Unlocking efficiency: The best expense management software

Q: What are the four types of expense management?

The four main types of expense management are: Employee expense management: Covers day-to-day business spend like travel, meals, mileage, and reimbursements submitted by employees. Travel and entertainment (T&E) management: Focuses on business travel, lodging, flights, and client entertainment expenses, often with travel booking integrations. Procurement and vendor expense management: Manages spend tied to suppliers, contractors, and recurring vendor payments, ensuring compliance with budgets and contracts. Corporate card and spend management: Tracks company card transactions in real time, applies spend controls, and reconciles expenses automatically.

Author

Christina Marfice

Published

July 17, 2024

Updated

October 22, 2025

Read time

12 MIN

In this article

10 best expense management software in 2025

Take control of company spending, automate compliance, and reclaim hours every month with the right expense management software. The best platforms—like Rippling—connect expenses, HR, payroll, and AP, so you capture every deduction, eliminate manual work, and stay audit-ready in 2025 and beyond.

What is expense management software?

Expense management software is a digital platform that automates the tracking, approval, and reporting of business expenses—from employee reimbursements to vendor bills and corporate cards. For small businesses, it's essential for ensuring every deductible expense is accurately captured, categorized, and ready for tax filing. Today's best platforms, like Rippling, unify spend, HR, payroll, and AP to eliminate manual errors and maximize eligible tax deductions—all while keeping your business compliant and audit-ready.

Comprehensive comparison: Expense management software platforms

Platform	Best For	Main Features	High-Level Pricing
Rippling	All-in-one workforce + spend management	Unified HR, payroll, and expense management, corporate credit cards, and automated approval workflows	Starting from $11 PEPM
Brex	Startups with card-first needs	Corporate cards, reimbursements, travel booking, spending limits, and real-time expense tracking	$0–$12 per user per month
Ramp	AI-powered expense tracking	Corporate cards, automated receipt capture, policy enforcement, and spend analytics	$0-$15 per user per month
BILL (Divvy)	SMBs managing AP/AR and expenses together	Corporate cards, business credit, expense reimbursements, AP automation, expense reporting	Free with a BILL account ($45-$89 per user per month)
Expensify	Cost-conscious small businesses	Expense reports, receipt scanning, commercial cards, travel booking, and global reimbursement	$5-$9 per user per month
QuickBooks Online	Small businesses already on QuickBooks	Built-in expense tracking, automated receipt capture, and integration with QuickBooks	$19-$138 per month for up to 25 users
SAP Concur	Large enterprises with complex compliance	Advanced travel and expense (T&E) management, invoice automation, policy controls	Quote-based
Airbase by Paylocity	Mid-market and enterprise spend control	Expense reimbursements, corporate cards, and approval workflows	Quote-based
Navan	Businesses needing travel + expense in one	Travel booking, expense reimbursements, corporate cards, cash back, policy enforcement	Free for 5 users, then $15 per user per month
Zoho Expense	Budget-conscious global SMBs	Approval workflows, multi-currency support, mileage and per diem tracking, policy controls	Free trial, then paid tiers from $3-$5 per user per month

Our scoring methodology and research process

We evaluated 20+ leading expense management platforms using a two-tiered approach. Our research combined primary product analysis (features, pricing, documentation), aggregated user reviews (G2, Capterra, Trustpilot), and consensus from top SERP articles. Each vendor was scored on automation, integrations, user experience, compliance, and transparent pricing. Only the most robust, customer-validated platforms made our Top 10 detailed review. Rippling was evaluated using the same objective criteria to ensure a fair, apples-to-apples comparison.

Top 10 expense management software platforms: Detailed reviews

1. Rippling Finance

Rippling Finance is the only platform that truly unifies expense management, corporate cards, AP, payroll, and HR. With automation that eliminates 95%+ of manual work, Rippling lets you control every dollar in one place, block out-of-policy spend before it happens, and close the books in hours—not days.

Unified spend platform: Expenses, cards, bills, travel, and payroll in one system
Hyper-custom policies: Block non-compliant spend instantly
Automated workflows: Approval routing, GL sync, and real-time notifications
Global capabilities: Reimburse in 100+ countries/currencies

Integrations

Deep, native integrations with leading accounting, ERP, HR, and banking platforms. Two-way sync with major GLs; employee data connection for dynamic policies.

Limitations

Best for organizations that want to consolidate spend, AP, and HR; may be more comprehensive than needed for solo freelancers.

