ApprovalMax vs. Tipalti

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
ApprovalMax
Score 9.0 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…
$44
per month
Tipalti
Score 7.9 out of 10
Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
Tipalti automates critical financial processes to drive efficiency, including accounts payable, mass payments, procurement, and expenses, all on one global finance automation platform that grows with the organization, automating, de-risking and simplifying finance.
$129
per month
Pricing
ApprovalMaxTipalti
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
ApprovalMaxTipalti
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesYes
Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalRequired
Additional DetailsPricing starts at $149 per month for the platform fee. Users can upgrade to Tipalti's more advanced capabilities as their businesses gets more complex. The Tipalti pricing model is designed to grow with the user's company. Advanced features such as W-8 tax forms, international tax IDs, or multi-entity payables are available as needed.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ApprovalMaxTipalti
Top Pros

No answers on this topic

Top Cons

No answers on this topic

Features
ApprovalMaxTipalti
Payment Management
Comparison of Payment Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.0
1 Ratings
29% above category average
Tipalti
8.8
48 Ratings
38% above category average
Customizable Approval Policies9.01 Ratings9.437 Ratings
Financial Document Management9.01 Ratings8.433 Ratings
Payment Status Tracking9.01 Ratings9.246 Ratings
Payment Audit Trail9.01 Ratings8.640 Ratings
Duplicate Bill Detection4.01 Ratings8.041 Ratings
Advanced OCR00 Ratings8.835 Ratings
Electronic Funds Transfer00 Ratings9.436 Ratings
Accounts Payable
Comparison of Accounts Payable features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.5
1 Ratings
43% above category average
Tipalti
8.5
43 Ratings
43% above category average
Automated Accounts Payable Processes9.01 Ratings8.740 Ratings
Vendor Management8.01 Ratings8.740 Ratings
Tax Form Preparation00 Ratings8.122 Ratings
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Score 8.5 out of 10
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Score 8.5 out of 10
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User Ratings
ApprovalMaxTipalti
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(1 ratings)
9.1
(87 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.4
(3 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
6.9
(63 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.5
(13 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
7.4
(2 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
7.4
(2 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
7.4
(2 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
6.4
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
6.4
(1 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(1 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
ApprovalMaxTipalti
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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Tipalti
The invoice processing element is far, far easier than manually inputting invoices are we were doing previously. The OCR is not perfect, but having it scanned in and ready for review saves a lot of time. The approvals process is fast and effective, and approvers can approve directly from the email without having even to log into the system. The audit trail function allows the finance team to see exactly who has done what to each invoice, and when. Payments, however, are where we see the most benefit. Vendor bank details are stored securely and controls can be put in place to ensure that any changes to vendor data must be approved. Once fully approved, invoices can be scheduled for payment either on a particular date or on the invoice due date, which ensures vendors are paid on a 'Just In Time' basis. All invoices and payments sync seamlessly to our ERP each day.
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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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Tipalti
  • Invoice coding, routing, and approval
  • Complete visibility of all invoices floating around your organization
  • Payment of invoices via numerous methods and multiple currency with just a click of the mouse
  • Captures W9 & W8-BENE information
  • posts all information including a pdf of invoice into your GL/accounting system
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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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Tipalti
  • The report that provides the "Not payable" vendors does not work well for us, particularly because the sync to our ERP goes both ways, which means all of the employees also sync over to Tipalti and remain as Not Payable. So the list is very long, and I don't find a good use for it.
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Likelihood to Renew
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Tipalti
Tipalti developed a workflow us that has improved our efficiency in onboarding vendors and processing payments. They also ensure that we have all the required tax forms from the vendor before a payment goes out.
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Usability
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Tipalti
The system is incredibly easy to use, with most tasks being completed in a small number of clicks. The user interface is very user intuitive and can be navigated very easily. Multiple payments can be made instantaneously and as the vendors manage their payable account we are able to ensure that payments are being sent to the right account. The advanced functionality for duplicate invoices ensures that we are not processing bills twice and we have found that in 100% of cases it has identified a duplicate bill.
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Reliability and Availability
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Tipalti
Tipalti has always been responsive to our questions and concerns.
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Performance
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Tipalti
No issues here. Generally has been pretty fast.
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Support Rating
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Tipalti
Since I also work in customer support, I often have to contact Tipalti's team with questions from our users. Tipalti's support team has always been exceptionally helpful and it was a pleasure to communicate with them. I have always received prompt responses to any inquiries and they are excellent at solving our customers' issues within a short time
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Online Training
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Tipalti
Tipalti provides great How to online guide
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Implementation Rating
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Tipalti
Implementation went smooth as we used and tested everything in the sandbox first
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Alternatives Considered
ApprovalMax
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Tipalti
Previously, our Company housed all invoices and approvals in NetSuite. This was a very clunky process which often resulted in duplicated work. Approvals were obtained through email and attached as a file to invoice records in NetSuite. Whereas, in Tipalti, you can view the entire audit history by simply clicking into an invoice.
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Contract Terms and Pricing Model
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Tipalti
I did not make the decision to purchase this product.
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Scalability
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Tipalti
We were given the option of only one integration.
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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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Tipalti
  • Vendor onboarding has taken the responsibility from one person to the Vendor directly. This provides the vendor with the ability to enter their own banking information for payments and upload their Federal W9 form.
  • Vendors can upload their own invoices to the system, taking the possibility that our AP team did not receive an emailed or mailed invoice to upload. This also increases payment efficiency as the vendor's invoice is processed in a more timely manner.
  • AP can review invoices for accuracy and concentrate on how to code an invoice, rather than be a paper pusher or a data entry clerk. AP doesn't spend time searching for invoices that might be a duplicate, the system will communicate this on the software review process and if AP has uploaded by email the same invoice multiple times, an email will be sent to AP to indicate that the invoice was not uploaded due to duplication.
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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

Tipalti Screenshots

Screenshot of Intelligent invoicing workflowScreenshot of Mobile approvals for invoices and paymentsScreenshot of Brandable self-service supplier portal (including handling tax forms)Screenshot of Brandable self-service portal to collect and validate payment detailsScreenshot of Combined payment methods, currencies, and entities in a single payment fileScreenshot of an early payment, which can be offered to suppliers through email or the supplier portal