Monetary readability is without doubt one of the strongest benefits an organization can have.

However readability is not straightforward to take care of. I’ve seen how fast-moving groups, advertising, gross sales, and operations can unintentionally stretch budgets skinny. A number of additional instruments right here, a last-minute buy there, and earlier than lengthy, the numbers begin to drift.

It made me surprise: how do finance groups maintain spending beneath management with out slowing the whole lot else down?

That query led me to look at the software program that helps firms handle spending daily. To jot down this information on the greatest spend administration software program, I evaluated suggestions from actual customers throughout 20+ platforms, specializing in how properly they assist approvals, budgets, real-time visibility, and scaling monetary processes.

Whether or not you are searching for what cell app is greatest for enterprise spend monitoring or greatest desktop software program for spending oversight, listed below are the seven options that stood out for making it simpler to maintain spending on monitor.

7 greatest spend administration software program I like to recommend

At its core, spend administration software program helps firms see how cash strikes and ensures it strikes appropriately. Nevertheless it’s not nearly monitoring receipts or approving buy orders.

After I began digging into the house, I noticed the true worth goes deeper. The most effective spend administration software program helps finance groups form spending habits throughout the enterprise. It creates visibility early, units the precise checkpoints for approvals, and ensures budgets keep linked to on a regular basis selections, not simply end-of-quarter studies. It is honest that the worldwide enterprise spend administration (BSM) software program market dimension is projected to develop from USD 25.98 billion in 2025 to USD 56.30 billion by 2032.

To spherical out your stack, right here’s my colleague’s information to the 10 greatest ERP techniques companies are utilizing this 12 months.

What I prioritized when evaluating spend administration purposes

I thought of the next elements when evaluating the most effective spend administration software program.

• Actual-time spend visibility: Finance groups want greater than historic studies. I prioritized platforms that supply real-time dashboards, funds monitoring, and proactive alerts to catch overspending earlier than it occurs.
• Automated approval workflows: Handbook approvals gradual the whole lot down and create pointless friction. I regarded for instruments that automate routing primarily based on insurance policies, hierarchies, and budgets whereas giving finance groups oversight with out fixed intervention.
• Funds enforcement and coverage compliance: The most effective platforms make it straightforward for groups to remain inside funds limits and comply with spend insurance policies naturally. Robust funds controls, customized approval thresholds, and built-in guardrails had been necessary standards.
• Vendor and procurement administration: Controlling spend means managing who you purchase from, not simply what you purchase. I centered on instruments that assist centralize vendor information, streamline buy order processes, and cut back maverick spending.
• Integrations with monetary techniques: I prioritized platforms that supply robust integrations with accounting, enterprise useful resource planning (ERP), and cost techniques. Clear information circulation between techniques reduces guide work, errors, and reconciliation complications.
• Scalability and customization: Spend administration must evolve as firms develop. I regarded for options that permit versatile workflows, role-based permissions, and adaptable guidelines with out forcing firms into inflexible processes.
• Reporting and audit readiness: Clear, customizable reporting was additionally a key focus. Finance groups want instruments that make it straightforward to tug insights, assist audits, and current clear spend information to management.

The checklist beneath comprises real consumer critiques from the spend administration software program class web page. To be included on this class, an answer should:

*This information was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some critiques could have been edited for readability.

BILL Spend & Expense strikes steadiness between giving finance groups tighter oversight and conserving day-to-day buying easy for workers. It makes budgets, approvals, and transactions seen in actual time. That is mirrored in its satisfaction rating on G2, which stands at 99%.

One of many largest strengths G2 customers referred to as out was the platform’s method to digital playing cards. With the ability to challenge playing cards tied to particular budgets, whether or not for a mission, a division, or a one-off occasion, gave firms a lot stronger management over the place cash flows. It helped keep away from the everyday “one card for the whole lot” chaos that’s widespread in rising groups. Customers additionally appreciated that spending limits may very well be adjusted dynamically with out canceling and reissuing playing cards.

