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…
$54
per month
Melio
Score 9.1 out of 10
N/A
Melio is a small business-oriented Accounts Payable tool, presented as a service that helps small businesses keep up with business. A B2B payments experience and payment workflow designed to be simple, and to enable businesses to pay domestic and international vendors, expedite payments, or pay by card.
N/A
Pricing
ApprovalMax
Melio
Editions & Modules
ApprovalMax Standard
$54
per month per organization
ApprovalMax Advanced
$83
per month per organization
ApprovalMax Premium
$121
per month per organization
Card processing fee
2.9%
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ApprovalMax
Melio
Free Trial
Yes
Yes
Free/Freemium Version
No
No
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Yes
No
Entry-level Setup Fee
Optional
No setup fee
Additional Details
Discount available for annual pricing and for management of multiple organizations.
—
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ApprovalMax
Melio
Features
ApprovalMax
Melio
Payment Management
Comparison of Payment Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.0
1 Ratings
6% above category average
Melio
8.7
10 Ratings
15% above category average
Customizable Approval Policies
9.01 Ratings
9.27 Ratings
Financial Document Management
9.01 Ratings
7.57 Ratings
Payment Status Tracking
9.01 Ratings
9.210 Ratings
Payment Audit Trail
9.01 Ratings
9.28 Ratings
Duplicate Bill Detection
4.01 Ratings
8.77 Ratings
Advanced OCR
00 Ratings
8.27 Ratings
Electronic Funds Transfer
00 Ratings
9.28 Ratings
Accounts Payable
Comparison of Accounts Payable features of Product A and Product B
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
In my personal experiences, I would recommend Melio to a friend or colleague but would tell them the pros and the con. Melio has really made payments seem seamless and easy. The fact that one can plan his/her payment schedule in advance and at the same time track it, is a very big relief. In as much as Melio has a lot of good features but it still needs upgrade or update, like the notifications of failed payments and delays.
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.
The simplicity it adds to business payments is a great deal. One feature we really value it the ability to pay vendors by check. Melio prints and mails checks for us which saves time and hassle.
Payment scheduling tool is another thing we enjoy. This tool lets us plan ahead and manage cash flow more effectively by setting payment dates in advance.
Another thing Melio does well is the tracking of payment.
There was a time a vendor claimed that they hadn't been paid, but with just a few clicks we could see the check has already been delivered.
This kind of transparency gives us confident and keep things professional.
The integration with other platform or accounts like QuickBooks is an experience I did love to keep.
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.
There should be an automatic link between vendors added with their Melio link and the same vendors that already exist in QuickBooks. As it is now, a new vendor is created when you do that and is not linked with the one that already is in QuickBooks.
Melio has been a very important tool in the advancement of our business. With great features, it has made payments to vendors seamless and hassle free. In terms of vendor management, account/data tracking, and scheduling of payments in advance. This has formed the base that we are still with Melio till today.
Melio is 100% free if you just use ACH, and that by itself would be reason enough for me to stick with the platform, it boats a ton of other useful features that add to the experience.
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 .
I have been able to save hours every week now that I am only using Melio as my payment processor
I can easily add invoice details which I use to create in another platform and upload to Melio, this saves me time with projects I want to be quicker with
The ease of use for my clients is fantastic, and makes for a seamless workflow