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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    ApprovalMax

    Score8.1 out of 10
    N/AApprovalMax 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

    QuickBooks Online

    Score8.3 out of 10
    N/AQuickBooks Online is a SaaS version of the QuickBooks product. It contains all of the features found in the local version. Higher-priced plans include greater automation, payment management, inventory and time tracking, and analytics features.

    $38

    per month

    Pricing
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Online
    Editions & Modules
    ApprovalMax Standard
    $54
    per month per organization
    ApprovalMax Advanced
    $83
    per month per organization
    ApprovalMax Premium
    $121
    per month per organization
    Simple Start
    $38
    per month
    Essentials
    $75
    per month
    Plus
    $115
    per month
    Advanced
    $275
    per month
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Online
    Free Trial
    YesYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    YesYes
    Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalNo setup fee
    Additional DetailsDiscount available for annual pricing and for management of multiple organizations.—
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Online
    Considered Both Products
    ApprovalMax
    No answer on this topic
    Intuit
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    81%
    Would buy again
    89 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    84%
    Delivers good value for the price
    85 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    80%
    Happy with the feature set
    88 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    80%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    70 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    85%
    Implementation went as expected
    83 Answers
    Features
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Online
    Payment Management
    Comparison of Payment Management features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Online
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    8.0
    1 Ratings
    7% above category average
    QuickBooks Online
    -
    Ratings
    Customizable Approval Policies9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Financial Document Management9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Payment Status Tracking9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Payment Audit Trail9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Duplicate Bill Detection4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Accounts Payable
    Comparison of Accounts Payable features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Online
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    8.5
    1 Ratings
    24% above category average
    QuickBooks Online
    -
    Ratings
    Automated Accounts Payable Processes9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Vendor Management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Payroll Management
    Comparison of Payroll Management features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Online
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Online
    8.5
    81 Ratings
    9% above category average
    Pay calculation00 Ratings7.872 Ratings
    Benefit plan administration00 Ratings7.033 Ratings
    Direct deposit files00 Ratings9.067 Ratings
    Salary revision and increment management00 Ratings9.046 Ratings
    Reimbursement management00 Ratings9.548 Ratings
    Customization
    Comparison of Customization features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Online
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Online
    8.3
    71 Ratings
    8% above category average
    API for custom integration00 Ratings8.757 Ratings
    Plug-ins00 Ratings8.058 Ratings
    Security
    Comparison of Security features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Online
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Online
    9.7
    112 Ratings
    15% above category average
    Single sign-on capability00 Ratings9.684 Ratings
    Role-based user permissions00 Ratings9.7106 Ratings
    Reporting & Analytics
    Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Online
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Online
    8.1
    136 Ratings
    3% above category average
    Dashboards00 Ratings8.6128 Ratings
    Standard reports00 Ratings8.1132 Ratings
    Custom reports00 Ratings7.5120 Ratings
    General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
    Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Online
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Online
    8.5
    147 Ratings
    9% above category average
    Accounts payable00 Ratings9.1125 Ratings
    Accounts receivable00 Ratings9.4135 Ratings
    Cash management00 Ratings8.7123 Ratings
    Bank reconciliation00 Ratings9.1141 Ratings
    Expense management00 Ratings8.7125 Ratings
    Time tracking00 Ratings7.057 Ratings
    Fixed asset management00 Ratings8.055 Ratings
    Multi-currency support00 Ratings7.024 Ratings
    Multi-division support00 Ratings9.145 Ratings
    Regulations compliance00 Ratings9.241 Ratings
    Electronic tax filing00 Ratings9.368 Ratings
    Self-service portal00 Ratings8.869 Ratings
    Global Financial Support00 Ratings8.018 Ratings
    Primary and Secondary Ledgers00 Ratings8.737 Ratings
    Intercompany Accounting00 Ratings8.731 Ratings
    Localizations00 Ratings8.023 Ratings
    Journals and Reconciliations00 Ratings9.376 Ratings
    Enterprise Accounting00 Ratings8.027 Ratings
    Configurable Accounting00 Ratings7.740 Ratings
    Centralized Rules Framework00 Ratings8.326 Ratings
    Standardized Processes00 Ratings8.452 Ratings
    Inventory Management
    Comparison of Inventory Management features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Online
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Online
    7.5
    49 Ratings
    2% above category average
    Inventory tracking00 Ratings8.046 Ratings
    Automatic reordering00 Ratings7.023 Ratings
    Location management00 Ratings8.023 Ratings
    Manufacturing module00 Ratings7.018 Ratings
    Order Management
    Comparison of Order Management features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Online
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Online
    8.4
    90 Ratings
    8% above category average
    Pricing00 Ratings8.056 Ratings
    Order entry00 Ratings8.054 Ratings
    Credit card processing00 Ratings8.566 Ratings
    Cost of goods sold00 Ratings9.370 Ratings
    Order Orchestration00 Ratings8.022 Ratings
    End-to-end order visibility00 Ratings9.021 Ratings
    Order exception Resolution00 Ratings8.019 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Online
    Small Businesses
    Tipalti
    Score8.8 out of 10
    Sage Accounting
    Score9.1 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Stampli
    Score8.2 out of 10
    MYOB
    Score7.7 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Yooz
    Score8.5 out of 10
    Microsoft Dynamics GP
    Score6.8 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Online
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.7
    (165 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    1.9
    (24 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.8
    (80 ratings)
    Availability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    2.0
    (5 ratings)
    Performance
    -
    (0 ratings)
    1.0
    (4 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    1.1
    (68 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    3.0