One other excessive level was real-time spend monitoring. As quickly as a transaction occurred, customers would get fast notifications linked to budgets, serving to them catch overspending earlier than it grew to become a much bigger drawback. As a substitute of ready for month-end studies, finance groups may spot tendencies and flag considerations mid-cycle. This made it simpler to remain on prime of team-level or project-level budgets.

Many G2 critiques additionally talked about ease of use. Whether or not an worker submitted an expense or a supervisor accredited a purchase order, the system didn’t appear to require a lot hand-holding. The cell app, desktop platform, and card administration flows felt simple for many customers. 

On the flip facet, approval workflows generally created friction. A number of G2 customers talked about that whereas the system was usually easy, extra sophisticated buy requests, like ones that crossed budgets or concerned a number of approvers, often led to bottlenecks. Approvals both bought caught with out clear subsequent steps or required guide overrides, slowing issues down. For firms with easy workflows, this wasn’t an enormous challenge, however bigger groups with layered approvals may really feel it extra acutely.

Buyer assist was one other space the place critiques confirmed some inconsistency. Whereas many G2 customers had constructive experiences, others talked about that response instances had been slower than anticipated. Assist high quality didn’t appear to be universally unhealthy, however it’s one thing I might consider if speedy decision is necessary in your staff.

What I dislike about BILL Spend & Expense:

• Approval workflows generally created complicated handoffs for G2 customers, particularly when purchases didn’t comply with the only path.
• Buyer assist responses weren’t at all times as quick, in line with G2 reviewers, particularly when pressing spend points got here up.

What G2 customers dislike about BILL Spend & Expense:

“The app and software program will be glitchy at instances. This doesn’t occur typically however it does occur. I additionally do not like that you need to add cash to every card within the funds. If I’ve an individual that falls beneath a couple of funds, I’ve to go in and assign cash to every funds for them to have the ability to use their card, not simply to their card.”

– BILL Spend & Expense Evaluate, Becca H.

Rippling has constructed a popularity for connecting HR, IT, and finance workflows beneath one roof, and its spend administration options match neatly into that greater imaginative and prescient.

Rippling’s centralized information method was extremely praised in G2 consumer critiques. Since spend administration ties immediately into worker profiles, groups can set clear limits primarily based on roles, departments, or places with out managing a number of disconnected techniques. It additionally simplifies auditing purchases, that are linked again to particular individuals and budgets robotically.

Ease of use is one other large purpose Rippling stood out. In keeping with G2 customers, the interface is clear, intuitive, and designed in order that even non-finance customers can submit expense studies, request approvals, or handle their playing cards. Spend insurance policies floor naturally in the course of the workflows, so groups aren’t guessing whether or not a purchase order is allowed.

The cell expertise was additionally a excessive level within the suggestions I reviewed. Customers appreciated having the ability to work on the go immediately from the app with out logging right into a desktop dashboard. Nevertheless, a number of customers additionally famous that real-time updates may often lag. Overall, the cell expertise felt fashionable and purposeful. It made spend administration really feel extra like a part of every day work.

In fact, Rippling isn’t utterly with out friction. A number of G2 customers talked about that establishing preliminary spend guidelines and configuring complicated approval workflows may very well be difficult. It’s versatile, however that flexibility comes with a studying curve in case your wants are extra superior.

Lag and occasional refresh delays additionally got here up within the critiques. Whereas the platform usually runs easily, a handful of G2 customers stated that expense updates on the cell app generally took longer than anticipated to sync. It wasn’t a deal-breaker for many, however while you rely upon real-time spend visibility, even small lags can create some frustration.

What I dislike about Rippling:

• Establishing extra complicated spend insurance policies wasn’t intuitive, and G2 customers felt they wanted exterior assist.
• I observed some G2 customers had been hindered when cell updates didn’t sync instantly.

What G2 customers dislike about Rippling:

“Whereas Rippling is a strong and streamlined platform, there’s a little bit of a studying curve at first. A few of the deeper settings or workflows can take time to completely perceive, particularly should you’re new to HR or IT processes. Additionally, whereas the automation is nice, often you’ll have to dig into assist docs or attain out to assist to make clear how one thing works. That stated, the assist staff is usually useful and responsive when you get in contact.”

– Rippling Evaluate, Asad B.

