# Best Accounts Payable Software 2026 | Capterra > Find the top Accounts Payable software of 2026 on Capterra. Based on millions of verified user reviews - compare and filter for whats important to you to find the best tools for your needs. Source: https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software --- # Best Accounts Payable Software Last updated on April 6, 2026 How to find the right Accounts Payable Software? Learn more from our team about Accounts Payable Software pricing features and benefits in our Accounts Payable Buyers Guide Verified Insights Provider data verified by our Software Research team and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) ## What is accounts payable software and how do I choose the right one? Researched by: [Amita Jain](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/ajain/)and reviewed by: [Blake Oliver](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/blake-oliver/) Updated on April 6, 2026 [Accounts payable software](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/) streamlines controlling business expenses by automating the tracking, validation, and processing of invoices. It helps capture and fix any errors in bills before payments are made. Used primarily by accounting teams, it manages bills and payments for goods or services purchased on credit, expenses incurred but not yet paid, and payments postponed for a certain period. Most solutions are priced monthly, scaling with the number of users, with entry-level plans typically starting around $25 and advanced subscriptions at around $105 per month. First-time buyers consider budget, user needs, and integrations when evaluating options. To identify the best system for your needs, consult stakeholders on key vendor questions:  _How does the software convert document types for accurate data capture?_   _Can it recommend accounting codes for categorizing bills in the general ledger?_ _How does it match invoices with purchase orders?_  _How does it handle duplicate or wrong invoices?_ _How does it support supplier collaboration?_ _Does it facilitate payment processing?_ For more information consult our [Accounts Payable Buyers Guide](#buyers-guide-content) [4.2 (401)](https://www.capterra.com/p/184673/Melio/reviews/) [Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/shortlist/) Good for: Invoice Processing Melio is a flexible AP solution for small businesses. Pay invoices with bank transfers or cards, even when vendors don’t accept cards. [Learn more about Melio](https://www.capterra.com/p/184673/Melio/) [4.5 (255)](https://www.capterra.com/p/237205/Online-Check-Writer/reviews/) Good for: Expense Tracking Pay & Get paid in Single Platform. Use Printable Checks, eChecks, ACH, RTP. Pay with a credit card even where cards are not accepted. [Learn more about Online Check Writer](https://www.capterra.com/p/237205/Online-Check-Writer/) [4.3 (2239)](https://www.capterra.com/p/380/Concur-Expense/reviews/) [Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/shortlist/) Great for: Workflow Management Spend management solution that helps businesses streamline travel, expense, and invoice processes for businesses of all sizes. [Learn more about SAP Concur](https://www.capterra.com/p/380/Concur-Expense/) Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. [4.2 (1293)](https://www.capterra.com/p/135618/Odoo/reviews/) [Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/shortlist/) Popular Fully integrated app offers up bank synchronization, automated invoices, recurring billing management, reconciliations, and more. [Learn more about Odoo](https://www.capterra.com/p/135618/Odoo/) [4.6 (20)](https://www.capterra.com/p/148851/Invoice-Automation/reviews/) SoftCo delivers Unrivalled Touchless Invoice Processing. With 90% STP SoftCo reduces costs by 89% & delivers 100% control & visibility! [Learn more about SoftCo AP Automation](https://www.capterra.com/p/148851/Invoice-Automation/) 0.0 (0) Auditoria.AI increases finance teams’ speed, accuracy, and efficiency using intelligent SmartBots to automate redundant and repetitive [Learn more about Auditoria SmartFlow Skills](https://www.capterra.com/p/203734/Auditoria/) [4.2 (1994)](https://www.capterra.com/p/135757/NetSuite/reviews/) [Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/shortlist/) Great for: Audit Trail Streamline the processes using AI to capture, review, approve and pay invoices with NetSuite’s cloud accounting software. [Learn more about NetSuite](https://www.capterra.com/p/135757/NetSuite/) [4.6 (196)](https://www.capterra.com/p/129758/Procurify/reviews/) [Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/shortlist/) Great for: Small Business AI-powered AP automation with invoice capture, three-way matching, and real-time visibility, connected to purchasing in one platform. [Learn more about Procurify](https://www.capterra.com/p/129758/Procurify/) 83% of users recommend this product [4.3 (135)](https://www.capterra.com/p/133966/Accounting-Seed/reviews/) Good for: Small Business Manage your expenses easily - find out how Salesforce users are simplifying payments with Accounting Seed, the #1 accounting solution. [Learn more about Accounting Seed](https://www.capterra.com/p/133966/Accounting-Seed/) [4.1 (69)](https://www.capterra.com/p/116591/MIP-Accounting/reviews/) The preferred, industry leading fund accounting solution for nonprofit organizations and government entities [Learn more about MIP Accounting](https://www.capterra.com/p/116591/MIP-Accounting/) [4.5 (172)](https://www.capterra.com/p/161813/Order-Software/reviews/) Good for: Value for Money Order.co streamlines accounts payable workflows, eliminating manual payments, reconciliation, expense coding and more.  [Learn more about Order.co](https://www.capterra.com/p/161813/Order-Software/) [4.3 (78)](https://www.capterra.com/p/131733/PayStand/reviews/) Streamline AR process and eliminate fees with Paystand's Payment-as-a-Service platform, offering all payment rails for remittance. [Learn more about Paystand](https://www.capterra.com/p/131733/PayStand/) [4.0 (21)](https://www.capterra.com/p/114908/PaperSave/reviews/) GenAI enhanced AP Automation & Document Management solution for Oracle, Netsuite, Dynamics, Sage, and Blackbaud. [Learn more about PaperSave](https://www.capterra.com/p/114908/PaperSave/) [4.4 (130)](https://www.capterra.com/p/83439/Fraxion-Spend-Management/reviews/) Great for: Customer Service AI-driven AP automation by Fraxion. For complete visibility, efficiency, accuracy and up to 80% time savings. [Learn more about Fraxion](https://www.capterra.com/p/83439/Fraxion-Spend-Management/) [4.4 (221)](https://www.capterra.com/p/188698/Yooz/reviews/) [Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/shortlist/) Good for: Invoice Management Multi-award winning solution that brings intelligence to AP automation and empowers leaders to streamline their financial workflows. [Learn more about Yooz](https://www.capterra.com/p/188698/Yooz/) [4.7 (94)](https://www.capterra.com/p/147348/ZarMoney-Cloud-Accounting/reviews/) ZarMoney does it all... And does it better! We believe an outside-the-box accounting solution should have out-of-this-world support. [Learn more about ZarMoney](https://www.capterra.com/p/147348/ZarMoney-Cloud-Accounting/) [4.9 (121)](https://www.capterra.com/p/245922/Eleven/reviews/) Great for: Value for Money Eleven is scalable cloud accounting and bookkeeping software for accounting firms with automated AR&AP workflows.  [Learn more about Eleven](https://www.capterra.com/p/245922/Eleven/) 99% of users recommend this product [4.6 (23)](https://www.capterra.com/p/150641/Telecom-Analytics/reviews/) SpikeFli is a cloud-based software platform that centralizes important information Enterprise and require to manage telecom and IT. [Learn more about SpikeFli Analytics](https://www.capterra.com/p/150641/Telecom-Analytics/) [4.5 (13)](https://www.capterra.com/p/77411/Fidesic/reviews/) Monitor status, create reports, and approve and manage invoices across multiple locations or facilities from anywhere. [Learn more about Fidesic](https://www.capterra.com/p/77411/Fidesic/) [4.6 (11)](https://www.capterra.com/p/266165/PredictAP/reviews/) PredictAP is a cloud-based invoice capture solution for real estate AP that automates invoice ingestion and coding using AI. [Learn more about PredictAP](https://www.capterra.com/p/266165/PredictAP/) [4.9 (15)](https://www.capterra.com/p/28688/Plus-Minus/reviews/) Plus&Minus is a non-modular ERP accounting software that runs in a single file, combining all functions in one fully integrated system. [Learn more about Plus & Minus](https://www.capterra.com/p/28688/Plus-Minus/) [## QuickBooks Enterprise](https://www.capterra.com/p/174984/QuickBooks-Enterprise/) [4.5 (20610)](https://www.capterra.com/p/174984/QuickBooks-Enterprise/reviews/) Great for: Billing & Invoicing Automate bill payments, track vendor invoices, and improve cash flow with QuickBooks Enterprise for AP. Buy Now!  [Learn more about QuickBooks Enterprise](https://www.capterra.com/p/174984/QuickBooks-Enterprise/) [## QuickBooks Online](https://www.capterra.com/p/190778/QuickBooks-Online/) [4.3 (8390)](https://www.capterra.com/p/190778/QuickBooks-Online/reviews/) Good for: Audit Trail QuickBooks streamlines accounts payable by managing expenses & automating payments.  [Learn more about QuickBooks Online](https://www.capterra.com/p/190778/QuickBooks-Online/) [## Dynamics 365](https://www.capterra.com/p/157279/Dynamics-365/) [4.4 (5810)](https://www.capterra.com/p/157279/Dynamics-365/reviews/) Good for: Enterprise Dynamics 365 offers integrated business management solution that automates financial, customer relationship and supply chain processes. [Learn more about Dynamics 365](https://www.capterra.com/p/157279/Dynamics-365/) [## Rippling](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/) [4.9 (4607)](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/reviews/) Great for: Mid-Size Business Rippling Spend: Consolidate your business’s corp cards, bill pay, travel and expense management, into one modern system.  [Learn more about Rippling](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/) 95% of users recommend this product Page 1 of 17 ## Top-rated software of 2026 ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox. Filter (422) Products: Sort By: Sponsored * * * Plan Type Free Trial Popular 85% of professionals opt for a 30-day trial before the software purchase Other subsciption plans: Free Version Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription One-Time License Key Features All key features Popular We have selected the most important and critical features as defined by Capterra user reviews [ACH Payment Processing](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/2318-ach-payment-processing/) [AI Copilot](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/721-virtual-assistant/) [Audit Trail](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/1394-audit-trail/) [Bank Reconciliation](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/1577-bank-reconciliation/) [Cash Management](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/1257-cash-management/) [Compliance Management](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/98-compliance-management/) [Duplicate Payment Alert](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/1873-duplicate-payment-alert/) [Electronic Funds Transfer](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/127-electronic-funds-transfer/) [ERP integration](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/2267-erp-integration/) [Expense Tracking](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/1999-expense-tracking/) [Fraud Detection](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/1304-fraud-detection/) [General Ledger](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/218-general-ledger/) [Generative AI](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/2098-ai-content-creation/) [Mobile Access](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/365-mobile-access/) [Multi-Currency](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/264-multi-currency/) [Process/Workflow Automation](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/3965-process-workflow-automation/) [Purchase Order Reconciliation](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/features/1674-purchase-order-reconciliation/) Deployment Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based Desktop Mac Desktop Windows Desktop Linux On-Premise Windows On-Premise Linux Desktop Chromebook Mobile Android Mobile iPhone Mobile iPad I'm looking for Accounts Payable Software that is: [Free](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/s/free/)[For Small Businesses](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/s/small-businesses/) Table of Contents - [Essential accounts payable software buying information](#essential-accounts-payable-software-buying-information) - [What are the most reviewed accounts payable software systems?](#what-are-the-most-reviewed-accounts-payable-software-systems) - [What is accounts payable software?](#what-is-accounts-payable-software) - [Accounts payable software pricing](#accounts-payable-software-pricing) - [Accounts payable software features rated by users](#accounts-payable-software-features-rated-by-users) - [Top accounts payable software benefits identified by users](#top-accounts-payable-software-benefits-identified-by-users) - [Common challenges of accounts payable system identified by users](#common-challenges-of-accounts-payable-system-identified-by-users) - [What is accounts payable software used for?](#what-is-accounts-payable-software-used-for) - [Who uses accounts payable software?](#who-uses-accounts-payable-software) - [What to know about accounts payable integrations](#what-to-know-about-accounts-payable-integrations) - [Latest trends in accounts payable software](#latest-trends-in-accounts-payable-software) - [Learn more about how accounts payable software can help your business](#learn-more-about-how-accounts-payable-software-can-help-your-business) ## Essential accounts payable software buying information  [Accounts payable software](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/) makes it easier to control business expenses by handling money that a company needs to pay out. It does this by automating the tracking, validation, and processing of invoices received. It provides tools for capturing and fixing any errors in the bills before payments are made for them.  Accounts payable software is mainly used by accounting teams to manage bills and payments for goods or services purchased on credit (such as raw materials), expenses incurred but not yet paid (such as rent), and payments postponed for a certain period (say, a deferred loan repayment). Procurement professionals and other departments also use it to obtain expense-related information. “Every business with bills to pay should use some form of accounts payable software,” says Blake Oliver\[[1](#sources)\], certified public accountant (CPA), specializing in accounting technology and co-host of The Accounting Podcast. “If you receive more than five bills a month, it's time to start using it. It's one of the most popular types of tools, often integrated into other software like your bank's bill pay system.” Most accounts payable software solutions on the market are priced on a “per month” basis scaling with the number of users, and a typical entry-level pricing plan starts around $25 per month. Premium and advanced system subscriptions commonly cost about $105 per month.