Pricing

Starts at $11/user/month
Bundled pricing for HR + Finance modules
Volume discounts available

Why customers appreciate Rippling Finance

Save more time on expense management

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Why customers choose Rippling Finance

2. Ramp

Ramp is an automation-driven expense management platform designed to help businesses save time and money. Founded in 2019, Ramp focuses on unlimited corporate cards, granular expense controls, bill pay, and real-time spend insights. Its automation-first approach is ideal for SMBs and mid-market companies seeking to streamline finance operations, though it lacks deep native HR/payroll integrations and some global features are gated to premium plans.

Key Features

Unlimited corporate cards with granular controls for every employee and department
AI-powered approvals, GL coding, and automated expense policy enforcement
Automated bill pay and procurement workflows
Real-time analytics and savings insights for finance teams

Integrations

Ramp connects with over 200 ERPs, HRIS, SSO, and productivity tools, including NetSuite, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks, BambooHR, and Slack. Integrations enable real-time data sync for accounting, HR, and spend management, supporting streamlined workflows across systems.

Limitations

Ramp does not offer deep, native HR/payroll integration, and some global features are only available on premium plans. The platform is less unified than Rippling Finance for organizations seeking a single source of truth for all workforce and spend data.

Pricing

Free core plan: $0/user/month
Plus: $15/user/month (advanced automation, global features)
Enterprise: Quote-based

3. Brex

Brex is a unified global spend platform founded in 2017, serving startups through global enterprises. The platform offers corporate cards with global acceptance, expense management, reimbursements, bill pay, travel booking, and business accounts. Brex is known for its AI-powered automation, multi-entity controls, and real-time analytics, making it a strong choice for companies with complex, international needs. However, it lacks native HR/payroll integration and some advanced features are only available on Premium or Enterprise plans.

Key Features

Corporate cards with global acceptance, local-currency billing, and spend controls
AI-powered compliance, automated receipt capture, and policy enforcement
Integrated travel booking with unbiased global inventory and 24/7 agent support
Multi-entity controls, Live Budgets, and real-time analytics for global teams

Integrations

Brex offers direct integrations with major ERPs and accounting platforms (NetSuite, QuickBooks, Xero, Sage), HRIS (Workday, Gusto, Deel, BambooHR, and more), SSO providers (Okta, Azure AD, Google), and automation tools (Zapier, Workato, Slack, Teams, WhatsApp). Over 40 HRIS integrations are supported, and the platform features a robust ecosystem for seamless data flow.

Limitations

Brex does not provide native payroll or HR integration, and some advanced features (such as multi-entity management and advanced controls) are only available on Premium or Enterprise plans. U.S. incorporation and EIN are required for U.S. customers, which may limit access for some international or pre-incorporated teams.

Pricing

Essentials: $0/user/month (core features, travel, bill pay)
Premium: $12/user/month (advanced policies, multi-entity, AI compliance)
Enterprise: Quote-based (unlimited entities, admin center, implementation)

4. BILL Spend & Expense (Divvy)

BILL (formerly Divvy) is an SMB-first financial operations platform integrating AP, AR, spend, and expense management in a single system. BILL offers strong vendor bill payment, basic card controls, and a large two-sided payments network. While it provides robust AP/AR automation and real-time transaction tracking, HR integration is limited and policy enforcement is less granular than unified platforms.

Key Features

AP/AR automation with invoice capture and approval workflows
Corporate cards and proactive budgets for spend control
Multi-entity management and real-time transaction tracking
Procurement with purchase requests and PO matching

Integrations

BILL offers native sync with QuickBooks (Online/Desktop/Enterprise), NetSuite, Xero, and Sage Intacct. HRIS sync is available, and the platform supports CSV import/export for other ERPs. The ecosystem includes integrations with business tools like Lyft for Business and more.

Limitations

BILL's global support is limited, and there is no native payroll or HR integration. Some features are gated by plan, and per-user pricing plus transaction fees can add up for higher-volume payers. Feature depth in policy enforcement is less granular than unified, all-in-one solutions.

Pricing

Spend & Expense: $0/user/month (credit line dependent)
AP/AR Essentials: $45/user/month
AP/AR Corporate: $89/user/month

5. Expensify

Expensify is an SMB-first expense “superapp” founded in 2008, offering automated receipt capture, card management, and strong accounting integrations. Expensify is designed for small businesses and growing teams, with a chat-centric workflow and international capabilities. Advanced controls and HR/payroll sync require the premium plan, and the best pricing is tied to Expensify Card usage.

Key Features

SmartScan OCR for automated receipt capture and expense creation
Corporate card management with Expensify Visa and virtual cards
Chat-based workflows and real-time approvals
Travel booking and bill pay integration

Integrations

Expensify integrates natively with QuickBooks (Online/Desktop), NetSuite, Xero, ADP, Gusto, and TriNet. The platform also connects to travel and commerce partners like Booking.com for Business, Navan, and DoorDash for Business, supporting a broad ecosystem for expense automation and reporting.