For firms seeking to tighten their grip on budgets whereas nonetheless shifting quick, Brex affords a clear, versatile method to managing purchases throughout groups.

A significant power is Brex’s capability to challenge each digital and bodily playing cards with customizable limits. This setup permits groups to allocate budgets whereas lowering the danger of rogue spending. Playing cards will be canceled or adjusted in actual time, which is useful when approvals want to alter shortly. G2 customers appreciated not having to handle one shared company card or chase receipts throughout platforms.

Actual-time visibility was one other clear win. Each transaction seems immediately, and admins are notified of exercise because it occurs, permitting finance groups to intervene early if one thing appears off. The suggestions made it clear: customers worth realizing precisely the place their budgets stand at any second, not simply after reconciliation.

Brex additionally integrates easily with main accounting platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite. G2 customers highlighted how a lot guide work it helped cut back. Transactions circulation robotically into the precise classes, which implies fewer hours spent manually tagging or shifting information round. The less steps between spend and techniques, the higher.

Nevertheless, there have been nonetheless some gaps when it got here to automation. A number of G2 customers famous that they nonetheless needed to do guide work for sure processes regardless of the integrations. Brex’s power lies in its card-first mannequin, so something exterior that circulation generally requires a workaround. It’s a stable setup in case your staff is card-centric, however should you’re managing extra complicated vendor funds, it could take additional effort.

Approval workflows additionally confirmed up within the suggestions. G2 reviewers discovered the system clear for normal requests, however not at all times adaptable when approvals wanted to route by a number of individuals or departments. There have been some mentions of needing to manually nudge approvers or step exterior the system to make clear coverage exceptions. It wasn’t a blocker for many groups, however it may gradual issues down when the method didn’t match into the instrument’s default logic.

What I dislike about Brex:

• From what I noticed in G2 critiques, some workflows nonetheless required guide effort, particularly when coping with bills exterior of Brex’s card system.
• Approval routing appeared to work wonderful for fundamental circumstances, however G2 reviewers identified that extra complicated approvals typically wanted workarounds.

What G2 customers dislike about Brex:

“We have had some integration points with Sage, which has induced us to do some guide work as a substitute of having the ability to add transactions immediately into Sage. I consider Brex is engaged on an answer or can be engaged on an answer to get this fastened. Apart from that, not a lot to complain about.”

– Brex Evaluate, Amanda H.

Ramp, whereas positioned as a monetary automation platform, additionally focuses on proactive spend management with out overwhelming customers. The platform emphasizes simplicity however nonetheless affords a shocking quantity of depth in terms of managing company-wide spend. 95% of G2 reviewers say that the instrument meets their necessities, which is without doubt one of the highest on this checklist.

G2 customers repeatedly referred to as out Ramp’s rewards system. Not like conventional card suppliers providing generic money again or journey factors, Ramp constructions reward round actual operational spending, which aligns way more with how companies spend cash. It gave finance groups a strategy to earn worth again with out complicating approval processes or card administration. A number of reviewers talked about how straightforward monitoring and redeeming rewards had been, which helped adoption throughout groups. It wasn’t only a nice-to-have; it immediately supported smarter monetary selections.

In keeping with G2 consumer critiques, Ramp’s interface made it easy for workers to request approvals, submit receipts, and perceive spending insurance policies with out heavy coaching. For finance groups, issuing new playing cards, updating spend limits, or monitoring transactions felt intuitive and required fewer clicks than conventional platforms. Customers appreciated that Ramp didn’t power them into clunky workflows or outdated processes to handle fundamental spending.

Spend insights had been additionally widespread amongst G2 reviewers. Ramp doesn’t simply acquire transaction information; it robotically surfaces patterns round distributors, budgets, and recurring costs. Customers talked about how useful it was to see spending tendencies damaged down with out constructing complicated customized studies.

Nevertheless, receipt administration wasn’t at all times seamless. A number of G2 customers identified that whereas receipt matching labored properly more often than not, there have been occasional hiccups. Typically, the system didn’t match transactions robotically, which meant finance groups nonetheless needed to chase down compliance points manually. 

