ApprovalMax vs. Spendesk

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
ApprovalMax
ScoreĀ 9.0Ā outĀ ofĀ 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 createā€¦
$44
per month
Spendesk
ScoreĀ 7.7Ā outĀ ofĀ 10
N/A
Spendesk is smart spend management software from the company of the same name in Paris, designed for finance teams and employees, presenting flexible payments, approvals, automated receipt capture and real-time spend insights, finance can decentralize operational spending across the business without any loss of control or visibility. Employees benefit from streamlined expense and invoice management through the Spendesk website and app.N/A
Pricing
ApprovalMaxSpendesk
Editions & Modules
ApprovalMax Standard
$44
per month
ApprovalMax Advanced
$69
per month
ApprovalMax Premium
$99
per month
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ApprovalMaxSpendesk
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalNo setup fee
Additional Detailsā€”ā€”
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ApprovalMaxSpendesk
Top Pros

No answers on this topic

Top Cons

No answers on this topic

Features
ApprovalMaxSpendesk
Payment Management
Comparison of Payment Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.0
1 Ratings
29% above category average
Spendesk
-
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 Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.5
1 Ratings
43% above category average
Spendesk
-
Ratings
Automated Accounts Payable Processes9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Vendor Management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
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ApprovalMaxSpendesk
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User Ratings
ApprovalMaxSpendesk
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(1 ratings)
8.1
(2 ratings)
User Testimonials
ApprovalMaxSpendesk
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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Spendesk
Spendesk's integration with Slack is super functional, as I receive requests to approve expenses daily. This way, we can act on time. This also works with pending approvals from other stakeholders. Also, keeping tracking of the POs thresholds is quite handy. On the other hand, sometimes I struggle when I want to access historical data quickly. It would be amazing to get a dashboard.
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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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Spendesk
  • POs approval
  • Integration with Slack
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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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Spendesk
  • The AI that reads receipts could be improved.
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Alternatives Considered
ApprovalMax
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Spendesk
Spendesk is fully dedicated to this field. While we are still using Airtable for other purposes, such as automation, Spendesk allows us to get a well-structured process for approvals and improve the communication between different teams
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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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Spendesk
  • Reduce the approval time of expenses
  • Improve the communication between departments
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ScreenShots

ApprovalMax Screenshots

Screenshot of Bill approval workflowScreenshot of Purchase order creation and approval workflowScreenshot of Approval rulesScreenshot of Built-in reportsScreenshot of Automated audit trail