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

    QuickBooks Desktop Premier

    Score8 out of 10
    N/AQuickBooks Desktop Premier is an installed version of QuickBooks for general business, contractors, manufacturing and warehouse accounting, as well as nonprofits, professional services, and retail.N/A
    Pricing
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Editions & Modules
    ApprovalMax Standard
    $54
    per month per organization
    ApprovalMax Advanced
    $83
    per month per organization
    ApprovalMax Premium
    $121
    per month per organization
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Free Trial
    YesNo
    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
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Considered Both Products
    ApprovalMax
    No answer on this topic
    Intuit
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    82%
    Would buy again
    14 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    88%
    Delivers good value for the price
    14 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    94%
    Happy with the feature set
    16 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    87%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    13 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    93%
    Implementation went as expected
    14 Answers
    Features
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Payment Management
    Comparison of Payment Management features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    8.0
    1 Ratings
    6% above category average
    QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    -
    Ratings
    Customizable Approval Policies9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Financial Document Management9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Payment Status Tracking9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Payment Audit Trail9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Duplicate Bill Detection4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Accounts Payable
    Comparison of Accounts Payable features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    8.5
    1 Ratings
    17% above category average
    QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    -
    Ratings
    Automated Accounts Payable Processes9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Vendor Management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Payroll Management
    Comparison of Payroll Management features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    8.5
    54 Ratings
    12% above category average
    Pay calculation00 Ratings9.252 Ratings
    Benefit plan administration00 Ratings8.425 Ratings
    Direct deposit files00 Ratings8.242 Ratings
    Salary revision and increment management00 Ratings8.333 Ratings
    Reimbursement management00 Ratings8.336 Ratings
    Customization
    Comparison of Customization features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    7.5
    24 Ratings
    1% below category average
    API for custom integration00 Ratings8.017 Ratings
    Plug-ins00 Ratings7.024 Ratings
    Security
    Comparison of Security features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    8.3
    58 Ratings
    1% above category average
    Single sign-on capability00 Ratings8.450 Ratings
    Role-based user permissions00 Ratings8.249 Ratings
    Reporting & Analytics
    Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    8.3
    69 Ratings
    6% above category average
    Dashboards00 Ratings8.758 Ratings
    Standard reports00 Ratings8.468 Ratings
    Custom reports00 Ratings7.766 Ratings
    General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
    Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    7.8
    72 Ratings
    2% above category average
    Accounts payable00 Ratings8.370 Ratings
    Accounts receivable00 Ratings8.571 Ratings
    Cash management00 Ratings8.665 Ratings
    Bank reconciliation00 Ratings8.769 Ratings
    Expense management00 Ratings8.768 Ratings
    Time tracking00 Ratings7.535 Ratings
    Fixed asset management00 Ratings6.249 Ratings
    Multi-currency support00 Ratings7.623 Ratings
    Multi-division support00 Ratings8.239 Ratings
    Regulations compliance00 Ratings8.224 Ratings
    Electronic tax filing00 Ratings7.836 Ratings
    Self-service portal00 Ratings5.923 Ratings
    Global Financial Support00 Ratings6.09 Ratings
    Primary and Secondary Ledgers00 Ratings7.014 Ratings
    Intercompany Accounting00 Ratings7.917 Ratings
    Localizations00 Ratings7.66 Ratings
    Journals and Reconciliations00 Ratings8.725 Ratings
    Enterprise Accounting00 Ratings8.313 Ratings
    Configurable Accounting00 Ratings7.915 Ratings
    Centralized Rules Framework00 Ratings7.210 Ratings
    Standardized Processes00 Ratings8.315 Ratings
    Inventory Management
    Comparison of Inventory Management features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    8.0
    43 Ratings
    9% above category average
    Inventory tracking00 Ratings8.342 Ratings
    Automatic reordering00 Ratings7.321 Ratings
    Location management00 Ratings8.825 Ratings
    Manufacturing module00 Ratings7.722 Ratings
    Order Management
    Comparison of Order Management features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop Premier
    8.2
    47 Ratings
    10% above category average
    Pricing00 Ratings7.937 Ratings
    Order entry00 Ratings7.838 Ratings
    Credit card processing00 Ratings9.134 Ratings
    Cost of goods sold00 Ratings8.943 Ratings
    Order Orchestration00 Ratings7.58 Ratings
    End-to-end order visibility00 Ratings8.59 Ratings
    Order exception Resolution00 Ratings7.56 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Small Businesses
    Tipalti
    Score7.7 out of 10
    QuickBooks Self-Employed (discontinued)
    Score4.1 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Stampli
    Score8.4 out of 10
    MYOB
    Score8.3 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Yooz
    Score8.8 out of 10
    Microsoft Dynamics GP
    Score5.4 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop Premier
