ApprovalMax vs. Melio

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
Melio
Score 8.5 out of 10
N/A
Melio is a small business-oriented Accounts Payable tool, presented as a service that helps small businesses keep up with business. A B2B payments experience and payment workflow designed to be simple, and to enable businesses to pay domestic and international vendors, expedite payments, or pay by card.N/A
Pricing
ApprovalMaxMelio
Editions & Modules
ApprovalMax Standard
$54
per month per organization
ApprovalMax Advanced
$83
per month per organization
ApprovalMax Premium
$121
per month per organization
Card processing fee
2.9%
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ApprovalMaxMelio
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.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ApprovalMaxMelio
Features
ApprovalMaxMelio
Payment Management
Comparison of Payment Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.0
1 Ratings
7% above category average
Melio
9.2
14 Ratings
21% above category average
Customizable Approval Policies9.01 Ratings8.311 Ratings
Financial Document Management9.01 Ratings9.010 Ratings
Payment Status Tracking9.01 Ratings9.814 Ratings
Payment Audit Trail9.01 Ratings9.611 Ratings
Duplicate Bill Detection4.01 Ratings9.410 Ratings
Advanced OCR00 Ratings9.39 Ratings
Electronic Funds Transfer00 Ratings9.012 Ratings
Accounts Payable
Comparison of Accounts Payable features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.5
1 Ratings
21% above category average
Melio
9.1
18 Ratings
28% above category average
Automated Accounts Payable Processes9.01 Ratings8.917 Ratings
Vendor Management8.01 Ratings9.217 Ratings
Tax Form Preparation00 Ratings9.311 Ratings
Best Alternatives
ApprovalMaxMelio
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Medium-sized Companies
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Score 9.5 out of 10
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Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Webexpenses
Webexpenses
Score 8.7 out of 10
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Score 8.7 out of 10
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User Ratings
ApprovalMaxMelio
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(1 ratings)
8.8
(24 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
9.6
(2 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(4 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
7.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
-
(0 ratings)
7.0
(1 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Professional Services
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
ApprovalMaxMelio
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
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Melio
In my personal experiences, I would recommend Melio to a friend or colleague but would tell them the pros and the con. Melio has really made payments seem seamless and easy. The fact that one can plan his/her payment schedule in advance and at the same time track it, is a very big relief. In as much as Melio has a lot of good features but it still needs upgrade or update, like the notifications of failed payments and delays.
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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.
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Melio
  • The simplicity it adds to business payments is a great deal. One feature we really value it the ability to pay vendors by check. Melio prints and mails checks for us which saves time and hassle.
  • Payment scheduling tool is another thing we enjoy. This tool lets us plan ahead and manage cash flow more effectively by setting payment dates in advance.
  • Another thing Melio does well is the tracking of payment.
  • There was a time a vendor claimed that they hadn't been paid, but with just a few clicks we could see the check has already been delivered.
  • This kind of transparency gives us confident and keep things professional.
  • The integration with other platform or accounts like QuickBooks is an experience I did love to keep.
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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.
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Melio
  • There should be an automatic link between vendors added with their Melio link and the same vendors that already exist in QuickBooks. As it is now, a new vendor is created when you do that and is not linked with the one that already is in QuickBooks.
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Likelihood to Renew
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Melio
I like the interface. I am familiar with functionality. Convenient to send ACH payments.
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Usability
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Melio
Melio has been a very important tool in the advancement of our business. With great features, it has made payments to vendors seamless and hassle free. In terms of vendor management, account/data tracking, and scheduling of payments in advance. This has formed the base that we are still with Melio till today.
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Support Rating
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Melio
They have great customer support system
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In-Person Training
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Melio
Very educative. It was well detailed, organized and knowledgeable.
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Online Training
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Melio
Very helpful and we learnt a handful
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Alternatives Considered
ApprovalMax
Read full review
Melio
Melio is 100% free if you just use ACH, and that by itself would be reason enough for me to stick with the platform, it boats a ton of other useful features that add to the experience.
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Contract Terms and Pricing Model
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Melio
The vendor is great
Read full review
Professional Services
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Melio
Very knowledgeable
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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 .
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Melio
  • I have been able to save hours every week now that I am only using Melio as my payment processor
  • I can easily add invoice details which I use to create in another platform and upload to Melio, this saves me time with projects I want to be quicker with
  • The ease of use for my clients is fantastic, and makes for a seamless workflow
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.