\[[2](#sources)\] First-time buyers of accounts payable tools should assess their budget, user requirements, specific functionalities, and integrations needed when evaluating options. Consult with stakeholders on a list of critical questions to hone in on the best systems based on your needs. Discuss questions such as:  - How does your software convert various document types (e.g., paper, PDFs, images) into supported formats to ensure accurate data capture?   - Can your system automatically recommend accounting codes for categorizing bills and invoices in the general ledger? - How does your system manage the invoice approval process and match invoices with purchase orders?  - How user-friendly is your system for teams with limited technical expertise? - How does your software identify and process duplicate or wrong invoices? - Does your system support collaboration with suppliers by managing their information, allowing them to send invoices, check payment statuses, and manage disputes?  - Does your system facilitate payment processing, and if so, which payment methods does it accept? ## What are the most reviewed accounts payable software systems? [Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/shortlist/) identifies the top accounts payable software systems based on a proprietary blend of user ratings and popularity, helping small businesses efficiently find the most accounts payable solution for their needs.\[[3](#sources)\] Here are the five most-reviewed products in our Capterra Shortlist for this category: **Product** **Overall score** **Popularity score** **Ratings score** [QuickBooks Online](https://www.capterra.com/p/190778/QuickBooks-Online/) 93/100 47/50 46/50 [Xero](https://www.capterra.com/p/120109/Xero/) 85/100 38/50 47/50 [FreshBooks](https://www.capterra.com/p/142390/FreshBooks/) 84/100 37/50 47/50 [SAP Concur](https://www.capterra.com/p/380/Concur-Expense/) 84/100 38/50 46/50 [webexpenses](https://www.capterra.com/p/140646/webexpenses/) 68/100 22/50 46/50 These rankings are determined by combining verified user ratings and publicly available web search popularity data: - **Ratings score:** Relative score of the software based on ratings given by users on Capterra, normalized for the number and recency of reviews. - **Popularity score**: Relative popularity of software based on web search trends and products’ web presence. ## What is accounts payable software? Accounts payable software, also known as accounts payable automation software, helps businesses streamline the payments owed to external parties like suppliers and creditors. The software automates four key accounts payable functions: validating and approving invoices received, processing payments to vendors, tracking business expenses, and maintaining communication with vendors. For instance, if an invoice needs approval from the CFO, the software automatically routes it to them and sends reminders until the task is done.  Gartner forecasts that the market for accounts payable invoice automation solutions will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%, increasing its value to $1.75 billion by 2026, up from around $925 million in 2021.\[[4](#sources)\]  With over 534 different accounts payable software listed on Capterra, and more than 7,934 verified user reviews added in the past year alone, you’ll find plenty of information to aid your software search.\[[5](#sources)\] * * * ### Pro tip: How to select the best software for your needs The sheer number of software options can be a challenge for first-time buyers. Oliver advises them to ask 3 key questions to make sure they’ll get the right software for their needs: **1\. How does the approval process work?** Who needs to approve bills and the conditions? Make sure the software's approval workflows are sophisticated enough for your business. **2\. Does the system support sending paper checks?** In some cases, paper checks still need to be handled. Ideally, the vendor should handle this for you. **3\. What are the fees per transaction?** There are often per-transaction fees. Ask about the costs of electronic payments. Also ask if the system supports virtual cards, which are becoming popular nowadays. * * * ## Accounts payable software pricing Most accounts payable software solutions on the market are priced on a “per month” basis scaling with the number of users, and a typical entry-level pricing plan starts around $25 per month. Premium and advanced system subscriptions commonly cost about $105 per month.\[[2](#sources)\] - Entry-level accounts payable systems include the core functionality of processing invoices, vendor management, and overall invoice management. - A premium or advanced product that’s priced higher typically includes additional features such as electronic payments, advanced reporting and analytics, fraud detection, and potentially unlimited user access. First-time buyers should be aware that: - Initial setup, training, and data migration are common upfront costs. - Maintenance and customer support are common recurring costs. These additional costs can drive up the total cost of ownership of the software beyond monthly subscription fees. ## Accounts payable software features rated by users All accounts payable software offers invoice capture and data extraction, approval workflow automation, and vendor management, and most share a variety of common features such as duplicate payment alerts and expense tracking. ### Core accounts payable features   - **Invoice processing:** Receive invoices and get them ready for verification, approval, and payment. 