ApprovalMax vs. SAP Concur

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
SAP Concur
Score 8.4 out of 10
N/A
SAP Concur is a SaaS expense report management product, and handles corporate travel booking, expense report automation, reimbursement, audit, and business intelligence, and corporate card integration.
$9
per month
Pricing
ApprovalMaxSAP Concur
Editions & Modules
ApprovalMax Standard
$54
per month per organization
ApprovalMax Advanced
$83
per month per organization
ApprovalMax Premium
$121
per month per organization
Concur Travel and Expense
$9.00
per report (average price)
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ApprovalMaxSAP Concur
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
Features
ApprovalMaxSAP Concur
Payment Management
Comparison of Payment Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.0
1 Ratings
7% above category average
SAP Concur
8.2
391 Ratings
3% above category average
Customizable Approval Policies9.01 Ratings8.1338 Ratings
Financial Document Management9.01 Ratings8.4285 Ratings
Payment Status Tracking9.01 Ratings8.4339 Ratings
Payment Audit Trail9.01 Ratings8.3308 Ratings
Duplicate Bill Detection4.01 Ratings7.8272 Ratings
Advanced OCR00 Ratings8.0232 Ratings
Electronic Funds Transfer00 Ratings8.4221 Ratings
Accounts Payable
Comparison of Accounts Payable features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.5
1 Ratings
21% above category average
SAP Concur
-
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
SAP Concur
8.3
450 Ratings
1% above category average
Employee Expense Reporting00 Ratings8.4442 Ratings
Corporate Card Reconciliation00 Ratings8.2331 Ratings
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ApprovalMaxSAP Concur
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User Ratings
ApprovalMaxSAP Concur
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(1 ratings)
8.3
(883 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(40 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
8.5
(114 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
8.3
(13 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(10 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.3
(41 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
3.9
(6 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(5 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(13 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
8.3
(7 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
8.1
(57 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
8.5
(56 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
6.5
(8 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
6.5
(7 ratings)
User Testimonials
ApprovalMaxSAP Concur
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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SAP Concur
SAP Concur is great for large organizations because of it's built in approval process functions. It is great tool for expense reports and any company where employees need to book travel. I imagine that the tool would be more tricky to use for those who are less technically savvy since there are many tabs and it is sometimes tricky to navigate.
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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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SAP Concur
  • Self service and easy to navigate
  • Available on all mobile devices
  • Provides travel options such as airlines for the destination with several options
  • Automatically define check in and check out dates and time for hotels
  • Reminds users to book other travel related activities
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.
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SAP Concur
  • For a new user of SAP Concur, it becomes difficult to file the first reimbursement as that person is new to the application and probably, one needs to to go through the instructions to get used to it. So, user interface can be improved and could be tried to make more interactive. Other than that, it's all good to go.
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Likelihood to Renew
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
SAP Concur
Now that we are fully on Concur, switching is not an option. Concur has become ingrained in our expense reporting process. Furthermore, Concur continues to improve its offering. Each month, they release updates and changes, many of which were client requested. Concur's constant evolution means it is adapting with my business
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Usability
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
SAP Concur
I think it is very easy to use, especially once you are acquainted with it. I think the UX could be improved so some things, like accessing old reports, are more intuitive once you learn it though it is not difficult to replicate.
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Reliability and Availability
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
SAP Concur
In prior years I would have given them a 9.5 for availability. Unfortunately in 2015 so far this rating has dropped to a 7 overall.
We have experienced far too many interruptions - from admins to employees who rely on it for day to day booking of travel and submission of expense reports. Server errors, slow system response time and spinning wheels are too common place. Those things should be a rare occurrence, not a daily interruption.

While Conur still has great product offerings overall, they are currently not offering world class or best in class product (and customer service) availability. Remaining hopeful they step up and get their A game going again soon.
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Performance
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
SAP Concur
Performance-wise, it's good, loads pages quickly, and reports are highly accurate and easy to understand. Also, we can generate custom reports as needed, and we have integrated with a few other apps, and we have not seen any downgrade in performance.
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Support Rating
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
SAP Concur
I have never had to use customer support when using Concur Expense - the UX could be a bit nicer on the eyes or easier to understand, but there have never been any problems when using Concur Expense that I have had to ask or reach out to customer support to help me with anything.
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In-Person Training
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
SAP Concur
My Seniors were the ones who taught me about Concur. Concur Support team has sent me training links and answered me in their tickets too. Usually they are helpful and knows their stuff. There are times when webex meetings is conducted for reporting training. They were very patient and took down all the details from me.
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Online Training
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
SAP Concur
I can use it after that training, so it fits the purpose.
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Implementation Rating
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
SAP Concur
There are different implementation teams for each module of the product you purchase, so implementation is not a 'one size fits all' environment. Also, the different implementation teams have different ways of doing things, so Concur could stand some standardization and streamlining in this area. A Project Manager can make or break an implementation so don't be scared to ask for a new one if things are rocky.
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Alternatives Considered
ApprovalMax
Read full review
SAP Concur
Expensify and Zoho Expense work for small and mid-size businesses. Big multinationals do not receive benefits from the apps. Coupa is good as a solution for organizations with non-SAP leading systems. If you plan to use SAP ERP as the main/lending system then SAP Concur is the best solution, mainly for its native integration with SAP ecosystem.
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Scalability
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
SAP Concur
This program has been very helpful, user friendly and has been a great asset to use to assist with time management. Not only are leadership involved with using this program but all staff as well. This is also a great way to hold each accountable. Easy startup with not many means for hands on training
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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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SAP Concur
  • Concur's automation has produced impressive efficiency improvements, which have decreased the time and effort required for expense management.
  • Manual errors and policy violations have decreased, which has led to cost savings.
  • We now adhere to corporate regulations better, which lowers risks thanks to Concur's policy compliance checker.
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.

SAP Concur Screenshots

Screenshot of a picture of a receipt snapped from a smartphoneScreenshot of analytics from SAP ConcurScreenshot of the integrated travel and expense applicationScreenshot of the SAP Concur mobile app