    (6 ratings)
    Configurability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    CPA Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.4
    (18 ratings)
    Ease of integration
    -
    (0 ratings)
    1.3
    (2 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    1.0
    (2 ratings)
    Vendor post-sale
    -
    (0 ratings)
    1.0
    (2 ratings)
    Vendor pre-sale
    -
    (0 ratings)
    1.0
    (2 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Online
    Likelihood to Recommend
    ApprovalMax
    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
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Intuit
    I appreciate the ability to auto-generate invoices for recurring transactions, which saves time, as well as the option to set up auto-generated transactions. The report option is super helpful when reviewing information, as you can click to view the details in the report without having to go back and forth.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    ApprovalMax
    • 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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Intuit
    • Workflows for accounts payable invoice review are terrific.
    • Bill payment allows you to pay vendors online via ACH or check without having to write a physical check, which reduces admin time.
    • The cloud based login lends well to a remote or hybrid work environment for staff.
    • QuickBooks Online allows you to pre-configure vendors' general ledger expense accounts. This helps with general ledger coding accuracy and consistency.
    • QuickBooks Online integrates with Rippling HRIS, Coast, Capital One, JPMorgan Chase, etc., which lends well to an efficient month-end closing and reduced administrative time.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    ApprovalMax
    • 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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Intuit
    • The upsells have gotten worse over time and are on every screen in the most awkward positions. I don't need a constant reminder to upgrade, especially on a very old account that's paid thousands over the years.
    • The interface has never been especially intuitive, but I was an old Quicken user and it was somewhat familiar. Over time, it's gotten worse, and in the last 2 years, the program seems to move things more often than I would expect.
    • The software constantly adds features that I don't want and want to turn off, but the interface is so difficult to use that I find myself skipping it. Imagine seeing a message that the system recognized invoices that hadn't been paid so it prepared reminder notices for you that can be sent at the click of a button. Who thinks using canned reminders that you've never seen is a good thing?
    • A lot of functionality seems to derive from connecting your bank accounts to QBO. I don't want Intuit to have an always-on connection to any bank accounts, even checking.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    It like the product 'right out of the box' and I trust Intuit will continually improve it over the years based on my experience with their desktop products. The large providers of Apps makes customizing the entire package relatively easy and seamless for a wide variety of business types.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    I had very little trouble setting up the program and migrating from our old accounting system. The daily usage is also very intuitive and easy. Anytime we run into minor trouble with the program, there are always tons of help available on YouTube, so we don't even look up the online manual anymore.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Reliability and Availability
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    We have rarely had outages in the last 10 years. I can only recall 2 times in the last 10 years where we were not able to access our client files.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Performance
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    Everything process has its bugs lately with the new interface. Nothing has worked smoothly since this all began last month.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    In my experience, most representatives keep me on the phone for hours, literally, for a single issue and then usually cannot resolve it satisfactorily. I have 10 open cases that need resolution and, in my experience, there has been NO follow-up communication on any of them.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    The person in charge of QB needs to be very accurate with record keeping and is recommended to stay on top of tasks. The biggest issue we have is reconciliation, and those issues occur only when too much time has occurred between reconciliations
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    ApprovalMax
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Intuit
    As a freelance bookkeeper, the Desktop version of QuickBooks Online doesn't allow for ease of access from any device. Having to be on a computer with the software downloaded creates additional work to gain access to all required filings etc. Also, I personally find the linking functionality on the Online version to be much more streamlined and user friendly.
    Read full review
    Scalability
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    As we have grown along our professional path, we have also expanded our use of QB. The scalability is easy and features seem to be waiting for you until you need them. We have increased profits by over 10x from our first year in business to the current and have yet to find a reason to look elsewhere
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    ApprovalMax
    • 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 .
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Intuit
    • QuickBooks has given us a useful portal by which to get an overview of our financials.
    • QuickBooks has given us a relatively easy way to send out invoices quickly and efficiently.
    • Due to the customization limitations on QuickBooks, we've had to get creative in third-party implementations to better represent our brand and to track financials.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    ApprovalMax Screenshots

    Screenshot of where approval processes are set up  – no matter how simple or complex.Screenshot of the interface to build approval steps that follow any business rules – whether approvals happen one after another, all at once, or only in certain cases. The user can also control who approves based on things like amount, supplier, account code, or category.Screenshot of where to approve bills and purchase orders the way that works best.Screenshot of the interface that matches bills to approved purchase orders from the same supplier to keep coding accurate and control spending. Unmatched bills can also be stopped from being approved.Screenshot of where to mention others in comments to bring them in or get their input – even if they’re not part of the original approval. If they don’t have access, a prompt to add them as a Watcher is sent. Mentions work on web and mobile, sending notifications as soon as access is granted.Screenshot of where to raise purchase orders, approve requests, and extract key details from bills and purchase orders – all on the go with the ApprovalMax mobile app for iOS and Android.

    QuickBooks Online Screenshots

    Screenshot of the accounting and bank transactions interfaceScreenshot of an overview of the accounting inventoryScreenshot of book marksScreenshot of the business tax overviewScreenshot of the customer hubScreenshot of the dashboard