90% of users rate this feature as critical or highly important. - **Vendor management:** Track and store all vendor-related information, such as contact persons, services offered, discounts, and terms of payment.   - **Invoice management:** Captures invoice data and maintains comprehensive records for auditing and reporting purposes. ### Common accounts payable features   - **General ledger:** Maintain general ledger, categorizing accounts payable records accurately and tracking all financial transactions. 84% of reviewers rate this feature as critical or highly important.  - **Expense tracking:** Keep a detailed log of all unpaid invoices and sort expenses made under appropriate categories. 78% of reviewers rate this as a critical or highly important feature. - **Duplicate payment alert:** Receive an automatic notification when the exact same payment is about to be initiated for the second time for an invoice. 77% of users rate this as a critical or highly important feature.  - **Bank reconciliation:** Compare and match accounting or financial records with corresponding bank statements. 76% of reviewers rate this as a critical or highly important feature.  - **Audit trail:** Track changes and view date or time records of all changes made within the system. - **Compliance management:** Track and manage adherence to policies across services, products, processes, payments, and suppliers. - **Electronic funds transfer:** Transfer money electronically between two bank accounts. - **Fraud detection:** Identify and prevent suspicious activity by flagging potential issues, such as duplicate invoices, unusual payment amounts, or unexpected changes in vendor information. - **Mobile access:** Access your software remotely via mobile devices. ## Top accounts payable software benefits identified by users **Reduces efforts in accounting and reporting:** The software simplifies accounting tasks by automating general ledger entries and expense categorization. This reduces the time and manpower required, shortens reporting cycles, and offers a noticeable cost advantage.  _“This software is great for companies that need to pay large swaths of invoices, keep track of them, and cut time spent doing bookkeeping for accounts payable.”_ –Ravi B., CEO, computer & network security **Improves financial decision-making:** The software provides a holistic view of operations through easy integration and real-time data sharing between different systems, enabling users to control expenses more effectively and make savvier financial decisions. _“The robust reporting capabilities provided insights into spending patterns and helped me make informed financial decisions.”_ –Marek T., CEO, financial services **Boosts operational efficiency:** Users report a significant increase in client satisfaction and net promoter score (NPS) with this software. By reducing invoice processing time from requisition to payment, it speeds up the entire process and enhances transparency.  _“It has cut back 80% of our \[invoice\] processing time and significantly improved our accuracy.”_ –Florencio G., senior accountant, sports management **Digitizes data management:** By digitizing invoices and integrating accounts payable with other accounting tasks, the software ensures seamless data flow between systems, cutting down the time spent on administrative tasks and manual data entry.  _“With just a few clicks, I can extract data, cross-reference, and document the source of any procedure quickly and easily.”_ –Juan B., CEO, software development **Facilitates team collaboration:** The software enables multiple stakeholders to simultaneously access and review data. It relieves managers from closely monitoring who is making changes and at what times by automatically tracking changes and enforcing authorization rules through predefined workflow and approval levels.  _“It has streamlined our accounting dept and united all of our departments into one cohesive team.”_ –Sherri U., airline administration director ## Common challenges of accounts payable system identified by users Issue resolution is the most common challenge for accounts payable software, according to user reviews. Users commonly complain about the lack of a dedicated account representative from vendors, reporting that frequent hand-offs to different personnel disrupt workflow and further complicate the problems they face. Many users also experience difficulties with desktop versions, file load times, and pricing. These issues include problems with updating desktop software or importing data from documents. For instance, a user noted that comments made in purchase orders were not scanned by the system at all. To reap the full benefits of your accounts payable solution, establish clear communication lines with your vendor right from the start, addressing both operational and customer support concerns. Before