ApprovalMax vs. Dext

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
ApprovalMax
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
ApprovalMax provides approval workflow automation for cloud accounting platforms such as Xero and QuickBooks Online. It replaces paper- and email-based approval processes with multi-step and multi-role automated approval workflows that enable automated notifications to approvers, automated audit trails, and mobile approvals. Approval workflows include: Invoice approvals / bill review and bill approval Purchase order approval, including the functionality to create…
$54
per month
Dext
Score 9.6 out of 10
N/A
Dext is a bookkeeping automation platform now from IRIS (acquired December 2024) that eliminates much of the manual work associated to accounting processes.
$150
per month for 5 users (minimum) and 250 documents per month
Pricing
ApprovalMaxDext
Editions & Modules
ApprovalMax Standard
$54
per month per organization
ApprovalMax Advanced
$83
per month per organization
ApprovalMax Premium
$121
per month per organization
Dext Essential
$23
per month per client (10 minimum, for accounting & bookkeeping firms)
Dext Advanced
$24.72
per month per client (10 minimum, for accounting & bookkeeping firms)
Dext for Businesses
starting at $30
per month per user (5 minimum)
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ApprovalMaxDext
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalNo setup fee
Additional DetailsDiscount available for annual pricing and for management of multiple organizations.Discount available for annual pricing.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ApprovalMaxDext
Features
ApprovalMaxDext
Payment Management
Comparison of Payment Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.0
1 Ratings
7% above category average
Dext
10.0
1 Ratings
22% above category average
Customizable Approval Policies9.01 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Financial Document Management9.01 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Payment Status Tracking9.01 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Payment Audit Trail9.01 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Duplicate Bill Detection4.01 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Advanced OCR00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Accounts Payable
Comparison of Accounts Payable features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.5
1 Ratings
21% above category average
Dext
-
Ratings
Automated Accounts Payable Processes9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Vendor Management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Expense Management
Comparison of Expense Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
Dext
10.0
1 Ratings
19% above category average
Employee Expense Reporting00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Best Alternatives
ApprovalMaxDext
Small Businesses
Square 9 Softworks
Square 9 Softworks
Score 9.5 out of 10
Avaza
Avaza
Score 8.3 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Square 9 Softworks
Square 9 Softworks
Score 9.5 out of 10
Precoro
Precoro
Score 9.4 out of 10
Enterprises
Webexpenses
Webexpenses
Score 8.8 out of 10
Emburse Chrome River
Emburse Chrome River
Score 7.9 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
ApprovalMaxDext
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(1 ratings)
9.8
(14 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(1 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(10 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
3.5
(7 ratings)
User Testimonials
ApprovalMaxDext
Likelihood to Recommend
ApprovalMax
As mentioned previously - able to send invoice based on amount , program code and division code ,supplier is very useful feature ; If an invoice does not fit into approval process than it is rejected and an email is received mentioning the reason
Read full review
IRIS Software Group
It is great for accounting firms. Easy to add and administer client accounts. Easy to integrate with QuickBooks Online. Easy for clients to capture and submit receipts on the go. It is hard to use for manual data entry, and if your clients frequently have very long receipts the Dext Mobile app does not work well as it compresses the image to the point where it is completely illegible. It does not seem to be designed for business owners to use directly rather than using it through their accounting firm.
Read full review
Pros
ApprovalMax
  • choice based on Program codes / division codes - we use Xero accounting system and we have 22 program codes and 11 divison codes ; once invoice is entered in Xero depending on relevant program code and divison code, Approval max automatically send invoice to relevant person depending on approval workflow process . One manager could be handling multiple divison and program codes; if our approval work flow process is properly designed - it is accurate in sending invoice to relevant manager.
  • invoice can also send to various managers based on General ledger codes ; this flexibility makes useful when manager is handling only certain nature of expenses regardless of program codes / divisionl.
  • Approval process can also be designed based on level of amount ; and level of amount is derived from our Delegation policy. it makes audit of application of delegation policy easy ; we give copy of delegation policy and print of approval work flow process to auditor.
Read full review
IRIS Software Group
  • Receipt Bank does a stellar job of extracting information from photos of receipts and bills. I'd say 95% of the time the information pulled is correct, so very rarely do I have to correct an amount or date.
  • One feature I really enjoy is not only the syncing with Quickbooks Online, but the fact that it also pushes the image to Quickbooks Online as an attachment! This means that for every expense/bill processed through Receipt Bank, an image of it is available inside of the transaction inside of Quickbooks Online. This makes researching a breeze.
  • Receipt Bank makes it very simple for users to add documents to the platform. Each company receives a dedicated Receipt Bank email address, which they can email to and upload documents, or users can use the phone apps (which are really easy to use), or they can upload documents from their computer. Training our clients to use it really can't be any easier!
Read full review
Cons
ApprovalMax
  • date and time of change in approval process ; for example if Mr. A was responsible for all expenses above $1000 in Oct 23 and from Nov 23 it is changed to $5000 . in Dec 23 if it is checked - it will show approval limit of $5000 ; but will not show from which date limit was changed. Auditor always asks this question when the limit was changed in approval max - we cannot prove it.
  • If there is audit trail of who made the changes , when and what changes were made ; will be good.
  • when we are in main page of seeing invoices awaiting approval - there are hundreds of invoices - searching for one invoice from particular supplier is very cumbersome job - we have to go by each and every invoice in order to find that invoice ; it will be good if we have search function on main page itself ; in current scenario we have to go to report section - input all filters and than search for that particular invoice.
Read full review
IRIS Software Group
  • Receipt Bank Practice Platform has many great features. As they develop the platform I would like to see a rigorous review of all features so as not to add too many and overwhelm my team.
  • Having the flexibility to pick and choose from a suite of features and implement the ones that best suit my practice. A tailor made Receipt Bank Practice Platform. this would allow my practice to grow into the features rather than be overwhelmed by too many.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
IRIS Software Group
Dext is the best way for us to manage our business expenses. Physical and PDF receipts/invoices will be around for a while, but the move to eInvoicing is very good and we look forward to Dext adding this feature
Read full review
Usability
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
IRIS Software Group
Dext Prepare's usability is great, it has lots of functions and you can scan any type of document, including hard copy handwritten documents. It is not very accurate but it is handwritten!! Apart from it, you can use multiple functions like one page at a time, multiple, in bulk. You can send emails with multiple attachments and one of the greatest function is the mobile application capabilities.
Read full review
Support Rating
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
IRIS Software Group
When I think I have broken the platform the help guys and girls are simply fantastic. They take time to understand the problem and usually resolve the issue on the spot. I have not had to wait more than an hour to get anything resolved - be that an issue I have created or a fault in my understanding of the program. Can't rate their support I have received to date highly enough.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
ApprovalMax
Read full review
IRIS Software Group
Dext is much easier to use than Hubdoc. You can approve documents in batches whereas in Hubdoc you need to review each document separately. Once Dext is set up properly, there is little need to review every document.
Hubdoc does have the ability to save documents to an external site, like Google docs as a backup.
Read full review
Return on Investment
ApprovalMax
  • It has certainly made a positive impact ; it is definately worth its value ; when we are processing hundreds of invoices every fortnight ; getting approval of invoices in timely manner for all invoices is of paramount importance . as approval max has its own app - approval can be done on mobile phone also ; this is particularly helpful when staff is travelling .
Read full review
IRIS Software Group
  • I am a single operator Bookkeeping business and run a very profitable business because DEXT provides me a very efficient process to capture critical data without the need for additional manpower.
  • The information DEXT captures, stores and reports helps me plan an present relevant information to the client to support pricing increases at client reviews
  • The information DEXT contains helps me present business insights to the client thereby assisting in their business aspirations which helps deepen client relationships
Read full review
ScreenShots

ApprovalMax Screenshots

Screenshot of where approval processes are set up  – no matter how simple or complex.Screenshot of the interface to build approval steps that follow any business rules – whether approvals happen one after another, all at once, or only in certain cases. The user can also control who approves based on things like amount, supplier, account code, or category.Screenshot of where to approve bills and purchase orders the way that works best.Screenshot of the interface that matches bills to approved purchase orders from the same supplier to keep coding accurate and control spending. Unmatched bills can also be stopped from being approved.Screenshot of where to mention others in comments to bring them in or get their input – even if they’re not part of the original approval. If they don’t have access, a prompt to add them as a Watcher is sent. Mentions work on web and mobile, sending notifications as soon as access is granted.Screenshot of where to raise purchase orders, approve requests, and extract key details from bills and purchase orders – all on the go with the ApprovalMax mobile app for iOS and Android.

Dext Screenshots

Screenshot of Dext Prepare Inbox & Mobile app