There have been additionally some points round card utilization restrictions. Whereas establishing and distributing playing cards was easy, a number of G2 customers reported hassle configuring complicated spend limits or restrictions at a extra granular degree. It’s one thing to weigh in case your spend insurance policies require lots of fine-tuning.

What I dislike about Ramp:

• Receipt matching labored more often than not, however G2 customers needed to manually intervene when it failed, which slowed down compliance workflows. 
• Card configuration flexibility got here up as a limitation for firms and G2 customers needing extremely particular spend guidelines. 

What G2 customers dislike about Ramp:

“Restricted choices for enterprise journey and decrease web money profit rebates versus different playing cards. Additionally, there are fewer accomplice profit promotions. Nevertheless, proper now, the time financial savings are the profit, plus we use the money again on our spending to decrease our month-to-month bank card payments.”

– Ramp Evaluate, Brian V.

Navan is not a full spend administration suite, however for firms the place journey is a big funds line, Navan provides necessary layers of management. The platform focuses on making it simpler to trace travel-related spending in actual time whereas giving finance groups higher reporting instruments to remain forward of budgets. In keeping with G2 customers, this instrument has the highest ease of use among the many checklist, at 97%.

Reporting surfaced as considered one of Navan’s strongest factors. G2 customers appreciated having the ability to pull detailed studies on journey spend by worker, division, or journey class. Getting access to this information in a single place made it a lot simpler for finance groups to trace how journey budgets had been trending all through the quarter. It additionally helped firms determine patterns, like constantly overspending with distributors or underutilizing negotiated charges. 

Actual-time recording of spend exercise was one other constructive that got here up constantly in suggestions. Navan captures transactions as they occur and ties them immediately into consumer profiles and funds monitoring. This meant fewer end-of-month surprises for finance groups making an attempt to reconcile spend. It additionally gave managers clearer oversight throughout main occasions or busy journey seasons. 

Navan’s integrations had been one other vivid spot. The platform connects to main ERP and accounting techniques, which helps simplify the reconciliation course of. G2 customers famous that having reserving information, expense approvals, and coverage violations feed immediately into monetary techniques saved lots of time. It diminished the necessity for guide uploads or disconnected spreadsheets, that are widespread ache factors with conventional T&E processes. For finance groups centered on accuracy and audit readiness, these integrations made a tangible distinction.

In fact, there have been some challenges, too. Receipt administration got here up as a problem in a number of critiques. Whereas Navan robotically data bookings, G2 customers nonetheless needed to manually add or verify receipts for incidental bills like meals or taxis. When staff forgot to add receipts on time, finance groups had been caught chasing them down manually. It wasn’t a platform-wide failure, however sufficient of a sample that firms searching for totally automated expense monitoring may need to plan extra compliance processes.

Buyer assist was one other friction level. Some G2 customers talked about that when points arose, assist wasn’t at all times as responsive as they wanted. For routine reserving points, the system labored easily, however when real-time help was required to appropriate spending errors, the delays grew to become extra irritating.

What I dislike about Navan:

• Primarily based on G2 customers’ descriptions, receipt add compliance nonetheless felt guide, particularly when coping with smaller, incidental bills. 
• Buyer assist didn’t constantly meet expectations when pressing points got here up, as per G2 reviewers.

What G2 customers dislike about Navan:

“A number of errors within the app whereas making an attempt to ebook. The flight credit proven are mistaken. After I name to complain, I’m advised I ought to simply chat or name to ebook or to make a change. Chat reserving takes over an hour.”

– Navan Evaluate, Ajay S.

Airbase brings completely different areas of spend, playing cards, payments, and reimbursements right into a single workflow. Whereas loads of platforms supply items of spend management, Airbase connects them in a means that feels cohesive relatively than bolted collectively. It has the largest adoption within the mid-market phase, with 80% of G2 reviewers falling into that class.

Groups may handle company playing cards, vendor payments, and worker reimbursements with out bouncing between instruments, which gave them cleaner oversight throughout each greenback leaving the corporate. This wasn’t nearly saving clicks; it reshaped how finance groups approached spend governance.

One sample I observed was how typically G2 customers referred to as out funds management as a real power. They appreciated having the ability to assign budgets by division, mission, or vendor and really feel assured that approvals would not simply slip by primarily based on behavior.

G2 consumer suggestions additionally constantly talked about integrations. Airbase connects easily with accounting platforms like QuickBooks, NetSuite, and Sage Intacct, which helps cut back reconciliation time. Customers appreciated that transactions flowed into their normal ledger with clear audit trails and minimal changes.

Establishing Airbase took longer than some G2 customers anticipated. Configuring approval workflows, funds guidelines, and integrations required vital upfront effort, particularly for firms with extra complicated operations. Whereas the management after rollout was robust, the preliminary implementation wasn’t as light-weight as easier spend instruments.

There have been additionally occasional syncing slowdowns in periods of heavy spend exercise. G2 customers identified minor lags with approval updates and transaction visibility when the platform processed a excessive quantity of vendor funds or reimbursements.

What I dislike about Airbase:

• Receipt compliance added extra guide cleanup work than anticipated, particularly when staff had been gradual to submit documentation, as per G2 critiques.
• Implementation timelines had been longer for G2 customers establishing complicated approval constructions and deep integrations.

What G2 customers dislike about Airbase:

“Whereas Airbase is unbelievable, there are a few minor issues I would wish to see improved. Often, the automated categorization of bills is not good, and I’ve to manually regulate it. It isn’t an enormous deal, however it will be even higher if the AI had been a bit extra correct. Additionally, whereas the cell app is nice, I’ve observed that generally it may be a little bit gradual to load, particularly when I’ve lots of receipts to add. These are simply minor inconveniences, although, and so they definitely do not outweigh the numerous advantages of utilizing Airbase.”

– Airbase Evaluate, Kyle C.

Mesh Funds helps firms streamline company spending by real-time monitoring. It offers finance groups extra proactive management over budgets. Corporations seeking to change scattered guide expense processes with centralized spend visibility typically flip to Mesh as a extra fashionable different.

Actual-time visibility was one of many first benefits that got here by in G2 consumer critiques. Finance groups may monitor purchases instantly, monitoring exercise throughout departments. It allowed managers to identify funds dangers early and regulate earlier than minor points turn into greater. A number of customers identified how a lot quicker funds critiques grew to become as soon as transactions had been seen mid-cycle.

Managing digital playing cards additionally stood out as a robust level. Mesh made it straightforward to challenge playing cards for particular distributors, departments, or short-term tasks, giving firms tighter management with out making spending tougher for workers. Groups may set limits up entrance. It additionally made adjusting budgets midstream easier when wants modified.

Receipt monitoring was one other space the place Mesh added actual worth. Workers had been prompted to add receipts instantly after purchases, conserving spend documentation present with out additional admin reminders. Whereas occasional gaps nonetheless occurred, the built-in system helped maintain compliance tighter than conventional expense workflows.

Card acceptance was a draw back for some G2 customers, although. Some distributors didn’t at all times settle for mesh playing cards, resulting in sudden cost points. It didn’t occur typically sufficient to trigger widespread disruption, however it was a friction level for groups that used a variety of distributors.

Customizing studies was one other problem that confirmed up within the suggestions. Fundamental reporting labored wonderful, however firms that wanted deep, granular spend evaluation needed to pull information out and work with it manually.

What I dislike about Mesh Funds:

• Some G2 customers identified that not all distributors accepted mesh playing cards, which created last-minute cost points.
• Reporting choices felt too fundamental for groups needing detailed spend evaluation with out guide exports.

What G2 customers dislike about Mesh Funds:

“Whereas I’ve discovered Mesh to be a superb instrument for managing my funds. I believe there’s some room for enchancment in terms of user-level customization, particularly with categorization choices. As a frequent consumer with a number of playing cards, I want I had the flexibility so as to add personalised tags or classes. Since I am not an admin and haven’t got website administration privileges, not having the ability to group playing cards into classes or roll up budgets inside these classes seems like a limitation.”

– Mesh Funds Evaluate, Chad B.

Need to tighten vendor funds, too? Take a look at the greatest AP automation instruments to simplify and velocity up the way you pay distributors.