making a purchase decision, Oliver advises buyers to take product demos and free trials to test the software in a real-world setting. More than 40% of accounts payable systems listed on Capterra offer a [free trial option](https://www.capterra.com/accounts-payable-software/?pricing_options=FREE_TRIAL). The trial can be used to find software that simplifies the approval process, explains Oliver: “Approvers outside of accounting and finance can often be the bottleneck because they don't use the software frequently. You want them to receive notifications easily, see what they need to do, click a button to review and approve, and keep the payment cycle moving smoothly. The user interface needs to be simple for approvers, and the approval policies should be easy to customize and understand.” Oliver adds that it’s crucial to provide training to all the people who will use the software: “Many non-accounting people will use the software, so you’ll need to provide them with multiple training sessions, documentation, and videos to help them use it effectively. You don't want approvers just rubber-stamping bills.” “In my experience, vendors don't offer very good training. It's something the finance team should organize. Personal outreach is helpful, so offer to schedule time to train new approvers.” ## What is accounts payable software used for? Analysis of our extensive accounts payable software reviews highlights the most common use cases: - **Automate invoice management:** Most users adopt accounts payable software primarily to automate invoice processing. This includes receiving and validating invoices to execute payments. This provides an easy and orderly way to manage invoices, reduce human error, and ensure timely payments, eliminating the need to manually search through emails and monitor pending payments. - **Track expenses:** Many reviewers find this software useful for generating business expense reports in real time. This enhanced visibility enables users to effectively control business expenditures, identify cash flow gaps, and predict future cash movements to better plan finances. - **Manage invoice approval:** Users like the software’s ability to automatically route invoices to the relevant stakeholders. By pre-defining workflow for invoice authorization and payment processing, the software ensures a faster approval cycle and increases transparency.  - **Process payments:** The software automates payment processing by automatically taking the payment amount and vendor details. This saves time and increases payment accuracy, enabling users to handle large transaction volumes with ease. - **Better decision insights:** Many reviewers highlight the software’s role in optimizing purchase decisions. By consolidating vendor information and providing an intuitive dashboard, the software gives an up-to-date snapshot of the business and enables easy comparison of product prices, discounts, and transaction histories across suppliers. This enhances the business's negotiation capabilities and optimizes cash flow. Some software categories are designed to support specific accounts payable functionalities:  - [Billing and invoicing software](https://www.capterra.com/billing-and-invoicing-software/) - [Payment processing software](https://www.capterra.com/payment-processing-software/) - [General ledger software](https://www.capterra.com/general-ledger-software/) - [Workflow management software](https://www.capterra.com/workflow-management-software/) ## Who uses accounts payable software? Businesses of all sizes and industries use accounts payable systems to digitize bill management and ensure timely payments to vendors and third parties. This software supports a wide array of professionals tasked with managing purchases, processing payments, and maintaining vendor relationships. Its key users include: - Accountants and accounting managers - Accounts payable clerks - Procurement managers - Chief financial officers (CFOs) - Business owners and entrepreneurs  - Supply chain managers - Operations managers - Financial controllers Nearly 75% of buyers who contacted us for accounts payable software in the last two years are small and midsize businesses with 500 or fewer employees and an annual revenue of $25 million or less.\[[6](#sources)\] A significant portion (42%) of these inquiries are for systems intended for two to five users.  Accounts payable systems find applications across industries. Notably, construction firms, contracting companies, nonprofit organizations, and manufacturers make up a third of the user base in our dataset. ## What to know about accounts payable integrations When choosing an accounts payable system, opt for a system compatible with your existing tech stack, such as [accounting software](https://www.capterra.com/accounting-software/) or an [enterprise resource planning (ERP)](https://www.capterra.com/enterprise-resource-planning-software/) suite. The tool should support smooth integration and data migration without significant technical challenges. To do this, have your IT team assess the software's built-in integration and application programming interface (API) capabilities. From hundreds of conversations with accounts payable software buyers over the past year, we’ve found that 90% prefer specialized solutions. An analysis of our extensive reviews database reveals that the three types of tools often integrated with accounts payable software are [payroll](https://www.capterra.com/payroll-software/), [accounting](https://www.capterra.com/accounting-software/), and [billing and invoicing](https://www.capterra.com/billing-and-invoicing-software/). - **Payroll integration** helps you keep payments of both raw materials (from subcontractors) and labor (from payroll) in one place, helping you see the true cost of a department or a project.  - **Accounting integration** makes sure you don’t have to enter information from a bill twice. You can enter it once and it will update everywhere, making record keeping easy during tax time or when you generate financial reports. - **Billing and invoicing integration** makes it easier to match expenses (from accounts payable software) to client charges, facilitating accurate billing. Most reviewers cite positive experiences with the integration capabilities of this software. ## Latest trends in accounts payable software **AI to make data capture more intelligent and accurate:** Businesses are getting hooked on AI and in a recent Capterra survey on software buying behavior trends, most buyers said they’re going to invest more in AI-powered solutions in 2024.\[[7](#sources)\] To capture this surging demand, software providers are moving toward AI-driven computer vision and natural language processing (NLP). These technologies are primed to make invoice ingestion touchless and boost data capture accuracy to an astonishing 80% to 90%.\[[4](#sources)\] **Advanced analytics for better business management:** In a recent Capterra survey, [more than half of the businesses](https://www.capterra.com/resources/financial-planning-for-businesses/) expressed plans to invest in accounts payable software for better financial planning. Advanced analytics in these systems can help businesses uncover the root causes of their financial issues, whether it’s over-the-top expenses, invoice failures, or compliance issues with payment terms. Going forward, AI-powered analytics and auto-generated, easy-to-understand AI summaries will be hot in demand. **Rise of end-to-end automation:** Currently, only a few accounts payable solutions provide complete automation of the entire invoice lifecycle—from intelligent data capture to multi-way matching (invoice received with PO and goods), approval workflows, payment processing, and accounting integration. Many software providers are likely to adopt end-to-end automation in the future. When evaluating software options, inquire vendors about their plans for full automation and AI integration. ## Learn more about how accounts payable software can help your business - [6 Top-Rated Tools To Include in Your Finance Tech Stack](https://www.capterra.com/resources/top-rated-finance-tech-stack/) - [6 Accounting Tasks That Can Be Fully Automated](https://www.capterra.com/resources/accounting-automation/) - [Category Compare: Bookkeeper vs. Accounts Payable Software](https://www.capterra.com/resources/category-compare-bookkeeper-vs-accounts-payable-software/) - [Category Compare: Accounts Payable vs. Accounts Receivable Software](https://www.capterra.com/resources/accounts-payable-vs-accounts-receivable/) Sources 1. [Blake Oliver](https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver/), LinkedIn 2. **Capterra software pricing data**: Only products with publicly available pricing information and qualified software products within the category, as of production date, are included in the pricing analysis. [Read the complete methodology here](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology).  3. **Capterra Shortlist**: Capterra Shortlist identifies the top products in our software categories based on a proprietary blend of user ratings and popularity. [Read the complete methodology](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#capterra-shortlist-methodology). 4. [Market Guide for Accounts Payable Invoice Automation Solutions](https://www.gartner.com/document/code/756226?ref=ddisp&refval=756226), Gartner 5. **Capterra reviews data**: Capterra reviews are collected from verified users for individual software products. For this report, we analyzed reviews from the past one year as of the production date. [Read the complete methodology here](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology).  6. **Capterra advisor call notes**: Findings are based on data from telephonic conversations that Capterra’s advisor team had with small-to-midsize businesses seeking accounts payable tools. For this report, we analyzed phone interactions from the past one year as of the production date. [Read the complete methodology here](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology).  7. **Capterra 2024 Software Buying Behavior Survey** was conducted online in August to September 2023 to understand the composition, triggers, budgets, and challenges of software buying teams at global businesses across industries and sizes. [Read the complete survey methodology here](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology).