Payhawk has emerged as a comprehensive spend management solution that combines corporate cards, expense management, and accounts payable into a unified platform. The Bulgarian-founded, now global fintech streamlines financial operations for mid-market and enterprise businesses across Europe and beyond. While Payhawk offers robust features including real-time spending visibility, automated receipt capture, and seamless ERP integrations, several alternatives may better serve specific business needs. For US-based companies seeking automated spend management, Ramp delivers superior AI-powered expense categorization and a more robust corporate card program. Service organizations focused on travel expense management might prefer Rydoo’s specialized mobile-first approach with features like integrated travel booking and automated per diem calculations. Companies requiring extensive workflow automation will find Brex’s AI-driven platform more capable than Payhawk’s basic automation features. Meanwhile, small businesses needing rapid deployment can benefit from Pleo’s exceptional ease of setup, intuitive interface, and streamlined mobile experience that enables immediate adoption without complex implementation.
Best Payhawk Alternatives
Written by Paddy Stobbs
Co-Founder & CEO
Edited by Steph Leung
Product & Operations Lead
Best alternatives to Payhawk
For US-based companies seeking automated spend management:

Ramp
Stackfix Rating:
8.7 / 10
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For US-based companies seeking automated spend management:
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Ramp
Stackfix Rating:
8.7 / 10
For service companies focused on travel expense management:

Rydoo
Stackfix Rating:
6.6 / 10
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For service companies focused on travel expense management:
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Rydoo
Stackfix Rating:
6.6 / 10
For companies requiring extensive workflow automation:

Brex
Stackfix Rating:
7.8 / 10
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For companies requiring extensive workflow automation:
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Brex
Stackfix Rating:
7.8 / 10
For small businesses needing rapid deployment:

Pleo
Stackfix Rating:
7.4 / 10
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For small businesses needing rapid deployment:
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Pleo
Stackfix Rating:
7.4 / 10
Meet your expert: Paddy Stobbs
Stackfix Co-Founder & CEO
I've spent over a decade deep in the world of business software - personally managing more than $2M in purchases across companies I've built and led. From intimate 10-person teams to organizations of 150+, I've developed a particular obsession with Sales and HR tools – testing, implementing, and scaling them at every stage of growth. My journey started at Cambridge University, led me through Google, and most recently culminated in selling my previous venture to TikTok. Now, I'm channeling all of that hands-on experience into helping others navigate the complex landscape of business software.
Stackfix Comparison
Ramp: Payhawk alternative for US-based companies seeking automated spend management

Stackfix Rating:
8.7 / 10
Visit website
Starting at
$0

Ramp offers not just auto-labelling leading up to auto-categorisation, but also the ability to set custom rules to further improve and enhance categories.
Want to know more? See a detailed comparison of Payhawk vs. Ramp.
Pros
Outstanding Core Functionality
Superior AI-Powered Expense Categorization
Exceptional User Experience
Seamless Integration Capabilities
Strong Customer Support
Cons
Not Available Outside the US
Rydoo: Payhawk alternative for service companies focused on travel expense management

Stackfix Rating:
6.6 / 10
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Starting at
$12

Rydoo has a segment leading mobile app
Want to know more? See a detailed comparison of Payhawk vs. Rydoo.
Pros
Exceptional Mobile Experience
Intelligent Expense Categorization
User-Friendly Interface
Cons
Limited Budget Management Capabilities
Restricted Customer Support Access
Brex: Payhawk alternative for companies requiring extensive workflow automation

Stackfix Rating:
7.8 / 10
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Starting at
$0

Brex's ability to issue, manage, and view corporate cards.
Want to know more? See a detailed comparison of Payhawk vs. Brex.
Pros
Outstanding Corporate Card Program
Powerful Customization Options
Superior Mobile Experience
Advanced Budget Management
Robust Integration Capabilities
Cons
Not Available Outside the USA
Pleo: Payhawk alternative for small businesses needing rapid deployment