Limitations

The best pricing for Expensify requires using the Expensify Card and an annual commitment. International card support is expanding but not yet universal, and some advanced features are only available on the Control plan. Integration depth for HR/payroll is evolving.

Pricing

Collect: $5/member/month (month-to-month)
Control: $9/member/month (annual with card usage)
Control: $18/member/month (annual, no card) or $36/member/month (pay-per-use)

6. SAP Concur

SAP Concur is the enterprise leader for travel and expense (T&E) management, with deep global features, high compliance, and a vast partner ecosystem. Founded in 1993 and now part of SAP, Concur serves organizations of all sizes but is especially strong in the enterprise segment. Its modular approach offers end-to-end automation, but can be complex for SMBs and is priced on a quote-only basis.

Key Features

Automated receipt capture and AI-driven policy enforcement
Global travel booking with integrated approvals and content
Invoice automation and mobile-first workflows
Comprehensive analytics and compliance tools

Integrations

SAP Concur offers 300+ pre-built ERP/accounting integrations, HRIS connectors, and a 1,200+ partner ecosystem. The App Center enables seamless connections with major accounting, HR, travel, and productivity platforms, supporting global workflows and compliance.

Limitations

SAP Concur has a steep learning curve and modular, quote-based pricing. Some advanced features are paid add-ons, and the platform can be complex for SMBs seeking a lightweight solution.

Pricing

Expense: Quote-based (15-day free trial available)
Travel: Quote-based
Invoice: Quote-based

7. Navan (TripActions)

Navan, formerly TripActions, is an all-in-one travel and expense (T&E) platform founded in 2015. Navan serves organizations from SMBs to global enterprises, combining global travel booking, card-linked expenses, and advanced analytics. The platform is known for its ease of use, AI-powered automation, and real-time insights, but lacks native HR system connection and granular policy enforcement.

Key Features

One-stop travel booking and expense management
Real-time spend analytics and AI-powered automation
Corporate cards with rewards and policy controls
Advanced dashboards and interactive insights

Integrations

Navan offers prebuilt integrations across accounting/ERP (NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Xero), HRIS (Workday, BambooHR, Rippling, Gusto, HiBob), SSO/identity (Okta, Azure/Entra, OneLogin), payments/banking (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Brex), duty of care, and productivity tools (Slack, Google, Microsoft). APIs and SFTP are also supported for custom workflows.

Limitations

Expense policy controls are limited to six categories, and there is no unified HR connection. Some features, such as advanced analytics and support tiers, are only available on enterprise plans.

Pricing

Business: Free for travel (up to 300 employees)
Expense: Free for first 5 users, then $15/user/month
Enterprise: Quote-based (full suite, unlimited users)

8. Oracle NetSuite/Cloud

Oracle is a global leader in enterprise cloud infrastructure and SaaS, offering end-to-end expense management as part of its Fusion Cloud Applications and NetSuite ERP. Oracle's platform is deeply integrated with its cloud infrastructure, databases, and analytics, and is best suited for large organizations with complex, multi-entity needs. Onboarding can be complex, and pricing is typically quote-based.

Key Features

End-to-end expense, AP, and ERP integration
Compliance and audit automation with global controls
Multicloud and multi-entity support for large organizations
Advanced analytics and reporting via Oracle Analytics Cloud

Integrations

Oracle offers deep integrations within its own cloud ecosystem, as well as with SAP, Salesforce, Snowflake, and other leading platforms. Oracle Integration provides dozens of prebuilt adapters for major ERPs, HR, and productivity tools, and the Oracle Cloud Marketplace extends connectivity across the enterprise stack.

Limitations

Oracle is enterprise-focused and may be overkill for SMBs. Onboarding and implementation can be complex, and most pricing is quote-based. Some compliance and configuration steps require careful planning and governance.

Pricing

Fusion Cloud Expenses: Quote-based
NetSuite Expense Management: Quote-based
OCI Free Tier: Always Free + 30-day trial

9. QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online is a leading SMB accounting platform with built-in expense tracking. It is best for small businesses already using QuickBooks for accounting, offering simple expense capture, automated bank feed sync, and basic reporting. The platform does not offer corporate cards or advanced workflow automation, and is not designed for global or multi-entity use.

Key Features

Built-in expense tracking with automated bank feed sync
Simple reporting and dashboards for expense visibility
Accounts payable and receivable management
Mobile app for expense capture and approvals

Integrations

QuickBooks Online integrates natively with the QuickBooks ecosystem and hundreds of third-party tools, including payroll, payments, and reporting apps. The platform supports data import/export and connects easily with banks and financial institutions.

Limitations

QuickBooks Online does not offer corporate cards or advanced workflow automation, and is not designed for global or multi-entity organizations. Expense management features are best suited for small businesses already using QuickBooks for accounting.

Pricing

Simple Start: $19/month
Essentials: $39/month
Plus: $70/month
Advanced: $138/month (up to 25 users)

10. Zoho Expense

Zoho Expense offers value-priced expense management for SMBs and global teams, with AI-driven fraud detection and customizable workflows. The platform supports Receipt OCR, mileage tracking, per diem automation, and multi-level approvals, making it a strong fit for businesses seeking robust features at an affordable price point.

Key Features

Receipt OCR, mileage tracking, per diem automation
Multi-level approvals and customizable workflows
AI-driven fraud detection and duplicate checks
Travel booking and global support

Integrations

Zoho Expense integrates natively with Zoho Books, QuickBooks (Online/Desktop), Xero, Sage Accounting, and Google Workspace. The platform also offers real-time card feeds (Visa/US/Canada), Plaid-based feeds, AirPlus corporate card integration, and SSO options (AD, Okta, JumpCloud on Custom plan). Analytics are available via Zoho Analytics.

Limitations

Corporate card feeds are limited by geography, and some features are only available on Premium or Custom plans. 24/7 support requires a higher-tier package, and certain advanced integrations and onboarding options are reserved for Custom or Premium Support customers.

Pricing

Free: $0 (up to 3 users)
Standard: $5/user/month (annual)
Premium: $9/user/month (annual)
Custom: Quote-based (for large/global organizations)

What should you look for in expense management software?

Unified platform connecting spend, HR, payroll, and AP
Automation: Policy enforcement, GL sync, approval routing, receipt capture
Deep integrations: Accounting, ERP, HRIS, SSO, banking
Compliance: Policy controls, audit trails, tax readiness
User experience: Fast onboarding, mobile app, reporting
Transparent pricing: Clear tiers, no hidden fees

Which expense management software is right for you?

For most businesses, Rippling Finance is the optimal choice. Only Rippling unifies expenses, cards, bills, payroll, and HR—automating over 95% of manual work and giving you full visibility and control. Whether you’re scaling, global, or want to future-proof your finance stack, Rippling delivers automation, integration depth, and real-time insights other platforms can’t match.

Track every dollar in real time

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Why Rippling Finance?

Rippling Finance is built for companies who are done with manual reconciliation, fragmented tools, and slow closes. It’s the only platform that fully connects your spend management to HR and payroll, blocking out-of-policy spend before it happens, syncing every expense in real time, and closing your books in hours—not days.

If you’re ready to transform your finance stack, automate approvals, and control every dollar in one place, Rippling Finance is the only choice engineered to scale with your business. Experience the new standard in unified spend management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best expense management software?

The "best” depends on your business needs. For startups, tools like Ramp or Expensify offer affordable expense management solutions. For global companies or enterprises with complex travel expenses, SAP Concur or Rippling may be better fits.

Rippling stands out as an all-in-one platform that connects expense software with payroll systems, accounts payable, and accounting systems, providing visibility into all company spending.

What are the four types of expense management?

The four main types of expense management are:

Employee expense management: Covers day-to-day business spend like travel, meals, mileage, and reimbursements submitted by employees.
Travel and entertainment (T&E) management: Focuses on business travel, lodging, flights, and client entertainment expenses, often with travel booking integrations.
Procurement and vendor expense management: Manages spend tied to suppliers, contractors, and recurring vendor payments, ensuring compliance with budgets and contracts.
Corporate card and spend management: Tracks company card transactions in real time, applies spend controls, and reconciles expenses automatically.

What is an expense management system?

An expense management system is software that automates the process of submitting expenses, reviewing expense reports, and reimbursing employees. Many expense applications also provide financial reporting features, such as travel and expense reports.

What are examples of expense management software?

Common examples of expense management software include Rippling, Ramp, Brex, Expensify, QuickBooks Online, SAP Concur, Airbase, Navan, and Zoho Expense. Each offers different strengths — from low-cost expense tracking to global travel and expense management.

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Disclaimer

Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.

The Rippling Corporate Card is issued by Celtic Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa®️ U.S.A. Inc. Visa is a trademark owned by Visa International Service Association and used under license.

Rippling Payments, Inc.’s (NMLS No. 1931820) California loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law License.

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Author

Christina Marfice

Christina is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in Chicago. Having lived and worked in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, she’s bringing her expertise on hiring in Latin America to Rippling.