Softwr

Accounting · head to head

Melio vs Stampli

Melio logo

Melio

Accounting

Simple business payments

From
Free
Rated
-
Stampli logo

Stampli

Accounting

AI-powered accounts payable automation

From
$29/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Melio has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Melio card payments incur flat 2.9% fee on all plans; Stampli no transparent pricing published; quote-based model required
  • They diverge on capability: Melio covers Vendor payments, Stampli covers AI invoice processing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Melio and Stampli actually diverge.

Attributes where Melio and Stampli differ
AttributeMelioStampli
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile appWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20182014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Accounting).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Melio

  • Vendor payments
  • Card to check
  • Payment scheduling
  • QuickBooks sync
  • Xero
  • FreshBooks
  • SOC 2
  • Bank-level encryption

Only in Stampli

  • AI invoice processing
  • Vendor management
  • Payment processing
  • Audit trails
  • NetSuite
  • Sage Intacct
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Oracle

Both cover

  • Approval workflows
  • QuickBooks
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Melio

  • Accounts payable automation
  • Bill management and payment schedulingnot Stampli
  • Multi-vendor payment processingnot Stampli
  • Invoice receivables and payment collectionnot Stampli

Stampli

  • Accounts payable automation
  • Invoice processing and capturenot Melio
  • Vendor managementnot Melio
  • Expense management and procurementnot Melio

Both are used for accounts payable automation, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Melio

  • Card payments incur flat 2.9% fee on all plans
  • International payments charged $20 flat fee or 2.9% conversion rate plus international fees
  • Paper checks cost $1.50 per check
  • Wire transfers cost $10 standard or up to 1% plus $10 for same-day processing
  • Core and Boost plans charged $10/month per additional user beyond base

Stampli

  • No transparent pricing published; quote-based model required
  • Specific pricing for individual modules or add-ons not available on pricing page
  • Cost varies based on invoice volume, complexity, and customization needs

Pricing, plan by plan

Melio

Free
  • GoFree
    • 5 free ACH payments per month
    • Pay by card, wire, or check
    • Basic invoicing
  • Core$25/month
    • 20 free ACH payments per month
    • $20/month with annual billing
    • QuickBooks Online and Xero sync
  • Boost$55/month
    • 50 free ACH payments per month
    • $44/month with annual billing
    • QuickBooks Desktop sync
  • Unlimited$80/month
    • Unlimited free ACH payments
    • $64/month with annual billing
    • NetSuite sync

Stampli

$29/month
  • Essential$undefined/month
    • Invoice processing
    • Basic approvals
    • Email notifications
  • Professional$undefined/month
    • AI-powered coding
    • Advanced workflows
    • ERP integrations
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Custom workflows
    • API access
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose Melio if

  • You need vendor payments.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app.
  • You also want card to check.

Choose Stampli if

  • You need ai invoice processing.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want vendor management.

Questions people ask

Is Melio or Stampli better?
Neither clearly leads. Melio starts at Free and Stampli at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Melio or Stampli?
Melio has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Melio and $29/month for Stampli.
Does Melio or Stampli run on more platforms?
Melio runs on Web, Mobile app. Stampli runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Melio for free?
Yes. Melio has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Stampli starts at $29/month.
What is Melio best used for?
Melio is most often used for accounts payable automation, bill management and payment scheduling, multi-vendor payment processing, invoice receivables and payment collection. Of those, bill management and payment scheduling and multi-vendor payment processing are not what Stampli is typically brought in for.
What can Melio do that Stampli cannot?
Melio covers Vendor payments, Card to check, Payment scheduling, QuickBooks sync. Stampli covers AI invoice processing, Vendor management, Payment processing, Audit trails. Both handle Approval workflows, QuickBooks, Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Melio: What does Melio charge for ACH payments?

Melio's free Go tier includes 5 free ACH payments per month. Core tier provides 20 free ACH payments per month at $25/month. Boost offers 50 free ACH payments at $55/month. Unlimited tier at $80/month includes unlimited free ACH payments.

Source
Stampli: What does Stampli cost?

Stampli does not publish fixed pricing. The company uses a custom quote-based model. Visitors are directed to 'Request a Quote' and meet with an AP expert to discuss pricing based on their specific invoice volume and requirements.

Source
Melio: Does Melio charge fees for card payments?

Yes, Melio charges a flat 2.9% fee on all card payments. International card payments also include currency conversion charges and international fees beyond the base 2.9%.

Source
Stampli: What is included in Stampli's standard offering?

Stampli's core accounts payable solution includes unlimited invoice capture, entities/locations, vendors, and PO matching; automated processing via Stampli Cognitive AI; 12 pre-built reports; interactive dashboards; a dedicated Customer Success Manager; and support with under 90-second response time.

Source
Melio: Can I use Melio for free?

Yes, Melio's free Go tier allows 5 free ACH payments per month with no subscription cost. Users can pay by card, wire, or check and access basic invoicing and payment link features.

Source
Stampli: How long does it take to implement Stampli?

Stampli uses a 'fulfillment-first' implementation approach and deploys in weeks versus competitors requiring months or longer.

Source
Stampli: What add-on modules are available with Stampli?

Optional modules include Procurement, Direct Pay functionality, credit card programs, advanced vendor management, and expense management. Pricing for add-ons requires requesting a custom quote.

Source
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