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Software · head to head

Tipalti vs Airbase

Tipalti logo

Tipalti

Software

Global payables automation for modern finance teams

From
On request
Rated
-
Airbase logo

Airbase

Software

The first all-in-one spend management platform

From
$29/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Tipalti complex implementation process requiring workflow restructuring around platform limitations; Airbase airbase was acquired by Paylocity; its pricing page now redirects to paylocity.com/pricing and the product is marketed as 'Airbase, a Paylocity Company' within Paylocity's HCM platform rather than as a standalone product.
  • They diverge on capability: Tipalti covers Supplier onboarding, Airbase covers Corporate cards.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Tipalti and Airbase actually diverge.

Attributes where Tipalti and Airbase differ
AttributeTipaltiAirbase
Starting priceOn request$29/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20102017

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Tipalti

  • Supplier onboarding
  • Invoice processing
  • Global payments
  • Tax compliance
  • Payment reconciliation
  • SOC 1
  • SOC 2
  • Api support

Only in Airbase

  • Corporate cards
  • Bill payments
  • Expense management
  • Procurement
  • Approvals
  • Xero
  • Slack
  • SOC 2 Type II

Both cover

  • NetSuite
  • Sage Intacct
  • QuickBooks
  • PCI DSS
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Tipalti

  • Payables automationnot Airbase
  • Global paymentsnot Airbase
  • Supplier managementnot Airbase

Airbase

  • Spend managementnot Tipalti
  • Expense reportingnot Tipalti
  • Vendor paymentsnot Tipalti

Where each one falls short

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

Tipalti

  • Complex implementation process requiring workflow restructuring around platform limitations
  • Reported payment processing issues including delays, failures, and poor customer service
  • Slow user interface performance when processing large payment volumes or moving between modules
  • Limited customization options and missing features like multi-bill selection and advanced reporting
  • Customer support response times slower than expected for larger teams without express membership upgrade

Airbase

  • Airbase was acquired by Paylocity; its pricing page now redirects to paylocity.com/pricing and the product is marketed as 'Airbase, a Paylocity Company' within Paylocity's HCM platform rather than as a standalone product.

Pricing, plan by plan

Tipalti

On request
  • Custom$null/month
    • Base platform fee
    • Transaction-based pricing
    • Payment volume scaling

Airbase

$29/month
  • StandardFree
    • Corporate cards
    • Expense reports
    • Bill pay
  • Premium$10/month
    • Advanced approvals
    • NetSuite sync
    • Procurement
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Custom workflows
    • API access
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose Tipalti if

  • You need supplier onboarding.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want invoice processing.

Choose Airbase if

  • You need corporate cards.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want bill payments.

Questions people ask

Is Tipalti or Airbase better?
Neither clearly leads. Tipalti starts at On request and Airbase at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Tipalti or Airbase?
Tipalti starts at On request and Airbase at $29/month.
Does Tipalti or Airbase run on more platforms?
Tipalti runs on Web, API. Airbase runs on Web, Ios, Android.
What is Tipalti best used for?
Tipalti is most often used for payables automation, global payments, supplier management. Of those, payables automation and global payments are not what Airbase is typically brought in for.
What can Tipalti do that Airbase cannot?
Tipalti covers Supplier onboarding, Invoice processing, Global payments, Tax compliance. Airbase covers Corporate cards, Bill payments, Expense management, Procurement. Both handle NetSuite, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks, PCI DSS.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Tipalti: What is Tipalti's pricing model?

Tipalti uses subscription-based pricing with a base platform fee plus transaction-based charges determined by payment volume, number of entities, and enabled modules. Custom pricing requires sales contact. Some users report monthly costs starting around $299.

Source
Tipalti: How long is Tipalti's implementation timeline?

Technical implementation typically takes days, though due diligence and customization usually require several weeks. Full setup is faster than enterprise solutions requiring months.

Source
Tipalti: What payment methods does Tipalti support?

Tipalti supports ACH, wire transfers, eChecks, PayPal, paper checks, and prepaid debit cards. Payees can select their preferred payment method.

Source
Tipalti: Does Tipalti handle international payment compliance?

Yes, Tipalti tracks over 26,000 rules and conditions for international payment execution across 200+ countries and territories. All payees are screened against international blacklists to prevent payments to sanctioned entities.

Source
Tipalti: What security certifications does Tipalti maintain?

Tipalti maintains AICPA SSAE 16 SOC and ISAE 3402 Type II certifications. The platform uses SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and role-based access controls.

Source

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