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.2
    (75 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.5
    (14 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.9
    (26 ratings)
    Availability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (6 ratings)
    Performance
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (5 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    4.0
    (13 ratings)
    Online Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    1.0
    (1 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.2
    (7 ratings)
    Configurability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (2 ratings)
    CPA Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.1
    (27 ratings)
    Ease of integration
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.0
    (1 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (5 ratings)
    Vendor post-sale
    -
    (0 ratings)
    6.0
    (1 ratings)
    Vendor pre-sale
    -
    (0 ratings)
    6.0
    (2 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop Premier
    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
    Intuit
    We really think that ANY typical business would be a reasonable fit for QuickBooks Desktop Premier. While not necessary, even a comparatively unexperienced accounting person could look at the "Home" screen and follow their nose thru typical daily accounting processes without much detailed knowledge. Reporting is simple, looking up customer info and prior transactions is simple, looking up vendors and prior payments is simple... all in all, quite straightforward. I really can't think of an instance where it would be 'less appropriate'.
    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
    Intuit
    • Employment - it makes creating paychecks a snap and tracks taxes.
    • Invoicing - they have a straightforward approach to creating invoices and you can even email them to your customers.
    • Customers - the program makes tracking customer information and balances easy.
    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
    Intuit
    • Support for older versions of QuickBooks ends after three years, then users must purchase the newest version at full price. Renewals should be deeply discounted for existing users.
    • I would like to see better in-product inventory tracking, so we can choose LIFO or FIFO rather than the ambiguous "average cost" method.
    • I would like to be able to assign payroll taxes to jobs for better job costing.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    Because we have been extremely happy with the product and our organization tends to be creatures of habit. We rarely leave a product that works this well for the latest and greatest. Typically we follow the "if it's not broken, don't fix it rule". While QB does make changes we typically just roll with it. If we do find something we don't like we work through it until we fully understand its functionality.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    We switched to a more "robust" software program with the hiring of a new CFO. The migration of historical data and ancillary information has been cumbersome and riddle with errors and issues. In hindsight much of what the new software program was touted to accomplish is not come to fruition. QB Desktop Premier was sufficient for the organization needs
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Reliability and Availability
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    This is very reliable software, the desktop version is fast. If there is a problem, it is most likely on your own hardware!
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Performance
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    It takes forever to load.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    This is where QuickBooks falls short. Many times my staff has had questions that have not been able to get resolved easily with a chat or call. I personally have had more general questions that have not been answered easily as well. I think QuickBooks needs to provide the resources of having readily accessible help in order to make it simpler to get solutions.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    It is important to do your research. There are tutorial videos online that could help new user of this accounting system. These tutorials are straightforward and easily understandable.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    ApprovalMax
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Intuit
    QuickBooks Premier handles most of my business functions efficiently in one package. It is not my "everything." I use Replicon for time rather than QuickBooks. I don't want my WIP data interfering with my accounting. I use PaySimple for it's web interface and back office processing. I don't have security issues since I don't have any credit card data in my possession. With today's identity theft environment, I have to protect myself as much as I can. Not having credit card data in my accounting software lets me sleep much better at night. Quicken will do basic accounting but does not have all the double entry accounting systems contained in QuickBooks. QuickBooks Online does much of the basic business functions but I don't like the pricing structure. As a professional accountant, that is very important to me. Bill.com provided a good service but the ability of QuickBooks to add bills and receipts to transactions makes it redundant.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Scalability
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    They're getting better. Still room for improvement.
    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
    Intuit
    • Most of our business clients use QuickBooks which makes it efficient for us to work on clients that use the program. We can import QuickBooks data into our software which adds efficiencies to our tax practice.
    • Having staff that are familiar with the software enables our firm to provide quality service to the clients that use QuickBooks.
    • We receive referrals from satisfied QuickBooks clients.
    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.