Stackfix Rating:
7.4 / 10
Visit website
Starting at
$0

Pleo allows for control of both individual cards as well as teams/departments
Want to know more? See a detailed comparison of Payhawk vs. Pleo.
Pros
Outstanding User Interface Design
Streamlined Mobile Experience
Efficient Setup Process
Intuitive User Experience
Cons
Limited Customization Options
Not Available Outside the EU
How we test products
With countless Spend Management platforms available, we focus on identifying the best options for small and midsize businesses. Our evaluation process is built around real-world usage, prioritizing functionality, ease of use, and overall value. Here’s how we do it:
Expense Tracking & Controls
Great Spend Management software should help businesses track spending in real-time, enforce budgets, and prevent unnecessary costs. We test how well each platform handles core use cases - expense categorization, approval workflows, and policy enforcement - to ensure it balances control with flexibility.
User Experience & Onboarding
Finance teams need intuitive tools that don’t require extensive training. We assess each platform’s interface by navigating core features without prior guidance and track onboarding time - from account setup to submitting the first expense report. Platforms that require complex configurations or financial expertise score lower.
Automation & AI Capabilities
Automation reduces manual work and improves spend visibility. We evaluate each platform’s automation features, such as receipt scanning, policy flagging, auto-reconciliation, and AI-driven spend insights. Tools that streamline financial operations without unnecessary complexity rank highest.
Integrations & Compatibility
Spend Management software must work seamlessly with accounting platforms, ERP systems, and payment processors. We test how well each platform integrates with key financial tools and assess whether native integrations or third-party connectors are required.
Pricing & Value
We compare pricing across competitors, analyzing what each plan includes and whether critical features - such as multi-entity support, approval workflows, or advanced reporting - are locked behind premium tiers. Hidden costs, such as per-user fees or transaction-based pricing, are factored into our assessment. Platforms that offer strong functionality at a fair price score highest.
Stackfix’s Fit Score
All of these factors contribute to Stackfix’s Fit Score, a proprietary ranking system that measures how well each Spend Management tool aligns with a buyer’s needs. It combines two key elements:
- Requirements Met – How many buyer requirements the software fulfills
- Stackfix Rating – Our expert assessment of the software’s overall quality, usability, and value
The result? A clear, data-driven recommendation that helps businesses choose the right Spend Management software - without hours of trial and error.
FAQs
What is Spend Management Software?
Spend management software helps businesses track, control, and optimize company spending in real time. When choosing a platform, consider ease of use, integrations, scalability, and pricing. Avoid tools that are overly complex, lack automation, or don’t integrate with your financial systems. The key features of spend management software usually include:
What is Spend Management Software?
Spend management software helps businesses track, control, and optimize company spending in real time. When choosing a platform, consider ease of use, integrations, scalability, and pricing. Avoid tools that are overly complex, lack automation, or don’t integrate with your financial systems. The key features of spend management software usually include:
- Approval Workflows – Customizable multi-level approval processes to control spending before it happens.
- Virtual & Physical Cards – Issue company cards with built-in spending controls, limits, and automated reconciliation.
- Automation & AI Insights – Auto-match receipts, flag policy violations, and generate AI-powered recommendations for cost savings.
- Integrations with Accounting & ERP Systems – Seamless syncing with tools like QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, and other financial platforms.
- Real-Time Reporting & Analytics – Gain visibility into company-wide spending with detailed reports, trend analysis, and budget tracking.
What should I consider when buying Spend Management Software?
Start by assessing your current and future spend management needs. Do you need real-time tracking of company expenses? Are you looking for tighter budget controls, automated approvals, or integrations with your accounting system? Here are the key factors to consider before making your decision.
What should I consider when buying Spend Management Software?
Start by assessing your current and future spend management needs. Do you need real-time tracking of company expenses? Are you looking for tighter budget controls, automated approvals, or integrations with your accounting system? Here are the key factors to consider before making your decision.
- Your Spend Management Needs. Begin by evaluating your company’s spending patterns and financial workflows. Do you need real-time expense tracking? Do you want corporate cards with built-in controls? Are you managing spending across multiple teams or locations? Identifying your priorities will help you choose the right tool.
- Ease of Use. Spend management software should simplify financial operations, not add complexity. Look for an intuitive platform that employees can use with minimal training. Overly complicated systems can lead to adoption issues, errors, and inefficiencies. Stackfix rates every platform on ease of use. Click into each product above to see how they compare.
- Integration with Your Financial Stack. Your spend management software should sync seamlessly with accounting, ERP, and payroll systems. If you’re using QuickBooks, Xero, or NetSuite, check for native integrations or whether third-party connectors are required. Lack of integration can lead to manual reconciliation and extra admin work.
- Scalability & Flexibility. As your business grows, so will your financial complexity. Ensure that the software can scale with your needs, support multi-entity operations, and offer features like custom approval workflows, spend limits, and policy automation. Reviewing the vendor’s product roadmap can help determine if they’re continuously improving their platform.
- Pricing & Hidden Costs. Many spend management platforms charge based on users, transactions, or premium features like AI-driven insights or advanced analytics. What seems cost-effective now could become expensive at scale. Look closely at pricing structures, including per-user fees, add-ons for integrations, and premium support costs.
- Customer Support from the Vendor. Managing company finances requires reliability, so what happens if the software malfunctions or you need urgent assistance? Some vendors offer 24/7 support, while others only provide email or chatbot responses during business hours. Stackfix rates each platform on support quality. Click into each product to see how they compare.
What are the common mistakes to avoid when buying Spend Management software?
Some platforms offer impressive features but are too complex for growing businesses. Make sure you’re choosing a tool that fits your workflow, not just one with an extensive feature set. Here are some of the biggest mistakes businesses make—and how to avoid them.
What are the common mistakes to avoid when buying Spend Management software?
Some platforms offer impressive features but are too complex for growing businesses. Make sure you’re choosing a tool that fits your workflow, not just one with an extensive feature set. Here are some of the biggest mistakes businesses make—and how to avoid them.
- Choosing based on features, not usability. Many spend management tools come packed with advanced capabilities but can be difficult to implement and use. A platform with every possible feature won’t help if your team struggles to adopt it. Look for software that simplifies spending control, rather than adding complexity.
- Ignoring automation. Manually tracking expenses, approvals, and reimbursements slows down operations. Look for tools with automation features like real-time expense tracking, automated approvals, receipt matching, and AI-driven insights. Automation reduces admin work and helps prevent unnecessary spending.
- Overlooking spend controls. Some businesses focus only on tracking expenses instead of proactively controlling them. Features like virtual cards with spending limits, approval workflows, and policy enforcement can prevent issues before they happen. Make sure the software helps control spend, not just report on it.
- Not planning for scaling. A spend management tool might work well for a small team but struggle when your company grows. Can it support multiple departments, global transactions, and complex approval structures? Ensure the platform can scale with your business needs.
- Overlooking integration depth. A platform might claim to integrate with your accounting or ERP system, but does it sync transaction data in real time? Does it support two-way data flow? Poor integrations can create manual work and reconciliation headaches. Always test integrations before committing.
How much does Spend Management Software typically cost?
Most spend management software ranges from free to $60+ per month, with entry-level options starting around $5-30 and premium software costing $60+ monthly. Larger enterprise tiers will often have custom pricing. Most vendors structure pricing in tiers based on features and user count, so be sure to enter your requirements as accurately as possible in our pricing calculator.
How much does Spend Management Software typically cost?
Most spend management software ranges from free to $60+ per month, with entry-level options starting around $5-30 and premium software costing $60+ monthly. Larger enterprise tiers will often have custom pricing. Most vendors structure pricing in tiers based on features and user count, so be sure to enter your requirements as accurately as possible in our pricing calculator.
Several providers (like Ramp, Brex, Pleo, and Mesh) offer free plans with core functionality, though these typically restrict the number of cards issued, integration capabilities, or advanced approval workflows.
For enterprise plans and above, you can expect to speak to sales for a bespoke price. These custom quotes typically factor in transaction volume, integration requirements, and compliance needs. To skip the demo calls, be sure to check out our pricing calculator.
Compare other Spend Management Tools
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