TrustRadius: an HG Insights company

Save this comparison

Save this comparison

Add Product

Recommended Comparisons

    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    ApprovalMax

    Score9.9 out of 10
    N/AApprovalMax 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

    Score8.4 out of 10
    N/AMelio 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
    Considered Both Products
    ApprovalMax
    No answer on this topic
    Melio
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    71%
    Would buy again
    17 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    78%
    Delivers good value for the price
    18 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    75%
    Happy with the feature set
    18 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    77%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    17 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    87%
    Implementation went as expected
    20 Answers
    Features
    ApprovalMaxMelio
    Payment Management
    Comparison of Payment Management features of ApprovalMax and Melio
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    8.0
    1 Ratings
    6% above category average
    Melio
    9.4
    14 Ratings
    22% above category average
    Customizable Approval Policies9.01 Ratings7.811 Ratings
    Financial Document Management9.01 Ratings9.810 Ratings
    Payment Status Tracking9.01 Ratings9.914 Ratings
    Payment Audit Trail9.01 Ratings9.911 Ratings
    Duplicate Bill Detection4.01 Ratings9.810 Ratings
    Advanced OCR00 Ratings9.89 Ratings
    Electronic Funds Transfer00 Ratings8.912 Ratings
    Accounts Payable
    Comparison of Accounts Payable features of ApprovalMax and Melio
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    8.5
    1 Ratings
    17% above category average
    Melio
    9.4
    18 Ratings
    27% above category average
    Automated Accounts Payable Processes9.01 Ratings8.917 Ratings
    Vendor Management8.01 Ratings9.417 Ratings
    Tax Form Preparation00 Ratings9.811 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    ApprovalMaxMelio
    Small Businesses
    Tipalti
    Score7.7 out of 10
    Tipalti
    Score7.7 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Stampli
    Score8.4 out of 10
    Stampli
    Score8.4 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Yooz
    Score8.8 out of 10
    Yooz
    Score8.8 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    ApprovalMaxMelio
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.8
    (24 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.7
    (2 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.3
    (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
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Melio
    I like the interface. I am familiar with functionality. Convenient to send ACH payments.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Melio
    They have great customer support system
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    In-Person Training
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Melio
    Very educative. It was well detailed, organized and knowledgeable.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Online Training
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Melio
    Very helpful and we learnt a handful
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    ApprovalMax
    Incentivized
    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.
    Read full review
    Contract Terms and Pricing Model
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Melio
    The vendor is great
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Professional Services
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Melio
    Very knowledgeable
    Incentivized
    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 .
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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
    Incentivized
    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.