, cards, ACH, and more.

Ramp features

  • Advanced OCR: Capture invoice details quickly and accurately with Ramp’s OCR backed by custom rules and smart suggestions
  • Smart routing rules: Create multiple approval layers and workflows with ease using intelligent routing rules
  • Centralized platform: Centralize everything from procurement to payments and expenses, all using a single platform

Ramp pros

  1. Drag and drop options to quickly capture invoice details
  2. Role-based access for better data security and compliance
  3. Multiple visual cards for custom payment control

Ramp cons

  1. Basic expense and vendor management features
  2. Limited integration opportunities

Target audience

Ramp is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses seeking a simpler AP automation system to streamline their financial activities.

14. Melio

Melio AP Automation Software Landing Page
Source: Melio

Melio is an online payment platform with AP automation capabilities for small businesses. It streamlines invoice capture, validation, and payment processing using AI-powered tools, reducing AP handling time by up to 80%. The platform supports domestic and international payments using multiple payment methods and currencies. 

Melio features

  • Flexible bill payment: Pay multiple bills to vendors one at a time or combine all the bills for a single payment
  • Two-way auto-sync: Sync with leading ERP and accounting systems, like QuickBooks, Xero, etc
  • AI-enabled Invoice scanning: Use Melio’s AI tool to scan, sync, or upload invoices and streamline invoice data capture

Melio pros

  1. Mobile app to make and track all vendor payments
  2. Quickly schedule payments in advance 
  3. Pay vendors with credit cards even if they don’t accept them

Melio cons

  1. Fewer ERP and accounting systems integration
  2. Limited global payment coverage

Target audience

Melio is ideal for small businesses seeking a cost-effective and user-friendly AP automation solution.

15. Xledger

Xledger AP Automation Solution Landing Page
Source: Xledger

Xledger’s accounts payable automation helps medium and large businesses automate their entire AP workflow from invoice capture, payment, and vendor reconciliation. It utilizes advanced OCR technology, combined with AI capabilities, to minimize data entry errors, speed up invoice processing, and enhance the overall efficiency of AP tasks. The platform also offers protection against fraudulent transactions with its SafePay feature.

Xledger features

  • Flexible payment disbursement: Pay using multiple options, such as ACH, credit cards, and wire transfers for convenient payments
  • Insightful dashboards: Gain instant insight into cash flow with robust accounting dashboards and business intelligence tools
  • Audit trails: Enhanced AP transparency and accountability with GAAP-compliant audit trails for all AP activities

Xledger pros

  1. Robust analytics with nearly 300 customizable standard reports
  2. Proprietary OCR functionality for 99% accurate invoice capture
  3. Easy to learn and use with an intuitive design

Xledger cons

  1. Limited integration features beyond its core integrations
  2. Platform changes may disrupt workflows

Target audience

Xledger is ideal for medium-sized to large businesses with high transaction volumes that require advanced AP automation features.

PathQuest AP for Faster and Efficient AP Automation

As a small and medium-sized business, you may not need a highly complex AP automation tool. What you need instead is a robust tool that can help you streamline your accounts payable processes with ease.

As a feature-rich AP automation software solution, PathQuest AP eliminates manual processes, saves time, and improves AP efficiency:

  • Custom approval workflows for faster payments and reconciliation
  • Detailed dashboard, real-time invoice, and payments monitoring
  • Unified and touchless system for easy vendor management
  • Multiple payment options, as you and your vendor prefer
  • Smart OCR for accurate invoice data capture

With PathQuest AP automation, save your team’s efforts for strategic decision-making that moves your business ahead.

Book a free demo of PathQuest and learn how you can save 50% of your accounting team’s time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is AP automation vs AR automation?

AP automation helps streamline a business’s payment processes by focusing on vendor invoices and outgoing payments. In contrast, accounts receivable automation manages the collection of payments, handling customer billing and incoming funds.

2. Is AP automation worth it?

Yes, AP automation reduces manual data entry, speeds up approvals, eliminates late payments, and cuts invoice processing costs. By minimizing errors, AP automation ensures timely payments and improved relationships with vendors.

3. What software do you use for accounts payable?

Many AP automation tools, like PathQuest AP, are available on the market. These tools also integrate with leading ERP and accounting software solutions, such as NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and QuickBooks, allowing you to continue using these systems seamlessly with AP automation software.

4. How much does accounts payable automation software cost?

The cost of accounts payable automation software can vary considerably. There are solutions that cost US$ 500 per month for small businesses, to others that cost US$ 5000 per month for enterprise businesses. 

5. Does AP automation software integrate with QuickBooks, Xero, or other accounting automation tools?

Yes, most AP automation software integrates with popular accounting automation tools such as QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage Intacct. PathQuest AP offers native integrations with these tools, enabling seamless integration with other accounting automation tools.

6. Can AP automation software help reduce invoice processing costs?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, reduced invoice processing costs are one of the main reasons many businesses adopt AP automation. It cuts costs by minimizing manual work, reducing errors, speeding up approvals, and avoiding duplicate or late payments. Many businesses report up to an 80% reduction in processing costs.

Published on: 25 June 2025

Author

John Bugh

John Bugh is Chief Revenue Officer for PathQuest, responsible for the strategic direction, planning, vision, growth, and performance of the company’s marketing, branding, and revenue streams.

As a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in executive sales, marketing, and operational leadership, John has worked to build high-performing leadership-teams that have a demonstrated track record of accelerating growth, increasing revenue, establishing sustainability, and improving profitability.

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